538 Best Places to Shop in Canada

With a reputation as one of Toronto's most luxurious jewelers, Royal De Versailles stocks some of the most striking and elegant pieces in town. Watch aficionados will be particularly impressed by their huge collection of high-end timepieces (they have one of the largest Rolex selections in Canada).

Small fashion boutiques, restaurant terraces, and cute gift shops in old French Canadian and Victorian homes adorned with bright awnings and flowers line this popular tree-lined shopping street.

Established in 1919, in what is said to be Sackville's oldest building, this is the only shop in North America that makes horse collars by hand, and it has a full range of tack and other equestrian products. If you don't have a horse, check out the Western boots, fine leather belts, wallets, bags, and outdoors wear. They also do shoe repairs.

Here you can watch the shop's namesake potter herself at work, producing mostly tableware and also hooked rugs. In July and August informal tours are given. Visitors are also welcome to explore the large gardens.

Looking for that first-edition Bukowski, Atwood, or Murakami to complete your collection? This intimate shop specializes in rare editions of popular authors across a range of genres; the "Rare Room" hosts the biggest treasures. There's also a selection of inexpensive used books, vintage art prints, and even tarot cards.

The art of the brassiere is taken seriously at this boutique. Knowledgeable (but pretension-free) staffers host fitting sessions that typically last around 50 minutes. The huge selection of bras spans seamless, wireless, fashion, sport, strapless, and nursing, plus racier styles and loungewear, all in wide-ranging sizes and fits. Appointments are strongly encouraged; walk-in appointments may be available Tuesday to Friday, fitters' schedule permitting.

Fine art, handblown glass, hand-painted silks, jewelry, woodturning, and other crafts by more than 100 New Brunswick artists are sold here, and the "little big art gallery" next door has works produced elsewhere in the Maritimes.

Need a new outfit, or something to top off the one you're wearing? Fashions and theatrical handmade hats in almost every imaginable style and fabric are crafted here by milliner and costume designer Barbara Longva. You can't miss this brightly painted store, or the art-car parked out front.

Montréal designer Chantal Levesque founded this label in 1985, and now stocks locations in more than 25 countries with her creative couture swimwear, swimwear accessories, and wraps. There's a separate collection for men.

Music, jugglers, local crafts, and food vendors are spotlighted at this night market, held Friday and Saturday evening in summer on the Inner Harbour.

It might take some digging but Shoney’s no-nonsense, uncurated collection of vintage wares is replete with diamonds in the rough. The stock is frequently replenished so you never know what you'll find among the obscure band tees, gently used Roots hoodies, and glamorous silk bathrobes that share the racks with Italian military surplus, flashy 1970s furs, international soccer kits, and cycling jerseys. Their outside $5 rack is often bursting with snaggable deals. 

Exiting through this gift shop is not mandatory, but you'll want to check out the overwhelming selection of curiosities, from touring exhibit memorabilia and books on maximal architecture to pop-art-inspired toys and prints of celebrated paintings. Adults and kids can shop side by side among the books and fun educational items.

Considered by locals to be the town's best snowboard shop, this place is staffed by a team of people who live for the board: snow, skate, and surf. The 3,500-square-foot shop showcases all the best gear.

More than 100 vendors of food, arts, crafts, and more take over the main street of this town, a 30-minute drive north of Victoria, each Thursday evening from June through August. It's very much a festive family outing.

Premium teas, as well as skin and body products, are made with quality ingredients and organic botanicals at the Vancouver outpost of this popular Victoria tea company. Knowledgeable staff are on hand to guide you through every sip and help you choose from the many varieties of leaves on offer.

Tea aspires to new heights in this chic emporium at the edge of Chinatown. Shelves are stacked with more than 300 intriguing varieties; some you can enjoy in flights at an impressive tasting bar, and others have been restyled into aromatherapy remedies and spa treatments, including a green tea facial, which you can try out in the tiny spa downstairs. Or check out Silk Road's afternoon teas at Hotel Grand Pacific (call  250/380–4458 for reservations).

While it's moved its location over the years like a traveling hobbit, this shop is one of Toronto's most beloved comic book providers. Along with thousands of illustrated paperback and hardcover tomes, the Snail has been stocking shelves over the last 45 years with hard-to-find collectibles such as Studio Ghibli figurines, fearsome futuristic model kits of the Gundam and Evangelion variety, and other covetable fandom favorites.

A local manufacturer since 1919, Smithbilt originated the white cowboy hat now ubiquitous at the Calgary Stampede. The company specializes in all manner of cowboy hats, which are mostly made on-site. A recent move and expansion in 2024 has allowed them to add Western wear and boots to their repertoire.

More than 1,500 daily arrivals fill the rows of this bright and cavernous mostly secondhand shop famous for its Broadway-caliber window installations. They carry many albums of local indie musicians, and you might even catch a live in-store performance.

At Sparks Street Pedestrian Mall, you can comb the high-fashion racks at tony Holt Renfrew or browse through some 50 other shops.

Leave room in your luggage for the hooked rugs, rug-hooking supplies, and hand-dyed woolens sold at this store, named after a popular rug pattern. You might see a "hooker" at work here, and classes are sometimes held.

Showcasing art by local artists and covetable handmade items sourced from Moncton and beyond, this is a sweet spot to pick up something fun to take home. 

The Stephen Avenue Walk, a national historic site, is a pedestrian-only stretch of 8 Avenue (between Macleod Trail and 4 Street Southwest), where some of the city's oldest buildings house dozens of exciting shops, bars, and restaurants. It’s a great place to people-watch on one of the many patios.

The collection of roughly 30,000 photos focuses on historical and contemporary Canadian photography, with ongoing exhibitions.

Buy a bottle or two of made on-premises moonshine in a variety of flavors---granny's apple pie, molasses, honey, root beer, coffee—and a Fundy Gin made with dulse so good it was written up in the Wall Street Journal. 

In two locations (at the Avon and Festival theaters), this is the place for Shakespeare finger puppets, every Shakespeare play ever written, original costume sketches, soundtracks to musicals, quotable aprons, and Bard-themed children's books.

Representing only BC artists, many from Vancouver and the Gulf Islands, this contemporary gallery and gift store features everything from glass salmon statues, dogs made from driftwood, jewelry, metal sculptures of birds, watercolors, and oil paintings. The gallery also hosts book launches and themed exhibits.

Up a narrow staircase in Parkdale, this hidden gem is a treasure trove for design lovers. The shop specializes in rare ceramics, art glass, and vintage finds. Whether you're hunting for a sculptural centerpiece, a postmodern vase, or a teak tray with history, this is the kind of shop that rewards slow browsing. 

For more than 25 years, design gift shop Studio Brillantine has been one of the quirkiest stores in Parkdale. There's a mix of high-end brands and fun collectibles in a wide variety of price points. Highlights include Comme des Garçons wallets, Vivienne Westwood jewelry, Issey Miyake Bao Bao foldable bags, Alessi houseware, and sought-after (and very cute) blind boxes with brands like Japan's Smiskis.