The 50 Best Online Food Shops

2. Biscuiteers
“Sometimes I wonder if the web was invented purely for these sorts of real niche products,” says Matthew Drennan of Biscuiteers. “It specialises in sending tins of iced biscuits to suit all occasions. The result of some serious obsessing over biscuits, they come beautifully packaged in all shapes and sizes, on request, and are all iced by hand. You can include a message, too, so they make great gifts.”v Where www.biscuiteers.com 

3. Secretts
This 100-year-old family firm has long been a supplier of salad leaves and greens to top-end restaurants, but you don’t have to be a Michelinstarred chef to place an order online. The selection might be small, with a choice of just baby leaves or asparagus (in season), but Secretts has a cult following among those who want grow-yourown flavour without the graft. Baby-leaf selections can be singleflavour or a delicious mixed bunch of wild rocket, Italian red dandelion, red amaranth, golden mustard, ruby chard, red mustard, sorrel, red orach, tah tsoi, golden purslane, fine cress and mizuna.
Where: www.secretts.co.uk

4. The Spice Specialist
“This site is a genuinely brilliant idea – take one man’s passion to bring rare spices and seasoning to a discerning public and this is what you get: access to a huge range of exotic supplies already enjoyed by high-end restaurants like theFat Duck,” enthuses Matthew. “But the real genius is the monthly box scheme – pre-packed herbs and spices arrive, along with recipes and an ingredients list, which encourages experimenting with new flavours, dishes and cuisine.”
Where: www.thespicespecialist.com 

5. Northern Harvest
Tod Bulmer and Ed Woolley run this “box scheme with a difference” sourcing great fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, bakery items, sauces and much more from local, small producers in the north-west, and delivering weekly to customers in Cheshire, Lancashire, Manchester and Liverpool. The site also features a list of weekly specials. “Check out the home-cooked soups – they’re perfect with a hunk of bread,” recommends Roopa.
Where: www.northernharvest.co.uk 

6. Pipers Farm
“Pipers Farm, winner of the Best Food Producer category in the 2007 Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards, offers exceptional meat and poultry, from animals that have lived the good life, and been expertly hung (beef for a month) and butchered,” insists Gillian. If you think you may lack inspiration in the kitchen once your order arrives, you can always play lazy and opt for the company’s range of home-cooked curries and casseroles instead.
Where: www.pipersfarm.com

7. Rococo Chocolates
“As pretty and whimsical as the name might suggest, this is a site to cheer up a dull day,” promises Gillian. “I’m a fan of their chocolate flavoured with rose or violet, but if floral isn’t your thing, they also do selection packs that include cardamom, ginger and even sea saltflavoured bars too, as well as dairy- and sugar-free choices”. You don’t have to be a chocoholic to shop here, either; the nougat is equally delicious.
Where: www.rococochocolates.com

8. Leaf
“There are artisan tea suppliers all over the web, but this one, for me, has real integrity,” states Matthew. “It stocks well-sourced teas from specialists growers in Asia, using only thewhole or broken tea leaf, and can also supply all the tea accoutrements you could need –the travel kit is a work of art in itself, while the taster sets will help you get your feet wet.”
Where: www.leafshop.co.uk

9. Godminster
Though this Somerset-based organic food producer has recently branched out into chutneys, crackers and inventively flavoured vodkas (a shot of cucumber, elderflower or horseradish, anyone?), it’s cheese that the company is best known for. Make sure you try one of its “amazing heart-shaped vintage cheddars”, advises Joanna Weinberg. The online shop also does a nice line in gift boxes and party packs.
Where: www.godminster.com

10. Caledonian Connoisseur
Set up four years ago and enjoying a growing following, this web-based store sources highquality, fresh food – most of it free-range, organic and wild – from a network of over 100 independent farmers, butchers, fishermen and other producers across Scotland. Based on a farm outside Kelso, supplies range from hand-dived Hebridean scallops to Ayrshire bacon and “wee” venison pies from Fife, and service is reliable.
Where: www.caleyco.com

11. Treflach Farm
“Treflach Farm, in Shropshire, specialises in quality pork, lamb and, more recently, beef,” says Matthew. “It’s a prime example of reconnecting consumers with producers in the simplest but most meaningful way possible. Their online price list tells you everything you need to know, orders can be emailed or phoned in and soon enough one of the farmers – either Tom, Ian or Bruce – will deliver it to your door. It couldn’t be simpler.”
Where: www.treflachfarm.co.uk

12. L’Artisan du Chocolat
“Run by a dynamic duo of fervent chocolatiers, there’s no denying the passion and commitment ofL’Artisan du Chocolat and their founders,” says Matthew . “Their chocolates ooze genuine artistry, using quality ingredients with wonderful twists – rose and lychee discs are refreshing and light for the summer. From a small stall in London’s Borough Market, things have clearly grown – they’ve supplied for Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants and Concorde, but they still have a real passion for their product and prices are more than reasonable.”
Where: www.artisanduchocolat.com

13. Fruit for the Office
“Primarily aimed at businesses, everyone should encourage their bosses to sign up to regular deliveries of fresh fruit – they won’t regret it,” promises Matthew. “It’s such a simple idea – seasonal fruits, sourced locally and brought straight to your office from New Covent Garden Market as often (or infrequently) as needed. Currently limited to London deliveries, it’s a great way to your five-a-day,” he adds.
Where: www.fruitfortheoffice.co.uk

14. Paxton & Whitfield
“For me, there really is only one place to buy cheese from online, and that’s Paxton & Whitfield,” states Matthew. “They’ve been around for over 200 years, so they absolutely knowtheir cheese. They stock a full range of British and continental cheeses, plus chutneys, paired wines and cheese boards. There’s also a fantastic knowledge section on the site to help you up your game.” Gillian also recommends the site for "classic, stylish gifts”.
Where: www.paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk

15. Daylesford Organic
Not the cheapest of online shops, but one with seriously sustainable credentials, this emporium of all things luxury and organic sources much of its produce from the Daylesford estate. Head here for “the most beautiful organic veg bags imaginable, though you can get distracted by all sorts of tempting goodies from meat to milk and much beyond,” says Joanna. For those who count aesthetics as well as till receipts, the site also wins points for its beautiful design.
Where: www.daylesfordorganic.com

16. The Well Hung Meat Company
“The name may be humorous, but don’t be fooled – they take their meat very seriously in the West Country, and nowhere more so than at Well Hung Meat,” says Matthew. “There’s full traceability on all their meat, it’s hand-butchered, hung for longer for a fuller flavour and all certified organic. The difference really does come through in the taste – the beefburgers are particularly good.”
Where: www.wellhungmeat.com

17. Sharpham Park
Recommended by Fabio and run by Roger Saul, the founder of the Mulberry fashion label and owner of the ritzy Charlton House Hotel in Somerset, Sharpham Park Farm specialises in growing organic spelt, an ancient grain prized for its nutty flavour and versatility. The online range is Soil Association certified and includes several flours, mueslis and – when in stock – walnuts from trees planted by Roger on the estate.
Where: www.sharphampark.com

18. Riverford Organic
“There are few veg-box schemes that operate nationally, or near-nationally, but Riverford is one of them,” states Matthew. “Weekly deliveries of seasonally changing veg are delivered direct your door. Prices are competitive, and provided you don’t check the site ahead of time, there’s always a welcome surprise with what’s inside the box – some staples, plus a few lesser-known items. A great way of helping you experiment with new ingredients,” adds Matthew. Gillian is also a fan.
Where: www.riverford.co.uk

19. Forman & Field
“Forman & Field stocks everything from meats to cheeses and beyond, but the ‘Forman’ refers to H. Forman & Sons, a 100 year-old family business famous for its smoked salmon and fresh fish,” advises Matthew. For Roopa, this is the site for home cooks looking to put a banquet together from their sofa. With “top-class British food, Forman and Field celebrate regional specialities and do it well,” she says, adding that the site “comes into its own during the festive season.”
Where: www.formanandfield.com 

20. The Fine Beef Company
It may seem an unlikely approach to animal conservation but for many of Britain’s traditional strains of cattle, the best thing you can do to help ensure the breed’s survival is to eat it. Which is where the Fine Beef Company comes in. Based in the Chilterns, it rears Dexter, Longhorn and White Park cattle, alongside more common breeds such as Aberdeen Angus. “The long-horn beef is superb, hung for a minimum of five to eight weeks,” raves Fabio. “They are also venturing into charcuterie, creating their own delicious chorizo with fennel.”
Where: www.thefinebeefcompany.co.uk  

21. The Grasmere Gingerbread shop
“Nothing beats the warm aroma of crumbly, biscuity gingerbread from Sarah Nelson’s shop”, says Roopa, adding that “though I now live in London, these tasty goodies take me back to a childhood spent in Cumbria.” Originally set up as a cottage industry by a farm labourer’s wife in the 1800s, the inside of the shop hasn’t much changed since it was established. Fortunately, for those who don’t live within sniffing distance of the Lakes, online ordering means gingerbreadlovers throughout the UK can now enjoy the experience, too.
Where: www.grasmeregingerbread.co.uk

22. Japan Centre
Famous for its Japanese food emporium and sushi bar on London’s Piccadilly, the Japan Centre’s range of hard-to-find Japanese goods is astounding, according to Matthew. “The Japan Centre stocks everything you could possibly need – from mirin to miso, sushi rice to pickled ginger and all points in between. The site is efficient and well thought out, so there’s no excuse for not attempting some adventurous Japanese dishes of your own.”
Where: www.japancentre.com

23. Peelham Farm
“Chris Walton of Peelham Farm has created a model organic system up in Scotland, rearing British native breeds and producing some of the best sausages you can find,” says Fabio. The company’s mantra of “sustainability, integrity, traceability, taste” is perfectly in tune with modern consumer preferences, and the online shop doesn’t disappoint connoisseur carnivores, with organic pork, lamb, mutton and veal on the list, in myriad guises.
Where: www.peelham.co.uk  

24. Bettys by Post
“Keeping home baking on our teatime plates, Bettys delivers an excellent range of traditional buttery cakes, tortes, biscuits, tea loaves and more,” says Roopa. Gillian agrees. “The cakes, bakes and biscuits – including the famous Fat Rascals – from this iconic Yorkshire emporium are reassuringly traditional, and well packaged. Everything is made at the bakery in Harrogate and, if you like a full-bodied tea, you’ll enjoy the Tea Room blend”.
Where: www.bettysbypost.com

25. Churchmouse Cheeses
Named best independent cheese shop in Britain 2007, the online version of this Kirkby Lonsdale outlet sells a wide range of artisanal produce, from Hawkshead relish to sticky puddings. Its “fabulous selection” of cheese is the main event, according to Roopa, however. Thevast choice on offer includes everything from Lancashire “black bombs” and Harlech cheddar to Cumbrian Croglin. “It’s fantastic to see Cumbrian cheese up there with the leaders,” adds Roopa.
Where: www.churchmousecheeses.com

26. Donald Russell
“Long established and reliable, Donald Russell offers a huge range of quality prime meat cuts, meat pies and seasonal selections, such as burgers for your BBQ,” advises Gillian. “The company is working on reducing its packaging, and customers can request that their delivery is packaged more minimally. It also supplies a good range of shellfish”. New this summer are classic – and mini – lamb burgers and minute ribeye steaks.
Where: www.donaldrussell.com 

27. Melt
Who would have thought that Belgium boasts an official chocolate ambassador? But if the master-chocolatier Keith Hurdman, who took on the role in 2003, thought things couldn’t get better than that for a would-be Willy Wonka, hewaswrong. Keith now oversees production at Melt, the UK’s most fashionable chocolate emporium. Fortunately, you don’t have to live near the company’s Notting Hill base to see what all the fuss is about. Order online and you can have truffles, bars, bonbons and “prizewinning, sea-salted caramels worth going to hell for whizzed to your door,” says Joanna.
Where: www.meltchocolates.com

28. Fortnum & Mason
Matthew rates Fortnum’s online food hall as “nothing less than the ultimate deli – an unparalleled range of absolutely everything you could need (and plenty of what you don’t, which is a joy in itself). It’s all of excellent provenance, quintessentially British but with an international outlook, too. Yes, it can be expensive, but much of it is excellently sourced and in this instance you do get what you pay for.”
Where: www.fortnumandmason.com 

29. Une Normande à Londres
Cheese is one of the world’s great gastronomic wonders, according to Fabio. “For the finest French selection, Une Normande à Londres doesAOC cheeseboards and platters available to order online,” he advises. If you really want to impress, opt for “Le Gourmet”, a selection of 13 traditional French cheeses, including Crottin, Chèvre fermier, Taupinière, Clochette, SainteMaure, Roves des Garrigues, Valencay, Petit sec, Cabecou, Selles sur Cher, Cabri épices and Rodin.
Where: www.unenormandealondres.co.uk

30. Delizioso
“For lovers of la dolce vita, this supplier of specialist Italian ingredients is fantastic – you’ll find everything from quality salami and cheeses to antipasti, pasta and artisan balsamic vinegars on its website,” says Matthew. “The founders are Italians living in Britain, so they know their stuff and have regular forays back home to source their quality produce. Fun for them, great for you.”
Where: www.deliziosodeli.co.uk 

31. Hebridean Smokehouse Ltd
“Deeply peaty-flavoured smoked salmon, sea trout and scallops come from this small, family-run business on the island of North Uist,” says Gillian, who recommends that “a whole side of salmon makes a wonderful centrepiece (and goes down well with an Islay whisky)”. Can’t make up your mind what to opt for? Gillian suggests ordering a Hebridean selection pack for a taste of (almost) everything.
Where: www.hebrideansmokehouse.com 

32. Hope and Greenwood
This is a sweet shop like no other, according toRoopa. Self-styled “purveyors of splendid confectionery”, Miss Hope and Mr Greenwood mine a niche rich of traditional candy, much of it now available online. “The latest branch ofHope and Greenwood is a national treasure of British confection,” raves Roopa. “Take your pick from a wishlist of crunchy, chewy, suckable guilty pleasures – sherbet-dusted bonbons, parma violets, fizzy cola cubes and rubbery juicy lips, to name but a few.”
Where: www.hopeandgreenwood.co.uk

33. Broomfields Farm Shop
Not so much a farm shop as an orchard with a till, Broomfields specialises in mail-order English apples sold in 3.1kg boxes. Looking for an attractive, richly flavoured dessert apple? Plump for a box of Cox’s Orange Pippins. More a firm, fine-textured, nutty kind of person? You’ll be wanting some Egremont Russets. Something a little coarse but also juicy and sweet? Head straight to checkout with some Lord Lambournes.
Where: www.broomfieldsfarmshop.co.uk

34. Lewis & Cooper
The ultimate in “heavenly hamper-dom”, according to Roopa, Lewis & Cooper has online ordering set-up for “baskets that suit every occasion, every taste, and all budgets. Whenever I visit my sister, we take a trip to the company’s shop in Northallerton and load the car boot with the best of Yorkshire’s yummy goodies – cake slabs, own-cooked ham, andWensleydale cheese. The website features a selection of treats for under £20.”
Where: www.lewisandcooper.co.uk  

35. Fencebay
"This was the Scottish regional winner for Local Food Heroes 2008, a UKTV Food campaign that aims to celebrate small British food businesses,” says Roopa. The owners Bernard and Jill Thain have developed their farm at Fencebay over the last 20 years with the aim of reviving Ayrshire’s fish-smoking industry. The online mail order range now covers everything from undyed Fairlie kippers to smoked trout pâté, and “the hot-smoked salmon has a deliciously subtle flavour,” adds Roopa.
Where: www.fencebay.co.uk

36. Local Food Shop
Local Food Shop is run in conjunction with Big Barn – “an appropriate name for a site listing many local shops and producers under one roof”, says Gillian. It’s ideal if shopping by region is important to you, as you can either shop online by product or enter your postcode and see which suppliers are closest to you. “There’s a huge selection, including produce from farm shops, delis and butchers,” adds Gillian.
Where: www.localfoodshop.co.uk

37. The Village Bakery
Forget sushi bars, nightclubs or café culture. If you live in the sticks, finding bread that isn’t shaped like a shoebox is a more immediate frustration. Of course, you could always make your own. But if you’re not of a Nigella-ish persuasion, and you don’t mind spending slightly over the odds, ordering online can be a useful stopgap for the carb-addicted. Cumbria-based company the Village Bakery offers 16 different (organic) varieties on its website, plus a range of cakes and biscuits.
Where: www.village-bakery.com

38. The Patchwork Traditional Food Co
Though it now sells a huge range of products, from tarts and pies to chocolate terrines, as the website’s name suggests this Denbighshire- based company made its name whipping up delicious artisan pâtés. Current flavours range from chicken liver to a vegetarian pâté made with lentils and hazelnuts, while the more adventurous can opt for “limitededition” varieties such as mallard, mustard and Madeira or partridge and pear with sloe gin.
Where: www.patchworkpate.co.uk

39. Natoora
This is one of the most comprehensive online farmers’ markets around, according to Fabio. “The internet initially opened up access to smaller producers, but has definitelymoved towards umbrella siteswhere you can order a vast range of goods from many different suppliers,” adds Matthew. “What’s fantastic is that these smaller producers still have a visible presence, so the link between us and them remains. This is Natoora down to a T– with French leanings, but also a super range of British goods.”
Where: www.natoora.co.uk

40. Rocket Gardens
Rocket Gardens, winner of a recent Good Housekeeping food award, is the UK’s only supplier of instant kitchen gardens. If you want to grow your own but you don’t know where to start, Rocket Gardens will supply you with a boxful of baby organic vegetable plants, ready to transfer straight into your garden, patio container or window box. Okay, so it’s not exactly a ready-meal but, if you go for one of the instant herb or salad garden kits, you’ll be munching away in a jiffy.
Where: www.rocketgardens.co.uk

41. Coco of Bruntsfield
The company may take its name from one of Edinburgh’s poshest neighbourhoods but there’s nothing remotely old-fashioned about the handmade chocs this artisan producer turns out. But then it’s run by an expat Aussie. As well as no-nonsense bars of plain, milk or white chocolate, more unusual flavourings range from cardamom to Earl Grey tea. It’s also getting a growing following for its hot chocolate and does an imaginative line in quirky, but prettily-packaged gifts.
Where: www.buycoco.co.uk

42. Local Produce Shop
Filling a gap in the market, this company specialises in selling organic, specialist and artisanal groceries sourced as close to customers’ homes as possible. The range is wide and interesting, from Honeybuns brownies to Stroud Brewery ales – and producers’ locations are listed alongside each item, but it works best within the current fresh-deliveries area (roughly Gloucestershire, south Worcestershire, north Wiltshire and what was North Avon).
Where: www.localproduceshop.co.uk

43. Hand Made Meat
A kind of online mini-market for locally produced, high-quality meat. Hand Made Meat brings together eight traditional, smallscale producers from across the UK,allowing them to trade directly with consumers in a way that wouldn’t be possible individually – ie providing a more reliable supply and greater range. Lamb, goat, pork and beef are all on offer, much of it from rare breeds. The only catch is that, sausages aside, you have to buy in fairly hefty quantities.
Where: www.handmademeat.co.uk

44. Valvona & Crolla
The café in Edinburgh’s famous Italian deli may be overpriced and underwhelming (especially when compared to its youngersister establishment VinCaffè) but there’s nothing below par about the shop itself, and the online version doesn’t disappoint. Indeed, with its “amazing store-cupboard essentials, fabulous Italian cheeses and deli goods and great cookware and kit, you may just want to live in it,” warns Joanna.
Where: www.valvonacrolla.co.uk

45. Seasoned Pioneers
Roopa is a big fan of this company’s spices, that come packaged in little foil pouches. “Seasoned Pioneers brings a taste of sunshine cooking tomy kitchen with spice blends as delicious as they are diverse,” she says. “I’m especially partial to the rose-petal masala and the Caribbean spice rub is marvellous, too.” Gillian Carter agrees, adding that the quality and service are excellent – and that its “now benefiting from the ‘Delia effect’, having been mentioned in her latest book.”
Where: www.seasonedpioneers.co.uk

46. Sandridge Farmhouse Bacon
Look no further for “classic Wiltshire bacon cured without water, from pigs fed on yeast from the local Wadworth’s factory,” advises Joanna. “Their bangers are right up there, too,” she adds. The one downside? The ordering process is as oldfashioned as the company’s production methods. With no credit-card facilities, customers have to print off a mail-order form and post it back with a cheque.
Where: www.sandridgefarmhousebacon.co.uk

47. Montezuma’s
“Montezuma’s has an excellent range of chocolates and truffles (many of them organic), from single-origin bars to quirkier items like white-chocolate dipped-dried mangos, with lime and chilli. There’s something here for all the family,” promises Matthew. “It’s all resoundingly British and there’s a real honesty to their end product, which I value,” he adds. The house speciality is 45g “chunky” bars, which come in 12 idiosyncratic flavours.
Where: www.montezumas.co.uk

48. Neal’s Yard Dairy
“Neal’s Yard has played a huge role in saving traditional British cheeses – including the worldfamous farmhouse cheddars – from total extinction and has the most comprehensive, mouthwatering selection you can imagine,” enthuses Fabio. Joanna also rates the company highly, stating that it’s “a proudly British dairy from which you can order satisfyingly large cheeses, as well as very unusual ones from small producers.”
Where: www.nealsyarddairyshop.co.uk

49. Food Full Stop
“This is a very good one-stopshop run by a passionate trio of young bright things – an umbrella site bringing together a good range of smaller specialist producers,” says Matthew. “You order in a single transaction for ease, then your goods are supplied by the individual producers. It’s an excellent gateway to littleknown British suppliers and an effective online food hall.”
Where: www.foodfullstop.com

50. Muddy Cook
“This online muesli mixery means you can make up your own combination from over 95 (mostly organic, preservative-free, Fairtrade) ingredients – so there’s no more having to pick out that horrible, sugary dried papaya,” says Joanna. Choose from nuts, fruits, seeds, grains and other “yummy bits”, then name your mix, and the company will send it to you in a personalised pack. Still not sure what you’re looking for? Then buy one of the company’s ready-mixed blends.
Where: www.muddycook.co.uk