Ooh, new Waitrose in my area, recommend me your favourites please!

[dazedandblue]

A new Waitrose has opened near me and I'm heading over for a browse today. I haven't stepped foot in one for a long time!

What are your must-buy items? Best own-brand stuff, hidden gems, things worth the extra cost? Also any bakery/deli/cheese counter recommendations?

Basically don't want to just wander round aimlessly and miss the good stuff - give me your Waitrose wisdom!

Interesting! I don’t like to at all. I bought almost all of it when it launched and have found everything either sweet or fake tasting. Not re bought a single item and I’m a massive Ottelenghi fan

Yes the dark chocolate, how did I forget about that in my original post.

Their essentials coleslaw. IMO it is nicer than most premium ranges. Not too sharp or too sweet, or too runny or too gloopy.

They periodically have 25% off all wines which is a good deal.
Natoora fruit and vegetables ( but it’s not cheap)
Ottolenghi
Spice Tailor
Merchant Gourmet
Gymkhana curry sauces and ready meals.

All the No 1 range - ice cream, cheese, etc. the Greek yogurt is the best I’ve ever had.

I like their almond croissants, but try and get them from the bakery section rather than the ones packaged. I also like some of their salad - nice apple and beetroot. They have a range of what would now be called ‘picky bits’ usually on 3 for 2 offer. Yum. My sister loves their fruity cous cous.

Ah yes how did I forget the No 1cheese range!!

A second recommendation for the No 1 Greek yogurt - it’s superb. And comes in massive tubs (1 litre) for about £4.

I like their profiteroles.
Profiteroles in restaurants are often disappointing.
Waitrose ones are perfect for me.

Venison burgers (we stock up thd freezer when those are reduced).

Pomegranate molasses

Herbs and spices in jars you can get a spoon jn (Sainsbury's also do these)

Right. Thats it. I’m on holiday somewhere with a Waitrose 20 miles away. The nearest one to home is almost 100 miles away. I’m off. Toodles.

Estate Dairy unhomogenised milk & yoghurt - not cheap, but 100% worth it for for natural 'good' in it. (I've only ever seen it in Ocado otherwise).

Duchy Organic Rump steak.

Their nectarines this year (packs of 4) have been excellent. No1. Strawberries/Blueberries/Raspberries (obviously do your due dilligence and make sure none of the fruit is soft and check the base of the pack).

No.1 pepporoni pizza.

No.1 ice cream (any flavour).

But honestly, if I had to get anything it would be the Estate Diary milk. Once you've had it, you won't want a coffee without it.

Their Essential 6 free range and white eggs are only £1.30. Read an article Waitrose did which said the at these white eggs are very environmentally friendly or something like that. I like their Duchy range of meat as all free range.

Just been today and bought from their 3 for £12 bbq meat range which I think is great value. Got a pack of burgers, sausages and kebabs.

Oh what a shame. I am particularly taken with the harissa and the ice creams !

The steak on their meat counter is consistently better than any other supermarket.

They do a ready made, whole, deboned chicken in honey and mustard which is a fabulous and easy meal.

Their own brand frozen breakfast pastries are delicious. Actually, their own brand puff pastry roll (which can be frozen) is also great.

Their own brand berry granola is the nicest and, ironically, one of the cheapest per kg, you can find.

I love Waitrose. I used to live near one and shopped there all the time. But now I live farther away from a decent sized one and I can’t quite justify their prices for my weekly delivered shop when it is more expensive than Ocado. The above are things I still go out of my way to get, though.

Frozen blackcurrant cheesecake - sensational value

So - I'm back!

Firstly, the store was a lot smaller than I assumed. No idea why I thought it would be larger, but it meant no fish, meat or deli counters. 🙁

But I've come back with:

Essential Cottage Cheese
Waitrose raspberries
No1 Greek yoghurt
No1 Sicilian Olives
No1 Olive Breadstick
No1 Strawberries
Alphonso Mango Sorbet
Rosé
Waitrose Mortadella
No1 Smoked Salmon
No1 Turkey slices
No1 Pecorino and Truffle crisps
Cook's Ingredient Gochujang Paste
No1 Fennel Salami
Aperol Spritz - not Waitrose specific but it's summer

Very excited to sample it all.
And ready for another visit and haul.....
I think the novelty of having a Waitrose in the area meant that a lot of stuff had already been picked over and was sold out!

Oooh South East/Essex way?
I hope you found some delicious things!

YESSSSS!
Did you find anything good?

Cornish quartz cheddar
fig and balsamic chutney
Colombian coffee ice cream as PP mentioned
mutti ketchup
olive ciabatta
nutty granola with no sugar (or low sugar)?
the tallow free fabric conditioner

lots of nice products OP hope you enjoyed the shop

Costa di mollica tiramisu

You need the app. Then you'll receive weekly vouchers but you have to proactively 'select' them every week. You still get a free hit drink if you take your own travel cup.

I've just searched up where your new Waitrose is but it doesn't appear on the list if I put in my postcode or on the map. (On Waitrose stores search)

There's one near one of the sites I workk so I sometimes take a big freezer bag and potter along .
Apart from the ice cream , I buy the Tivalli Sweetcorn Schnitzels ( vegan)

The Bluewater/John Lewis one is nice enough if I;m there but not very big .

Yarg cheese from the cheese counter.
their own brand mango chutney 😋