Granville Island is pure magic. The magic comes from its waterfront vibes, from its potent artistic community, from quirks like its neighborhood of floating homes and quaint pleasures like its Public Market. We count ourselves lucky to be immersed in that magic every day.
Did you know that over 10 million people visit Granville Island each year? We’re sure every one of them has a highlight to share, but there’s nothing quite like advice from a local, is there? That’s why we put together this short and sweet guide to visiting Granville Island, which includes the best food you can get at the Granville Island Public Market. This is our homebase, and you could definitely say we know our way around.
First…what is Granville Island known for?
Clearly many people need no convincing to come to this character-rich peninsula, but what brings in these droves of tourists? Why should you come?
From our perspective, it’s all about:
Artisanal food
There’s a reason why our company focuses on food made by Granville Island artisanal food producers. This place is rich in unique, delectable, lovingly prepared foods. We especially recommend:
- Oyama Sausages
- Benton Brothers Cheese
- A Bread Affair
- Lee’s Donuts
- JJ Bean
Fresh produce
The Market is a fantastic place to get a stunning variety of super-fresh offerings. In our humble opinion, some of the best food you can get at the Granville Island Public Market is:
- Longliner Seafood
- Seafood City
- Armando Meats
Arts and Crafts
Again, the Public Market showcases artists and artisans of every stripe, and it is so much fun to check out the day tables that change daily.
Libations
Do you like your sippables to be higher end, somewhat elevated? Same here! Our favourites:
- Artisan Sake Maker
- Liberty Distillery
- Granville Island Brewing
- Liberty Wine Merchant
Restaurants
I think you’re probably getting the idea by now…Granville Island is chock full of incredible food and drink. The restaurant scene here is no exception, and many establishments have the extra advantage of beautiful waterfront views. We love:
- Sandbar
- Alimentaria
- Vancouver Fish Company
- Dockside Restaurant
Kid-friendly fun
There’s a reason why Granville Island is such a popular place for families—kids have plenty of opportunities to have a lot of fun here. We recommend you take your little ones to:
- The Kids Market
- The outdoor park, which turns into a water park during the summer months
- Carousel Theatre for Young People
How long should you spend on Granville Island?
It’s easy to spend a few hours on a specific activity like visiting the Public Market. But it’s equally easy to spend the whole day; there’s plenty to do!
What time do things open up on Granville Island?
Trying to figure out when to time your arrival? Just know that:
- The Granville Island Public market opens daily at 9 am
- Most shops open between 9-11 am
What are the best times to visit Granville Island?
It does get busy here! It’s helpful to know that:
- Peak time on the island is 2 pm, and that is also when parking is hardest to come by.
- The best time to visit is between 9-11 am when the Market first opens—as a bonus, everything in the Market is freshest then!
What are the best ways to get to Granville Island?
If possible, we do recommend transit or water taxi (like the False Creek ferry or Aquabus). That’s because parking is limited. If you take a cab or an Uber, ask to be dropped off outside the entrance and walk in—that will definitely save you some time.
That’s it! Those are the basics for getting the most out of this world-famous and locally loved peninsula we call Granville Island. Hope to see you here.
