Guides

9 Cool Conservas Shops

Guides
Words by Sara Quiroz
12.11.24
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Essex Market
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Essex Market

Last summer, I had the pleasure of attending a conservas party, and it was such a unique and joyful event that I haven’t been able to get it out of my head since. Our hostess provided a lovely assortment of natural wine and accoutrements such as bread, crackers, and olives, and asked us each to bring a tin or two to share, which we assembled on a paper-lined butcher table complete with sharpies for labeling our contributions. For the uninitiated, conservas is a common word used in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian for “preserved” — referring to tinned seafood. We’re not talking Chicken of the Sea here (respectfully). In the Iberian Peninsula and many other places globally, conservas are considered a luxurious delicacy, often produced from freshly caught seafood to lock in the flavor and freshness. While a tinned fish party would make a lovely holiday event (bring an extra can for a white elephant swap?), conservas are also an excellent little luxury gift for the foodies in your life. Lucky for us, New York City has an abundance of options from a wide range of countries and price points. Here are a few of my favorites:

MANHATTAN

Barzini’s, Upper West Side

While Barzini’s on the Upper West Side appears to be your standard neighborhood grocery from the outside, the inside boasts a full aisle (with both sides full) of all types of tinned seafood. The selection leans Italian, but American and Spanish are well represented.

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Butterfield Market

Butterfield Market, Upper East Side

This gourmet grocery is probably best known for supplying fro-yo to Upper East Side prep students, but the shop also has a beautifully curated conservas selection. Several aesthetically packaged brands are on offer as well as a variety of different flavors like spicy and tomato sauce.

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Dimes Market

Dimes Market, Lower East Side

The shop outpost of popular restaurant Dimes, Dimes Market boasts a small, but mighty, selection. I picked up some sardine packed green olives that I haven’t seen elsewhere.

Essex Market, Lower East Side

By far the greatest variety on offer is at Essex Market. If you make only one stop, let this be it. Multiple stands within have tinned seafood of all varieties from many different countries on offer. Essex Olive and Spice offers Dutch herring and Turkish sardines; Nordic Preserves has heritage Portuguese brand Porthos tins on display; and Essex Farm has every variety of the trendy Fishwish brand in stock. My favorite, hands down, is Formaggio Essex which boasts a lovely and well curated display with shelf hanging tags explaining the brand and products and all the accoutrement you need to enjoy them.

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Katagiri Japanese Grocery

Katagiri Japanese Grocery, Murray Hill and Midtown

Lest you think tinned fish is limited to Europe, the craze is incredibly popular in Japan as well. At Katagiri Murray Hill and Katagiri Midtown you’ll find an approachable shelf with mostly tuna, salmon, and mackerel, some with fun flavor profiles like yuzu and wasabi. This is also one of the more affordable options on the list, due to the abundant fish supply and fishing culture of the islands.

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Schaller & Weber

Schaller & Weber, Upper East Side

Germany is another country that does not necessarily come to mind for conservas, but Upper East Side fixture Schaller & Weber offers German brands Appel and Husmor, alongside international brands Ortiz, Patagonia, and Lulas. You can also find a lovely assortment of crackers, olives, and other add-ons.

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Despaña

Despaña, Nolita

Despaña is one of the original Spanish specialty grocers and has been importing since 1971. They offer region-specific tinned fish, and many conservas bars source from them. If you’re not ready to make the full plunge but just want to try a taste, the Nolita shop includes a lovely tapas bar where the friendly staff will advise you on where to start your conservas journey and suggest the perfect wine pairing.

BROOKLYN

Big Night, Greenpoint, West Village

If you truly are throwing a conservas party, let Big Night be your go-to. This is the one-stop shop for hosting,offering not just conservas from beautifully packaged brands such as Island Creek and Minnow, but their own house brand. You can also pick up tapers for your tablescape and serving platters for your fish.

BKLYN Larder, Park Slope

While BKLYN Larder is mostly known for their delicious sandwiches, the shop also boasts a thoughtfully sourced market that includes tinned seafood from around the world, with a variety of styles and flavors. From garlicky Spanish octopus to lemon verbena Scandinavian salmon to spicy jarred Italian anchovies, there’s something for every palate here.

Mercado Central, Cobble Hill

At the Mercado Central, the focus is on Spanish heritage and gourmet brands, with plenty of Ortiz, Jose Gourmet, and Ati Manel. For any true fish fanatics in your life, they also offer TinHead subscription packs — a service where you select your favorites and receive conservas delivered on a regular basis.

THE BRONX

Teitel Brothers Grocery, Belmont

Bronx babes, this one is for you! You can get your fish fix locally. Teitel Brothers Grocery offers a selection of Italian tinned sardines and Sicilian anchovies. They also have loose salt packed anchovies by the pound!

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