Granville Island Best Places For Food

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I love food! It’s one of the things I get most excited about while travelling. Finding new local foods to try, browsing menus at restaurants, and wandering around markets. If that sounds like you, then Granville Island is your place to see.

I am much more of an adventurous eater than I was when I was younger. That being said, I am a vegetarian so eating while travelling is not always the easiest, especially when travelling somewhere with a language barrier. But I survived living in China for two years, so anything is possible with a little bit of research. 

Markets and bakeries are the best

Whenever I travel to a new place, my first port of call is always the local supermarket. Come on! I can’t be the only one. Is there any better way to learn about a country’s eating habits than by frequenting the local grocery store? I can spend hours alone just browsing the new found flavours of potato chips, then wondering how I can ditch my non-essential clothing and replace it with chocolate bars to take home. My suitcase is always heavier on the way home, and at least 50% food.

Inevitably I’ll end up finding a ‘go to’ bakery to fall in love with (bakeries are my Kryptonite). Even if I’m in a place for 3 days I’ll have found one to frequent every day. I must be the only person I know with a ‘local’ bakery in every city I visit. One of my friends tells me they’re going somewhere I’ve visited and I have a detailed map drawn to take them to my place. If I’m ever on vacation you can bet you’re ass I’ll be at my ‘local’ bakery about 4 hours before my flight home, stocking up on pastries!

I digress from the real reason I brought you here, which was to talk about Granville Island in Vancouver. Much like Gosselin bakery on Rue Saint-Honoré in Paris (look it up, it’s amazing), I fell in love with Granville Island as soon as I got to Vancouver, maybe even before. I had read about it when planning my first trip here. Granville Island is my favourite place in Vancouver. It’s the place my boyfriend knows to take me if I’m in a bad mood and need cheered up. It’s the place I go when I’m having the best day, and all the days in between. Whether by water taxi, bike, car or walking, I’m only a few minutes away. I go at least once or twice a week – I rarely go on weekends though, that’s a rookie mistake!

7 food stalls you must try on Granville island

Granville Island in Vancouver is heaven for a foodie – and with so many free samples you’ll be full before you’ve even bought anything! So I’m here to tell you about the places that are top of my list on Granville Island, and some none food-related activities too.

Bon Macaron

Macarons -there are a number of French bakeries where you can buy these delightfully light confections in Vancouver. There are even multiple places you can get them on Granville Island. But Bon Macaron has the biggest selection of flavors, and the colors are mesmerizing yet subtle. They have sweet and savory flavors. A box of 6 macarons will set you back $9 but they are worth it. My go to flavors (shown in the above picture) are Lavender, Pineapple Basil and Passionfruit & Hazelnut. For more French pastries, read this related post about my dessert hunt through Paris

Zara’s Italian Deli

Packaged dried pasta? You’ll never want that again after trying the fresh pasta at Zara’s. Spaghetti, lasagna, gnocchi, a variety of flavors of stuffed ravioloni with colored ribbon stripes – whatever your favorite pasta it’ll be here.

My must have is the Butternut Squash ravioloni that I make with a brown butter and sage sauce. But there’s also a Goat Cheese and Green Pea ravioli that’s just perfect with the fresh Pesto that Zara’s also makes. Or you can get some fresh spaghettini and make your own pasta dish at home. If you live in Vancouver, or you have a kitchen in your accommodation, don’t miss out on this Italian staple. Zara’s also sells a variety of meats and cheeses as well as sauces, salads and pantry items.

The Stock Market

If you’re looking for soups and sauces there’s no better place than The Stock Market. It’s stocked full of delicious items (I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist…please carry on reading). Their soups come in two sizes, the small that you can get 2 decent portions out of (approximately $5.50) or the large that gets you about 3 servings (approximately $8). Thereare meat, vegetarian and vegan options. If you’re looking for some ready made food they also serve bowls of hot soup you can try right there with some fresh focaccia. As well as soups, there are a number of salsas and dips (try the Spicy Mango Salsa), dressings and sauces.

Chilliwack River Valley Natural Honey Ltd.

Never a big fan of honey in the past, but this place has really made me like it. They have clear and creamed honey in an assortment of flavours. My personal favourite is the Blueberry creamed honey. Subtle flavours, but delicious. Put it on some toast, or as an accompaniment to your cheese and charcuterie plate. If you just want a hit of straight honey, they sell flavoured honey sticks to eat on the go.

Duso’s Italian Foods

Although this place sells fresh pasta also, the main reason I love to come here is the deli items. Freshly made salads, meat and vegetarian lasagna (Butternut squash and goat cheese lasagna is amazing), arancini risotto balls and a variety of spreads and cheeses.

Benton Brothers Cheese

It makes me happy that so many restaurants now have cheese boards on the menu in Vancouver. Some of them you can even create your own board. My ultimate favourite place for this right now is the Irish Heather in Gastown. Cheese is more than just Kraft singles and basic cheddar (I’m English, I know Cheddar is king but even you know supermarket cheddar is terrible). When I go to Benton Brothers on Granville Island I can stock up on a few of the many types of cheese. Then I can go home and pretend I’m at a fancy dinner party eating cheese for dinner – even if it’s just me, my pyjamas and Netflix for a night in. No judgement please!

Laurelle’s Fine Foods

Let’s just pretend for a minute you’re one of those crazy people who doesn’t enjoy dessert. I guarantee this place will change your mind. The freshly made savory pies are good, the salads and pastas are good, but the cakes! Oh wow, are there so many kinds of cakes!!

You’ve got muffins, cupcakes, cookies, cheesecake and so much more. My favorite is the raspberry cream cheese brownie. It’s like heaven. There are gluten free and vegan cakes too and probably something for anyone, each dessert more visually striking than the last.

7 things to do to other than eat

Before you head into the market you might want to work up an appetite. Or maybe you’ve eaten your way through all Granville Island has to offer and you now need to walk it off. Either way, food is not the only thing to keep you busy on Granville Island. Here are some of other non-food related activities you can indulge in.

Granville Island Brewing Company

OK so maybe we’re not moving too far away from food and drinks. But you’ve definitely earned yourself a nice cold beer after all that eating. Granville Island Brewery was originally classed as “Canada’s first microbrewery” and has a wide selection of beers to try. Tours of the brewery run multiple times daily for under $10 including a few samples, or you can cut right to the chase and just head into the taproom and grab a taster flight of 4 beers for $7. Either way you can stop by the shop on the way out and stock up for later.

Ferry to and from the island

You could take the bus from downtown Vancouver over the Granville bridge to Granville Island. Alternatively you could take advantage of one of the small water taxis that frequent the island. Let’s face it, option number 2 is way more fun. Even if you only take it one way I’d recommend it. Aquabus and False Creek Ferries are the two main companies. A one way 5 minute trip to the other side of False Creek is about $3.50. Longer trips are also possible to a number of stops up and down the inlet from the Maritime Museum to Science World or Yaletown.

Granville Island Kids Market

Alright, you’ve re-energized with a beer and pumped the kids full of sugar. Now what? Let them release some of that energy at the Kids Market. There are books, toys, games, play areas and even a Virtual Reality centre for kids or adults. There are puzzles and games that adults will find just as entertaining too.

Catch a show on Granville Island

There are a couple of places to enjoy some theatrical entertainment on the island. If you’re looking for a comedy show, there’s no better place to spend a couple of hours than TheatreSports Improv theatre. From as little as $10 per person, all are highly entertaining with some audience participation along the way. For something a bit more serious (usually) you can head to the Arts Club Theatre Granville Island stage where the shows change every month or two.

Whale watching

Granville Island is home to Wild Whales Vancouver offering multiple departures a day during whale watching season (April to October). Tours last 3-6 hours depending on where the whale sightings are for the day, and set you back $85-135 for a tour. If you want the chance to see coastal wildlife from eagles and seals to humpbacks and the ever popular orcas, this is a great day out.

Remember to take a reusable water bottle with you on your travels, like this one from FastTech

Take a stroll around the island

Granville Island has some green spaces where you can relax on the grass with a picnic (because by this time you’ll need more food again) or walk around the sea wall for views of False Creek. You can wander down to Fisherman’s Wharf or along to Vanier Park to visit one of the museums.

Shopping on Granville Island

Retail therapy is about all that’s missing from this post so far. There are a number of shops lining the main road into and out of Granville Island. Some sell your usual tourist souvenirs, but there are some unique stores too selling anything from clothing, artwork and jewellery to local crafts and books. Inside the main Public Market there are also a number of stalls selling non-food items. Some are there only weekends, others are there every day. Whatever it is you’re looking for, you’re bound to leave without it and have to go back the next day and start all over again!

Whatever you end up doing at Granville Island, you’ll want to go back soon. But don’t take my word for it, make a trip yourself next time you’re in Vancouver.

If you’ve enjoyed this blog post leave a comment or share using the social media the links below. Have you visited Granville Island? What’s your favorite food to try when you travel?