Large Markets



In Vancouver:

Downtown
East Side
West Side

Regional:

North Shore
Vancouver Island
Okanagan

DOWNTOWN

CAPERS
Working with local farmers and producers for its fare, Capers has a broad selection of organic and health products. Excellent bakery, and if the Thai lentil soup is on the menu, grab it with a slice of fresh cornbread. Plenty of local cheeses, including Moonstruck, Salt Spring Island and Little Qualicum. New store on Cambie a design marvel. 1675 Robson St., 604-687-5288; 2285 W. 4th Ave., 604-739-6676; 3277 Cambie St., 604-909-2988.

URBAN FARE
Rotisserie chicken and evening carvery specials (the Dawson Creek ham dinner rates highly) fly out to nearby condos (delivery within five minutes), but many eat in the attractive café and enjoy a glass of wine. All the salads are excellent: try crunchy yet tender broccoli slaw. They fly in arisan bread direct from Paris, but Urban Fare also works the local ingredient card hard: on its shelves you’ll find marinades and sauces from Vancouver’s own Chef Ann Kirsebom. Introduce your steak to Ann’s Tequi-Lime Sauce, the warm chilies complemented by a zip of lime. 177 Davie St., 604-975-7550.

T & T SUPERMARKET
For all things Asian, T&T is the top of the heap. Check out the deli for sushi and hot Asian take-home, peruse the produce section for exotic international imports, don’t forget to stock up on staples—rice, noodles and the freshest geoduck, crab and seafood chosen live from the tank. 179 Keefer Pl., 604-899-8836; 2800 E. 1st Ave., 604-254-9668; 8181 Cambie Rd., Richmond, 604-279-1818.

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EAST SIDE

BOSA FOODS
Those of you who’ve enjoyed shopping at this neighbourhood institution will be pleased to know that the Tuscan-themed warehouse is also open, with plenty of room for 75 different olive oils, 100 types of olives from all over the Mediterranean, and 80 feet of deli counter. Mama mia! 1465 Kootenay St. & 562 Victoria Dr., 604-253-5578.

EAST-WEST MARKET
This large grocery store is about more than quality (and rock-bottom-priced) produce; strut the aisles for a sound selection of olives, prepackaged cheeses and cold cuts, and a variety of organic products. Soon to expand. 4169 Main St., 604-873-8313.

SMALL POTATOES URBAN DELIVERY (SPUD)
Spud focusses on ethical buying, organic food, and locally sourced items. An extensive and ever-growing catalogue of products, all home- or office- delivered at no extra charge. 1660 E. Hastings St. 604-215-7783.

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WEST SIDE

CHOICES MARKET
Organic and sustainable products are a priority, as is reducing packaging starting with the more than 400 items available in the bulk foods department. Well-qualified healthcare consultants are on hand in most stores to address nutritional and health-related concerns. 2627 W. 16th Ave.; 3493 Cambie St.; 1202 Richards St.; 6855 Station Hill Dr., Burnaby; 8683 10th Ave., Burnaby; 3248 King George Hwy, Surrey, 604-875-0099.

MEINHARDT FINE FOODS
The Dean & Deluca of Vancouver excels at presentation and packaging. One can never have enough condiments, particularly when presented with this array of international and local products: weigh down your fridge door with scented oils, spiced vinegars and European spreads. And the chefs in the back kitchen prepare terrific takeout. 3002 Granville St., 604-732-4405.

STONG'S
Cori Bonina, the fourth-generation owner, is passionate about the store’s product selection: up to 50,000 items on the shelves, and if they don’t have it, they’ll bring it in. The meat cutters are service-oriented, specializing in organic, natural meats. This is one of the few stores in Vancouver with calf’s liver and veal kidneys; there’s also a good selection of Hill’s foods and free-range chickens from the roaster. 4560 Dunbar St., 604-266-1401.

WHITEFISH MARKET GOURMET FOODS
Looking to buy high-end organic and exotic case-lots? Items like green tea sparkling soda, organic ice tea, champagne-carbonated low-sodium Santa Vittoria water, Kings Cupboard all-natural cake mixes, and tons of bulk European goodies abound at this mini-Costco cum gourmet. 450 W. 2nd Ave., 604-708-0173.

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NORTH SHORE

QUEENSDALE MARKET
Everything mostly organic on the North Shore, this little gem is packed to the rafters with high-quality, all-natural, local (where available) produce, meats, groceries, dairy, deli and bakery items—delivery available. 3030 Lonsdale Ave., North Van, 604-987-6644.

WHOLE FOODS
A European market writ large and fast-forwarded into the future, Whole Foods ticks all the boxes, with great selection in all specialty departments. Outstanding are the meats, bakery and the prepared foods— a massive ready to eat smorgasbord with dozens of choices: try the maple chili basil tofu or the quinoa salad with chicken, grapes and almonds. New location to open at Cambie and Broadway. 925 Main St., West Van, 604-678-0500.

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VANCOUVER ISLAND

DEEP COVE MARKET
A country corner store with big city offerings. Rent a video, pick up some briquets and the daily paper, along with organic produce, meat and eggs from area farms. The shelves groan with gourmet provisions from soup to nuts to organic rice, pasta and potato chips—and a nostalgic candy selection. Owner Rosemary Scott tops off her good taste with the latest cookbooks and seasonal gifts for the table. 10940 West Saanich Rd., Saanich, 250- 656-2547.

FISGARD MARKET
Guaranteed fresh produce at rock-bottom prices, displayed and delivered on the street year-round. A mid-morning scrum ensues during deliveries as locals and chefs in the area seek the best. Look inside for fresh mint, shiitake mushrooms and stir fry pea tips. 550 Fisgard St., Victoria, 250-383-6969.

MARKET ON YATES
Look for Cowichan Bay Farm’s chicken in the meat section, hot cinnamon buns at the in-house bakery, locally made preserves, and the best Island cheeses in the deli. New location in the sprawling Langford suburb offers the same quality, just more of it. Helpful staff; open late. 903 Yates St., Victoria, 250-381-6000; 125-2401C Millstream Rd., Victoria, 250-391-1110.

PEPPER'S FOOD STORE
Perennial winners in the independent grocery awards. Organic meats, wild seafood, environmentally friendly and diet-sensitive goods make this one-stop conscientious shopping. Find Island heroes Sloping Hill’s free-range pork, Galloping Goose sausages and Spice Jammer’s samosas among the choices. In-house bakery seduces with daily breads complemented by Victoria’s favourite Wild Fire and Vancouver’s Ecco Il Pane. Check the weekly specials via their website. Free delivery service. 3829 Cadboro Bay Rd., Victoria, 250-477-6513.

PLENTY EPICUREAN PANTRY
Accept the cup of tea offered while you explore the array of local, regional, and organic products, expertly sourced by owner Trevor Walker. Find items like single-estate chocolates and teas, soaps from a Kandahar co-op, and bubble gum from a rainforest. Unusual tableware from salvaged wood, crafted into salad tongs or pepper mills. Weekly deliveries from bakery champ True Grain and organic produce from Saanich and Cowichan Bay farms. Spray-free flower bouquets, a vast cookbook selection and eco-chic shopping bags round out the selection. 1034 Fort St., Victoria, 250-380-7654.

THRIFTY FOODS
Excellent in-store bakeries, cheese-savvy delis, fish markets, superior quality produce and signature Alex Campbell meats—veggie fed, and hormone free—plus their own Thrifty-brand products. Innovative plastics recycling program and grocery delivery service. 20 stores throughout Vancouver Island, Salt Spring Island, Tsawwassen, Coquitlam and Surrey.

TUSCAN KITCHEN
Finely hand-crafted bowls, plates and oversized platters from Italian artisans, including ornate Majolica, is welcome eye candy. Once your Tuscan table is set, choose from the unparalleled selection of organic and single estate olive oils, aged balsamics and heirloom tomato sauces. 653 View St., Victoria, 250-386-8191.

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OKANAGAN

BENCH ARTISAN FOOD MARKET
Located at the entrance to the Naramata Bench winery route, the Bench is brimming with local artisanal specialty products. An extensive deli offers Poplar Grove cheeses, olives, cold cuts and sandwich fixings as well as prepared foods to go. The store also offers decadent desserts, including a frozen apricot mousse cake ($40) made with Elephant Island apricot wine and freshly baked Okanagan fruit pies ($14). There are tables inside and on the patio, so you can eat in or take out. 368 Vancouver Ave., Penticton, 250-492-2222.

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