Granville Island Public Market

Worth checking out if you’re ever in Vancouver. The goods and offerings aren’t as good as those in St. Lawrence market in Toronto (yes, I’m comparing it to a market half a country away but it’s still all Canada to me) but it’s cheap and it’s got some super interesting things. It’s pretty vast and was actually hard to navigate without a map. It’s also easy to get to via cab and even walking if the weather’s nice out.

Definitely a tourist place in terms of the location. However, Granville Island Public Market is filled with fresh foods such as groceries that you can take home and cook, so I’m not sure tourists will purchase a lot of the fresh produce, except for the baked goods. It’s definitely a really colourful place.
It wasn’t super crowded when I went, not was it dirty either, however, this market is really similar to the Hong Kong markets (less wet and dirty), I guess you can say it’s similar to the one in Barcelona if you’ve been there.
Prices are as expected, not too expensive, but more than your local grocery store.

This market takes the vote for a better selection of unique produce and culinary items over Pike Place. Sorry Pike Place. Where can you get fresh wasabi? Fresh lime leaves? Fresh tumeric? Fresh green peppercorns? Banana ketcup? Bakeries galore, macaroons, savory pies, greater prepared food selection!
Fresh fish, meats, cheeses, processed meats. Usual array of curios, jewelry, touristy items too.
Whether you are cooking or looking for prepared meals, this is the place!

To be up-​front: this is possibly the most tourist-​y spot in Vancouver. Granville Island itself is basically Vancouver’s version of Seattle’s Pike Place or San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, so ultimately, the prices are marked up, you won’t be alone, and this place can get very, very busy at times.
All that being said… there is a huge selection of food here, lots of different foods to buy and try, and if you’re just a Vancouverite trying to get that one strange gourd or unusual cheese, this is a great place to start looking, I don’t generally «shop» here, but during those times I can’t find that one ingredient anywhere, Granville Island Public Market has rarely disappointed me.
Probably the most fun way to visit is to take one of the False Creek ferries from Science World, but there are also bus connections from downtown by bus #50, that will drop you at the entrance to Granville island; it’s about a six blocks walk from there.

We love Granville Island! It’s a great place to while away hours eating great things and brousing through unique shops. Although there are so many deserving praise, I will give special mention to just a few.
Oyama Sausage Co. Is the best cured meat purveyor I have run across. Their ham is to die for. (Go to A Bread Affair for great sandwiches with Oyama meats)
Petit Ami is a wonderful little coffee shop. Their Sumatra blend drip is outstanding.
When the great French bakery had a fire several years ago, A Bread Affair moved into the free standing little building. They make great sandwiches using their fresh baked breads and meats from Oyama Sausage Co.
Circle Craft is the most wonderful retail outlet co-​op for amazingly talented artists. You will want everything here. Only if we could afford it…

I am a huge fan of the Granville Public Market! As a tourist, it was extremely fun to just walk around and take in the sights, smells, and tastes that is Granville. I had a salmon chowder pot pie and a lox and cream cheese bagel from Siegel’s. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. It’s probably the best place to buy amazing souvenirs.

Such a fun spot! My boyfriend and I really enjoyed coming here, wandering around to the various stands and enjoying a few treats along the way. Highlights were sitting on the sun with gelato watching street performers, and getting fresh desserts to bring to a family supper.

This indoor farmer’s market was the second place to check out on our agenda. There were many vendors offering samples, but the fruit samples were not free. Luckily we had some Canadian coins on us! We tried some popcorn, nuts, and bought boxes of chocolates to take home. My friend bought a few mangosteens and I tried one for the first time! She couldn’t believe that I never had them before, so I wasn’t sure how it was supposed to taste. I actually really liked it a lot and my friend said that it was a good batch.
There were also vendors selling pretty flowers, knick knacks, souvenirs, and a food court to grab some food-​but nothing looked very tempting. However, I would love to try some of the fresh meats and seafood if I had a kitchen!

Disclaimer, This review is based on my experience at the Market. Don’t shoot me. And don’t think I’m slighting it in any way… Because Im not.
— I had eaten prior to going into the Market. I was starving and ate at a nearby restaurant. So i was here to be a voyeur. So, I didn’t get a chance to try any of the delectables or treats. And there are plenty to try.
With that said. The Public Market is really nice. Dont make the mistake I made, come here to fill your stomach. They have an amazing selection of flowers, knick knacks and eateries inside. Like a food hall type of place, but with other businesses inside. Very airy, even though its enclosed.
Its crowded, so be prepared.
This is a good place to get good souvenirs.

As packed as the market gets, I still love the hustle bustle of Granville Island. There are beautiful floral stores, great artisanal stands, delicious desserts, fresh produce, various cuts of meat, fresh seafood, pot pie stands, fish and chips… i could go on.
Highlights:
The candy shop that still sells gobstoppers
Lee’s doughnuts, mmm!
The pot pie restaurant
The flower shop
The herb plants
The abundance of dragon fruit and random fruits that local grocery stores do not sell
Dessert store
The honey store (they sell coke flavoured honey sticks)
ok there are more. but check it out in person, there is a lot to see!

Great place to do my favorite kind of eating… progressive grazing.
Don’t miss a London fog latte at Blue Parrot Coffee, a rosemary rock salt bagel from Siegel’s bagels (get it with cream cheese, wild smoked salmon, capers, and red onion for a real treat), and some maple fudge (it is Canada, after all – eh?).
The market is definitely a little older (think Reading Terminal Market, not Ferry Building), but there’s lots to see, eat, and drink.
Apparently they’ve had a problem with pickpocketing lately, so make sure to keep an eye/​hand on your wallet/​purse.

Overrated, overpriced tourist trap
Enough said

El mercado de Granville Island es uno de los más completos que vi. Se trata de un establecimiento cerrado (conveniente para poder mantenerse abierto a pesar del clima) compuesto por múltiples puestos entre los que destaco: caramelos de miel de maple artesanales, florerías (la variedad era increíble), pescaderías, pastelerías, tiendas de sopa, talabartería, cafeterías, y (lo más importante, a mi parecer) fruterías. Para todos aquellos que disfrutan el placer de una buena fruta fresca, este lugar es el paraíso. Exóticas, ordinarias, chiquitas, grandes, raras… hay de todo.
Alrededor del predio se puede ver la costa, y en general hay artistas callejeros armando espectáculos para los turistas. Pueden sentarse a comer (si la temperatura es benévola) en alguno de los asientos ahí mismo en el exterior, sino hay adentro. Cuídense de los pájaros, que ya se dieron cuenta de que las compras de los extranjeros son presa fácil.
Definitivamente uno de los lugares a los que planeo volver lo más pronto posible. Ya sea para los que viven en la ciudad y sus alrededores o para quienes la visitamos, Granville Island tiene muchísimo para ofrecer.

This place is Disneyland for foodies, which is why I take all of my out-​of-​town guests to the Granville Island Market for a visit. We pick up a few fun ingredients and either picnic or make plans to cook them in a delicious meal later. I always check out the authentic Italian food vendors, the donut shop (to see if they have hot fresh donuts), the honey vendor just beside the Granville Tea Company, and the artisans in the walkways of the main building — their small handicrafts are so beautiful.
I love that the market is open year-​round and is a good rainy day activity. (Only closed on christmas day, boxing day and new year’s day)
To get to the market I recommend spending a couple of dollars to take the Aquabus from David Lam Park, Yaletown or Olympic Village. You’ll see the beautiful shores of the seawall and some houseboats from a closer angle than any other vantage point will give you.

Granville Island is one of my absolute FAVOURITE places to go and just hang out. Rain or Shine … this place is definitely iconic of our beautiful Vancouver City.
the reason why I won’t give it a full 5 starts is due to the parking situation.
The Shopping. Fresh vegetables. Fresh fruits. Fresh meats. Great Ambiance. Very Friendly. The delicious aromas coming from all the different types of food are just amazing. Makes my mouth water!
Often times I find it hard to make a decision. It ALL looks so good. What better place to dine and relax than right by the water side. The view is amazing 360.
BE WARE if the birds though hahaha be sure to cover your lunch or it may go missing by the birds!

At first I thought it would be a tourist trap, but boy was I wrong. I try to visit markets when in foreign countries and this particular market has made my top 3. Food, spices, arts and crafts, clothing, you name it and they have it. Spent about 5 hours browsing around the area and enjoyed it thoroughly! Do not skip this attraction, also if you take Thurlow street all the way down the shore where a small Park is located, there will be a dock where you can catch a boat ride directly to Granville Island. If not, expect walking across the long bridge and around many side streets to finally arrive at the island.

Sure, this place may be touristy, but it’s clean and got so many interesting things to see! Welcome to Granville Island Public Market, perhaps the centerpiece of Granville Island. Here, you will find food booths, produce stands, meat shops, and many more. Especially after seeing the rather dirty and crowded Pike Place Place in Seattle, this Public Market’s clean spacious setting was certainly a nice breath of air for me, both literally and figuratively!
No one dictates that you had to buy something so take it all in as you walk through Canadian specialty goods like maple syrup and smoked salmon at Longliner Seafood and more normal but equally alluring goods like Stuart Bakery’s colorful dessert display! But don’t be shy in pick one or two things up if they catch your curiosity enough.
Granville Island is one of my highly recommended destinations in Vancouver and no Granville Island trip is complete without at least a walk inside this terrific marketplace.

Awesome spot to visit! I always enjoy walking around this market. There is so much to see and do. I only wish that I had more time to walk around. I wish Seattle’s Pike Place Market was as enjoyable and big as the marketplace. The only thing that they could do better is provide more juice stand like the boquerio in Spain.
The parking is pretty competitive to get so you have to either follow people or depend on luck. I love getting the produce here. Everything looks so fresh/​colorful. Looks aren’t deceiving because the grapes that I bought here were so delicious. They were sweet and had a crispy exterior. They were probably the best grapes that I ever had. They had a lot of artisan craft stores in other buildings. I just love walking through this marketplace because they showcase all their local products.

Love this place! Ever since I was a little girl and came to Vancouver for summer holidays, we would always manage to find a day to spend at this vibrant, colourful and eclectic market.
Yes it’s pretty touristy but how can you say no to stalls upon stalls of eye candy in the form of fresh fruits & veggies, fresh baked pastries and breads, meats, soups, pies, hot drinks, fruit juice, and pantry items from exotic places?
Not to mention the outdoor wharf which usually has live music and a great view of the River and opposite bank. Be careful of all those giant seagulls who longer in the area. They will easily fly down and snatch food right from your hands if you’re eating outside in their territory. They have no shame! Lol
Overall, a great place to visit, especially on warmer days when you can also enjoy sitting outside and wandering all the other eclectic shops around the island.
Free parking for 3 hours if you can find a spot somewhere on the premises.

Eine tolle Markthalle, vor allem weil man hier so viele abwechslungsreiche Dinge findet. Für die Gourmets gibt es eine riesige Auswahl an allem: Fisch, Fleisch, Obst, Gemüse, …
Und eine grandiose Auswahl an kleinen Imbissständen, die leckeres Essen aus aller Welt anbieten. Ich habe super lecker Indian gegessen, aber auch Sushi und Pasta bekommt man. Alles schmeckte sehr gut.
Wer im Freien isst, sollte auf die Möven achten — dreist, schnell und zielstrebig klauen sie mitunter ganze Pizzastücke.
Ebenfalls sehr schön: die «Anreise» mit dem aquabus!
Ein Muss bei einem Besuch in Vancouver!!!

A great looking market bustling with lots of vendors, produce, meat, baked goods, etc. the surrounding area is alive with unique and unusual shops and art.
Reminded me of Pikes Place in Seattle.

With my vancouver trip coming to an end, I definitely wanted to come here and check out the public market, which I have heard many positive things about! It bears many similarities to the Ferry Building Plaza in San Francisco, but I must say, it is sooo much bigger! There are so many shops to look at and a wide range of things to choose from! You have many fruits, cheese, italian food, dessert, jewelries, chocolates, etc! It is a great exploration of many different cultural influences and a great way to enjoy the day! I would definitely recommend for people to come check it out.
Parking is very accessible as there are nearby meteres and street parking available. A great place to go to for a group of individuals and wanting to explore nice, fresh, natural food types! It truly gives a great representation of many different types of foods! I am a huge fan of markets and I must say, this one is absolutely gorgeous! Everything looks so fresh and appetizing and the people there are very welcoming and nice! There is ample room in the walkway and it is not warm inside which allows for people to have a relaxing stroll to explore all the different shops available at the market. Definitely a must see during your stay in Vancouver! :)

Ein absolutes MUSS wenn man in Vancouver ist. Eine schöné Markthalle mit frischem Obst und Gemüse und dazu diversen Essständen. Von frischen Sushi über Thai findet hier jeder etwas zum essen. Am besten mit rausnehmen und einen Platz auf der Bank suchen, dort kann man sowohl Essen als auch Umgebung genießen! Zudem fiedelt oder singt immer jemand auf dem Platz und das auf hohem Niveau. Es gibt schöné Lädchen drum herum und man kann auch eine Tour mit dem Wassertaxi machen. Dieser Platz bietet einfach Lebensqualität und spätestens hier taucht man richtig ein in den Urlaub!
Einziges Manko, die gierigen Möwen bei denen man aufpassen muss, dass sie einem nicht das Essen aus der Hand picken. Die sind frech, dreist und eine Plage!