Ava's Downtown Market & Deli - Mountain View, California

Heather A. A.

This is a great grocery store with both a poke bar and Mexican food kiosk inside of it. They had all the items you need for regular grocery shopping and tons of specialty items and international products. The produce looked pretty good and there was lots of things to keep The discerning shopper interested.

If you were going to make a picnic or have lunch on Castro Street this would be the place to go. There aren’t tables inside, but there are tables all along Castro Street, which is a closed off street with a bunch of tables, chairs and benches.

Sunshine G.

This is a local, family owned and run specialty grocery market. It’s sweet because the owners named it after their little daughter Ava many years ago.

There’s the Spain corner with a variety of manchego cheeses, jamon iberica (Spanish ham similar to Prosciutto), mixes for Valencian paella, squid ink, and those delicious Spanish round crackers. There’s also a variety of other regular foods here.

Some highlights - frozen croissants that The Milk Pail used to carry, Rosehip jam that flies off the shelves, a robust wine and alcohol section and an extensive gourmet cheese section. For the winter holidays, they have a huge selection of European bread/cakes/chocolates like Italian Panettone, Vegan Panettone, German Stollen fruitcake and candy advent calendars. All of their produce are organic so there’s no need to double check the labels. Many of the household products are “green” and natural. There’s also a Poke Fish lunch line inside as well as a Latino restaurant. They have seating inside and outside if you want to enjoy the sunlight on the pedestrian only main street. It’s nice to see the same friendly cashiers each time!

Some pictures from the owner’s tour attached. Check out the special wine that retails for $80 and sells for $30 here? There’s also some great nonalcoholic wines, a rose called Ohlala was recommended! The owner knows his wines and has wine tastings here as well as occasional food demos/clothing popups. Join the Ava’s market club to get special offers!

Pablo

Great little shop! Great prices, friendly and helpful staff! Delicious chocolate milk

M.A. E.

What a sweet little neighborhood market tweaking itself into a viable store. The flower and plant section is growing and blooming. The fresh baguettes and bakery items from local vendors is a reason to make a quick stop. Wine, sweets, organic produce, and many convenience items can be found here. And then, there's the poke bar to grab to-go food! Please support your local family grocery store!

Henry M.

Nice market with a deli and 2 count them 2 restaurants inside as well as a flower shop. Pretty cool if you ask me. As I walked around I found that they had a big selection of beer and wine.
They have a Deli inside the store stacked with meats.

Co R.

My easily prepared delicious salad included Ava's Downtown Market organic red baby bibb lettuce gently pulled apart into pieces, 1/2 bunch cilantro, large avocado, 3oz sardine tin in olive oil and organic lime juice which is located on the shelf above the sardines. Premium quality clean produce that feels different to the touch as well as incredible premium canned and prepackaged food.🏅 Helpful staff make themselves available without taking off in the opposite direction when they see you and quick efficient checkout without meaningless chat. This store smells clean, soars high above the overpriced, disrespectful conglomerates who gladly rule over their willing subjects. Who among us wants to play that stupid game? Welcome to the 21st century, its local Ava's Downtown Market on Castro Street in Mountain View to the rescue!!

Jeremy W.

This used to be a nice local market/deli, but they removed the deli area and added a poke place ... and now its dead. No wonder: a freezer with a few frozen meat/fish options isn't really what you'd expect (and if I wanted all my meat frozen, there's tons of services that deliver; why come to Ava's?)

The produce selection was just ok, but they did have some other interesting products. In particular they have the incredible Santa Cruz ice cream brand Mariane's! I rarely eat ice cream anymore, but Marine's is the amazing.

One other note: the checker (and only employee?) gave off an unfriendly vibe ... I don't think he wanted to be there either!

Sadly, I came here looking for a good local alternative to Safeway with grass fed/free range meat. Ava's is not that, so I'll keep looking ... but if they ever get an actual meat and fish counter, and up their produce game, they totally could be.

joyita S.

Such a cute shop, absolutely loved the plant section.