We suspect you’re already fully aware of the epicurean delights within Granville Island’s Public Market, and you might have discovered that Liberty in the Net Loft carries a good selection of the harder-to-find BC wines like JoieFarm, Kettle Valley and Blasted Church. A few of you might have even discovered Fisherman’s Wharf, just around the seawall at False Creek, where you can buy local seafood straight from the fishing boats. However, next time you’re at Granville Island, take a bit of time to explore the neighbourhood a few blocks to the west. Your palate, pantry and picnic basket will be very grateful.

The foodster focal point is on West 2nd Avenue between Pine and Burrard. Here, Pâtisserie Lebeau makes fantastic Belgian waffles—not just the sweet variety, but savouries studded with ham or sausage and cheese. They also make unique waffle sandwiches, rice pudding pies and delightful stuffed baguettes. Just down the block is Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks, an emporium of food savvy where you can get happily lost in the well-stocked shelves. This is not only one of the most charming and extensive cookbook stores anywhere; it’s also a gathering place for events, book launches and cooking demos. A few steps to the west is Les Amis du Fromage, a shop devoted to all things cheese, with an array of exotic imports as well as an impressive range of BC-made artisan cheeses. Continue west across Burrard and pop down to West 1st Avenue, rounding out your cheese adventure with a little wine shopping at Village Wines, a store entirely devoted to BC VQA wines. (TIP: If you arrive between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on a Saturday you’ll be able to partake in a tasting.)

If you’re at all hungry, Rocky Mountain Flatbread makes a wicked wood-oven fired pizza and hearty pasta dishes. Personally, we’re also entirely smitten with the sandwiches and pastries at Epicurean Deli. Their Robust Bruschetta combines turkey sausage, sage, garlic and cannellini beans over an open-faced panini that is pretty close to heaven.