UNIQUE Supermarket: Saba's Best-Value Grocery Run
The little island shop where locals swear the price is always right.
Why Go
On a five-square-mile volcanic rock where every crate of milk arrives by boat, prices can sting. UNIQUE Supermarket is the quiet exception ΓÇö an unassuming grocery on E.A. Johnson Street that a government-run price comparison officially crowned the cheapest on Saba. Walk in for pantry staples, walk out having beaten island inflation.
The Experience
UNIQUE feels less like a supermarket and more like a well-organized island pantry. The aisles are narrow, the lighting is bright, and the shelves are stacked with a genuinely wide mix ΓÇö Dutch imports rubbing shoulders with American brands, Caribbean hot sauces, baby supplies, cleaning products, and a produce section that punches above what you'd expect from a rock this small. Regulars know to time their visit around the delivery boats, when the fresh fruit and vegetables land and the coolers refill with dairy and cold cuts. Staff greet nearly everyone by name, and the tempo is refreshingly unhurried ΓÇö this is Saba, after all. Whether you're a Saba University med student stocking a shared kitchen, a diver assembling a picnic before a hike up Mount Scenery, or a villa renter putting together a week's worth of dinners, UNIQUE is the practical, budget-conscious first stop.
What to Try
Grab a bag of local produce, a wheel of Dutch Gouda, and a couple of bottles of the Caribbean-brewed beers ΓÇö the classic Saba self-catering trio. Don't overlook the frozen section for hard-to-find meats, or the back shelves for household basics that cost noticeably less here than at the competing island shops. Pick up a few Saba Spice miniatures or local hot sauces as edible souvenirs before you leave.
Insider Tip
Locals shop UNIQUE the day after the supply ship docks (typically mid-week) ΓÇö that's when the produce, dairy, and specialty items are freshest and fully restocked. Bring cash or a chip-and-PIN card, and carry a reusable bag; single-use plastics are discouraged across the island.
The Practical Stuff
Located on E.A. Johnson Street, Saba (Caribbean Netherlands). Open seven days a week ΓÇö hours run roughly early morning to early evening, with shorter Sunday hours; call ahead if you're cutting it close. Small parking area out front; most locals walk. Card and cash both accepted. Best paired with a rental car or taxi if you're stocking up for a full villa stay.
Pair It With
- Amonhana — Grab a sit-down meal here after your shop ΓÇö a natural pairing when you don't feel like cooking what you just bought.
- Barney's Ground — Pack a picnic from UNIQUE's produce and deli shelves and head out for an easy open-air break.
- Big Stone — Fuel up on snacks and water at UNIQUE before tackling this Saba outdoor spot ΓÇö the island has few refuel points once you're on the trail.
- Big Rock Engineering — If you need transport help hauling a big grocery run back to your villa, this nearby service is a practical companion stop.