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Art galleries, ethnic markets, gourmet-food shops, and high-fashion boutiques abound in Vancouver. Shopping here is more interesting and varied than in many other North American cities because of the prevalence of Asian and First Nations influences in crafts, home furnishings, and foods.
Downtown Vancouver has many of the same chain stores that you can find across North America but there is also an exciting community of budding local fashion designers whose creative clothes and accessories fill the smaller boutiques. If you're looking for interesting local shops, head beyond Downtown, especially to the Gastown and Main Street neighborhoods, and to the Portobello West Market. Keep in mind, too, that the word "mall" here can mean more than just generic shopping, particularly in suburban Richmond, where malls tend to cater to an upscale Asian community. It's almost like shopping in Hong Kong, Beijing, or Tokyo.
In the art scene, look for First Nations and other aboriginal art, from souvenir trinkets to stellar contemporary art; many galleries showcasing First Nations artists are in Gastown. Area artisans also create a variety of fine crafts, exhibiting and selling their wares at Granville Island galleries. Some local favorites are included in the listings, and Granvilleisland.com has a complete listing of island galleries and studios.
Food—especially local seafood (available smoked and packed to travel), cheeses from British Columbia and across Canada, and even locally made chocolates, jams, and other goodies—makes tasty souvenirs (or delicious snacking or picnic fare). British Columbia also has a rapidly maturing wine industry, and local shops give advice about the region's offerings (and tastings, too). Remember the restrictions about taking alcohol back into your home country before you stock up.
Outdoor-oriented Vancouver is also a great place to pick up camping and hiking gear. There's a cluster of outdoor-equipment shops on West Broadway between Yukon and Manitoba streets just west of Main Street, and you’ll find several cycling, snowboarding, and skiing outlets on West 4th Avenue, just east of Burrard Street in Kitsilano.
First-rate Asian restaurants, food vendors selling everything from kimchi to cream puffs, clothing stores stocking the latest styles, and Daiso—a Japanese bargain-hunters' paradise—make this swank mall a good introduction to Vancouver's Asian shopping experience. Take the Canada Line south to Aberdeen Station, about 20 minutes from Downtown.
This is Canada's ritziest department store; a swanky showcase for international high fashion and accessories for men and women. Think Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, and other designer labels.
You might have seen John Fluevog shops in New York and Los Angeles, but did you know that these funky shoes were created by a Vancouverite? The Gastown location is worth a look for the store itself, with its striking glass facade and soaring ceilings. There's another branch at 2156 West 4th Ave.
If you love cheese, don't miss the mind-boggling array of selections from British Columbia, the rest of Canada, and elsewhere at this family-run shop of delicacies. Owner Allison Spurrell and her extremely knowledgeable staff encourage you to taste before you buy. The fromagerie is located between Granville Island and Kitsilano Beach—useful to keep in mind if you're assembling a seaside picnic. There's a second location at 843 East Hastings St. on Vancouver's East Side.
Power-yoga devotees, soccer moms, and anyone who likes casual, comfy clothes covet the fashionable, well-constructed workout wear with the stylized "A" insignia from this Vancouver-based company. In addition to the flagship location at 2123 West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano, there are several branches around town.
Vancouver's go-to outdoor store since the 1970s, MEC stocks a good selection of high-performance clothing and equipment for hiking, cycling, climbing, and kayaking—and for just looking good while hanging around outdoors. You can rent sports gear here, too. A one-time C$5 membership is required for purchases or rentals.
Nordstrom Vancouver, the chain's flagship store in Canada, sizzles with fashion buzz alongside the well-known Nordstrom-style service. Three elegantly designed floors showcase label boutiques (think Saint Laurent, Valentino, and Stella McCartney), lots of Canadian designers, and themed pop-up shops, and include a restaurant, a lounge, and a wealth of concierge services, from personal stylists to free Downtown delivery.
For outdoorsy clothes that double as souvenirs (many sport maple leaf logos), check out these Canadian-made sweatshirts, leather jackets, and other comfy casuals for men, women, and kids. In addition to this Downtown flagship store, there's a smaller branch down the street at 1153 Robson Street, and on West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano, and a number of outlet stores, called Roots 73, in the suburbs.
Check out this chain of Asian supermarkets for exotic produce, baked goods, and prepared foods. You can assemble an inexpensive to-go lunch from the extensive hot food counter. In addition to this Chinatown location, there are several other branches around Metro Vancouver.
You can learn all about sake (Japanese rice wine), and sample the locally made product, at Vancouver's own sake brewery.
The freshly roasted almonds, pistachios, and cashews from this pretty Persian-style shop make excellent snacks; try them with the signature lime-saffron seasoning. Boxes of nuts and sweets make excellent gifts, too. There are other locations at 2048 West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano and 1332 Lonsdale Avenue in North Vancouver.
This cute shop offers a creative take on '40s-style glamour and boho chic. Look for feminine clothing (dresses, dresses, and more dresses), jewelry, and bags—some by local designers—as well as vintage linens and decorative accessories.
Named for the Boboli Gardens, this lavish space, complete with an atrium-like shoe department, focuses on high-end Italian labels for men and women, such as Valentino, Etro, and Giambattista Valli.
This local lifestyle brand prides itself on using natural materials with timeless design to create a more mindful way of living. Carefully curated clothing and home decor pieces are displayed, gallery-like, in the airy atrium of the beautiful two-level store, with light streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows. An in-house florist produces exquisite floral designs, and the handcrafted jewelry and select home goods make the perfect gift.
Filling three city blocks in the heart of Downtown, this mall is filled with mostly mainstream clothing shops, with some more sophisticated and pricier boutiques scattered throughout. There are several street-level entrances, as well as access via Holt Renfrew, Nordstrom, and Hudson's Bay, and both the Granville Street and Vancouver City Centre Stations—worth knowing about on rainy days.
These full-grain leather biker boots, handmade on-site since 1948, have a cult-like following, because they're durable and hip, too. Originally made for loggers in the British Columbia woods, they're now big with bikers, actors, and rock stars.
The Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza at Georgia and Hamilton Streets is the venue for this lively urban market. Baked treats, artisanal food, crafts, and local beer, wine, and spirits share space with fresh fruit and veggies. The market runs Thursday 3 to 7 pm, from June through October.
This tiny shop showcases a variety of wares by up-and-coming local designers. The creative selections target the hip twentysomething crowd.
The museum-style gallery showcases some of the finest and refreshingly contemporary First Nations and Inuit art in Vancouver. The collection is constantly changing and although several pieces are geared for the serious collector, others are more affordable. If First Nations art is of interest, then a visit here is a must.
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