Editors’ Picks: The Very Best Things to Eat at Granville Island Public Market

Given the number of out-of-towners who flock to Granville Island each summer, it would be easy to assume the community is a tourist trap—and it’s certainly tempting to avoid the crowds during peak cruise ship season. But spend even a few minutes here, and you’re quickly reminded that this is maybe the most special place in the city: a paradise of independent businesses and incredible food, and a neighbourhood that actually makes space for artists instead of turning their studios into condos. The star of the show, of course, is the Public Market, which has been a foodie institution since it opened its doors in July 1979 in the former B.C. Equipment Co. factory  (before the word “foodie” was ever uttered). Butchers, bakers and candy-stick makers all share the floor, their display cases bursting with cheese, fresh pasta, spicy olives and doughnuts that inspire lines out the door. The smorgasbord can admittedly be intimidating—but that’s where we come in. Our editors and hungriest chef friends share the best of the best of the market: the must-try eats that make this magical part of the city all the more delicious. It’s island time. 

For a snack on a stick

Chicken souvlaki from Sprig

You’ve had a busy day touching everything on the shelves at South China Seas. You need a hit of protein, and Sprig delivers. While food-court Greek can often be hit or miss, the execution at this stall is top-notch. Skewers of chicken are freshly grilled and tender with just the right touch of char, and the accompanying pilaf, lemony potatoes, pita, grilled veggies and tzatziki is all generous and well-seasoned. Vegetarians will be impressed by the falafel here, too: moist and fluffy at once. $23

For fighting that  cold

Ginger mint orange juice from Fraser Valley Juice and Salad

The stalls are overflowing with produce at Granville Island Market, but when you want to get as many fruits and vegetables into your body as quickly as possible, Fraser Valley Juice and Salad fires up the blender for you. The made-to-order ginger mint orange juice packs an invigorating wallop (helpful if you’re feeling sluggish from either an oncoming cold or from eating too many sausage and cheese samples elsewhere in the market). From $8.25

READER  RECOMMENDED

“The custard cream beignets from La Bise bakery ” — @yej0ppar

For your best-bet breakfast

Lox and cream cheese sandwich from Siegel’s

We’re not going to judge you if you want to enjoy the Montreal-style bagels at Siegel’s with just a good ol’ schmear of feta-spinach cream cheese, but wild sockeye salmon lox is the move, sandwiched between two perfectly dense and chewy halves of an everything bagel, still warm from the wood-fired stove. $13.95

For a burst of brine

Honey mustard pickles from Hobbs Pickles

The pickleheads at Hobbs claim that some fans can polish off a whole container of their New York-style pickles in one sitting, but you have our permission to pace yourself. Snag a half-litre of the sliced honey mustard cukes. Yes, you can snack on them straight from the jar, but the crunchy, tangy-sweet coins are a great sidekick to many of the market’s other wares—slap ’em on a charcuterie platter or a sandwich. $13

For a flavour bomb

Spicy sicilian olives from Zara’s Deli

Olives aren’t to everyone’s taste. That’s fine. Go hang out at the Nut Merchant while we’re being dazzled by the overflowing bowls of beautifully briny green, brown and black gems in the Zara’s Deli display case. The best of the lot are the spicy Sicilian olives—hot, meaty, tangy and pretty to boot, speckled with pepper flakes. $4.39/100 g

READ MORE: The Best Patios on Granville Island

For starting a sausage party

Elk juniper smoked salami from Oyama

John and Christine van der Lieck have been the sausage king and queen of Granville Island since setting up shop here in 2001, and they make more than 400 different products over the year—so you’re forgiven if you find yourself experiencing analysis paralysis once you take a number at their deli counter. The elk juniper salami is earthy and infinitely snackable, but if you’re looking for something with a little more heat, the rioja chorizo is spicy, garlicky and smoky. Elk salami, $7.19/100 g; rioja chorizo, $5.19/100 g

For a satisfying sando

Prosciutto sandwich  from L’épicerie

The rotisserie is the star of the show at chef David Izquierdo’s French takeout counter, but though the tender pork hock and roast chicken legs are extremely delicious (ditto the wild mushroom soup), they’re not exactly “walkin’ around” fare. For a handheld taste of Paris, only an expertly made baguette sandwich will do, and this one’s stuffed with ribbons of prosciutto. While you’re there, stock up on gourmet heat-and-eat frozen goods like duck leg in orange sauce or French cassoulet. $17.80

For gold- medal Thai

Pad thai prawns from Sen Pad Thai

Chef Angus An—Vanmag’s 2025 Chef of the Year—may be best known for Maenam, his upscale Thai spot on West 4th, but the man isn’t afraid to get casual. His Sen Pad Thai serves up Thailand’s most well-known dishes and absolutely knocks each familiar favourite out of the park. If you thought you couldn’t be wowed by pad Thai, you haven’t ordered it here, where each noodle and plump prawn is perfectly cooked and coated in Sen’s signature tamarind sauce. (Chef An is also a co-owner of Popina Canteen, a seafood shack—that happens to have excellent cream puffs, too—with a killer patio, located just outside the market.) $22

READ MORE: Where Chefs Shop on Granville Island

READER  RECOMMENDED

“Stock Market is known for soup, but I would go there for breakfast when I worked there. I was never an oatmeal person but they made me one that was so good.”—@hinagarms

“If you’re not starting with a sample at Hobbs Pickles, what are you  even doing with your life?” —@ash_macey

For bite-sized seafood

Candied salmon from Seafood City

Consider the crew behind the family-run fish counter to be your seafood concierges and put your dinner-party decisions in their capable hands. But if you need something to snack on as they help you choose between halibut and amberjack, get a bag of the irresistible candied salmon bites: salty-sweet nuggets that are a true taste of the Pacific Northwest. $7.60/100 g

For cheese that’ll please

Riopelle de l’isle Quebec cheese from Benton Brothers

These cheese nerds stock 200 different kinds of cheese at any given time, and are thrilled to chat with you about any of them (or even give samples if you ask nicely). The soft, triple-cream Riopelle de l’Isle is a brie-lover’s dream come true, with a beautifully bloomy rind and mild hints of mushroom and butter. Snag a baguette from Terra Breads and some prosciutto from Oyama and you’ve got yourself a picnic. $7.50/100 g

For a taste of Germany

Perogies and a spicy bratwurst from Kaisereck

Serving suggestion: add a tall boy of Kölsch to your order of mini potato-and-onion perogies and hot, plump pork bratwurst (with German sauerkraut, natch) and take everything out to eat on the back patio as you watch the Aquabuses roll in and out of the dock. A warm salted pretzel with beer cheese dip wouldn’t be a bad addition if you’re still hungry. $18

For a  3 p.m. pick me up

Hot chai from Granville Island Tea Co.

We know that there’s milk powder and sugar in Granville Island Tea Co.’s authentic masala chai mix—but the other spices in the fragrant hot tea are a trade secret. Oh well: at least that gives you something to ponder as you sip and watch the staff zip around shelves stacked with bulk tea tins on their rolling ladder to fulfill customer orders. $4.15 per cup

READ MORE: Where to Shop and Play on Granville Island

For a hit of home baking

A scrumpet from Muffin Granny

Though crepes are a popular offering from this long-time bakery (a tenant here since opening day in ’79!), order one of Granny’s “scrumpets.” The palm-sized treats are an original creation that occupies the conceptual space between a scone and an English muffin. Both the sweet and savoury options are tender and biscuity and best enjoyed slathered with butter—cheese is a classic but apricot and almond pairs beautifully with a morning coffee, too. $3.75

For a veg- forward lunch

Golden temple soup from Chau Veggie Express

Chau brands its menu as “cozy Vietnamese,” and one slurp of the lightly curried coconut-turmeric broth that makes this Golden Temple soup and you’ll see (er, taste) why. It’s a hearty hug of a dish, and comes packed with organic tofu, chunks of yam, mushrooms and tons of rice noodles that deliver more of the elixir-like stock with every spoonful. $18

The Sweet Stuff

If you come to the market, you have to get a little treat. We don’t make the rules. For a bit of something sweet, here’s what we grab.

Passionfruit canelé from La Bise

A tapestry of texture: crispy outsides, yolky interiors and a dollop of tangy passionfruit curd on top. $5.25

Salted caramel bites from Chocolatas

Bite-sized chocolate balls with just the perfect touch of saltiness. $8

Gin fizz macarons from Bon Macaron

The pretty little sandwich cookie is made with gin by Granville Island’s own Liberty Distillery. $7 for three

Churro doughnuts from Lee’s

Nothing wrong with a pink sprinkle doughnut, but this cinnamon-dusted old-fashioned is the sophisticate’s choice. $3.75

Japanese cream puffs from Stuart’s

Like biting into a (very messy) cloud—one filled with light-as-air pastry cream. $7.30

Vegan peanut butter almond square from Laurelle’s

They’ve got that made-by-grandma charm: “love” is in the ingredient list for sure. Rich, decadent and happily gluten-free. $5