One of Vancouver’s main attractions for locals and visitors alike is Granville Island; a small peninsular located at the southern end of Granville Street Bridge just across False Creek, a ten minutes drive from downtown.
This once industrial manufacturing area turned creative corner spots several small art galleries, craft studios and artisan workshops. At the heart of it all, Granville Island Public Market perhaps is the area’s most cherished attraction.
That is no surprise. Once entering the market hall you will become overwhelmed by an sensory explosion. Tables and stalls laden with the freshest of fruits and vegetables, breads and sweets, and a huge variety of fresh fish, meats, charcuterie, cheese and food ready to eat made on-site.
Make sure to come here with an appetite. It would be a shame not to take advantage of your visit and do a little food tour through the market.
Here are some favourites you should not miss.
Get started with a steamy coffee and freshly made crepes at Muffin Granny Crepe & Bakery Cafe, a staple at Public Market since it opened in 1979. The muffins are great but for breakfast go for the freshly made French crepes. My favourite was a strawberry crepe, filled to the brim with the sweetest of strawberries and freshly whipped cream.
If you are looking for your coffee to be organic, than Petit Ami is the place for you. The brand is known to carefully select beans with a focus on the environment; its coffees are estate grown and roasted locally. People lining up here all day long should be a good testimony to the high quality and excellent flavour of its range.
To tell the truth, I am not a huge donut fan. I usually find them to be either too grease or parched. But I really liked the ones at Lee’s Donuts. You could tell they were freshly made. The honey dip are there signature variety, served warm for most of the day. Not a big fan of honey (yep!), I went for the apple. Not a bad choice either …
Before you get your choice of charcuterie and cheese, stop at Terra Breads. They have a large selection of different freshly baked breads that will be the perfect complement.
Dussa’s Ham & Cheese is any charcuterie/meat and cheese lovers paradise. Choose from over 300 cheeses and a large range of meats from Canada and Europe.
If you did not find what you liked there, Oyama Sausage offers excellent artisanal pâtés, salamis, hams, prosciuttos and sausages.
And if you still feel hungry after all the sampling, get a freshly baked pizza from Pizza Pzazz and Gelato. As the name already indicates, they also sell the most perfect Italian gelato or sorbet, made directly at the market every day.
For a sweet finish, head over to Bon Macaron to choose from a wide range of macarons,
pick your favoured choice of chocolate at ChocolaTas (milk for me, please)
or check out the Nut Merchant for a selection of tasty nuts and other nut based products.
Granville Public Market is also a great place to pick some gifts to bring back to family and friends or to stock up on some of the best local goodies for your own kitchen.
Head to the fish stalls where you can buy the incredible Canadian salmon that comes directly from the coast of British Columbia. All stalls will sell already packaged smoked salmon that does not require refrigeration or will expertly package your purchase for travelling.
Interested to tour Granville Island Public Market yourself? You can do this on your own; buying just small portions to sample the large offering at the market (which was my choice). This way you are flexible to pick your own favourites. Otherwise, check out Vancouver Foodie Tours who offer a special tour through Granville Island Public Market.
Granville Island Public Market is open on seven days a week from 9am to 7pm.
Please note: I visited Granville Island Public Market on my own and did pay for all food and beverage myself.
Carrots and Tigers 