If you’re new to Spain, you might find the unusual supermarket opening hours confusing. Want to shop on a Sunday, only to discover all stores are closed? And every shopping trip turns into a workout, hauling bottled water, milk, and rice home like a camel! Today, I’ll share my go-to apps and websites for grocery shopping and fresh food delivery in Spain, hoping to make your life easier and free up your hands.
First up are the official websites and apps of major supermarket chains, such as the well-known Mercadona and Carrefour. These two are basically the national supermarkets for people in Spain.
Advantages: They offer a wide variety of goods—vegetables, fruits, meat, seafood, and even daily essentials—making it easy to get everything you need in one stop. Prices are the same as in-store, with no markup, and their delivery charges are predictable and low.
Disadvantages: Delivery times are not very flexible. Usually, you have to book a delivery slot a day or two in advance. During peak times like weekends, it’s easy for all slots to be booked out. For those who want a spur-of-the-moment meal, especially brands popular on the Spanish gourmet delivery brand guide, this isn’t ideal.
If speed is what you’re after, instant delivery platforms are your savior, with Glovo being the most notable. Open the app and under “Supermercado” or “Compras,” you can order directly from nearby supermarkets, with a courier delivering your groceries to your door within an hour.
Advantages: Super fast—absolutely the best for emergencies! If you get a midnight craving or suddenly realize you’re out of eggs, this is the easiest solution.
Disadvantages: Product selection depends on which partner supermarkets are close to your address, so the range may be limited. Prices are slightly higher than ordering from supermarket apps, and delivery fees vary by distance and time slot, so total costs tend to be higher.
For those who love Asian flavors, nothing beats authentic sauces and specialty ingredients. Many Asian supermarkets now operate online stores—larger chains, such as popular Wenzhou supermarkets, often have their own websites or WeChat mini-programs, allowing you to order directly and deliver across Spain. Looking for luosifen noodles, hot pot soup base, Lao Gan Ma sauce, or just fresh Chinese cabbage and tofu? These sites are the answer! This solves the problems of having no Asian supermarket nearby or the hassle of traveling all the way to Chinatown.
To make things even clearer, here’s a simple comparison table:
| Platform Type | Example | Delivery Speed | Price | Product Variety |
|---|
| Official Supermarket | Mercadona, Carrefour | Slow | Lowest | Most complete |
| Instant Delivery App | Glovo, Uber Eats | Fast | Highest | Limited |
| Asian Online Market | Various Asian supermarkets | Moderate | Medium | Asian food focus |
In summary
For scheduled regular shopping, use the Mercadona or Carrefour official sites for the best deals. For last-minute needs or if you just don’t want to go out, go with Glovo. To feed your craving for Chinese tastes, check out Asian supermarket online stores available in your city or that offer nationwide delivery. Hope these tips help, and feel free to leave a comment and share your favorite grocery apps!
