Kalustyan's

"While not a destination for its interior design, Kalustyan's will blow you away with it's wall-to-wall selection of hard-to-find spices and ingredients. From Asian to Indian to Middle Eastern to African— ethnic restaurants around the country order their spices from here. If your local grocery store is giving you blank stares when you ask them for sumac, it's time to try Kalustyan's." - Marcelo Cardoso

"Kalustyan’s is where you go to let your culinary freak flag fly. Did you need some curry powder? Would twenty different kinds suffice? Though it’s primarily a market, we’d be real jerks for not mentioning the café upstairs. An octogenarian (look, we found another old person in Murray Hill!) will probably make your meal but know that on the other end of it is all kinds of Mediterranean goodness." - simona sudit

"If you’re someone who makes do with Fairway by going all Professor Snape on the spice aisle, then Kalustyan’s will be your new favorite market in Manhattan. This specialty grocery store near Madison Square Park sells a massive array of Indian and Middle Eastern herbs and spices. Their selection is so deep in categories ranging from breads and sauces, to desserts and teas, that exploring any one in particular feels like the real-life version of an infinite scroll." - hannah albertine, nikko duren

"Located in Manhattan's "Curry Hill" (a play on the neighborhood's formal name, Murray Hill) and surrounded by Indian restaurants frequented by taxi drivers for quick to-go plates, Kalustyan's is a must-stop for nuts, spices, and other specialty foods sourced from around the globe. It's easy to lose yourself among the bins, boxes, and bags, and you may end up bringing home new finds—say, French de Puy lentils or hibiscus flowers in their own syrup (great for DIY cocktails). Head upstairs for a bite at the modest in-store restaurant."

"COVID-19 update: Open for in-store shopping, pickup and delivery. As serious home cooks attest, Kalustyan’s may just be the best international food stockist in the world. Operating out of the same Lexington Avenue location since 1944, they stock every spice, grain, cracker, and chutney in the world from India to Italy, along with just the right implements, whether it be a tortilla press or a tagine. The sheer size of the honey aisle alone is enough to drop jaws. It’s a foodie mecca, not just for the seemingly infinite varieties of foods and international kitchen tools, but for the outstanding sandwiches and middle-eastern/mediterranean nosh served at their cafe upstairs. COVID-19 disclaimer: We are working hard to keep our listings as up to date as possible (deliveries, outdoor dining, etc.), but given the evolving nature of local COVID-19 restrictions, we recommend double-checking the information in this guide with any business you plan on visiting. Also, please note that we have not vetted any businesses listed within our guides for their compliance with applicable safety regulations."