Best Supermarkets in Germany: Aldi, Lidl, REWE, EDEKA & More (2026)

 

International student shopping for groceries in a German supermarket produce section.


If you have recently moved to Germany, one of the first places you will probably visit is a supermarket.

For international students, grocery shopping is not only part of everyday life but also one of the easiest ways to control monthly living expenses. However, Germany has many supermarket chains, and it can be difficult to understand the differences between Aldi, Lidl, REWE, EDEKA, Kaufland, Penny, and Netto.

Some supermarkets focus mainly on low prices, while others offer a wider selection of fresh food, snacks, international products, and household goods.

In this guide, I will explain the main types of supermarkets in Germany, compare the most popular chains, and share my personal shopping experience as an international student living in Germany.

Types of Supermarkets in Germany

German supermarkets can generally be divided into three main categories:

  • Discount supermarkets

  • Full-service supermarkets

  • Hypermarkets

Each type has different strengths, so many people in Germany shop at more than one supermarket.

Discount Supermarkets

Discount supermarkets are usually the most affordable option for students and anyone trying to reduce their grocery expenses.

The best-known discount supermarkets in Germany include:

  • Aldi

  • Lidl

  • Penny

  • Netto

These stores sell many private-label products, which are often cheaper than famous brands.

Discount supermarkets usually carry all the basic products needed for everyday life, including:

  • Bread

  • Milk

  • Eggs

  • Pasta

  • Rice

  • Vegetables

  • Fruit

  • Frozen food

  • Cleaning products

  • Toiletries

The product selection may be smaller than at REWE or EDEKA, but discount supermarkets are often sufficient for regular grocery shopping.

Full-Service Supermarkets

Full-service supermarkets generally offer a wider product range and more branded items.

The two most common examples are:

  • REWE

  • EDEKA

These supermarkets are often slightly more expensive than Aldi, Lidl, or Penny, but they usually provide more choice.

You may find:

  • A larger selection of snacks and drinks

  • More international food

  • Better bakery sections

  • Organic products

  • Branded products

  • Fresh meat and cheese counters

  • Seasonal products

Full-service supermarkets can be especially useful when you are looking for a specific product that is unavailable at a discount supermarket.

Hypermarkets

Hypermarkets are much larger stores that combine groceries with household and everyday products.

Common examples include:

  • Kaufland

  • Globus

In addition to food, these stores may sell:

  • Kitchen supplies

  • Cleaning products

  • School supplies

  • Small electronics

  • Clothing

  • Personal care products

  • Household goods

Hypermarkets are convenient for larger weekly shopping trips because you can buy many different items in one place.

German Supermarket Comparison


Comparison table of German supermarkets including Aldi, Lidl, REWE, EDEKA, Kaufland, Penny, and Netto with price levels, product variety, and shopping recommendations.


Prices and product selection can vary depending on the city, store size, and current promotions.

My Personal Supermarket Routine

After living in Germany, I have developed my own shopping routine.

I do not use only one supermarket. Instead, I visit different stores depending on what I need.

Lidl for Everyday Groceries

For regular food shopping, I personally use Lidl most often.

I usually buy basic groceries there, such as:

  • Vegetables

  • Fruit

  • Dairy products

  • Bread

  • Pasta

  • Frozen food

  • Cooking ingredients

In my experience, Lidl offers a good balance between affordability, quality, and product variety.

It is especially convenient for students who want to keep their food expenses under control without visiting several different stores for basic groceries.

REWE for Snacks and Special Products

I usually visit REWE when I want to buy snacks or products that are more difficult to find at discount supermarkets.

For example, I often look for:

  • Chocolate

  • Chips

  • Drinks

  • Biscuits

  • Seasonal snacks

  • Branded products

  • International products

REWE is usually more expensive than Lidl or Aldi, but it often has a larger and more interesting snack selection.

For me, REWE is not usually the first choice for an entire weekly grocery trip. However, it is very useful when I want something specific or when I am looking for more variety.

Kaufland for Affordable Large Shopping Trips

Fortunately, there is a Kaufland close to my home.

This is very convenient because Kaufland has a large selection of groceries and household products, while many items are still relatively affordable.

I often use Kaufland when I need to buy several things at once.

It is especially useful for:

  • Larger grocery trips

  • Household products

  • Cleaning supplies

  • Drinks

  • Frozen food

  • Toiletries

  • Bulk purchases

Since Kaufland is located near my home, I can shop there regularly without travelling far. Having a large and affordable supermarket nearby has been very helpful for managing my monthly living expenses.

Aldi and Penny for Budget Shopping

I also use Aldi and Penny because both supermarkets are generally affordable.

They are useful when I need basic groceries or want to spend as little as possible.

Aldi is a good choice for everyday essentials and private-label products. Penny is also convenient for quick and inexpensive shopping, especially when there is a store near your home.

The exact shopping experience can depend on the individual branch. Some locations are larger and carry more products, while smaller branches may have a more limited selection.

What I Usually Buy at Each Supermarket

German supermarket guide showing what to buy at Lidl, REWE, Kaufland, Aldi, and Penny for international students.


This is only my personal routine. Other students may prefer different supermarkets depending on their location, budget, and dietary needs.

Which Supermarket Is Best for International Students?

There is no single supermarket that is best for every international student.

The right choice depends on several factors:

  • Your monthly budget

  • Which stores are near your home

  • The products you usually buy

  • Whether you prefer branded or private-label products

  • Whether you cook regularly

  • Whether you need international ingredients

For students on a limited budget, Aldi, Lidl, Penny, and Netto are often the most practical choices.

For a wider selection, REWE and EDEKA may be more suitable.

For large weekly shopping trips, Kaufland can be particularly convenient.

A practical strategy is to buy most basic groceries from a discount supermarket and visit a full-service supermarket only when you need a specific product.

Supermarket Prices Can Vary by Location

Supermarket availability differs between German cities and neighbourhoods.

Some students may live near several Lidl and Aldi branches, while others may only have a REWE or EDEKA nearby.

A large supermarket outside the city centre may also offer a different selection from a small branch located near a train station or university.

Because of this, convenience should also be considered.

Travelling a long distance only to save a very small amount may not always be worthwhile, especially if you need to pay for transportation.

During your first few weeks in Germany, it is helpful to visit several supermarkets near your home and compare:

  • Prices

  • Product quality

  • Store size

  • Weekly promotions

  • Distance from your home

  • Opening hours

You will quickly discover which combination works best for you.

Understanding the Pfand System

One important part of grocery shopping in Germany is the bottle deposit system, called Pfand.

When you buy many plastic bottles, cans, or glass bottles, an additional deposit is added to the price.

After using the bottle or can, you can return it to a bottle return machine inside a supermarket.

The machine will print a receipt showing the deposit amount.

You can then:

  • Use the receipt during checkout

  • Deduct the amount from your purchase

  • Ask for the deposit amount in cash, depending on the store

It is important not to throw away bottles with a Pfand symbol because you have already paid a deposit for them.

Returning bottles is a normal part of daily life in Germany and also supports recycling.

Most Supermarkets Are Closed on Sundays

One of the biggest surprises for many newcomers is that most supermarkets in Germany are closed on Sundays.

This means you should plan your weekend shopping in advance.

It is a good idea to buy groceries on Friday or Saturday, especially if you need food for the entire weekend.

Some supermarkets located at major train stations, airports, or special locations may remain open, but they often have:

  • Higher prices

  • Smaller product selections

  • More customers

  • Limited opening hours

Planning ahead will help you avoid unnecessary Sunday shopping problems.

Bring Your Own Shopping Bag

Most supermarkets do not provide free shopping bags.

Plastic, paper, or reusable bags are usually available near the checkout, but you must pay for them.

Bringing your own reusable bag is an easy way to save money and reduce waste.

I recommend keeping a folded shopping bag in your backpack or handbag because it is easy to forget one when shopping unexpectedly.

Shopping Carts May Require a Coin

Many supermarkets require a coin to unlock a shopping cart.

Usually, you will need:

  • A €1 coin

  • A €2 coin

  • A reusable shopping cart token

The coin is returned when you bring the cart back and connect it to the other carts.

Shopping baskets inside the store normally do not require a coin.

German Checkouts Can Be Fast

Cashiers in German supermarkets often scan products very quickly.

For newcomers, this can feel stressful at first.

A useful method is to place heavier products on the conveyor belt first and lighter or fragile items last.

You can then place the products directly into your cart and pack them properly after paying.

Some stores have a separate packing area, while others expect customers to pack quickly near the checkout.

After a few shopping trips, you will become used to the speed.

Check Weekly Promotions

German supermarkets regularly advertise discounted products through weekly flyers, websites, and mobile applications.

Promotions may include:

  • Fruit and vegetables

  • Meat

  • Dairy products

  • Drinks

  • Snacks

  • Cleaning supplies

  • Household items

  • Seasonal products

Planning meals around discounted ingredients can help reduce monthly food expenses.

However, a discount is only useful when you actually need the product. Buying unnecessary items simply because they are on sale may increase your total spending.

Try Private-Label Products

Private-label products are supermarket-owned brands.

They are usually cheaper than well-known international or German brands.

You can find private-label alternatives for products such as:

  • Milk

  • Yogurt

  • Pasta

  • Rice

  • Cereal

  • Chocolate

  • Frozen vegetables

  • Cleaning products

  • Shampoo

  • Toilet paper

Many private-label products offer good quality at a lower price.

Trying different store brands is one of the easiest ways for international students to reduce grocery expenses.

Payment Methods in German Supermarkets

Most major supermarkets accept cash and common bank cards.

However, accepted payment methods may differ between stores and locations.

It is helpful to carry:

  • A debit card

  • A small amount of cash

  • Coins for a shopping cart

Having both cash and a card can be useful, especially when visiting smaller stores, bakeries, weekly markets, or independent shops.

Organic and International Food

Students looking for organic products can usually find them at most major supermarkets.

REWE and EDEKA often have larger organic sections, while Aldi and Lidl also carry affordable organic private-label products.

For international food, larger branches of REWE, EDEKA, and Kaufland may have better selections.

However, for specific Asian, Middle Eastern, African, Eastern European, or Latin American ingredients, specialised international supermarkets may offer more options.

Asian supermarkets are particularly useful for products such as:

  • Korean instant noodles

  • Rice

  • Soy sauce

  • Gochujang

  • Sesame oil

  • Seaweed

  • Frozen dumplings

  • Asian vegetables

These products may be more expensive than in their country of origin, so I usually compare prices before buying them regularly.

How to Save Money on Groceries in Germany

Here are some practical ways to reduce your grocery expenses:

  • Shop mainly at discount supermarkets.

  • Compare prices between nearby stores.

  • Buy private-label products.

  • Check weekly promotions.

  • Avoid shopping while hungry.

  • Prepare a shopping list.

  • Bring your own reusable bag.

  • Return Pfand bottles.

  • Cook at home regularly.

  • Buy larger packages only when you can use everything.

  • Avoid wasting fresh food.

  • Freeze food before it expires.

Small savings during each shopping trip can make a noticeable difference over one month.

Final Thoughts

International student happily paying for groceries at a German supermarket checkout after grocery shopping.


Germany has many supermarket chains, and each one offers a different balance of price, convenience, and product variety.

In my personal routine, I mainly use Lidl for everyday groceries, REWE for snacks and special products, and Kaufland for larger and affordable shopping trips.

I also regularly use Aldi and Penny because both offer inexpensive basic products.

Rather than choosing only one supermarket, I think it is more practical to use different stores depending on what you need.

For international students, the best supermarket is often the one that combines reasonable prices, suitable products, and a convenient location.

After spending some time in Germany, you will naturally develop your own shopping routine and discover which supermarkets work best for your lifestyle and monthly budget.

Related Guides

  • Cost of Living in Germany for International Students

  • Best German Banks for International Students

  • Finding Student Accommodation in Germany

  • Anmeldung in Germany: Complete Guide

  • Best Health Insurance Providers in Germany

  • German Student Visa Guide

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