Must-see shopping in Canada

  • Dark Side Chocolates

    Vancouver Island

    Testament to Cumberland's hipster revival, this artisan chocolate shop is a delicious delight. Everything is made on-site but don't miss the dainty salted…

  • Aux 33 Tours

    Montréal

    Hands down, Aux 33 Tours is the best record shop in the city. You'll find a staggering selection of new and used vinyl covering every genre, and there's…

  • Eugene Choo

    Vancouver

    Behind the double-fronted, canary-yellow facade of this Main St favorite beats the heart of a store that pioneered the emergence of this area as Vancouver…

  • Northern Lights Building

    Labrador

    The Northern Lights Building is a one-stop shop for a good range of winter, fishing and hunting gear, and a ton of souvenirs and random gifts – because…

  • Much & Little

    Vancouver

    This enduringly popular store is a must for indie types. With a perfectly curated array of women's clothing plus superbly designed household goods and…

  • Tanner's Books

    Vancouver Island

    You can easily spend a leisurely afternoon perusing the selection at this cavernous corner bookstore with its large array of magazines and comprehensive…

  • GiftWorks

    Old Town, Corktown & Distillery District

    A little shop jam-packed with high-quality souvenirs at decent prices: cute bottles of maple syrup, Raptors onesies, snow globes with the Toronto skyline,…

  • Vitrail Original

    Québec City

    You may not be in the market for vitrail (stained glass), but this is a lovely and original shop in which to browse; some of the inspired lampshades would…

  • Ditch Records

    Victoria

    A favorite record store among Victoria's retro-minded, Ditch is lined with iconic vinyl, plenty of CDs and many furtive music fans perusing releases by…

  • Spacing Store

    Entertainment & Financial Districts

    Spacing is a magazine with a thing for Canadian cities. Its store is a celebration of urban living, with T-shirts, vintage TTC posters and other gifts by…

  • Galerie LeRoyer

    Old Montréal

    This spacious old gallery has always been at the forefront of the avant-garde scene in Montréal, previously under the moniker of Galerie St-Dizier. Works…

  • Artpop

    Montréal

    Though tiny in size, Artpop is full of unique Montréal-themed gift ideas. You'll find graphic T-shirts, bags, pillowcases, iPhone covers, postcards and…

  • Beguiling

    Kensington Market & Chinatown

    Need a comic-book fix? The Beguiling is the kind of crowded, mixed-up place that Robert Crumb would drop by (in fact, he once did – though at the old…

  • Le Marché des Saveurs du Québec

    Montréal

    Everything here is Québécois, from the food to the handmade soaps to one of the best collections of artisanal local beer, maple products, jams and cheeses…

  • Domaine Steinbach

    Québec

    This store stocks dozens of farm products, including five ciders made using apples from its organic orchard, one with maple syrup. A tasting flight of…

  • Type Books

    Toronto

    A lovely independent bookstore with stenciled walls and chandeliers, Type has a little of everything for everyone. The laid-back vibe makes it easy to…

  • Iceblink

    Yellowknife

    This adorable, European-style boutique stocks Matt & Nat handbags and purses, ladies' apparel by the likes of Sen, Gentle Fawn, free people, Kutula Kiss…

  • Refind

    Vancouver

    There's a great collection of tempting vintage offerings available here, everything from Bakelite clocks to 1970s cocktail shakers. The retro-loving store…

  • Le Port de Tête

    Montréal

    This is a wonderfully curated bookstore that often showcases up-and-coming work from dynamic small publishers. The French and English selection is…

  • Newfoundland Salt Company

    Eastern Newfoundland

    As creative gifts go, it doesn't get much more unique than the locally sourced sea salt sold at this little storefront. We're particularly enamored of its…

  • Marché Underground

    Montréal

    Vintage doesn't have to be pricey, especially outside of Mile End and the Plateau. Visit this collective of nearly 10 sellers of clothes, furniture, toys,…

  • Quidi Vidi Village Plantation

    St John's

    A rotating slate of 10 independent artists and artisans occupy the upper floors of this building, which boasts attractive harborfront views. This is a…

  • Les 3 Tours

    Québec City

    Devoted to all things medieval, this Québec shop sells clothes, jewelry, swords and accessories reproduced by Québécois designers from items dating back…

  • Châtelet

    Toronto

    Meaning 'little castle' in French, Châtelet sells shabby-chic home goods with a country feel. You'll see everything from refurbished flea-market finds and…

  • Silk Road

    Victoria

    A pilgrimage spot for fans of regular and exotic teas, where you can pick up all manner of leafy paraphernalia. Alternatively, sidle up to the tasting bar…

  • Imperative

    Toronto

    'All Vegan Everything' is the motto of this two-level boutique, selling clothes, shoes and accessories made sans animal products or exploitation. Many of…

  • Malikkaat

    Iqaluit

    This cheerful little store near the post office sells Inuit music CDs, T-shirts with designs by Inuit artist Kenojuak Ashevak, plus jewelry, sealskin…

  • Galerie Simon Blais

    Montréal

    One of the most prestigious galleries in Canada, Simon Blais carries works by well-known international and domestic artists such as Lucien Freud, Antoni…

  • Inuit Art Gallery

    Nunavut

    Kristiina, the owner of Dorset Suites, stocks some choice pieces both by master Inuit carvers and emerging talent in her basement and may show you around…

  • Lismore Sheep Farm

    Nova Scotia

    A working farm with more than 300 sheep, this is a fun destination even if you don't buy a rug, a blanket or socks. From May to October the barn is open…

  • Old Town Glassworks

    Yellowknife

    This Old Town shop makes exquisite Northern-themed glasses and vases from old bottles. Want to do one to your exact specifications? Take one of the…

  • Invasion

    St John's

    Pop art, comic books, science fiction and geek culture gets mashed up with St John's cityscapes and Newfoundland photography at this oddball art gallery…

  • Public Butter Vintage

    Toronto

    One of Toronto's most popular vintage stores, with everything from clothes to home decor. It's a little overwhelming when you walk in – so much stuff…

  • Toronto Designers Market

    Toronto

    On the quiet westernmost end of Queen St, more than 30 small designers have set up mini studio-storefronts within a cavernous space. It's a mixed bag, but…

  • Young's General Store

    Northern Ontario

    Stock up for the long drive ahead at this delightfully old-fashioned store, established in 1971. Piled to the rafters and hanging from the ceiling are…

  • Gadabout Vintage

    The Beaches

    Though it might remind you of an episode of Hoarders, this jam-packed shop has a remarkable collection of 19th- and 20th-century vintage clothing, jewelry…

  • Pacha Indigenous Art Collection

    Toronto

    Specializing in indigenous art from the Americas, Pacha carries one-of-a-kind creations from several Indigenous artists. Expect handmade jewelry,…

  • Joaillerie Jules Perrier

    Québec City

    Passion is the inspiration behind this well-known jeweler’s stunning designs, with unique earrings, brooches, pendants and more. A family business since…

  • Trout Lake Farmers Market

    Vancouver

    One the city's largest farmers markets lures locals from East Vancouver and beyond with dozens of stalls hawking everything from fresh, local-grown…

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