Granville Island is a must stop if it is your first time or 100th visit to Vancouver, you must go! The food is unmatched and is a true West Coast treasure in British Columbia, Canada. Visit Granville Island to experience the vibrant market atmosphere and the irresistible quality of local produce like sweet cherries at the Sunlight Farms stand. Some might say it is touristy but if you know where and when to go you can avoid the copious amounts of people, lines and get those views for yourself. I’m excited to report that a Time Out Market is coming to Vancouver in 2024 which is HUGE. These markets and food halls are becoming one of the best ways to explore a food scene, especially if you’re short on money or time. It is definitely my favourite way to explore a new city.

Planning Your Visit to Granville Island

Planning a visit to Granville Island can be a fun and exciting experience. The Granville Island Public Market is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm, except for December 25-26 and January 1. If you’re looking to avoid crowds, consider visiting early in the morning or later in the evening. This way, you can enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere and have better access to the vendors.

Getting to Granville Island from Downtown Vancouver is a breeze. You can take the number 50 False Creek bus, which offers a scenic route and drops you off right at the island. Alternatively, the Aquabus provides a fun and picturesque journey across False Creek, with multiple stops including Yaletown. If you prefer to drive, there are plenty of parking options available, though it can get busy during peak times. Biking is another great option, with dedicated bike paths leading directly to the island.

When to go: Visit Granville Island

We headed down to Granville Island at 9 am to get some breakfast and make a plan of attack. We travelled there on Remembrance Day (Nov 11th) and there were plenty of places to park first thing. We took a cab from our Downtown Vancouver hotel and our cab driver was a little surprised that we were travelling to Granville Island so early in the day. But rest assured there are quaint little stops for breakfast. Most places open at 10 am but there are a few that open at 8 or 9. Your selection may be limited to take away or more of a food hall type of dining experience. In the video you see us dining at Market Grill which offered breakfast sandwiches made with tasty croissants. Delicious! Granville Island restaurants offer a vibrant dining destination with diverse cuisines and unique culinary experiences, including fresh seafood and international dishes. I do suggest taking the opportunity to explore without the crowds so you can discover the places you’ll want to visit, take photos and so on. If all fails and the places you want to eat are slow to open then grab a coffee from JJ Bean.

How to get there

There are 3 ways to get to Granville Island from Downtown Vancouver. You can walk which would make for a scenic experience but could be take up a lot of valuable eating and exploring time. If you’re staying near Burrard Street Bridge (pedestrian friendly), walking would be an affordable option but it would be about a 35 minute jaunt minimum.

Taking a cab is the quickest option. From our hotel in the Coal Harbour area of Vancouver it was a $15 cab ride and took us about 10-15 minutes to get there.

The funnest way to get to Granville Island is the Aquabus that runs in the False Creek area and only costs $5. There are 8 stops throughout the area including Yaletown which is a great departure point. The Aquabus will take you to Granville Island, across False Creek to the Olympic Village Plaza where you can find outdoor art installations and many great restaurants and bars. 

Exploring the Granville Island Public Market

The Granville Island Public Market is a must-visit destination for foodies and anyone looking for a unique shopping experience. With over 50 vendors selling everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts, you’re sure to find something that suits your taste. The market is divided into different sections, including the food court, the produce section, and the artisanal goods section.

As you wander through the market, be sure to check out some of the local specialties. Candied salmon and smoked salmon are iconic treats that showcase the rich flavors of British Columbia. For seafood lovers, there are plenty of options, including fish and chips, fish tacos, and homemade chowders. Don’t miss the chance to try some homemade tartar sauce, which pairs perfectly with the fresh seafood dishes available.

Local Flavours and Specialties

Granville Island is known for its local flavors and specialties, and you can find a variety of them at the public market. Lee’s Donuts, a Granville Island staple for over 40 years, is a must-visit for their legendary donuts. The Stock Market offers a variety of soups, sauces, and chutneys made with local and fresh ingredients, perfect for taking home a taste of Granville Island.

Seafood enthusiasts will be delighted with the fresh fish, shellfish, and smoked salmon available at various vendors. For those with a sweet tooth, A La Mode offers homemade pies and tarts that are simply irresistible. Each bite is a testament to the quality and freshness of the ingredients used.

Insider Tips and Essentials

Here are some insider tips and essentials to keep in mind when visiting Granville Island:

• Be sure to bring cash, as some vendors may not accept debit or credit.

• Consider visiting early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid crowds.

• Don’t miss the local specialties, such as candied salmon and smoked salmon.

• Be sure to try some of the seafood options, including fish and chips and homemade chowders.

• If you’re looking for a unique experience, consider taking a DIY food tour of Granville Island.

• Don’t forget to visit the Granville Island Brewing Company and the Liberty Distillery for a taste of some of Vancouver’s best craft beers and spirits.

With these tips in mind, you’re all set for an unforgettable culinary adventure at Granville Island. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, the delicious food, and the unique local flavours that make this destination a true foodie paradise.

Tours

There is only one official food tour of the Granville Island market and that’s run by Vancouver Foodie Tours. I booked a tour for my first visit and I am still glad I did. It offered a great introduction to the Granville area and market. I still go back to some of the locations they brought me to and highly recommend it if you’re short on time or just don’t know where to begin. The Stock Market offers a variety of soups, including butter chicken soup, classic chicken noodle soup, and creamy clam chowder, all made from local and fresh ingredients. It is also their most affordable option at $100 per person or $89 for children.

DIY Food Tour Highlights

If you’re looking for a unique and delicious experience, consider taking a DIY food tour of Granville Island. Start your tour with a visit to Lee’s Donuts for a sweet treat to kick off your day. Next, head to The Stock Market to sample their delectable soups and sauces, made with the finest local ingredients.

Make sure to stop by A La Mode for a taste of their famous pies and tarts. For seafood lovers, the fresh offerings at Seafood City or Longliner Seafood are not to be missed. Round off your tour with a visit to Granville Island Brewing Company for a refreshing craft beer, and the Liberty Distillery for a tasting of their premium spirits. Don’t forget to grab a cup of tea from the Granville Island Tea Company to sip as you stroll.

Where to eat: Granville Island restaurants

There are many awesome dining options. A few of our tried and true eats are…

1. Terra Breads – As you see in our video, Terra Breads has some excellent breakfast options. Croissants, cruffins (croissant/muffin crossover), tarts, cookies and breads. I am subscribed to their tarts. So light and packed with seasonal flavours.
2. Hobb’s Pickles – Another great moment in the video is our pickle tasting at Hobb’s Pickles. I never knew there were so many pickle options that range in fermentation levels and flavours. They describe their pickles as an East coast tradition met with a West coast flair and they truly add a great addition to the Granville Island Market.
3. Benton Brother’s Fine Cheese – This was the funnest stop and a new one for us this time around. We each selected a cheese to taste, you can’t really go wrong, and it was delightful. A French goat cheese and a Swiss cheese called Chäkenholler made for a memorable pairing with our pickles.
4. Lee’s Donuts – A classic and one of Seth Rogen’s favourites. It made an appearance on David Chang’s Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner episode where Rogen took him throughout Vancouver and Richmond at all the local favourites. Lee’s Donuts are on our list because of their crisp exterior and fluffy cake centre. If you show up early enough like we did you’ll avoid the line that usually stretches outside. However, if you do find yourself waiting outside you do get a view of their process. Lee’s Donuts has been an iconic destination in Granville Island since 1979, known for its unique and delicious flavors that appeal to both locals and tourists.
5. JJ Bean Coffee – One of my favourite coffee stops and equally as popular as Lee’s Donuts so you might find a line. Expertly crafted coffees from flat white to lattes and cappuccinos.
6. Oyama Sausage – If you want to pair your cheese with some of BC’s best charcuterie meats then Oyama Sausage is it.
7. Granville Island Tea Company – I love this stop because you can get a wide range of teas to take home or brewed to sip as you stroll. Our preferred tea is their Masala Chai tea latte. You won’t regret it!
8. À la Mode – We didn’t have time to stop for our video but this vendor is famous for all things pastry. Sweet pies, savoury soups and chicken pot pies topped with flaky pastry in white porcelain bowls. Get a pie to go, grab a slice for a sweet breakfast or warm up with a bowl outside.
9. Stock Market – An alternative soup destination with a mini to-go market that includes stocks, gourmet butters like “serious garlic butter”, mustard, creme fraiche, jams, fresh lemonade and so much more. You can watch the kitchen make soup from scratch for the next day. I had to try their smoked salmon and clam chowder, being from BC we are spoiled when it comes to salmon. Each order comes with a slice of focaccia (on the drier side) but the soup is what sings.
10. The Preservatory Provisions & Toast Bar – If you love avocado toast, ricotta toast and any kind of stacked gourmet toast then make sure you stop here. I wished we had breakfast here once I saw the amount of detail being put into their Ricotta Toast. If you can’t fit anything else into your stomach then you can shop their offerings which include hot sauce, jams, preserves and butters. They make for great foodie gifts!
11. Seafood City or Longliner Seafood – At seafood city you can find a range of harder to find seafood like uni. At Longliner you can grab some of the more popular items like candied or salted salmon to go.
12. Granville Island Brewing – We love our craft beer and Granville Island Brewing makes some great brews. It’s the perfect stop on a summer day when the patio calls to you!
13. Liberty Distillery – Another video stop and a must-go! You can do a tasting of vodka, gin and whisky or you can order one of their cocktails. We stopped in for a cocktail and enjoyed the atmosphere with a view of the distillery – where the magic happens.
14. Artisan Sake Maker – Canada’s only sake maker. We were so surprised with the variations of sake they offer here. Of course, we still had our cheese and decided to try a cheese and sake tasting. However, they do have their own food on offer which includes

Pin it for later