Exploring Granville Market

Tucked away just south of the heart of downtown, Granville Island is a favorite hangout in Vancouver for locals and tourists alike. The island, actually a peninsula, sits near the mouth of English Bay in the quieter False Creek. Once humming with barges and machinery, the island today is abuzz with galleries, restaurants and parks for the kids. The highlight of Granville Island however, is undoubtedly Granville Market.  

Fresh Food Galore

Vast and full of surprises, it’s hard to leave Granville Market without discovering a least one new kind of food. The market is remarkable for the breadth of its offerings, from rare ingredients to everyday necessities. The range of different foods is something to see in itself. You’ll find imported treats like grapples (a combination of grapes and apple) and sushi creations to startle the most adventurous. 

Alongside these is an assortment of more predictable staples like fresh fruit and vegetables. Granville Market is a particularly good place to pick up freshly caught fish. As you wander around the Market, don’t hesitate to talk to the vendors. Many are experts and will gladly offer samples, opinions and cooking tips.  Granville Market is indoors, so even if you find yourself in one of Vancouver’s summer drizzles, you can take in the array of smells and colors. 

Granville Market History Lesson

Before its redevelopment in the 1970’s, the smells on Granville Island would have been a little less delightful and the colors mostly monotone. For much of the twentieth century, the island was home to a number of factories. However, after the Second World War, the services of the factories on Granville Island were less in demand. A number caught on fire and rather than rebuild on the spot, owners moved their operations elsewhere.  Soon the barges and railroads once used for transportation were replaced by trucks. 

The island was polluted, grimy and inhospitable - both to industry and to people. Remnants of the islands industrial days can still be seen in the architecture of Granville Market, and many other buildings on the island. For example, notice how many of the buildings have access to the water from one end and access to the old railroad at the other. 

Day Vendors: Soaps, spices and jams

In addition to the more permanent vendors, Granville Market has a number of day vendors whose wares range from spices and artisanal jams to soaps, pottery or scarves. There is often a selection of toy sellers as well. If this doesn’t satisfy the younger market-goers, the selection of sweets and ice cream, plus the long aisles to run down, surely will. 

When to Shop

The seasoned foodie, the hungry shopper, and even the history buff will find Granville Market the ideal place for a refreshing lunch or an afternoon snack. The market is open every day until 7pm.  For a scenic trip over to the island, hop on the False Creek Ferry or the Aquabus, both of which have many stops throughout the city, from the Maritime Museum to Science World. 

Another popular Granville trip choice is to piece together a picnic, choosing items from among the rows of vendors, or grab something hot at one of the many café stands.  If it’s not raining, find one of the many buskers and set up nearby, or head to the waterfront to catch a glimpse of the coast in the distance. 

After lunch, take some time to explore Granville Island beyond the Market.