Where to get your whole foods and health foods in Melbourne’s east

There are a number of whole food and health food stores across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. These shops are often independently owned and have served their communities for a number of years. Here’s our pick of some of the best places to grab a sustainable bite.

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Health Food Thyme

The store: Health Food Thyme has been operating for more than 40 years and is one of the region’s oldest health food stores.

The store focuses on minimally processed foods and specialist naturopathic services that support the wellbeing of their customers. 

There are also eco-friendly and beauty products, foods for dietary requirements and herbal teas.

The owners: Part-owner Chantel Kitto and her sister and business partner Chelcea took over last year.

Some customers have been coming here for decades. 

• “Our philosophy is to make healthy living approachable, enjoyable, and part of everyday life,” Kitto told the Eastern Melburnian. “It’s not about fads or extremes; it’s about balance and small, sustainable choices that make a big difference over time.”

Kitto said that her customers are growing curious about healthy living and are seeking a ‘trusted, local connection.’ 

• “We’re not just a shop, we’ve become part of people’s routines, their stories, their health journeys. Serving this community is about building relationships, creating a space where people feel comfortable asking questions, and giving them the tools to live well.”

Where: 12-14 McAdam Square, Croydon

Opening hours: 8.30am to 6pm weekdays, 9am to 4pm Saturdays, closed Sundays

Eastfield Natural Foods

The store: An organic supermarket in the strip-shop precinct in Croydon South, Eastfield Natural Foods’ offerings include organic and biodynamic products like milk and honey.

The products: Customers can BYO containers to stock up on loose grains, pastas, pulses and cleaning liquids. 

Choose from fresh produce to specialty kitchen staples and fridge favourites or find popular items at the “most loved” section.

There are organic wines and snacks for entertaining or for a warm brew, immerse yourself in the tea range.

Forgot to bring shopping bags? Cardboard boxes have been re-purposed for customers to take their purchases home in.

Where: 39-41 The Mall, Croydon South

Open: 9.30am to 6pm weekdays, 8.30am to 4pm Saturdays and Sundays

Essential Health Foods

The store: A family-run business that has been running for thirty years, Eastern Health Foods specialises in health and nutritional supplements and sugar-free food. 

The products: Expertise in herbal medicine, homeopathy and naturopathy is also available.

Where: The Boronia Mall, 246 Dorset Road, Boronia

Hours: 9am to 6pm weekdays, 10am to 4pm Saturdays, closed Sundays

Health & Wellbeing

The products: Buy shelf and refrigerated wholefoods, specialty health items, herbal remedies and supplements at either of their two stores. Naturopathic advice is also available.

There is a wide selection of eco-friendly and cruelty free products. The staff can usually place orders for specialty products if they don’t have them in stock. 

For tea lovers, there are colourful cup, and saucer sets and bags of wet chai.

Need a gift? Books, crystals, clothing and handcrafted bags can also be found.  

Where: 72 Maroondah Highway, Croydon or Chirnside Park Shopping Centre, 239/241 Maroondah Highway Chirnside Park

Hours: Croydon: 9am to 5pm Mondays to Saturdays, closed Sundays

Chirnside Park: 9am to 5.30pm Mondays to Wednesdays, 9am to 9pm Thursdays and Fridays, 9am to 5pm Saturdays, 10am to 5pm Sundays

The Full Pantry 

The store: The Full Pantry is known for its organic wholefood café. Step out to the Maroondah Highway side to find the bulk wholefoods section. 

The products: Here, there is a wide variety of affordable bulk foods from pulses to grains, spices, nuts, nut butters, and dried fruits.

• BYO containers and bags are a must when shopping here because The Full Pantry tries to reduce their waste as much as possible.

Where: Shop 2 and 3, 66-68 Maroondah Highway, Croydon

Hours: 8.30am to 5pm Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 3.30pm Saturdays, closed Sundays

Wholefood Merchants

The store: This is a local, family-owned business that is now Australia’s largest health food store.  You can find just about anything that is ethical, local and organic. 

The products: Find products for the pantry, wellness supplements, beauty items, clothing, fresh produce and flowers in the well-stocked aisles. Pets don’t miss out, either. There are supplies for them as well.

If you get hunger pangs from shopping here, there’s an onsite vegan-friendly café. 

Where: 3/794 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully

Hours: 9am to 6pm weekdays, 9am to 5.30pm Saturdays, 9.30am to 5pm Sundays