Piazza's Fine Foods

About Piazza's

Piazza's Fine Foods is a locally owned grocery store at 3922 Middlefield Road, in the Charleston Shopping Center in south Palo Alto. The family behind it describes the business as a food store whose roots go back four generations to a grocery family in Italy. It is one of two Piazza's stores. The other is in San Mateo's Laurelwood Shopping Center.

The story starts with John Piazza Sr. He left Trabia, in the Palermo region of Sicily, in 1933 for a better life in the United States. After returning from World War II in 1945, he went into the grocery business. In 1979 he opened his own market, focused on local organic produce and natural foods. His sons joined him that same year. The family describes the result as a traditional Italian spin on a modern food market.

Today his sons John Jr., Gary and Rick run the business with grandson James Piazza. The company says the family is in its stores every day. On its website Piazza's calls itself proud to be part of the Palo Alto community. A recent post says it has served the city for almost 40 years.

Departments

Piazza's is a full grocery store, not just a specialty shop. Its website lists these departments:

• Produce
• Cheese
• Meat and seafood
• Bakery
• Deli and prepared foods
• Wine, beer and spirits
• Grocery
• Wellness
• Floral

Two items get special attention on the site. The butchers make sausages by hand in the store. The deli also makes sandwiches to order. Piazza's recently announced new sandwich additions for both of its stores. Menus and products change with the season, so check the website for what is current.

Catering, holidays and online shopping

Piazza's runs a catering service with its own menu on the website. It also has a separate holiday ordering site for seasonal meals and platters. If you are hosting a holiday dinner, look there early in the season.

For delivery, Piazza's sends shoppers to Instacart, which handles online orders from the store. Weekly and monthly specials are posted on the website. You can also sign up for its email list to get them.

The store also hosts occasional events. Its social posts mention a "Friends With Wine" wine event held at the Palo Alto store. Watch the website and social accounts for the next one.

Hours and holiday schedule

Piazza's keeps long hours, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. That makes it one of the easier places in south Palo Alto for an early or after-work shop. The store publishes a holiday schedule on its locations page. It lists the same 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. hours on the day before Thanksgiving, a 3 p.m. close on Thanksgiving Day and a 7 p.m. close on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. It is closed on Christmas Day and opens from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on New Year's Day. Confirm the schedule each year before you plan around it.

Who it suits

Piazza's covers the whole weekly list, from produce and dairy to wine and flowers, so most south Palo Alto households can do a full shop here. Cooks who want a butcher counter, a cheese department and a deli under one roof will find all three. The early opening suits commuters. The deli sandwiches make it a practical lunch stop for anyone working nearby.

Tips for shopping at Piazza's

• The Charleston Shopping Center has its own parking lot, so this is an easier stop by car than downtown.
• Pair a stop at the butcher counter with the cheese department if you are building a dinner party menu.
• Order catering and holiday meals ahead rather than on the day.
• Use Instacart if you are staying without a car.

Piazza's is in the Charleston area of south Palo Alto. Our Charleston Meadows guide covers the area. For other neighborhood shopping in this part of the city, see our Midtown, Cal Ave and Edgewood shopping guide. For a garden stop nearby, SummerWinds Nursery is a short drive away on San Antonio Road.

Location and getting there

Piazza's Fine Foods is at 3922 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303, in the Charleston area of Palo Alto. Our Charleston guide covers what else is around.

The nearest train stop is the San Antonio Caltrain station (Mountain View), about 0.8 miles away. That is roughly a 20 minute walk or a short bike ride.

Parking: street spaces or a small lot nearby; check posted limits.

Hours

Hours from the business's own website, checked October 29, 2026.

What is nearby

• Mountain Mike's, restaurant, under 0.1 mi
• Pet Food Express, shop, under 0.1 mi
• Rick's Ice Cream, restaurant, under 0.1 mi
• Subway South Middlefield, quick-service spot, under 0.1 mi
• Peet's Coffee Middlefield Road, cafe, under 0.1 mi
• Cubberley Community Center, 0.2 mi
• Mitchell Park Library, 0.3 mi
• Mitchell Park and Magical Bridge, 0.3 mi

Other groceries and food shops nearby: Grocery Outlet (0.8 mi); Ernie's Liquors (1.2 mi); Safeway (1.4 mi); Driftwood Deli and Market (1.4 mi). Browse the full groceries and food shops list.

Before you go

• California charges for paper bags at checkout, so bring a reusable bag.
• Weekend late mornings are the busiest time at most Palo Alto grocers. Early mornings and weekday evenings are calmer.
• Specialty items and prepared foods change often. Call ahead if you need something specific.

About this listing

Checked October 29, 2026 against Piazza's official website; Piazza's locations; Piazza's story. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Frequently asked questions