In Greenwich Village, Murray’s Cheese Shop (254 Bleecker St., 212/243-3289) is a neighborhood institution, selling cheeses from around the world. McNulty’s Tea and Coffee (109 Christopher St., near Bedford, 212/242-5351) is an aromatic haven over 100 years old.

In Little India, a number of food stores waft their luscious smells out onto the street. Foremost among them is the venerable Kalustyan’s (123 Lexington Ave., 212/685-3451). The first store to import Indian foodstuffs into the city, the bustling shop sells everything from homemade labne yogurt to Afghan naan bread to stuffed pita pockets to go.

On the opposite side of town, Poseidon Bakery (629 9th Ave., 212/757-6173) is a Greek shop that has been hand-rolling phyllo dough for about 75 years.

On the Upper East Side, Schaller & Weber (1654 2nd Ave., 212/879-3047) is a 1937 German butcher shop that will mail sausages anywhere in the world.

On the Upper West Side, Zabar’s (2245 Broadway, at 80th St., 212/787-2000) is the city’s most beloved food store. Dating back to the 1930s, Zabar’s sells over 10,000 pounds of coffee, 10 tons of cheese, and 1,000 pounds of salmon a week, not to mention pots and pans, microwave ovens, vacuum cleaners, and the like. Some 10,000 customers are said to pass through its friendly portals on a Saturday afternoon. The best time to come is weekdays before 5 p.m. Not far away is Citarella’s (2135 Broadway, at 75th St., 212/874-0383), a fish market with elaborate window displays.

For candy, stop at the Upper East Side’s cheery Dylan’s Candy Bar (1011 3rd Ave. 646/735 0078) or on the Lower East Side at the classic Economy Candy (108 Rivington St., 212/254 1531).