Vancouver bakeries for fresh-baked bread
There’s nothing more comforting than the smell of fresh-baked bread wafting from the oven. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have time for all that kneading, rolling and flouring – but we can grab our daily (handmade) bread at one of these fine Vancouver bakeries, where rustic rye, French baguette and plain ol’ white are on display among other, more adventurous varieties. [Photo credit: iStock.com/LOVE_LIFE]
Nelson The Seagull
315 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2J4Despite encouragements from friends to branch out, Nelson the Seagull’s owner and head baker, Jason Snelgar, continues to make just one kind of bread: lovely, sourdough loaves, served piping hot each morning. If you’re in the mood for one of these, make sure you leave early; the loaves are usually gone by lunch. But if you do miss out, you can still enjoy Snelgar’s trademark bread off the café menu – try the avocado toast or simple bread with butter.
Purebread
159 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 1H4Founded in Whistler, this sweet little bakery has since opened a Vancouver outpost to offer downtown dwellers its popular selection of baked goods, including a variety of artisan loaves known as “the bread line.” Renowned for creative recipes, breads may include such intriguing ingredients as hazelnut and fig, lavender and rosemary, and cranberry, ginger and raisin. They’ve got simple tastes covered, too, such as the well-loved Whistler wheat and plain ol Italian.
Small Victory Bakery
1088 Homer St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2W9Located on Homer Street, this intimate Yaletown bakery is the perfect spot to grab a tea and a loaf to go in the midst of an afternoon of shopping. With natural light streaming in from expansive windows, and plenty of quaint tables to sit at while you wait, you’ll select your bread from a long list that includes traditional baguettes, a savory herb loaf, and a rustic, artisanal whole wheat that’s truly out of this world. Got some time to spare? Stick around for a snack; bread-and-spread plates pair sliced bread with a variety of fruity jams and preserves.
Terra Breads
1689 Johnson St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9Of Terra Breads’ four Vancouver locations, their Granville Island outpost is perhaps the most dynamic and exciting to visit due to its location inside the bustling Granville Island Public Market. The line is often long but don’t fear: servers are efficient and friendly, moving through orders as quickly as they remove hot loaves from the oven. Among the local company’s many bread types, the cranberry pistachio, black olive, and fig and anise are well worth the trip across the water.
Breka Downtown Bakery Cafe
812 Bute St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1Y4Voted one of the top bakeries in Vancouver more than once, Breka Bakery offers 16 staple breads that are each so scrumptious you’ll want to snap them all up at once. Thick, woven challahs are baked to perfection and served straight up or topped with sesame, streusel, or poppy seed. The white “Fancy” is sort of like an upscale version of everybody’s favourite Wonder Bread, while the classic “Old Country” is a multigrain that packs a punch. And the best part? The Bute Street location is open 24/7 – as are the bakery’s two other locations on Fraser and Davie Streets.
A Bread Affair
1680 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3S2Situated amidst the bustling crowds of Granville Island, A Bread Affair is a go-to destination for locals and tourists alike thanks to tempting selection of carbohydrates. You’ll find more than a dozen artisanal loaves on the menu, including chewy Ciabatta, buttery brioche, crusty French baguettes, fiber-rich multigrain, and light-and-airy spelt. Each all-natural loaf is Certified Organic and made traditional grains sourced from local farms. Want to make a meal of it? Pull together an impromptu picnic by pairing your fresh-baked bread with edible delights from nearby Granville Island Public Market vendors Benton Brother’s Fine Cheese and Oyama Sausage Co.
