Best speciality food stores

Your summer break may be over, but don't despair. London is packed with speciality stores offering ingredients from around the world to transport you back there in an instant. Here's our guide to recreating those holiday flavours at home...

SPAIN
If you've just stepped off the plane from two weeks in Spain, chances are you're fantasising about delicious cheeses, cured hams and cool jugs of sangria. Stop off at Brindisa and you can stock up on all of your new favourites. The store sources everything direct from the best Spanish producers.

Two varieties of jamón ibérico (£11.95 and £19.95 per kg) are set up on traditional wooden stands and are expertly carved to order. You'll also find great tapas basics, such as piquant fresh white anchovies (£4.95 per 100g), salt cod loin (about £2.50 per 100g) and quince jelly (£1.45 per 100g), all of which go perfectly with a classic Manchego cheese.

For more ambitious cooks there's the most expensive spice in the world - saffron (£3.50 for just 1g), a vital ingredient for paella.
Brindisa, Borough Market (020 7713 1666, brindisa.com)

ITALY
Pasta al dente, melting mozzarella, sun-blush tomatoes, pesto and, oh, those truffles. Italy isn't the most diet-friendly of countries but it knows a thing or two about fabulous food. The Gazzanos emporium in Farringdon will t a ke you straight back to that picturesque piazza.
The cheese and meat counters are mindblowing - try the salami with black truffles at £5.95. There's also an amazing fresh pasta selection made daily and sold by weight - the raviolini with white truffles (£15 per kg) is a real treat and the fresh pesto sauces (£2 per 100g) will remind you of the Italian countryside.

Surprise your guests with a stunning antipasti spread of grilled artichokes (£2 per kg), black olive tapenade (£1.80 per 100g) and buffalo mozzarella (£1.95 per 100g).
The Gazzanos, 167-169 Farringdon Road, EC1 (020 7837 1586)

FRANCE
Forget Eurostar, France has been transplanted to the Fulham Road. La Pascalou's outside stalls are reminiscent of busy French markets and the tasty goodies inside won't disappoint, either.

As well as a great selection of French cheeses and p‚tés, there are dried mushrooms, foie gras, mustards, mouselines, and béarnaise and green pepper sauces. The fresh fish is also exceptional, so make sure bouillabaisse is on your menu. Products at La Pascalou are imported twice a week or they will order it in just for you.
Le Pascalou, 359 Fulham Road, SW10 (020 7352 1717)

GREECE
The Athenian Grocery has been a local secret for more than 40 years and is a treasure trove of Greek produce - perfect for recreating those lazy lunches on the beach. You'll find succulent Kalamata olives (£2.75 a tin), tins of vine leaves stuffed with rice (£1.40) and cabbage leaves stuffed with mince (£1.60), as well as an array of authentic Greek sausages from £6.80 per kg. For star ters or me zze there's freshly made taramasalata (95p) and aubergine dip (£1.45). Or you can pick up aubergines to make your own authentic moussaka. Finish off with a large tray of irresistible baklava (£6) or honey almond halva (£4) and ouzo from £14.99.
Athenian Grocery, 16A Moscow Road W2 (020 7229 6280)

SOUTH AFRICA
Visiting St Marcus Fine Foods will whisk you back to sunny South Africa even it's a cold English day - just listen to the accents around you. Choose from a wide range of meaty boerewors sausages (from £3.49 per 500g), including garlic, peri peri, tomato, cheese and even wheat-free varieties.