14 Best Shopping in Downtown, Vancouver

This is Canada's ritziest department store; a swanky showcase for international high fashion and accessories for men and women. Think Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, and other designer labels.

Power-yoga devotees, soccer moms, and anyone who likes casual, comfy clothes covet the fashionable, well-constructed workout wear with the stylized "A" insignia from this Vancouver-based company. In addition to the flagship location at 2123 West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano, there are several branches around town.

Nordstrom Vancouver, the chain's flagship store in Canada, sizzles with fashion buzz alongside the well-known Nordstrom-style service. Three elegantly designed floors showcase label boutiques (think Saint Laurent, Valentino, and Stella McCartney), lots of Canadian designers, and themed pop-up shops, and include a restaurant, a lounge, and a wealth of concierge services, from personal stylists to free Downtown delivery.

Filling three city blocks in the heart of Downtown, this mall is filled with mostly mainstream clothing shops, with some more sophisticated and pricier boutiques scattered throughout. There are several street-level entrances, as well as access via Holt Renfrew, Nordstrom, and Hudson's Bay, and both the Granville Street and Vancouver City Centre Stations—worth knowing about on rainy days.

A Canadian institution (though it's now American-owned), the Bay was founded as part of the fur trade in the 17th century. There's a whole department selling the signature tricolor blankets and other Canadiana. On the lower level, the Topshop and Topman boutiques carry imports from the trendy British retailer.

One of the city's best antiquarian and used book stores, this jam-packed shop is a treasure trove of titles from mainstream to wildly eclectic.

Vancouver's most stylish supermarket brims to the rafters with mouthwatering food displays that come from all corners of the globe, plus upmarket everyday items and lots of foodie gift ideas. The eat-in deli is a great spot for a budget lunch. In addition to this Downtown store, there are also branches at 305 Bute Street (Downtown), 177 Davie Street in Yaletown, and at 1688 Salt Street in the Olympic Village, just west of Main Street.

What this diminutive shop lacks in size, it makes up in quality. The shelves are stocked with a strong selection of wines, beers, and liquors, with an emphasis on regional products. Beer and spirits tastings are regularly held on Friday from 5 to 8; wine tastings are held Saturday at the same time.