Summer food shopping

January is the slumping month. It's the month you want to be relaxing at home, not committing to massive restaurant meals. So with that in mind, here are a few of our favourite shops for all the things you'll need for casual summertime lunches and dinners. 

Fruit and veg

Super sweet Bethonga pineapples. Individual watermelons. Queensland strawberries so big and sweet you can smell them across the room. Yes, you'll find all this and more at Fratelli Fresh.Waterloo, Potts Point, Walsh Bay. For tiny vegetables, rare potatoes, plus a huge range of herbs, head to Galluzzo's, which has been operating in Glebe since the 1930s.It's not cheap, but the quality is fantastic.187 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe 2037. (02 9660 2114).

Seafood

There's nothing better than a fresh shucked oyster. The only problem with buying them in Sydney is most places have pre-shucked 'em and rinsed off the brine - the best bit. Visit the Sydney Fish Marketgo straight to Christie's (who also stock the best sashimi-grade fish) and ask for unshucked Sydney Rock oysters. Don't know how to shuck? Check out our handy guide to look like a pro and impress everyone you know. Bank St, Pyrmont 2009. (02 9004 1100).

Sweet treats

MasterChef has made it hard getting into Adriano Zumbobut his desserts - namely the éclairs - still have us lining up on a Saturday morning. He's opened a new café on Terry Street in Rozelle, too. 296 Darling St, Balmain 2041. (02 9810 7318). Fan of breakfast dessert? Are you ever! At Black Staryou can breakfast dessert till you explode. If you can't wait till you get home, order a granita to eat along the way. 277 Australia St, Newtown 2042. (02 9557 8656).

Bread

There some things we won't line up for – bars, iPhones, and McDonald's. We can, will and do line up for Iggy'sbread, however. Bronte may boast perilous riptides and very little else, but it does have this tiny bakery. The sourdough here is properly sour and it just tastes like it's doing you good - even Atkins devotees would attest to that. 49 Belgrave St, Bronte 2024. (02 9369 1650).

Fancy food staples

You could probably live without ever having to pay $20 for a piece of parmesan but hey, it's summer - live a little. At Accoutrementyou'll more than likely get better service if you're in chinos with helmet hair, but if you're northside, this food store and cooking school boasts a great range of foodie things. 611 Military Rd, Mosman 2088. (02 9969 1031). The new Essential Ingredient  which recently moved from Camperdown to Rozelle not only offers cooking classes, but masa flour - essential for making tortillas - the easiest summertime food we can think of. 731-735 Darling St, Rozelle 2039. (02 9555 8300). If you've ever had thoughts of laying down some serious dough-rae-me on cheese, Simon Johnson is the place to do it. Alexandria and Pyrmont.

Cured meats, olives and deli goods

You can't say cheese cracker without saying Cyril's DeliWell, technically you can, but we don't like to. This Polish Jewish deli stocks all you could ever want in smoked fish, cured meats, olives, dips and chocolates. 181 Hay St, Haymarket 2000. (02 9211 0994). Olympic Deli & Butcheris the best for out-of-this-world halva, chilli dried sausages, and more dried goods than you have fingers to poke at. They love a chat here, and chances are you'll be walking out with more than you bargained for (and potentially know what to do with). Shop 41, Bankstown Plaza 2200. (02 9790 1669).

Meat

What's a summer break without meat? It's no break at all, that what. Take a drive out to Kogarah and pay a visit to Pino's Dolce Vita.45 President Ave, Kogarah 2217. (02 9587 4818). Or go super deluxe atVictor Churchillwhere every steak has a story. 132 Queen St, Woollahra 2025. (02 9328 0402). Sam the Butcher, meanwhile,is one of the few old-school butcheries that still breaks down carcasses on-premises. 371 Rocky Point Rd, Sans Souci 2219. (02 9583 1144).

More on Sydney's best food?Sydney's best butchers, Sydney's best bakeries, Sydney's best cooking schools.

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