Leiden’s Supermarkets Explained

Eating is probably the most important part of an international students life (except drinking of course) and Leiden has a wide choice of shopping centres conveniently dotted in and around town, but the best place to go grocery shopping may be hard to determine at first. Here at TheLeidener we will break down our favourite choices and hopefully that should give you a better idea of where to buy your grub!

For a link to all the supermarkets in Leiden including opening hours click here

Albert Heijn 😀

The Dutch choice: Albert Heijn

This is predominantly where the dutch population shops. Slightly more upmarket, with generally higher prices for the same goods found in other supermarkets nearby. The major plus point of the AH is the ‘Bonuskaart’ which allows you to cash in on some of their amazing offers! There are five different Albert Heijns situated around Leiden and they come in many different sizes:

1. AH XL  – found at Bevrijdingsplein 50. This is probably the biggest and most badass supermarket in town. If they don’t have what you want, then no one will! Also have an automatic ‘scan yourself’ set-up which easily cuts 10-15 minutes+ off your shopping time if you can manage to work it out (will explain in another blog post). Closed on Sundays which sucks but generally open till 10pm. Tonnes of good offers to be found on their ‘Bonusvordeel’ (NOTE: you need a ‘Bonuskaart’). Perfect for the late shopper.
2. AH (normal size) – found at Kooilaan 49, Hooigracht 85, and Stevensbloem 11. Good for a few bits and bobs here and there. Always worth checking out for their discounted sections where fast expiring goods can get slashed upto 35% on top of their bonus price!
3. AH to go – in Leiden Centraal station – Not really somewhere you can go for shopping and only really useful cause of it’s late opening hours but prices are definitely hiked and should only really be used for desperate needs!

Albert Heijn Copycat blue!

The student choice: Hoogvliet

Not a single international student I’ve ever met has been able to pronounce the name of this supermarket correctly. But this is by far the most common supermarket. It generally has great prices on a range of foods and if you collect 12 receipts you can normally claim some sort of free product – usually fabric softener of some sort (see back of receipt). The branch at Levendaal 20 is quite large and you can generally expect to find everything you need here.

Ze Germans are coming!

The German choice: Aldi

Aldi, is Aldi. No matter what country you are in, be it England, Germany, or the Netherlands. No one produces dirt cheap food like Aldi does. If your shopping on a budget then Aldi is your place. We should warn you though, the Aldi at Raamsteeg 73-75 is a lifeless place which isn’t very well stocked, but the branch at Stationsplein 220-230 is a lot larger and much nicer to shop at.

Formerly Super de Boer!

The fancy pants choice: Jumbo

A relatively new supermarket in Leiden (Opened in Nov ’11) but its predecessor the Super de Boer was by far the most outrageous supermarket in town. At first glance Jumbo doesn’t seem to be much better but it does seem to have a nice array of good foods (if not a bit extortionately priced). Can be found next door to the Aldi at Stationsweg 44.

Good day to you too kind sir!

The English choice: Tuckerbox

Do you miss Tesco? Pining for Sainsbury’s? This shop situated at Botermarkt 23 stocks mostly English or Australian supermarket goods but charges a premium on their original prices. If you miss home it’s probably worth it, but check out their website in advance. They have a helpful staff who can order in anything they don’t have on their shelves.

The other contenders: Dirk/Digros, Deka

Not popular among internationals and can’t say we’ve shopped their ourselves. You’ll have to find our for yourself!