538 Best Places to Shop in Canada

You can almost satisfy your sweet tooth just by inhaling the delicate wafts of chocolate, dried fruits, and roasted nuts in this gourmet chocolate shop that specializes in fair-trade ingredients. Big sellers include truffles, mango chili and raspberry fruit bars, and gelato. For something different, try the Bicerin, a thick mixture of melted chocolate, espresso, and whipped cream.

Founded in 1871 by Jean-Alfred Moisan, this place claims the title of the oldest continuously operating grocery store in North America. The original display cases, woodwork, and tin ceilings preserve the old-time feel. The store sells hard-to-find products from various regions of Québec, including cheeses, charcuterie, and some outstanding local ales. The original owner's upstairs home has now been turned into a classic B&B with all the trimmings.

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.

A sea of chairs, lamps, tables, and other 1930s–1980s furnishings and accessories awaits you at Antiquités Curiosités, but it's the beautifully restored mid-century modern teak pieces that are the biggest draws. Retro curiosities like rotary phones also tickle the fancy.

Chef and owner Jonathan Cheung not only knows food; he also knows cookbooks. The respected chef, author, and CBC Montréal food columnist made a longtime dream come true when he opened his shop, Appetite for Books, in Victoria Village. Here in his kitchen-cum-bookstore he offers private and group cooking classes, private dinners, tasting events, and, of course, a wide selection of cookbooks in both French and English.

Everything about this shop, from the handsome rue Crescent location to the immaculate hardwood floors and the classic bespoke men's suits with damask silk lining and hand-sewn buttonholes, speaks of quality, tradition, and style. Armenian Canadian tailor Arthur Der Shahinian has been creating custom-made suits and shirts for men (and some women) since 1978, first from his modest digs at Marché Jean-Talon and later from his elegant atelier-cum-boutique on rue Crescent. Der Shahinian's sons David and John haven't compromised their father's principles of quality and friendly, professional service. The Der Shahinians also custom-make jeans and men's shoes.

Housed in a historic Old Québec building, this family boutique, run by the Racine family since 1946, has evolved from handmade furniture to showcase the expertise of over 200 nearby artisans. Current owners, Sara and Thomas, carefully handpick collaborators, offering a curated selection of clothing, jewelry, leather goods, skincare products, and home décor, all celebrating Québec and Canadian designers.

Set in an old button factory, this retro, multipurpose space (boutique, design/sewing workshop, and sewing school) makes and sells simple and sustainable clothing for children and adults of all genders, as well as toys, underwear, and homewares. Many of their products, such as pencil cases and bags, are made from recycled scraps of organic cotton and linen, atelier b sometimes even turning these into pulp to make lampshades. They also produce made-to-order pieces and do repairs and alterations.

In French they call costume jewelry bijoux de fantaisie, and that's exactly what you'll find here: a fantastic array of colorful crystal baubles. Elegant lines from Ginette NY contrast with the bold designs of Reminiscence Paris. The glass-walled boutique is easy to miss, as it blends into the surrounding building.

Looking for that special handcrafted gift that can't be found anywhere else? A whimsical teapot straight out of a children's picture book, perhaps? A hand-painted ceramic bead necklace? A wood-sculpted anthropomorphized bird that reminds of you of your brother? A gold bracelet made of hundreds of miniscule seed-like beads? An adorable animal-shaped cushion? This Quebec artisans' guild boutique may have just what you're not for, but find delight in nonetheless. 

Mod, space-aged, kitsch—this boutique has it all. From Russell Spanner dressers and vintage needlepoint dog portraits turned cushions to ceramic lamps in atomic designs circa 1950, Spoutnik is a veritable Aladdin's cave of retro treasures. Owner Sylvie Rochon takes her work seriously, carefully curating her collection and adding her own artistic touches to vintage objects. Not surprisingly, her gorgeous boutique has been featured in several Québec home décor publications.

The gigantic sign on Autoroute 10 is hard to miss. Take Exit 78 to explore more than 1,000 vendors at this indoor flea market selling T-shirts, household gadgets, and much, much more. Shoppers come from as far away as Vermont.

Some of the crispest, and most daring, beers in Toronto are brewed here. Past collaborative efforts with local businesses have included a coffee-based microsaison, a malty dark "bagel" ale, and a winey grape-infused IPA. Wild cards are dared to test their palates with a Lit Pickle seltzer, literally made with just vodka, soda, and pickle brine. You'll also find a respectable secondhand record selection up for grabs and tasty local treats for your picnic basket. 

Showcasing the work of more than 80 traditional and cutting-edge Cape Breton artisans in its airy gallery, the center, which houses on-site studios for pottery, weaving, and glass- and jewelry-making, also hosts hands-on workshops open to crafty types. Pick up a copy of the Artisan Trail Map here to find more studios elsewhere.

The 2 million-square-foot CF Toronto Eaton Centre has sparked both praise and criticism since its construction in the 1970s, but it remains one of the busiest and most popular shopping malls in North America. Its graceful glass roof arches 127 feet above the lowest level of the mall, where artist Michael Snow’s flock of fiberglass Canada geese floats poetically in open space. The mall features more than 200 stores, offering a wide range of shops and eateries. Here’s a simple guide: the basement level houses the massive Urban Eatery food court. From there, prices tend to rise with each level.

Discover the beautiful Charlevoix sheep wool at this lovely boutique. Passionate craftspeople work tirelessly to upcycle and recycle this regional wool, transforming it into stockings, toques, throws, and soles.

Featured in publications like the Guardian, GQ, and Goop, this authentically retro locale is a hipster's dream. Little has changed on the building's main floor, with the old, scuffed-up brownish-gray terrazzo flooring still in attendance and few embellishments made to the premises. The focus here is on the clothing and other products like leather goods, apothecary, and homewares, each item handpicked for quality, craftsmanship, and the story behind the brand. In addition to its own locally produced in-house brand, Clark Street Mercantile sources casual and classic men's clothing from labels like Portuguese Flannel, La Paz, and orSlow; apothecary from Rockwell, Groom, and Baxter; and other lifestyle products, including books, from Barebones, Kinto, and Monocle.

This shop, run by the Ontario Crafts Council, stocks an excellent selection of Canadian crafts, including blown glass, fine woodwork, textiles, jewelry, and pottery—from earthy stoneware to contemporary ceramics. There's also a gallery featuring work by artists and craftspeople from around Ontario. Upstairs is the Devil's Workshop, which sells jewelry by local makers and hosts a popular DIY wedding band workshop.

Tucked away in a basement, the tiny "Second Skin" boutique sells a fine assortment of French lingerie. It's hard to miss the curvy mannequins in their ground-floor window, adorned in the likes of Aubade, Chantelle, and Prima Donna. While you're feeling brave and beautiful, kill two birds with one stone and try on a bathing suit from the shop's collection of French, Spanish, and Australian designers.

Hidden in a small basement space on rue Crescent, this precious, aromatic artisanal chocolaterie owned by Belgian maître chocolatier Richard Zwierzynski has lived here for over 35 years and been in existence since 1976. With its stuffed teddy bears, shoe- and bottle-shaped chocolate decorations, and antique porcelain plates adorning the walls, a visit to Divine is like stepping into a 19th-century ice-cream parlor. Chocolate massage oil and chocolate tablets made from the mold of an illustration from the Kama Sutra may tickle your fancy, but it's the divine chocolate truffles, assorted chocolates (including vegan ones), and the dark-chocolate-ganache cheesecake that will have you returning again and again.

This enticing gallery sells an intriguing mix of goods made by local artists and artisans and art and furniture sourced in Asia. There's an on-site pottery studio where you can watch items being made, Island art, clothing, funky furniture, fine jewelry, contemporary glassware, and other one-of-a-kind items. It also has a beautiful garden and views to the water.

Eataly is a sprawling and bustling monument to Italian food and cooking. Over three floors and 50,000 square feet within the Manulife Centre, the hybrid specialty food store/restaurant market is teeming with fresh Italian and locally sourced products from house-made cheese to fish, meat, bread, pastries, gelato, pasta, prepared meals, and more. There are also Italian wines and house-brewed beer, made in the basement Birroteca by Indie Alehouse (one of seven on-site cafés, bars, and restaurants).

Owner Julie Pesant has stocked her boutique with top-quality Montréal-made-and-designed dresses in a multitude of styles that can easily be dressed up or down with a simple change of accessories. From peplums to lace, satin to jersey, long and short, they're all here.

With a reputation as one of the top vintage shops in the city, this upscale boutique specializes in vintage clothing, shoes, and accessories from the 1920s through the mid-1980s. Each handpicked item is carefully cleaned, repaired, and altered as necessary to give it a more contemporary flair and using no new materials. High-profile clients like Julianne Moore and Cate Blanchett have been known to drop by. This location is bright, spacious, and loaded with irresistible treasures.

This bright and airy store stocks a huge range of crafts from local artisans, including jewelry, apparel, jams, leather goods, prints, and photography as well as books by local authors. Most items are trendy rather than traditional, and this is a great place to pick up neat souvenirs. 

From its humble beginnings in a kitchen, this popular Canadian brand outfits young creatives and professionals in casual, contemporary fashions using ecologically friendly fabrics like hemp, kapok, seawool (a yarn made from recycled polyester and oyster shell composites), SeaCell (biodegradable fibers made from renewable raw materials found in seaweed and natural cellulose), and recycled cottons, polyesters, nylons, and wools.

Among its many musical offerings, this independent record store has the best selection of local recordings—about 1,000 individual titles. This local gathering spot is staffed by musicians and poets with a deep knowledge of music. Tell them you want to hear something new; you'll love what they offer.

This two-floor antique shop is a rummager's paradise, and a favorite of local set designers looking for period-authentic items. The shelves groan with everything from 1950s salt-and-pepper shakers to Hudson's Bay blankets, and there are racks of vintage clothing (for both women and men) with pieces that date as far back as the 19th century. Rifle through the scores of carefully labeled apothecary drawers to trawl through opera glasses and military patches, or peer into display cases at costume jewelry and dainty vintage perfume bottles.