Recently, a friend of mine who wants to open a small restaurant in Barcelona kept asking about sourcing channels. That made me realize no one in our forum has systematically discussed this topic yet. Personally, I often run all over the place to stock up for home needs, so I spent some time putting together this list of Recommended Spanish food wholesale websites that I know of, hoping to help anyone who’s interested. Whether you’re preparing to start a business or just want to become an expert at stocking up, you’ll probably find some useful information here.
Large Wholesale Supermarkets in Spain
When it comes to wholesale, most Spaniards first think of Makro. It’s essentially the ‘go-to warehouse’ for Spain’s food and hospitality industry, offering a vast selection—from fresh meats, seafood, and vegetables, to beverages, alcohol, and kitchen equipment. However, it’s important to note that shopping at Makro requires a membership card, which can only be obtained with business owner residency or company credentials. Another similar option is Grossby, also a chain of large, warehouse-style supermarkets, which likewise require professional credentials to enter.
For the Spanish food wholesale market, if you are part of the Chinese community looking to open a Chinese restaurant or Asian supermarket, wholesale suppliers run by Chinese business owners are essential. Both Madrid and Barcelona have large Chinese food wholesale warehouses, such as Wenzhou Supermercados, among others. Many of these warehouses now also offer online ordering and delivery services in addition to their physical stores. Here you can find all sorts of seasonings, sauces, frozen foods, snacks and drinks from Asia—often with a much greater selection and better prices than regular Asian supermarkets. I once heard about a platform called ‘Asia Tong’, but it doesn’t seem very active these days.
To provide a direct comparison, I’ve put together a simple table below to help you choose according to your needs:
| Platform/Channel | Main Features | Target Audience |
|---|
| Makro / GM Food | All-in-one selection, reliable quality | Catering businesses, professional buyers with company credentials |
| Chinese wholesale warehouses | Paradise for Asian ingredients, seasonings, snacks, and beverages | Chinese restaurants, Asian food shops, families stocking up in bulk |
| Amazon Business | Easy online operation, quick delivery, some business discounts | Small offices, startups, families seeking convenience |
Which channel to choose really depends on your specific needs and credentials. My suggestion is, if your purpose is to open a restaurant, it’s best to combine visits to Makro and Chinese wholesalers to balance their advantages. If you’re a household buyer, some wholesale websites’ online platforms are worth exploring—sometimes you can bundle orders for free shipping, getting everything delivered directly to your doorstep and saving a lot of hassle. These are just my personal experiences and are not exhaustive—everyone is welcome to add your own sourcing tips or corrections in the comments, and share your favorite wholesale channels!
