Delicatessens



In Vancouver:

Downtown
East Side
West Side

Regional:

Greater Vancouver
Vancouver Island

DOWNTOWN

EUROPEAN DELI
It’s the neighbourhood deli the rest of the city covets. Go for hands-down the tastiest hummus and baba ghanouj in town (you’ll eat it with a spoon). Despite the European moniker, it’s the Persian foods you’ll covet here: pomegranate molasses, saffron, lavash breads and pressed yogurt. 1220 Davie St., 604-688-3442.

SALTY TONGUE DELI
As anyone in the queue will tell you, the sandwiches here are worth the wait; the overflow crowd shuffles into the Irish Heather next door to grab a seat (and a pint). Sandwich fillings include homemade meatloaf, roast flank steak, and cheeses from Neal’s Yard. Many choice U.K. products line the storefront shelves including Lyle’s Golden syrup, Barry’s tea, and marmite. 213 Carrall St., 604-915-7258.

TOSI & COMPANY
Ring the bell to get buzzed into the past. The last hold-out in what used to be Little Italy in Chinatown, this 101-year-old shop has been passed down from father Peter to son Angelo (who started working here at five years old). The 6,000 square foot shop carries a great selection of parmesan, olive oil, rice, anchovies and olives, and Peter Tosi’s original layout hasn’t changed. 624 Main St., 604-681-5740.

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EAST SIDE

J N & Z DELI
Dad’s the butcher, and daughter’s the sausage maker. Delicious smoked beef and pork loin and, if you get there on the right day, smoked cappicola heaped with spices and still warm from the indoor smoke-house. Most products are preservative-free, and many fine restaurants (includng Salt) source their charcuterie here. 1729 Commercial Dr., 604-251-4144.

TEVERE DELI FOODS
Fourteen years in the same location, this little deli/grocer offers fresh made deli-trays and as well as from-scratch roasted garlic and tomato soup. 2503 E. Hastings St., 604-255-9151.

TONY'S DELI AND CATERING COMPANY
Since 1978, Tony has served old favourites such as the spicy Italian sausage focaccia, and grilled bocconcini, tomato and spinach caprese. 1046 Commercial Dr., 604-253-7422.

UGO & JOE'S ITALIAN SUPERMARKET
This fragrant storefront is chock-a-block with more than 200 European cheeses, 50 different types of olives and antipastos in the olive bar, and a vast array of specialty imports, including, of course, balsamic vinegars and olive oils. Also, sample artesian pastas from Italy, such as porcini mushroom fettuccini, salmon, spicy hot chili penne and delicate basil linguine. 2406 E. Hastings St., 604-253-6844.

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WEST SIDE

BOCCONCINO DELI
This little deli carries European cheeses, salami, sausages and fresh pastas, but also caters to the local crowd with salads, sandwiches and a daily hot table with soups and features like shepherds pie and moussaka. 2233 W. 41st Ave., 604-263-3612.

COCO ET OLIVE
Co-owner Joanne Facchin makes savoury gallettes, bread pudding with almond cream and must-have-more two-bite brownies. Husband and partner Didier has a food distribution company and the storefront showcases quality products, from Teisseire’s fruit concentrates to Mustapha’s caperberries. 3476 W. Broadway, 604-736-7080.

KAPLAN'S STAR DELI
Top hot smoked-meat sandwich west of Montréal; homemade strudels, rugelach and vegetable soup also warm the heart. Order pastrami on rye with coleslaw, chopped liver, and chicken matzo ball soup. A few Chicago dogs on the menu and decent knish served with sour cream. 5775 Oak St., 604-263-2625; 1059 Alberni St., 604-806-0333.

KONI GROCERY AND DELI
A perfect one-stop shop to fill the picnic hamper or pack into your carry-on bag on the way to YVR. You’ll find everything you need for a gourmet in-flight meal, very reasonably priced. Features a good selection of olives and European meats and cheeses, as well as Italian, German, Middle Eastern and Yugoslavian grocery items, including kosher products. Challa breads and buns fresh daily. 8520 Granville St., 604-269-9100.

MINERVA MEDITERRANEAN DELI
Your Greek feast starts here: goat’s-milk feta (Macedonian style if you prefer), garlicky eggplant dip, taramosalata, flaky baklava dripping with honey and walnuts—all handmade and full of flavour. Already an expert? All the import ingredients you’ll need for your own scratch-made preps also here. 3207 W. Broadway, 604-733-3954.

MOORE'S BAKERY & DELICATESSEN
Loyal fans who fill the 16-seats in this little spot come for flaky beef or chicken pies and thick-cut sandwiches—but the hefty apple strudels drizzled in icing are the order of the day here. 2128 W. 41st Ave., 604-261-2922.

PARTHENON
The all-things-Greek supermarket specializes in Mediterranean groceries and Greek desserts; take home a container of God’s Dip (made of feta, tomatoes and cucumbers—everything you’d find in a Greek salad) and pita bread. 3080 W. Broadway, 604-733-4191.

SAFFRON FOURTH AVENUE
Pender Island’s Nancy Folger refurbed this former specialty food shop with welcome additions of olive oils on tap (bring your own bottle) and a wonderful chef: Jeremie Durand, known for his top class pastries, cakes and to-die-for quiches. Nifty butter tarts, but focus remains on takeaway soups, stocks, house-marinated olives and more. 2836 W. 4th Ave., 604-731-2233.

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GREATER VANCOUVER

CIOFFI'S BROTHERS
Rino and Sergio Cioffi can dry age anything at customers’ requests, though there’s plenty that’s ready to go: bison prime rib and grain- or milk-fed veal are available weekends. Find exceptional homemade Italian sausage, all-local lamb from Salt Spring and Alberta, and a huge global selection of cheeses, including buffalo bocconcini direct from Italy. 4156 E. Hastings St., Burnaby, 604-291-9373.

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VANCOUVER ISLAND

THE BREAKERS
New digs have increased exposure to this deli/eatery offering an updated take on whole foods. Roasted duck and goat cheese panini or free-range turkey wraps compete with mondo burritos and whole wheat pizzas. From the daily breadsto cookies, desserts, and a kaleidoscope of salsas and dips, it’s made in-house whenever possible. Relax in the café with lots of window seating or load the cooler for the hiking trail. 430 Campbell St., Tofino, B.C., 250-725-2558.

CHARELLI'S DELI & CATERING
This tiny gourmet respite is jammed to the rafters with the best products to satisfy any snack-attack. Hone in on 350 kinds of cheeses from cave-aged, farmhouse cheddars to exotic raw-milk Morbiers and camemberts with truffles. Mother and daughter team Carmen Lassooij and Nicole Ingram encourage tastings offered on a small piece of marble and do double time as sleuths seeking out customer’s requests. Schinkenspeck, blood sausage and cured horsemeat round out the deli case. 2863 Foul Bay Rd., Victoria, 250-598-4794.

CHOUX CHOUX
This French-style charcuterie has breathed new life into Victoria’s foodie scene. Luke Young and Paige Symonds make an ever-changing array of sausages, salami, terrines, and other meaty treats on-site. Whether it’s the Toulouse, a pork sausage aromatic with nutmeg and mace, the Moroccan lamb and apricot, or chicken-lavender sausage. Fromage also spoken for, with rare cheeses of the raw milk, and ash-covered variety. Take-out sandwichesor hearty plat du jours of braised meats offer savoury respite. 830 Fort St., Victoria, 250-382-7572.

FUJIYA JAPANESE FOODS
Purveyor of all things Japanese. Fresh organic produce and hard-to-find ingredients like okara, natto and eel, along with top-of-the-line sushi rice, household amenities, cookware and tableware. Latest Japanese newspapers and videos. Recent kitchen reno offers a large take-out sushi menu served by an energetic team. Open holidays too. 3624 Shelbourne St., Victoria, 250-598-3711.

ITALIAN FOOD IMPORTS
The Segato family keeps the pace lively while recommending De Cecco pasta, Illy coffee, olives, Italissima brand products and arborio. Italian cured meats and cheeses—including fresh mozzarella—complement the mix with lots of traditional holiday treats. Lunchtime lineups spill onto the sidewalk for subs and grilled panini, made to order—get the works with hot marinated eggplant. 1114 Blanshard St., Victoria, 250-385-7923.

MARIA'S DELI & EUROPEAN IMPORTS
With 29 years in the same location, Maria Perreira has continued to provide her customers with ingredients that encompass the European Union. Find Italian prosciutto, bacalao with or without bone, and smoked mackerel, along with the best chorizo, tongue and head cheese. The Portuguese cheese gems, St. George and Nine Islands, are always on hand, along with big wheels of reggiano, fresh ricotta, bocconcini and mascarpone. Wine-making supplies and fresh California walnuts in the fall and winter. Portuguese breads delivered fresh twice a week. 4080 Shelbourne St., Victoria, 250-477-7823.

MCLEAN'S SPECIALTY FOODS
Located in the Old City Quarter, owner Eric McLean is the self-proclaimed big cheese here. Find Neil’s Yard Dairy cheddars among the 100 cheesy offerings, and local Merridale Scrumpy-soaked brie— a house specialty. Gob-smacking array of products from the U.K., Europe and South Africa line the shelves along with stellar choices from the Mainland. Organic extra-virgin olive oil on tap. 426 Fitzwilliam St., Nanaimo, 250-754-0100.

OTTAVIO ITALIAN BAKERY & DELICATESSEN
Oak Bay dinner assemblers rush in for the duck confit, pizza dough and top-of-the-line Spanish, French, Italian and local foodstuffs that stock the shelves. Gourmet charcuterie from real Italian prosciutto and mortadella to jamon serrano, lomo and aged chorizos. Co-owner Andrew Moyer is enthusiastic and cheese-savvy: check out the latest offerings from artisanal cheesemakers from around the world, including the best from Québec. 2272 Oak Bay Ave., Victoria, 250-592-4080.

SEVEN VALLEYS
Enter the portals of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern culinary exotica to hits of aromatic orange blossoms, rose petal, sour cherry, pomegranate, mint and cardamom. Greek honey, Iranian pistachios and seven kinds of halva and Turkish delight compete with fresh Armenian flatbreads, sheep-, goat- and cow’s- milk feta and Bulgarian yogurt. New owner Gokhan Duman has enhanced the selection with more Persian goods including four different kinds of lavash and pita. 2506 Douglas St., Victoria, 250-382-9998.

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