Vancouver Food Guide

Here is a growing list of Vancouver, BC activities, events, tourism and shopping ideas for people interested in food. Being new to Vancouver, I started this as a personal ‘to-do’ list and figured it might be of use to others as well.

If I’m missing anything, please send me an email and I’ll add it to the list.

Activities

  • Antiques: Hunt for kitchen antiques of all types with this antique shop directory. The site arranges stores by city region and displays them on easy to read maps.
  • High Tea: A robust list of high tea locations in and around Vancouver. Make sure to call ahead to verify if reservations are required.
  • Farmer’s Markets: Find local fresh local produce at a nearby farmer’s market
  • Parks & Recreation: Pack a picnic and head off to a nearby park for a relaxing afternoon
  • U-Pick Berry Picking: Find farms offering berries, veggies and fruits for picking

Bookstores

  • Barbara Jo’s Books to Cooks: Offers a broad selection of cookbook and food writing. You’ll also find the store equipped with a full kitchen where classes are given.

Culinary Tourism

  • Edible BC:  official website
    Learn about upcoming culinary events and ways to integrate a food journey into your travel plans. Lots of ideas and information about British Columbia food and wine.
  • Culinary Tourism Society of BC:  official website
    Provides information on seasonal and regional foods within BC, as well as an event schedule and tour ideas.
  • Travel with Taste:  official website
    Tour operator Kathy McAree provides adventurous explorations of food and wine on Vancouver Island.

Events & Festivals

Grocery & Markets

  • Granville Island Public Market:  official website   my review
    Open 7 days a week, this public market provides over 70 vendors showcasing fresh produce, cured meats, baked goods, and much more.
  • H-Mart:  official website
    Located at Robson & Seymour Streets, a mix of Korean and Japanese grocery products.
  • Meinhardt’s Fine Foods:  official website
    Focusing on the finer things in life, Meinhardt offers an exciting variety of foods, gifts and flowers.
  • Parthenon Importers:  market reviews
    A small Greek market featuring a good selection of tahini, flatbreads, and other Mediterranean staples, as well as a deli counter.
  • Que Pasa:  official website
    A small store offering both hard to find Latin American food products, as well as a deli and tortilleria.
  • The Market Gourmet Foods:  official website
    Wide variety of higher end, gourmet foods from around the world.
  • T & T Supermarket:  offical website
    Largest Chinese supermarket in Greater Vancouver with multiple locations.
  • Whole Foods / Caper’s:  official website
    Whole Foods operates as both Whole Foods and as Caper’s Community Market in the greater Vancouver area. Specializing in natural and organic products, Whole Foods carries many hard to find items.

Kitchen Gear

  • Basic Stock:  official website
    With three locations in greater Vancouver, Basic Stock provides high-quality cookware and kitchen gear.
  • Cookshop:  official website
    Located at 12th and Cambie in the City Center, Cookshop provides a good selection of bakeware, cookware, tools and gadgets. Additionally, they offer a wide variety of cooking and baking classes.
  • Cookworks:  official website
    Two locations in the Greater Vancouver area selling a wide variety of cookware, utensils and gadgets.
  • Gourmet Warehouse:  official website
    Located on Hastings Street, The Gourmet Warehouse stocks hard to find ingredients and gadgets. You’ll find a good selection of chocolates, cake decorating supplies, and prepared condiments.
  • Ming Wo:  official website
    Now with 6 locations in the greater Vancouver area, Ming Wo provides a good selection of professional cookware.
  • Pacific Restaurant Supply:  official website
    Open to the general public, this restaurant supply store offers a broad variety of commercial grade goods.
  • Puddifoot:  official website
    Provides a broad selection of commercial grade products – many restaurants source goods from this store.

Publications