Grocery Stores & Gourmet Markets near Theory

An Easy-to-Reach Pantry

Located in the heart of Union Market, new apartments at Theory not only put you two blocks from all the basics you need at Trader Joes, but also near an exciting variety of gourmet markets and independent local vendors.

If you love food, you'll love living here.

Trader Joe's

• Distance from Theory: ~0.2 Miles
• Offers: An immediate neighborhood staple for affordable groceries, frozen entrees, and unique seasonal items. Because it's so closet to the building, residents can easily treat it as an extended pantry for quick weeknight shopping trips. Beyond quick meals, it carries all the foundational baking and cooking staples you need—including a consistent selection of fresh fruits, organic vegetables, dairy, eggs, and flour—meaning you can easily check off your entire weekly grocery list on a single block. Pro Tip: Bring a rolling shopping cart for easier transport to and from your apartment.

Harris Teeter

• Distance from Theory: ~0.4 Miles
• Offers: As a full-scale, traditional supermarket, this store is the go-to option for large-scale grocery hauls, bulk household items, and name-brand essentials. It features a complete deli counter, a full-service pharmacy, and a robust selection of conventional home goods that specialty markets lack. Pro Tip: You can also order same-day delivery via the Harris Teeter website or app. If you use their loyalty card (VIC card), you get the same prices online as you do in the store.

A Litteri

• Distance from Theory: ~0.3 Miles
• Offers: Operating since 1926, this charming, historic Italian market is the neighborhood's premier spot for imported gourmet goods, aging cheeses, cured meats, and an award-winning selection of Italian wines. It functions as a specialized extension of your pantry where you can find authentic olive oils, hard-to-find pastas, and scratch-made red sauces, alongside their famous made-to-order deli counter subs.

The District Fishwife

• Distance from Theory: ~0.1 Miles
• Offers: Located at nearby Union Market, this full-service, independent fishmonger provides a daily rotating selection of fresh, sustainably caught seafood butchered in-house. It’s the perfect hyper-local spot to pick up everything from sushi-grade tuna and dry sea scallops to regional catches like wild rockfish, alongside a casual kitchen counter serving made-to-order fish and chips and poke bowls.

Harvey's by Soko

• Distance from Theory: ~0.1 Miles
• Offers: Also at Union Market, this long-standing neighborhood butcher counter specializes in high-quality, responsibly sourced meats. A go-to spot for premium pasture-raised steaks, house-made sausages, custom cuts, and local poultry for weekend grilling or rooftop dinner parties at Theory.

La Cosecha

• Distance from Theory: ~0.1 Miles
• Offers: This contemporary Latin American marketplace is a 20,000-square-foot cultural hub that goes well beyond food. For groceries, it features Grand Cata, a dedicated market and wine shop stocking small-batch natural wines, regional cheeses, hot sauces, and unique pantry imports. Beyond the grocery aisles and sit-down dining stalls, the marketplace is a prime spot for lifestyle shopping, showcasing independent boutiques and concept stores filled with artisanal clothing, handmade crafts, jewelry, and home decor that celebrate Latin American heritage.

Bread Alley

• Distance from Theory: ~0.1 Miles
• Offers: Tucked away in the alleyway on Morse Street NE, this hidden, 100-square-foot micro-bakery is where you can buy the famous artisan breads served at legendary D.C. restaurants like Le Diplomate. Operating like a "bread speakeasy" where you ring a doorbell to enter, the shop sells crusty French baguettes, multigrain levain, and their cult-favorite cranberry-walnut boules fresh daily, alongside small-batch local jams and artisan butters.

And if you're too tired to cook, Union Market also offers ready-to-eat dining options, ranging from artisanal food stalls and casual lunch counters to full-service restaurants that cater to any craving on a busy weeknight. Also check out our round up of the best restaurants in NoMa / Union Market.

A New Theory

At Theory, we’re a purpose-built community of people who crave urban life without compromise, blending a great location with floor-to-ceiling windows, modern floor plans, and luxe amenities. Come visit us in NoMa-Union Market and see what Northwest DC is is all about.