Navigating a Foodie Holiday with Ease

Written by Vancouver Foodie Tours

Have you experienced Granville Island during the holidays? The entire Island is alive with lights, music, and heartwarming decorations. The Public Market bubbles with energy as chefs and locals stock up on limited-edition festive ingredients for holiday feasts!

As Granville Island is one of Vancouver’s favourite holiday spots, knowing a few savvy tips can make all the difference. From the experts at Vancouver Foodie Tours, here are 11 pro tips to navigate the holiday season with ease!

Fact: 2pm is the busiest time on Granville Island. This is when parking spaces are the hardest to come by.
The best time to visit Granville Island and the Public Market? Between 9-11 am, when things are at their freshest, and the crowds have yet to descend. The is the most magical time on the island!
The Public Market is at its busiest between Dec 22-31. If you’re on a mission to collect ingredients, come first thing in the morning.
Oyama Sausage Company – This charcuterie shop is the busiest stall in the market, hands down. Minimize wait time by emailing your order a couple days in advance so they can have it ready for you when you arrive. On the busiest days during the holidays, there’s a separate line for pre-orders, and that line moves along much quicker than the regular line.
Tired of Turkey for Christmas? Get the Swedish ham from Oyama. They brine and tie it up for you. Cooking instructions are provided, and is a breeze. Your guests will be impressed with the great quality ham and delighted to indulge in something different for the holidays. This is one of the best kept holiday secrets in the market! Must be pre-ordered in advance.
Terra Breads’ Dark Chocolate Cherry Panettone. This light, fluffy, festive bread is a limited edition item that’s only available during the holidays. This makes a special gift as most locals haven’t experienced it.
A Bread Affairs’ Candy Cane Baguette – This is a festive baguette with cranberries, shaped like a candy cane. The presentation alone will impress.
Benton Brothers Fine Cheese puts together beautifully curated cheese boards complete with all the accompaniments you’ll want. If you really want to wow your guests, rent the raclette device from Benton!
Gingerbread donuts are available from Lee’s during the month of December. They have achieved perfection over the last 40 years of donut-making.
If you want to a experience the holiday magic from Granville Island with friends and family, reserve a spot on the Christmas Classics Market Tour. It’s a 2-hour, stress-free limited edition experience by Vancouver Foodie Tours. You’ll skip the lines, eat lots festive foods from the Public Market, and check out adorable artisan shops!
For beautiful gift baskets packed with local, gourmet snacks and treats, Edible Canada’s retail shop can’t be beat! It’s a lesser-known hidden gem, tucked behind Edible Canada’s restaurant. Order in advance as they are busy during the holidays.