Babo: A Market By Sava
403 Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104
Babo: A Market By Sava Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Ann Arbor for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
403 Washington St
Ann Arbor, MI, 48104 - Phone (734) 997-8495
- Website https://baboannarbor.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :8:00 am - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
Good for Working : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Jennifer T.
I've been wanting to stop in for awhile. It always looked like a cute specialty store. Then I heard that they carried a wine I really liked so of course I had to get there sooner than planned. Sadly, they did not carry the wine I was looking for but they had a lot of other really great items. Fresh pressed juices, a deli area with ready made items as well. Plenty of fresh meat and fish choices for a quick dinner and many pantry items. They have tables set up and a coffee bar with fresh baked treats from their restaurant. I decided to try two of their Macaroons. One was Fig and the other was Pistachio. Both of them were so delicious I've been craving them ever since. Really great store if you haven't stopped in for yourself yet. Looking forward to returning.
(4)Wilbur L.
Got Salmon, Kale & Shaved Fennel Caesar Salad for Dinner, it was fresh, organic, perfect. They serve free ice water and the staff were very friendly!
(5)Melissah L.
Babo is sort of like Whole Foods for me in that it is like a wonderland of unique foods, fresh juices and fun brands to try. It is part cafe, part store, and the vibe is so cool that I just want to go there to hang out all the time. Prices are kind of steep for some of the items, but it's a campus must-try!
(5)Beth H.
This review is for business lunch catering: We just had our third office lunch meeting catered from Babo's and the food is a huge hit. Aesthetically appealing but one bite and oh MAN! Watch out because there won't be a crumb left. I have PRAYED for leftovers from the meetings that I haven't attended. I was lucky today. Artisan pastries, beautiful salads with house made bottles of salad dressing, decedent sandwiches. Fits within the lunch budget per person and hands down the best catered lunch service we have found yet.
(5)Eric A.
Great little market that offers nice grocery selections to people downtown, including fresh produce. Everything is really expensive but if you live downtown I'm sure you can afford it.
(4)gary g.
A brilliant market, with first rate fresh made sandwiches, cheese plates, to go salads, etc. they make a great cappuccino as well. Highly recommend.
(5)Robert W.
Babo's is one of the places I eat at most often. There are some things they can do better. For example, the grilled vegetables in the prepared foods section are often burnt. Typically when I visited a Yelp 5-star rated location, that isn't the case. Their kale salad is a bit stiff and bitter and could use an occasional tossing to ensure the dressing is evenly applied.
(4)Stacy M.
Wow. I'm impressed. I got the pressed sandwich - and chose freshly sliced turkey and a great tasting Gouda (from an extensive cheese selection) along with balsamic braised onions and horseradish aioli on a crunchy yet chewy baguette. The sandwich was large, slighty warm and deliciously fresh. They even found tasty tomatoes in January! Yeah, it was $15 along with a bag of chips and a jasmine green iced tea, but it made me really, really happy. Worth it!!
(5)Adam G.
I'm finding myself at Babo more and more these days, mostly for coffee. They used to use and sell beans from Ugly Mug, which was probably one of the best roasters in Washtenaw County. But, some Ugly Mug people recently left to start a new venture - Hyperion - and Babo is already stocking their product, even though they're not officially open yet! Throw in a 10% GoPass discount, and it's actually one of the better deals in town for (fresh, high quality) coffee beans. So, I go there once a week or so to stock up on coffee, but I usually don't make it out the door without something extra. Some cold brew coffee (from a tap!) to tide me over until I make it back home to my french press? Sure! But then, I just _have_ to get one of the (creatively flavored) macarons to go with... Or, sometimes if I'm feeling hungry, I get lunch while I'm at it. Their custom-made baguette sandwiches are probably the single best thing you can get, and one of the best sandwich options in town: pick any meat and cheese you want from the deli case (which is a lot more like what you find at Zingermans than Kroger), then add some toppings (from an eclectic assortment: fig spread, garlic aioli, balsamic onions, ...). The result is great, and while not exactly cheap, it's definitely a less-spendy option than certain other high-end sandwich shops in town. Beyond that, the packaged salads are very good, and there are some good things in the hot/cold bars too, but I usually find myself paying more for those than I'd like. Oh, also: the beer selection is relatively small, but always worth a look. I found some KBS on the shelf last month...
(4)Melanie T.
All I can say is the juice is simply divine !!!!
(5)Shane M.
Prices can be a little steep on certain items ($7 for a small serving of juice!) but their actual food and coffee drinks are priced more reasonably. It is true that the quality is actually the cause for the premium as everything I've had here has been delicious.
(4)Rachel B.
Corner bodega on fancy food steroids Selection: Loads of unique specialty foods, deli items and in-house juices. Baked goods and coffee, sandwiches from the deli. Locaton: Perfect location in downtown Ann Arbor; can pop in while walking through the area and grab a snack between lunch & dinner, also steps in to fill the void left by other campus grocers.
(5)Smrithi D.
Adorable cafe and market! I used to live in the building above this place so I would stop in everyday! If youre looking for a special cheese, wine, juice, or dessert, its a great place to stop by but it gets expensive very quikly depending on what youre buying. I love their italian 7 layer bar, strawberry poptart, and their Spinach Orzo salad is to die for! its a great place to sit and do some work while also grabbing a healthy snack or meal.I gave it 4 not 5 stars because of the price of certain things and sometimes it can be a tad noisy.
(4)Karina S.
Am a big "Sava" fan....she has great establishments that I frequent on a weekly basis. BUT was a bit disappointed in the "fresh" cold pressed juices. They seemed SUPER watered down. I am wondering if do in fact add a ton of water to them? I got both of the green ones....
(2)Alexandra K.
One of my favorite places because it's part grocery store, part café, part coffee shop, part entertainment venue, part winery, part juicery. I mean it's got a LOT going on, not to mention the fabulous products they have. What's not to love about their rotating produce? Sometimes they have fresh figs, other times they have Asian pears (which taste like a hybrid between a pear and lychee) and of course more seasonal goodies. What's nice is that you can come and linger for hours as they have ample seating (and food). I LOVE the free water that has either strawberries, limes, orange rinds, apples, etc... in it because it's so refreshing. Sometimes I just stop in to grab some of that. You can easily make a healthy breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert here. They have a rotating deli and can warm up anything you could possibly want. Their coffee shop is pretty expansive. In the fall look out for fresh hot cider with orange peels. But on a daily basis I recommend: 1. Jasmine Green Tea: it's wonderfully fragrant and has an intense flavor. And you get free refills of hot water if you stay. 2. Green Tea Latte: it's incredibly creamy (the foam too is quite creamy--that's why I don't mind the fact that there's no leaf). There's a great balance of green tea, milk and espresso. The green tea makes for a great smell and has a very flavorful taste. 3. Pumpkin Chai Latte: okay, it doesn't really taste of pumpkin but the chai is lovely and there's a slight nutmeg-y pumpkin aftershock. What I don't recommend -Sam's Mississippi Mud Chai (steamed chocolate milk & chai + a shot of espresso): while it's nicely creamy, the chai tastes like an expired fermented alcohol mixed with the chocolate that just tastes bitter. Overall, a fermented, liquored hot chocolate = gross. -Peanut Butter Cookie: it has NO peanut butter taste and is H-A-R-D, hard. -Nutella Pop-Tart: the pop-tart portion is really thick, not sweet and just chalky. The small portion of Nutella is not even runny--just a hard chocolate and doesn't taste like Nutella at all. A major disappointment. -Salted Caramel Bar: oh boy. This is just a crumbly mess. The caramel is extremely sticky and not even that great tasting atop a bar that tastes somewhat of shortbread but just falls apart everywhere that it is too difficult to eat. The chocolate is wonderfully decadent but overall it's a sticky, crumbly mess. Juicery -Fruitful Power (strawberry, banana, marcona almond butter): It's quite creamy--I mean you have bananas and you've got almond butter so it's a thicker smoothie. Good for breakfast. It tastes predominantly like bananas (don't all smoothies with bananas in them?), but you do get that almond butter aftertaste which sort of sweetens and bitters all at once. -A.K.A (apple, kale, avocado): mmm it's delicious. Maybe because the apples are tasting great around this time of year (Fall), I don't know, but it's got a great granny smith taste (and not much else). It's very tart which makes you think they snuck a lemon in. It's great for breakfast as it is thicker. -The Hardcore (spinach, avocado, celery, apple): again if it's got apple in there, that's what it tastes like. It's very similar to the A.K.A.: tart, thick and creamy. You get little bites of apple and celery in this one. Great breakfast smoothie. -Carrot: disgusting. I couldn't even get it down. I like carrot juice but it was just too grainy and tasted somewhat like beets.
(4)Sara B.
I go to Babo every day for lunch, sandwich, grocery, breakfast and vegetables They have every thing you need to eat and cook a magnificent meal
(5)Sam F.
Bleh. I love the concept and idea of this place, but was super turned off by a few things. Although the place itself is super cute, there's nothing there that you can't find at the Kerrytown market or even a Whole Foods. Again, I appreciate the idea behind it, but it seemed like every two seconds an employee was trying to get past me. There seemed to be a million people working there, and I never got an "excuse me" or even a smile at that. I'm surprised I didn't get run over, and this was in the middle of a day on a week day. We decided to try out there coffee/tea area. I decided to try out their chai and buy my fiancé a mocha, not only did the barista have an attitude, but the chai itself was soooo spicy! It tasted like she dumped raw cinnamon and spices in my chai, I had to dump it right out after we left. My fiancé said her mocha was bitterly strong. I was also annoyed that it cost $13 for a small mocha (which looked about a 3/4 cup), a large chai (which was the size of a tall/small Starbucks drink), and a macaroon, which was super dry and tasted like it had been sitting out for a few days. Such a cute concept, but so disappointing.
(2)Jenica A.
Pricey market though staff was nice and very helpful. I tried the juice cleanse and was unable to stick to it due to the taste and texture of some of the juices. The set up/pick up of the cleanse was awesome and seamless it was my own issues with the taste that didn't allow me to finish it out.
(4)Annika T.
Delicious salads and dips! Also, the cold pressed coffee is exceptional and the staff is so friendly. I definitely recommend it!
(5)Denice W.
We went in for coffee and snackies--Cappuccino was pretty good. Macaroons were terrible. We asked if they were fresh and the barista said "they're good!" So I guess we should have known better. We got a bunch at 2.50 each so it felt like a rip off. Besides that my favorite part was the complementary citrus infused water. And the magnetic words wall.
(3)Ian M.
I used to come in here regular for lunch once a week or so. I always enjoyed the food and the friendly staff. But the last few times I went in there I realized the food isn't better then what I could do at home plus it's about three times the cost. I got 3 stuffed pasta shells plus a side and it came out to be about a $15 plate. The cost wouldn't bother me if this was a restaurant but it's counter service. I also wouldn't be upset if the quality was worth it, but the pasta was getting cold and starting to dry up a bit. I felt as if I could of made something at home for lunch that was better and much less expensive. I still like it for coffee, tea, and for the market. As for a place to grab a quick lunch... I think I'll head down to Jerusalem Garden or Amer's.
(3)Wammy W.
Great hot food bar. High quality food. Ribs and lamb and everything! Not cheap but worth it. Would go again.
(4)Kim L.
Went there this past summer, not sure how I missed writing a review. I had some time to kill while in AA while accompanying a friend up there for his class. I went in looking for some lunch and was so surprised to see all the different options. I ordered several small bites, plus a glass of wine & took it all out to the patio to relax and enjoy. I enjoyed the brussel sprouts & another item (?) so much I bought carryout to take back to my hotel. What a great place to shop or get ready to eat food. Loved that you could get coffee, tea, soft drinks or wine. And the outdoor seating was great, I only wish it was closer so I could go back more often.
(5)Elizabeth M.
Can I please just pitch a tent in the corner? Babo is a veritable garden of epicurean delights, from their amazing grocery items, fresh juices, coffee, cocktails, desserts, hot and cold bar, and study space. Everything is delightful, including the staff. Today I stopped by to stock up on some kale, juice, and fruit and did a lap around the place just to ogle. Babo is the only place I know that stocks Terrapin Ridge chipotle and Terrapin Ridge roasted yellow pepper sauce, and where I can get truffle oil for popcorn without driving to whole foods. AND happy cow and siggi yogurt in ginger and coconut, respectively. YERM. The staff is knowledgeable, passionate about food and creative, nutritious cooking. I shop here often and a lot of the time the staff will ask me how I plan on using a particular item or will suggest their favorite use. They also seem really open to customer feedback, which is great. Keep up the awesome!
(5)Jessica W.
Babo is one of my favorite places to stop in for a late night soda or coffee on the way home from dinner. Their ginger ale selection is second to none and I love looking through the aisles of specialty products, including some unique produce finds. Some of the goods are a little pricey, but that's the price you pay for hard-to-find items within walking distance, rather than driving over to Whole Foods or Plum Market. And I really enjoy how Babo introduces me to new things, like celery soda. Definitely worth stopping in.
(4)JT M.
First the food. Great place for a wide variety of sandwiches and side dishes; vegetarian and/or meat eaters will be happy. But in addition to the food, they have a great coffee bar, wine, beer, and a whole deli of delectable foods. This is a great place to visit more than once. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is the hurtin it put on my wallet. High price for high quality.
(4)Leslie T.
Food is super fresh and bursting with flavor. The people there are so friendly and so helpful. The only downsides: some lack of seating (one long table, one normal table, and some standing tables by the window). And it's not cheap. But I'd still recommend it to anyone wanting delicious fresh food.
(4)Natasha B.
Greatest local grocery store in Ann Arbor. Great selection of interesting groceries, delicious hot bar, and fantastic fresh juices! Also, the employees are extremely friendly and helpful! Definitely a favorite spot in AA!
(5)Logan W.
Babo is amazing. I've never seen anything like it. The staff is exceptional, the products are so much fun, and the prices are reasonable. They have great sandwiches, an awesome small craft beer selection with prices better than the beer depot, fentimans soda, coffee, draft beer, it goes on. Babo kills it. It's a great place to pick up produce for dinner, or sit and have a chat and a snack. I honestly can't think of anything they could do better, maybe I wish they were open later haha
(5)Jiah C.
A friend and I went to Babo on Labor Day for some wine and snacks on their covered patio. We had never been there before and needed some instructions on how to work this dine-in idea... the staff there were incredibly, ridiculously helpful. Every staff member I came across asked if I needed any help or offered me unlimited samples on everything in their display (cold/hot foods section). Their wines by the glass selections weren't bad, and their salad bar is amazing! The bacon was so crispy and crunchy and bacony, I almost couldn't stand it. The euro cheese platter was quite euro-stinky but I thoroughly enjoyed giving my palate something to think about, and I'm happy to see that they offer so many varieties of cheeses here. Their actual store is also amazing. I didn't even get to go through all of it, but I know I want to go back. I really give them Kudos for their well trained and very competent staff.
(4)CV C.
Meh... it's cool looking and all, but when it came to the things they sell, there's not much that impressed me. It was also overpriced. Most (if not all) could be found elsewhere for much less.
(3)Julie M.
I stopped here on a whim while driving through Ann Arbor and OH MAN am I glad I did. The baked goods here are INSANE. I had an amazing Nutella and Strawberry Poptart which they suggested I should warm up and it was definitely worth it. Also, the Chocolate and Sea Salt Caramel Bar was one of the best baked goods I've had in quite some time. Aside from delicious sweet treats, it's a very nice store with great looking prepared food. Sure, it's priced like it would belong in NYC, but hey that's not a problem for me.
(5)Amani T.
I am in LOVE with their fresh green juices ! I was on a 10 day juice fast and they saved me so much time and effort. I also love all the healthy food options they have. You can't go wrong with any of the options they have in the deli, or packaged goodies. They also have free wifi ! You can't beat that !
(5)Dustin S.
Babo is a wonderful place to be. It feels like ducking into a mum new Brooklyn cafe. Decor, foodstuffs, and prices indexed accordingly. Seaweed and quinoa salads from the cold bar are reliable goodies. I've not eaten the mac & cheese from the hot bar, but I have watched the process, and it does spur mmmmms and intense cooing. Salmon is firm and tasty. Miso soup perfect. Or go big and tackle the meat and cheese case. Well worth it if you're so inclined. So: the gourmet market/produce section/cafe are lovely for ambiance (and perhaps an occasional bottle of wine) but the prepared food is the true gem.
(5)Ari D.
I love Babo, and I go there pretty often for miscellaneous stuff. However, I recently found out that their juices aren't "all organic" (no information was provided about if any are or if any of the produce in them is). It would be great if they were clearer about this - maybe labeling which juices had organic produce in them (if any) and providing more information about how the produce was washed/prepped before juicing would be great. If there are pesticides all over the produce being used, it really negates the "cleansing" and "healthy" benefits of the juices. Their hot and cold food has generally been delicious. If Babo would give the option for organic juices (even at a higher price), some of us would pay it and cut corners on our budget elsewhere!
(3)Albert T.
Good selection and fair prices make this a great place to spend an afternoon. They offer an afternoon tea where patrons choose their variety of tea and are provided with a number of delicious snacks as they leisurely spend their afternoon.
(4)Becky P.
I love this place. Babo is beautifully decorated, it makes shopping fun. The groceries are unique and I've bought so many interesting new brands. I also love their coffee. I've had some hit and miss meals from the hot bar, and sometimes the produce is a little overripe, but everything else is great.
(5)Nicholas M.
Dear Babo, You are an awesome highly curated little hipster oasis of unique quality foods! From the fresh squeezed juices, to the squid ink pasta, to the magnificent meat/cheese selection, and all those fantastic little food accoutrements I never knew I couldn't live without. I also love that they have Calder Dairy chocolate milk. It's the best chocolate milk I've ever had and this is the first place within walking distance I've found that carries it. I also can never seem to leave without getting a few of their macarons. The mexican hot chocolate macaron has the perfect amount of spice. The free water always has fresh fruit in it too for an extra touch of class.
(4)Irene S.
They did a fantastic job hiring staff. Everyone there is so friendly and outgoing. Great variety! I love stopping in there for lunch (great salad bar) or after work to pick up some goods for dinner. I do wish the produce section was a bit more well kept, there always seems to be over ripe fruit and vegetables. And the beer section is also a bit disappointing, I would love to see some Jolly Pumpkin, North Peak or Dark Horse in there. Overall fantastic place. I was highly recommend it, even just to look around.
(4)Jonas L.
Beautifully curated high-end grocery at somewhat exorbitant prices, coupled with a deli that puts together fancy versions of rustic sandwiches. If you've been to Zingerman's (and obviously you have), you know what's up at Babo. The downtown location makes it a welcome alternative to the perennial favorite. But Babo's got some tricks of its own as well. The mac and cheese croquette is a genius invention that perfectly combines two sins for maximal pleasure. The other prepared foods also provide a welcoming departure from Zing's palette. With a coffee bar and some seats, this place could be good for a day break.
(4)Christian S.
There are so many rave reviews already it is hard to add anything new, but here it goes. NEWCOMERS: This is a store full of good things, even great things. So let me tell you what the very best things are so you aren't distracted. I'll cover both prepared food and locally-sourced groceries. My top 5: 5. Calder Dairy Strawberry Banana Drinking Yogurt (Carleton, MI). It has an extra gloppiness that you don't normally get in drinking yogurt. It doesn't want to come out of the bottle. And that makes it better somehow. 4. Ann Arbor Tortilla Factory Chili Lime Stone Ground Corn Chips (in the small bag) -- they're dense and you won't need the big bag. (And they are apparently made on the south side of town.) 3. Lobster Bisque -- with a fresh-baked roll for dipping. It's a powerfully rich, tangy take on things so you'll need bread to even things out. Fantastic on a cold day. 2. Spanish Salad. As this salad is so simple I'm not sure what the secret is. It must be the quality of the ingredients. 1. Cinnamon Roll. Others have raved about the baked goods but there is a world of difference between the cinnamon rolls and everything else here. They are not gooey at all, more of a flaky-type-deal like a french breakfast pastry. Astoundingly good. It is all expensive but what do you want? This is the stuff right here. Save up if you have to. I do not recommend having all five of these at the same time, as a meal.
(5)Stephanie T.
Ann Arbor has something special in this part market, part cafe, part wine bar. The store's visual aesthetic is stunning - with the floor to ceiling windows and the obvious attention they've paid to the decor and detail it's just a beautiful place to hang out. As it turns out they also have a wide range of delicious food, coffee, wine and beer that can be taken to go or casually consumed while enjoying this wonderful setting. Add a cheese plate and you're pretty much in heaven. I'm pretty sure if I lived in the apartment complex above this storefront, I'd be here more or less all the time. The store also conveniently sells a wide variety of normal groceries and specialty foods, perfect for that dinner party you're going to or hosting. I just wish they'd consider opening up shop in San Francisco!
(5)Blair R.
I just made it to Babo for my first time. On a sunny day, this place is the perfect spot. We sat on the patio and had some delish grub and coffee, which I thought was pretty much heaven. Babo has a great prepared food section, a cute coffee station, interesting pressed juices and yummy baked treats. I tried the kale and walnut salad and I wish I had asked what was in the vinaigrette before I left. I'll be craving it for a while. My friend had a turkey sandwich on a baguette that looked awesome. I probably won't make it to Babo when the weather is yucky and I can't walk on over but on a warm summer day, it is an ideal place to catch up with some friends.
(4)Jessica R.
My only sadness about Babo is that, being a market, it is not zoned as a residence and thus I cannot live inside of it. My goodness, though, is it glorious. The closest thing we have in A2 is Zingerman's, the commonalities being high-quality specialty goods, a beautiful interior, and generous and friendly counterpeople. The difference is, simply, that there is space to breathe in Babo. The ceilings are tall, the decorations are sparse but chic. It reminds me of NY markets, and I kept walking around because I just didn't want to leave. Lots of prepared foods, from coffee and bakery goods to hot and cold food by the pound to sandwiches and cheese and meats. Also lots of high-quality pantry items... tea and coffee, jams, butters, ice cream. Even some produce that looked beautiful! Other pluses: good location with a couple bike racks right outside, an area to sit inside to eat, lots of individually sold spices.
(5)Jenny L.
Babo is like having plum market in walking distance. My lunch consisted of superbly crisp coleslaw, chimichurri steak, and a spice-filled spanish coffee. delish!
(4)Lisa F.
Dear Sava, you are knocking it out of the park! Babo is such a treat to find, made only better by some outdoor seating and a bar! This is quickly becoming my favorite summer hang out. Happy hour helps on the pricing, and a small dish of anything from the deli counter keeps me happy for a reasonable price. (On Monday afternoon we managed a beer, sangria, quesadilla slice and pesto-caprese salad for under $15.) Advice to anyone still gathering courage to try it out: Ask everything you could ever want to know! The staff is more than happy to tell you where to go, what to get (and how much), etc. They also don't mind leaving you alone - it's ok to tell them you want to explore on your own (but consider grabbing a wine sample while wandering in peace).
(5)Dante F.
I bought a bag of Ethiopian coffee beans which was ground on the premisses. I was surprized at the price but don't regret it because it's worth it. The coffee smelled so good when it was brewed that it was impossible to refuse a cup, it ran out in two days. The store is very cute!
(5)Tony L.
Only had food from the deli here, but it was good. Looked like there was a nice selection of grocery goods as well. Staff is very professional and friendly. Free samples are a plus. Prices a bit on the high end, but not unreasonably so.
(4)Leo C.
cheesygrapes.blogspot.co… Here are some reasons why I LOVE Babo: A Market By Sava a. They carry gluten-free products b. To me, eating and drinking is very much about the sensory: in particular with sight, smell & taste. My wife and I had the best dining experience. Fabulous service, the BEST seaweed salad I've ever had, the turkey meatballs in sriracha buffalo sauce was AMAZING too. c. You get that big city feel with the expensive condos next door, the corner spot on a busy one-way street, and the layout of the store is very cozy yet high-class. d. Read the rest on my blog (WITH MORE PICTURES): Link Above. Thanks! Leo C.
(5)Zachary W.
My favorite thing about Babo is the outdoor seating when it is warm out, since you can take the beer you buy there and drink it outside. They also serve beers in glass mason jars, which is quite cool. For the wine I hate the plastic wine glasses. Everything else at Babo is okay. Yes there are many high quality things here, but they are overpriced for what you get. The cold food, while good is underwhelming since it never rotates. Also, it can be annoying when the people that work there are all over you. I prefer the more laissez-faire approach off the Co-op.
(3)Mike H.
This place is great. Get a cheese plate from Clair, she knows everything about cheese. Get wine with it. The hotbar is amazing, try the mac and cheese or the pep calzone.
(5)Ryan T.
Nothing less than four stars? Babo you're lucky! I don't have the heart to be the first to dip below. First off, this place is a wonderful city market that carries "alternative" and "specialty" food items. For alternative think gluten-free and non-cow dairy items. For specialty, think of a host of cheeses and some packaged imports from Europe. I have primarily patronized this place for the novelty of an interesting cheese and the coffee bar they have set up. Everything is great about this place, they have a selection of wines, pantry items, deli - you really could cook a feast with the assortment. Not to mention their customer service is second-to-none. They are friendly, keep an "appropriate distance" while you shop, and happily provide you with well-informed recommendations. So why am I tempted to give it it's first 3 star? It's just so damn pricey. I mean a pound of pasta for over $3 when you can find the identical brand/product at Kroger for $0.99? Mark-up is expected but this place makes Whole Foods seem like a bargain. If someone else was buying, consider this my go-to spot. Until then I'll have to pick at items sparingly and only go for what can't be found elsewhere.
(4)Francesca B.
Food from the hot bar is hit or miss. The Mac and cheese is consistently good while I once ordered some particularly awful ribs here. I think they changed chefs so the food maybe better. A bit expensive for college students. They sell a jar of pickles for $9!! I lived upstairs and after the initial new-ness wore off I barely came to Babo... Save for an espresso drink from the coffee bar every so often. Best things are the espresso bar and the cold beverage selection. They have chilled bottles of champagne and white wine behind the bar which really came in handy on graduation day! The espresso drinks are really great. I think I tried most of them. The best are the mocha and the cold brewed iced coffee. Bonus points: the baristas are all super hot.
(3)Jane T.
Macaroons are AMAZING. Extremely fresh, delicious filling and unique flavor combinations. There's nothing more I'd ever want in a macaroon. They are rich though, so though it may look like eating 2 is no big deal, you'll be stuffed by the end.
(5)Jacob S.
Love this place to pieces. I especially love their sultry Sunday evenings with AFFORDABLE cheese platters, tasty hooch, and live music from the great American songbook. Babo is the family jewel of Ann Arbor in terms of cuisine and ambiance. Yummerz!
(5)Kellie W.
First off, Babo is the most beautiful gourmet grocery store I've ever visited. It is very trendily laid out and clean and, just aesthetically awesome, which for whatever reason is important to me. The prices are very Ann Arbor -- not cheap, but I wouldn't say expensive for the area. I like to go there for lunch. I'm a huge fan of their soups, which are always changing and usually very, very delicious. They've got great mac and cheese and, R.I.P., used to have a wonderful salad bar. I hope one day it comes back. The staff is also very friendly and helpful. Once I went there for lunch and was reading a book when an employee asked me if I wanted some water to cleanse my palate- heck yes! Also, I've seen the owner do that for other guests.
(4)Elyse G.
I work across the street from Babo, and I waited with bated breath for it to open. And the day they opened up shop, I was very pleasantly surprised. The have a huge, and ever-growing, selection of products. Their hot/cold prepared foods bar has high quality, delicious selections. And better yet, their prices are really reasonable. I've compared Babo sometimes to Sparrow Market or Zingermans, but it really is its own thing. A wider range of products than Zingermans, but not as much as Sparrow. But quality of products are higher or equal to Sparrow but not as exotic as some of Zingermans' goods. The only things I don't like are the fact that they don't have public WiFI (at least since the last time I was there)... you have to connect to WiFi from a different building nearby. Last but not least, their staff is super helpful!
(4)Dave Y.
This place is one of its kind in Ann Arbor. It's a neighborhood grocery store that's a bit reminiscent of Dean and Deluca. It's full of eclectic stuff ranging from cool and fun snacks to imported goods to produce to some high-end foods. They also have a pretty good deli counter w/ great cheeses and cured meats, and even fresh pasta and meats. And they have a pretty awesome soda collection (my favorite so far is Fentiman's Tonic Water). They also have really good locally-made ice cream. The prepared foods is really awesome and pretty reasonably priced. And the list of food stuff just goes on and on... They also have a coffee bar that serves coffee from the Ugly Mug. I'm a coffee freak and I'd rate their coffee bar as one of the top 3 in A2, along with Comet and Lab. And to top it all off, it's also a super awesome hang-out place. The space itself is absolutely beautiful and beautifully-decorated, and they have this gigantic communal table that's made of two old doors. Zingerman's is kinda like it but it's not as nice of a space to hang out there. Overall, this place is a real gem. The people are friendly, the space is pleasant, the food is great as is the variety. In fact, if I lived in the apartments above it, I'd probably never go anywhere else.
(5)Don J.
Stopped at Babo for a quick bite and the free wifi. I wasn't disappointed in either. The left side of Babo is a market where you can buy gourmet and organic groceries. To the center right is the deli counter, except that you can get hot food and salads in addition to sandwiches. The grilled cheese with beef short rib sandwich melted in my mouth - crispy bread, gooey cheese and well-seasoned meat. I also got the pear and kale salad with walnuts, which was fantastic. To the right there is a coffee bar that also serves sangria and wine by the glass - or, you can grab a bottle of something out of the cooler behind you to drink with your meal. Selection includes microbrews, gourmet sodas and crisp hard cider. The barista will pour your cold beverage into a mason jar, if you like. Prices are in line for a gourmet deli - don't expect a $5 sub here, but this fresh food indulgence is worth the extra coin. Babo has long, tall lunch-counter type tables with stools where you can sit down with your food and laptop. Bring a fully-charged battery, as I didn't see any outlets near my table.
(5)Hope D.
Omg- the food: so GOOD! The staff: so friendly and competent! Great food, incredible service and friendliness every where you turn a corner in the store- soooo yummy- endless samples! Beautiful market- awesome seating at the bars. I love their great salad bar too - it's creative and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. God this place always makes me feel good/better on a weekend morning. Ahhhh just right.
(5)Jennie Y.
a home in every sense of the word.
(5)Claire A.
Babo is super impressive. For a small market, they have a great selection of produce, frozen foods, pantry and snacks. I kind of want to live in 411 lofts -- the apartments attached to Babo just to be able to go here all the time. The employees REALLY want to help you. With everything. They'd probably write your English essay for you if you asked, they're so eager. I'm one of those socially awkward 'nah I'm perfectly fine on my own' kind of people, but I guess it's nice to be in an excitable, knowledgeable environment. Like the other reviewers, I'm a fan of their prepared foods. I will even say their selection is much better and cheaper than Whole Foods or Plum Market's prepared foods. The roasted vegetables and mac and cheese were close to perfection. And they have a terrific baked goods selection, including Avalon cookies (!!!) and their own homemade cookies/bars/brownies/macaroons. YAY, Babo!
(4)Victoria S.
Delicious deli selection, and a lot of "fancy" brands of nom noms. Stylish interior, and relatively friendly staff, I've had mixed experiences.
(4)Cameal Y.
I come here at least once a week to stock up on fresh food. The staff are very friendly and helpful. They have a selection of fruit which includes some unique ones(starfruit, for example). They also have a good selection of cheeses and they let you try before you decide which is nice. I also buy sandwich meats there and they are always fresh and appetizing. The wine selection is also pretty good. Overall, I love this place!
(5)Michael C.
Dropped by to see this place yesterday while in town visiting some friends. Awesome decor, love the industrial chic. It was great to see such an amazing selection of locally sourced, organic products. Delicious coffee, with a great little place to enjoy it. I didn't get a chance to try their prepared foods but they looks fantastic. Don't live in Ann Arbor, but if I did I would be here all the time. Check out their Zingermans sourced cheeses while you're there! This place deserves to catch on.
(5)William B.
I do not have enough good words to say about this place! The food is excellent, the staff is always helpful and friendly, plus has great live music! Would recommend this place to anybody!
(5)Natasha L.
Love this place! Their desserts are amazing, great staff and fantastic, affordable wine.
(5)Elizabeth W.
Babo is amazing. Their prepared foods are worth every penny. Their mac and cheese is to die for. They give you samples of everything and I have never been able to walk into babo without asking for a sample of mac and cheese. Also, great salads - chickpea salad, swiss chard salad, and quinoa salad. This place is amazing! Their wine selection could be better but I don't really go there for wine.
(5)Kelley H.
Great place. Stopped in when every other location in town was packed. Hot and cold deli items were great. Didn't realize they had tap or bottled beer and wine by the glass until we were done. Next time! Great baked goods. Grocery had interesting items too and good looking produce!
(5)Jake H.
Babo is a real unsung wonder in downtown Ann Arbor. Not only is it a great deli with an outstanding selection of food, drinks, and more, but the food on offer is great. The "Sandwich of the Week" is usually your best bet -- but if you want to try a different cheese or meat, the staff can make suggestions and are always willing to let you sample. The food quality is top-notch, although the prices reflect that. Still, sandwiches, soups, or other deli foods are all better value-for-money than at Zingerman's. The interior ambiance is wonderful. The store is beautifully designed and feels very airy. Definitely recommended!
(5)Bianca P.
If I could move in to this grocery store, I would. They always have the speciality items I am looking for and the cashiers are always very nice. Its small and they carry plenty of local brands and products.
(5)Keith S.
Beautiful decor, great variety of items to choose from and reasonably priced. This place reminds me of what a corner market would be when there weren't any large grocery chains. The people are friendly- the guy behind the deli offered samples of items and made recommendations. The place is buzzing with energy but has a welcoming feel. Sava greeted me both times I visited. If you want to shop in a place that has unique items -this is the place.
(4)Susan C.
What a twee place. But there's a dearth of markets downtown, and this one is very cute and hip. It's not terribly overpriced for some items, and has most of the boutique and gourmet items you seek. The deli case was stocked with some good looking pancetta and the prepared foods looked appetizing. It's definitely a good addition to the area.
(4)Jules E.
Babo has become my favorite cafe/lunch room/boutique market. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the inventory, the decor is funky, and most importantly the food is delicious! Excellent baked goods and sandwiches, I have yet to try the hot bar. The selection of pantry items is not large, but adequate for the average baker/cook, and the quality of what they do have is quite good. Babo cafe has a good atmosphere for working or studying that is completely unique from other cafes. Plenty of light and space, the feeling is of high productivity and very energized, no doubt because it is connected to a happening market. However, if all you want is a relaxing break, it's also easy to sit back and watch the activity from a seat at the amazing table, constructed from converted doors. Drink selection at the cafe is scrumptious though normal, which is rather a pity; a place as hip as Babo needs a signature special! For first time though, try the Spanish Latte. Also, a macaron if they have some. Not quite like Cecilia's but good calibre nonetheless.
(5)Robert B.
Honestly, I won't ever buy a sandwich anywhere else. The food is extremely fresh and delicious along with the coffee. The service and atmosphere top everything off just like her Restaurant. It has a beautiful set up with a great verity of grocery items along with unique, healthy and organic products as well. Sit down and eat and grocery shop all at once at the best place around to do both.
(5)Jess R.
If Anthropologie and Plum Market had a baby, Babo would be it. A delicious selection of artisan cheese (samples if you ask), meat, pastries, and a coffee bar that serves pour-overs. The prepared foods case was awesome and cleanly presented without the chaos of too many choices to pick from. The packaged food area had a nice selection of some of my favorite things and also carried French lentils which I was impressed with. A "high tea" was being advertised for 3pm which I was sadly unable to attend,. The only drawback is the location --perfect for downtown Ann Arbor-ites, but a little inconvenient parking-wise for those who live outside of town.
(4)Nicholas D.
I first visited Babo today and it was wonderful. I had recently read the Ann Arbor News review which convinced me to stop in for lunch. I am so glad that I did! The atmosphere is great with a steady stream of customers, jazzy music in the background and the wonderful aroma of fresh brewed coffee. The spread of fresh cold and hot prepared foods was impressive. I ordered orange sesame tofu, mixed grilled veggies and a single roll (pasta shell-like) of turkey, lentil and Gouda. With these three items the plate was full. The hot prepared foods were about 12 or 13 dollars per pound as I recall and I believe the cold prepared foods were 8 or 9. In addition to the food I ordered a large dark roast coffee (pour over brewed). The food was excellent. I particularly enjoyed the texture and flavor of the tofu. The turkey pasta-roll was also delicious. The coffee was incredible! I would rank it n the same level as French press coffee from Zola's and coffee from Comet. I consider myself a coffee connoisseur and their coffee was great. The type of coffee that some might consider a sin to add cream or sugar to. All included I paid 13 dollars. I consider myself cheap and I left feeling as though I got every penny's worth. They have great decor and seating for around 20 if I were to estimate. There is one long table and a counter facing the window with about 5-6 chairs. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for quality food to go or even a quick meal for eat-in. I plan to take my wife there in the near future for both the food and the coffee.
(5)Jennifer J.
Easily my favorite eating spot for a quick meal in Ann Arbor. As said in some of previous reviews, it can be pricey. I love their fresh juices, but it's hard to justify $7 for a drink. Sometimes they have free samples of their juice, but this usually sucks me into buying a full bottle. Their sandwiches will change your life. I LOVE the green goddess sandwich! I used to be vegetarian for 8 years (I fell off the wagon thanks to hot dogs), so I can confidently say that this is a real treat for any vegetarian. It's ~$8, which I consider a pretty good deal. You get big chunks of avocado, mozzarella cheese, along with other delicious vegetables. Also, when you stop in, make sure to get some of their fruit water. Me and my friends call it "spa water" because it feels so fancy.
(5)Paul S.
What a cool place! Ann Arbor has steadily lost downtown shopping for staples and wine ever since the old Village Corner on S. University shut down in the 90s. Then White Market joined the general malaise ma and pa shops faced due to rising rents and demographic changes. I stopped by to scout the place out today and left fairly well impressed. My pictures give a general overview but I'd say the growing number of condo high rises nearby should support this well stocked market. It has everything you'd need for cooking at home, plus a really nice and nicely priced wine selection. I appreciated seeing wines from regions of France and Italy you don't see at other places in town for $13-25. While small, the beer selection is decent. I also approved of the cold-pressed juices and meats. Italian sourced beef from Piedmont? Awesome! Anyway, this all-in-one deli should survive as the downtown continues to climb skyward, plus the student ghetto isn't going away anytime soon.
(4)Denise L.
Babo is a great place for a quick bite to eat, picking a couple of grocery items, a lazy afternoon with coffee, or even a productive study session. Though pricier than most places of similar purpose in the area, Babo's location downtown is so convenient. I came here on a Friday afternoon, and really enjoyed sitting at the communal table with a mug of jasmine green tea and free Wifi. The area is spacious, with lots of natural lighting and friendly employees. Prices for their grocery items are about 1.5x as expensive as you'd find at big box supermarkets, which is why I knocked off one star. I love siggi's yogurt and was excited to see it offered here, but was shocked to find that it was priced at double that of Target!
(4)Olivia S.
I stopped in and got a veggie breakfast sandwich it was just egg and cheese no veggies :( :( Would have been better with veggies on it. Got an iced chai as well. Ordering was a little confusing for my first time in. I ordered my sandwich at the coffee bar and it took a while to get because I guess I was supposed to order it at the counter of let the counter workers know.. A little confusing.. Loved the croissant.
(4)Vasanth R.
Usually this place does well with everything but the coffee. The barista is unable to make drinks properly and hassles customers who are asking for simple drinks.
(1)Kristine K.
Babo is a genius concept for this area, creating an East coast-inspired mash up of high quality produce, discerningly selected and hard-to-find dry goods, a diverse global cheese selection, grab-and-go prepared foods, and hot and cold meal offerings. But, wait...There is more! How about beer and wines by the glass or a latte offered up by the coffee bar? You may sit and enjoy your purchased food/beverage items at the very chic tall-top, communal table fashioned from a repurposed door or on the outside patio. The prices are rather steep, particularly their fresh juices at about $8 per serving; however, the convenience, quality, and ambiance more that compensate for the extra few dollars.
(4)Jenn H.
The seafood salad is amazing. I can't stay away from it. Hot food is slightly more expensive than the cold at the food bar. There's a nice selection of food & dairy that can't be found at the other markets.. I guess that accounts for the slightly higher price. There's a sit down area too to eat.
(3)Rena S.
The only negative about Babo is the prices are a little high. I love their philosophy, everything I've had that is made in house is absolutely amazing. I love their juices and macaroons. They also have a great beer and wine selection.
(4)Janelle O.
My friend and I discovered this place wandering around A2, and man are we glad we did! As others have said, it's like a Whole Foods, but much smaller. It's really bright and clean, and a great place to grab lunch or coffee and sit inside. I could spent over an hour just looking at all the things I want to eat/buy. Seriously. Their food is AWESOME. They have sandwiches, pastas, cold foods, salads- all fresh. I got a cold curry chicken salad and a risotto cake (very good and about $7) They also have delightful coffee and macaroons. Only con for me is some of the pricing. I completely understand paying for quality, but when pressed juice is $7 or a sauce I found at the supermarket for $2 is $8 here, it's a bit much. But I honestly enjoy this place too much to care. And I don't know how, but the water here is amazing. It's the best water I have ever had?? I will continue to come here and get sucked into buying things I may not need, but surely will not regret.
(5)F B.
It's a sort of convenience store that also has some space for a few tables and chairs inside and weather permitting also outside. The food is a bit expensive, the beer selection is good. I ordered an espresso and found the taste to be very very bitter, almost acidic and undrinkable. I know espresso coffee and it was really bad. It was the first time ever that I experienced such awful tasting coffee. The barista was very apologetic and asked if I wanted something else. I asked for a cappuccino instead. That made it more palatable but you could still taste the very acidic coffee. I told the staff that there must be something really wrong with that batch of coffee.
(3)Dug S.
Between her eponymous restaurant, and adventures in tapas (Aventura), Sava opened this ambitious market as a bit of an experiment. And what an interesting experiment it's been! From Sunday high tea, to wine/cheese/hip hop nights and juice cleanse programs, Babo is more than your typical boutique grocery store. It's also well beyond what anyone might have expected would replace the downtown grocery / deli / meat market opportunity White Market abdicated. In the face of stiff competition from the convenience stores that also cropped up post-White Market (CVS, 7-11, Walgreens - all within two blocks), Babo has held its ground selling high-end goods, seemingly to a younger upscale clientele. From fine cheese and wine, to gourmet prepared foods, and a simple-but-selective wine/beer/coffee bar (nitro-infused cold brew from a tap!), Babo's made good food fashionable for even college students - versus the quirky, obsessive gastronomy of Zingermans (of, by, and for Baby Boomers?). There's something new and exciting to be discovered on almost every visit, from food, snacks, candy, and drinks, to fresh and visually-appealing design / layout. I understand Sava is setting up a commissary kitchen elsewhere as a kind of food laboratory for her other restaurants. Babo feels like her retail laboratory, host to many more experiments (hers and others', like Omari Rush's Fox Trot), and home to a community willing to follow her to try anything (Babo is very active on Facebook and Instagram - and should be on Yelp)! Sava is literally a tastemaker, and it feels like the natural progression of a town like Ann Arbor, weaned on the Farmers Market and Zingermans. Glad to see a place with fresh ideas like Babo do so well in our community. I was beginning to get worried that downtown was turning into a franchised outdoor mall / food court!
(5)Allison O.
Babo is ingenious for Ann Arbor. They seem to have everything; beer, meats, cheeses, prepared foods, packaged foods, etc. etc. While some of their prices are mind boggling (like the $6 for a half a cup of Babo made ice cream...) it's a great occasional stop. I would by no means do my weekly shopping here, but grabbing a beer or wine and sitting on their patio enjoying dinner or a treat is something I love to do.
(4)Racemic U.
I love the food from their hot/cold bar. Every time I have purchased food from there, I have not been disappointed. My only disappointment is with the price. It is $12/lb. for hot food and $8/lb for the cold food items. This leads to a plate of food being around $15. That is basically restaurant prices and this is a deli so.....with that said, I keep going back because, the food tastes great. It is also nice that they over a wide variety of seating options so you can eat there or take your food to go. The food bar selections change every day. I also find parking to be difficult to find. I end up parking in the Maynard Lot and then walking 2-3 blocks up to Babo's. Perhaps, it is my own ignorance of a closer lot that is stumping me but, that is usually my best bet to find parking. The place makes itself into a small grocery store which I can only imagine is extremely convenient for the tenets residing above in the Sterling 411 Loft Apt. complex. The customer service has always been welcoming and pleasant. The place is well maintained, bright, and clean. They remind me of a great high-quality deli in N.Y. but they are cleaner. :) I would definitely recommend them but, just be aware of the prices so you aren't sticker shocked at the register.
(4)Todd S.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news and break the Babo bubble. I was a Babo customer for years until I was struck with a critical case of FOOD POISONING. My food poisoning involved a parasitic infection in the small intestines after eating a sandwich and juice--one or both of which was/were contaminated. It's hard to say which one because my sandwich was prepared by an employee not wearing gloves (which is alarming), and who knows whether there was bacteria on the blender (or if the fruit was not washed). My friend recently stopped by Babo and noticed mold on the ground meat. If you don't believe me, Babo Market has been cited TEN TIMES in VIOLATION OF HEALTH CODES by the Michigan Department of Agriculture. You can check Babo's health code violations, which range from EMPLOYEES NOT WASHING HANDS to PEST INFESTATION, to improper heating and cooling of prepared food. Go to the Michigan Department of Agriculture website and type in BABO in the "Establishment Name" box: https : // secure1 [dot] state [dot] mi [dot] us/misafe/Default [.aspx] (please replace "dot" with the actual period.) Finally, the other day I passed by the Babo Market in the Arcade on my way to work. What do I see? Although the inside was empty, the young employee behind the counter thought he wouldn't have been seen catching a puff of his e-cigarette. Smoking an e-cigarette while inside an establishment selling food is illegal. Do yourself a favor and avoid Babo Market at all costs. Although the delusional management will assure its customers that there are "no problems," this place has had a clear history of health code violations, verifiable on the Michigan Dept. of Agriculture website. As much as I want to and do support local Ann Arbor establishments, my friends, family, and I will never step foot in this establishment again; and we cautiously urge you to do the same.
(1)Brit H.
Great coffee and juice! Also amazing prepackaged salads and homemade salad dressings. Run by the Sava folks.
(5)Michelle B.
Visited the Broadway location as it's across the street where I work. I've only tried a few things: Love their Muffaleta sandwich and their salads are really fresh and will definitely fill you up. I stopped in around 7:20am before going into the office for a breakfast sandwich but was told they normally don't come out until after 7:30am so I missed out. Only issue is the price - a bit pricey but I guess their prices are on par for being in A2. The counter people are really nice, always have a smile and a nice word. I'll have to try the Washington St. location one weekend when I'm visiting.
(4)Laura C.
This place is really popular, and I can see why. There are no other grocery stores in the area, and there are a lot of people who live in downtown Ann Arbor. I was stopping in for a quick dinner before heading somewhere else, and I chose three things from the cold salads section. I wish I could have been the one doing the scooping, since the prices are fairly high per pound ($12) and I didn't want to bother them for a little more or a little less. The seating in the restaurant is efficient but sort of awkward, and is not a great place for dinner with a friend or group, since everyone else will just be listening to you by default. I like that they have water and little mason jars that you can refill yourself. I am not sure if I will go back.
(3)