Budgens

Outrageous prices (£8 for a small chocolate bar?) and yet the quality isn’t up to scratch. I happen to shop here from time to time as, being minutes away from where I live, it’s rather convenient; but I tend to shop elsewhere if I can.
They have an interesting section of imported food from around the world, as well as a good deli counter, and a Post Office inside which comes in very handy since local branch closed down.
However, its consistent emphasis on being «local» just tips on the side of being pretentious. Nice for getting random and interesting items, but not ideal for the every day shop.
If you come here to get shopping essentials such as milk and cut bread you’ll likely leave clutching a small carrier bag, with tears in your eyes, staring in wonder at your receipt

Thornton’s Budgens of Belsize Park is not as big as most supermarkets (but it’s bigger than most convenience stores), however, they manage to pack a lot in to their shop. They have all the usual groceries, off licence, tobacco, lottery plus many locally sourced products. They offer free home delivery when you spend £25 (you do your shopping in store and then they will deliver it for you).
The great thing about Thornton’s Budgens is the fact that Belsize Park Post Office (
) is located within it and is open the same hours as the main store, which means you can use the Post Office from 7am-​11pm Monday-​Saturday and 12pm-​6pm Sunday. I find it extremely convenient that I can go to the Post Office late at night/​early in the morning or on a Sunday or Saturday afternoon. They are now a Main Post Office which means they offer more services like tax disc for cars. I don’t think there are any other Post Office branches in London that have such long opening times. Unlike a lot of Post Offices, there is never a long queue at this branch (which wasn’t the case with the old Belsize Park Post Office).

Nice renovations on your place … good job.
Lots more modern looking and a better layout.

Of course it doesn’t have everything a full-​size Waitrose would have, but this Budgens is a big step up from the Tesco Expresses and such that are the main options in this area. The store combines a good general selection with pleasing little surprise bargains. The only drawback is the crowding of the aisles – a necessary consequence of packing so much into this space – but they have a good setup for getting everyone checked out quickly at the end.

I often finding myself wishing this Budgens was a Waitrose… it pretends to be of Waitrose quality but is really not on par. It pretends to be premium but doesn’t accept Amex… It also pretends to be good value, but doesn’t compare. The staff are rarely friendly and the fruit and veg is bettered by Tesco or other high street stalls. The one upside is that it doubles as a post-office…Sadly it’s location means I visit it often.

I just need postage to send my taxes to the states… oh look, this place has a post office in store and it’s right next to where I’m doing my work training. sweet!
Thank you nice postal service worker that was quick.
What’s this… there’s something wrong with my feet! they’re going in the direction of the chilled produce rather than the front door…
Luckily I didn’t have any cash on me otherwise it would have been all gone for sure. It’s like a posh neighborhood health food store (Americans, think Adronico’s and kind of whole foods but with a little bit of Safeway select discount items thrown on some center isle displays. There’s lots of yummy looking premade foods and a nice looking seafood section and some olives in pots thrown in there for good measure.
They definitely seem to cater to the lunch crowd in here. Or at least to the poor susceptible fools who shop on an empty stomach. You have to wind through a maze of prepackaged yummy treats before you get to the registers. Naughty Budgens! Evil Budgens. That’s the only part I don’t like.

Surprisingly well-​stocked for a simple neighborhood market.
Not only is there a respectable selection of meats, but there you’ll also find a full service seafood counter and a cheese and deli section. It looks so unassuming from the outside.
I commend this Budgens for being able to scale up manpower during peak hours, opening up to eight cashiers to accommodate the deluge of shoppers on weekday evenings.
This branch is just within a minute’s walk from my flat; it’s been in my life since I touched down in London on day one.

This is my favorite branch of Budgens. They seem to have a better selection and more items in stock. This Budgens offer several types of pork pies, though they seem to run out of the pork pie with pickles (my favorite). Good value on smoked salmon.

I love Asda (I hope that helps you put the following review into perspective.)
I begrudge paying through the nose for local produce, I think making cheese is not rocket science and therefore should not leave me penniless, and I think that if British beef is so good then it wouldn’t be tough and require a slow cooker. Rant over.
The good news is that Budgens is now in my life. I thoroughly scoured the shelves thinking that it was too good to be true, how could a pricey area house a discount supermarket. The selection is fabulous for the central location, organic products grace the shelves and to my surprise, their staff is lovely. The deli counter, bakery and aisle especially for ethnic food, were the elements that won me over. We, of course, didn’t need to do any grocery shopping but who can leave empty handed.
Budgens, I thank you for my expanded thighs, the oversized bag of licorice and smartie cookies were great… I promise to come back soon.

Every Budgens I have ever been in up until now has been a typical low quality chain convenience store. After wandering through the posher part of my neighbourhood my lady and I stumbled across an independent Budgens in Belsize Park. It was fantastic.
Imagine a health food, multi ethnic and ASDA superstore wrapped up into a supermarket three times the size of a Sainsbury’s local with prices almost as good as the pre mentioned ASDA. The selection of foods is fantastic especially the options on fresh breads and cheese. There were specialised foods on offer you just wouldn’t expect to find. Even the cashier was willing to talk to us about the history of the store.
I was very impressed with Budgens. Their target audience is 25−35yr old professionals who tend to be a food savvy and experimental. As a member of this demographic, I am very happy with coming across this awesome store.