The Euro Pantry
Published 6:00 am Wednesday, November 4, 2026
One day, on my way to pick up my kids, I spotted a sign for a European grocery store in Nixa, just off Mt. Vernon Street. I drive this route nearly every day and had never noticed the store before. Later, I learned that The Euro Pantry, a European and Slavic specialty grocery store, had been in business for over a year! I’m kicking myself for not visiting this quaint grocery store sooner.
The store carries a variety of bakery and pastry items, including freshly baked bread, almond croissants, honey cakes, Italian panettone, and placinta, a traditional Romanian stuffed pastry made with phyllo dough. You’ll also find meats and seafood, including sausages, knackwurst, and pickled herring; cheese and dairy products; pantry staples such as patent flour (a pure, high-quality wheat flour), pickled sorrel, and marinated grape leaves; and sweets like Belgian wafer rolls filled with hazelnut paste.
On my first visit, I had a sweet tooth, so I picked up some halva (a sesame-based confection made with tahini), and berry-flavored jelly candies made with real fruit juice. Both were delicious! On my next visit, I had a few things in mind that I’d never tried before.
I picked up a loaf of Pokrovskiy bread, some Otlomi candy bars, and a can of kvass. Pokrovskiy is a traditional Slavic loaf made through natural fermentation with malt, mashed potatoes, and wheat and rye flours. The rye flavor was distinct, and I enjoyed the soft texture. It was perfect for Reuben sandwiches!
My boys loved trying the Otlomi candy bars, which feature crispy wafers, soft caramel, roasted peanuts, and puffed rice cereal. They reminded me of a 100 Grand Bar.
Lastly, I tried kvass, a fermented drink made from bread. When I cracked open the can, it smelled like beer. After tasting it, I’d describe it as a bread-flavored soda: yeasty, sweet, and carbonated. I think it might be an acquired taste, because I didn’t drink very much of it.
While kvass may not be for me, it was fun to step outside my comfort zone and try some new foods! It’s exciting to discover a specialty shop like The Euro Pantry right here in our community, and I’m glad I finally stopped in.
The Euro Pantry
304 W. Mt. Vernon St., Nixa, MO 65714
Monday–Saturday: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Emily Jenkins is an award-winning culinary professional based in Nixa, Missouri, specializing in original recipe development and engaging food writing. Follow on Instagram @Lil_Ozarkfoodie or email her at emilykathleenjenkins@gmail.com
