10 Best Bakeries To Try In Vancouver, BC
This blog post is about the best bakeries in Vancouver, BC, and was updated in 2024.
Today, I have the pleasure of sharing with you guys a guest blog post written by one of my favorite travel bloggers and a good friend of mine Emma from Forever Lost In Travel. Bakeries
Emma is originally from the U.K. but currently lives in Vancouver, Canada. She loves traveling to new places and trying yummy foods.
Check out her blog and social media accounts:
Thank you to the Travel Addicted Unicorn for asking me to write about two of my favorite things: Vancouver and food.
I want you all to know that no cake was left unturned in my search for the best bakeries in Vancouver.
I have nothing but dedication to bringing you the best places to eat and took one for the team and did my research!!
It was a tough job, but someone had to do it. You’re welcome!
Bakeries To Try In Vancouver, BC
So, who were the final ten? The shining diamonds in a sea of other (delicious) diamonds.
Well, when Marie Antoinette said “Let them eat cake” she probably never envisioned there would be so much cake to choose from.
1. Bon Macaron Patisserie
Let’s start off classy, shall we? The queen of pastries must be the delicately light and subtle French macaron.
You know you’ve found a good one when it melts in your mouth. While some bakeries offer macarons because it’s the thing right now, Bon Macaron does it because they love them.
You can tell because that’s all they sell. And when you’re so confident in your product that you don’t have a backup, you know it’s good.
Now, this macaron shop has a lot of fancy flavors that are all equally delicious.
Unlike a lot of other bakeries that stick to the tried and tested flavors, Bon Macaron goes out of its comfort zone to create some delectable desserts.
Blue Cheese & Pear? Or how about Yuzu or Earl Grey?
They have fruity flavors like Pomegranate Hazelnut, or Raspberry Apricot (two of my favorites).
As well as, some more savory options like Tomato Basil or Gouda & Chives and Goat Cheese & Fig.
Either way, you’ll be there for a while selecting your ideal flavor combinations.
Bon Macaron is located on Granville Island, the absolute Mecca for foodies in Vancouver.
In addition, they also have a location in Victoria if you are visiting Vancouver Island.
They offer hands-on macaron workshops as well in both of their Granville Island and Victoria locations.
How long are macarons good for?
If stored in the refrigerator, macarons can remain fresh for up to three days.
However, it is best to eat them as soon as possible so that they are fresher.
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2. Trees Organic
Trees Organic is not technically a bakery, but rather a coffee shop.
However, they do make their own baked goods, and their cheesecake is one of them.
With it being a coffee shop, that means you can also dine in and eat your cheesecake there since you might not be able to wait until you get home.
You should get your stretchy pants on to tuck in a huge slice of Raspberry White Chocolate (my favorite), Maple Walnut, Oreo, Blueberry, or classic New York.
They do other equally delicious flavors too and often make seasonal flavors around Christmas or Thanksgiving too.
Keep in mind that a lot of the flavors rotate so there is no guarantee all the flavors are going to be available at all times.
Also, they are famous for their tasty organic coffee drinks.
In addition, on selected days they even have live music at certain locations!
They have recently introduced their new Frequency Card Program – after 9 drinks or slices of cheesecake you buy, you’ll get one FREE.
Also, the card is totally free and available at all locations!
I usually go to the Trees located on Granville Street downtown (between Pender St. and West Hastings St.).
There’s a Gastown location right next to the Steam Clock as well as others popping up around the city.
They have 9 retail locations in total at this point in time (in 2024).
3. Laurelle’s Fine Foods
Located on Granville Island, Laurelle’s is another bakery that deserves a visit.
It is inside the Granville Island Public Market, it is family-owned and has been around since 1990.
Laurelle’s is open 7 days a week from 9 am-6 pm (it is only this one location)
I’ve been coming here since I first visited Vancouver, ever since I discovered their wonderous Raspberry Cream Cheese Brownie.
This bad boy is the best!! The most moist (sorry if you hate that word) brownie baked with cream cheese and raspberry jam swirl.
In fact, it’s become so popular in my family that I often stop here before a flight to the UK to get one for my Dad.
The bakery does other items like cookies, cheesecakes, and muffins, all made there in front of you.
And they actually have a good selection of vegan and gluten-free items.
In addition to sweets, they have savory pies such as sausage rolls, scotch pies, and my favorite: the broccoli cheddar pie.
That’s right, I’m a vegetarian so I love broccoli. But trust me it’s good.
Also, they do salads, casseroles, and baked lasagna as well as several other lunch items you can get heated up to eat there or take home for an easy dinner.
Go here while you’re in Vancouver, you won’t be disappointed (but you might need more space in your carry-on).
4. Fratelli Authentic Italian Bakery
In the heart of the Italian neighborhood of Vancouver, Fratelli’s is a short distance from Downtown.
Located in the Commercial Drive area of Vancouver, they have one of the best selections of delicious Italian pastries in Vancouver.
I took part in an Italian food tour that ended here with some delicious homemade cannoli.
There are fresh breads and pies, but their cakes are the reason you’ll be drooling as soon as you walk through the door.
Fruit tarts, eclairs, and super delicious tiramisu are among my favorites.
Also, there is a hazelnut nocciole which is a pastry tube filled with hazelnut cream. Wow!
To get to Commercial Drive from downtown you can take the Skytrain to Commercial-Broadway station (only a few stops, not far at all) and Fratelli’s is at 2nd Avenue.
This Award Winning Bakery was estimated in 1997 and now has a second location in New Westminster, BC.
5. Purebread
Honestly, give them all the prizes right now! This bakery has the best selection of diabetes-inducing baked goods that the city of Vancouver has to offer.
I find myself going out of my way to go there because it’s so good, but every time the same thing happens.
I walk through the door and I am instantly overwhelmed with choices that I end up either taking forever to decide or simply buying everything. Usually the latter!
There are freshly baked breads, savory pastries, and dozens upon dozens of sweet items.
They do a potato and rosemary pastry that I love and a vegetable curry pie.
But the real high points for me are the salted caramel shortbread (Millionaire shortbread for any Brits out there), with the right ratios of shortbread to chocolate and caramel.
Also, the drunken apple blondie is one of my favorites. Like a brownie, minus the chocolate part, and baked in pieces of delicious apple, then topped with caramel icing.
Oh. My. God!
Lastly, for me, it would have to be the lemon lavender loaf. They have many loaf cakes and this one is my favorite.
The bakery has tons of gluten-free and vegan options too.
So where is this magical place?
Well, there’s a location on West Hastings Street at Cambie Street, and there’s another at 5th Avenue and Ontario Street.
Here you can see all of the Purebread locations.
Also, there’s even a location in Whistler for anyone visiting Whistler.
6. Transylvania Traditions
Davie Street Village is known for being the gay neighborhood of Vancouver, in the West End.
It’s where you will find some of the best restaurants and is often a little cheaper than other neighborhoods downtown.
I live in the West End and absolutely love the area. It’s such a friendly neighborhood despite being in the middle of the city.
But with so many places to eat, my boyfriend Jeff and I eat out way more than we should.
They even have some good-looking cream cakes, however, the star of the show is a chimney cake filled with a fruit/jam or cream/custard.
These popular snacks that can get a little messy to eat are now even available at the Vancouver Christmas market in November and December.
However, the main shop is on Davie Street at the Thurlow Street intersection, next to the Shopper’s Drug Mart.
7. Tartine Breads and Pies
We’re still on Davie Street for this outstanding bakery, only steps away from Transylvania Traditions.
They open early to serve breakfast sandwiches and also offer light lunches.
But it’s the pies that have me going back time and time again. They have some cream and meringue-topped pies as well as more traditional pies.
Also, they have pecan pies, banana cream, and key lime pie.
But it’s the unique flavors that get my business: salted caramel apple pie, sour cherry pie, and my favorite – the raspberry lavender pie.
You can buy full pies or slices but be aware that the variety of pies might change daily.
If the pies are too much for you then there are other products like cookies, brownies, or savory items.
If you have a party to go to or want to make your office happy then there are mini individual tarts: lemon meringue, butter tarts, or chocolate pecan.
8. Giovane Cafe
Another fancy one is located in the nicest hotel in the city.
The Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel near Canada Place and the Convention Center houses Giovane Cafe.
There is a second location now opened on 418 W Georgia St as well as a location in Toronto.
They serve brunch and lunch, but you’ll want to dig into their so-pretty-you-won’t-want-to-eat-them pastries. Except you will want to eat them!
The muffins and scones are nice enough, but I love to get the desserts.
The lemon meringue tarts and fruit tarts are absolutely divine but trust me when I tell you to try the passion rose pistachio dessert.
Keep in mind that the bakery selection changes daily, therefore you may encounter different items.
Giovane Cafe is also a modern Italian coffee bar, offering a combination of classic Italian coffee drinks as well as some innovative options.
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also,
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9. Terra Breads
Terra Breads has a few locations around Vancouver.
I usually go to the one on Granville Island, but there’s another in Olympic Village that I sometimes visit.
They have a new location on Mount Pleasant as well.
Either way, they have great pastries. They have one of the best croissants I’ve ever gotten outside of France.
North America does not do French pastries awfully well, so this was a great find for me.
Their ready-to-eat focaccia bread is great: I like their potato, dill, and capers bread.
Speaking of bread, they have delicious French loaves like rosemary or cranberry pistachio.
Also, I love their cookies and coconut macaroons.
10. Lee’s Donuts
Lee’s Donuts is a popular bakery that specializes in freshly made donuts.
The bakery has been a staple in the Granville Island Public Market since the 1970s and is known for its handcrafted donuts made with high-quality ingredients.
Lee’s Donuts offers a wide variety of donuts, including classic flavors like glazed, chocolate, and jelly-filled.
You must try the Honey Dip!
Also, they have some unique options like Cookie Monster (blue vanilla icing & Oreo crumbs), Mango, and Maple Iced.
They even have rotating seasonal flavors, so there is always something new to try.
Lee’s Donuts even has its own line of merch including mugs, totes, t-shirts, hats, sweaters, etc.
The donuts at Lee’s Donuts are made fresh every day, and customers can often see the bakers at work behind the counter.
The bakery has become a popular destination, and many people consider Lee’s Donuts to be one of the best donut shops in Vancouver.
For more ideas on what to eat and do in Vancouver, check out these two blog posts by Emma:
Visiting Little Italy – taking a Vancouver food tour
33 FREE things to do in Vancouver (or almost free)
Conclusion: 10 Best Bakeries To Try In Vancouver, BC
In conclusion, Vancouver is home to some of the best bakeries in Canada, each offering a unique and delicious selection of baked goods.
From artisan bread to decadent pastries, there is no shortage of options to satisfy your sweet tooth or carb cravings.
Whether you’re a local or a tourist, a visit to one of Vancouver’s best bakeries is a must-try experience.
So next time you’re in Vancouver, be sure to check out one of the bakeries mentioned in this post and treat yourself to a tasty and memorable indulgence.
