Walking into a German supermarket for the first time is disorienting. Four major chains dominate every city, each with a completely different feel and purpose. Indians often end up loyal to the wrong one — overpaying for basics, or missing out on better-quality produce nearby. Here is how each chain actually compares for day-to-day Indian cooking life.
The Short Answer
Aldi — The No-Frills Champion
Aldi (split into Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd depending on your region) is Germany’s cheapest major supermarket. The store layout is minimal — products sit in cardboard boxes, not shelves. Selection is limited but the prices are genuinely hard to beat.
- Rice, lentils (basics only)
- Eggs, butter, milk
- Frozen vegetables
- Basmati rice (seasonal)
- Weekly Aktionen (deals) on cookware
- Fresh herbs and produce variety
- Any spices beyond paprika
- International / Indian aisle
- Paneer or Indian dairy
Lidl — Budget Winner With Surprises
Lidl edges Aldi in one key area: fresh produce. The fruit and vegetable section is noticeably better — more variety, fresher stock, and often includes items like okra (Bamia), aubergine, and fresh coriander that Indians actually use. Prices are only slightly above Aldi.
- Fresh vegetables incl. okra, aubergine
- Fresh coriander (Koriander)
- Cheap oils and ghee alternatives
- Indian Week promotions (seasonal)
- Coconut milk, chickpeas, lentils
- Consistent Indian ingredient stock
- Specialty grains (poha, semolina)
- Fresh paneer
Tip: Both Aldi and Lidl run annual “India Week” or “Asian Week” promotions — watch for these, the spice selection briefly expands and prices are excellent.
Rewe — The Indian Kitchen’s Best Friend
Rewe is where most Indians eventually settle as their main shop. It strikes the right balance: wider selection than discounters, better produce, and most branches carry a small international aisle with reliable staples. Prices are 15–25% higher than Aldi but the variety justifies it.
- Basmati rice (multiple brands)
- Turmeric, cumin, coriander powder
- Coconut milk, chickpeas, dal
- Good fresh produce section
- Paneer (select branches)
- Rewe app for weekly deals
- Hing, methi, curry leaves
- Indian snacks and sweets
- MTR / ready-meal brands
Edeka — Premium, Worth It Sometimes
Edeka is Germany’s largest supermarket group by revenue and the quality shows. Fresh produce is consistently excellent, bread counters are real bakeries, and the international sections in larger branches are genuinely impressive. It costs more — but for produce and dairy, the difference is noticeable.
- Best fresh vegetables and fruit
- Wider international aisle
- Fresh herbs reliably stocked
- Good cheese and dairy section
- Asian section in larger stores
- Budget shopping — noticeably pricier
- Specific Indian brands
- Consistent Indian aisle stock
The Smart Approach: Use All Four
Indian Household Strategy
Other Chains Worth Knowing
- Penny — Similar to Aldi, slightly better produce. Good fallback when Aldi is closed.
- Netto — Discount chain, inconsistent quality but cheap. Fine for packaged goods.
- Kaufland — Hypermarket format, excellent for bulk buying and has the widest international aisle of any German chain.
- dm / Rossmann — Not supermarkets, but stock organic foods, cooking oils, teas and health items often cheaper than supermarkets.
Once you have your supermarket routine sorted, the next step is knowing where to find the Indian-specific ingredients none of these chains stock. Read our complete Indian grocery guide by city →
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