Gastown & Chinatown
When the Army & Navy department store’s annual 12-day shoe sale kicks off, there’s always a long, excited queue of hundreds of locals ready to get in…
Must-see shopping in Canada
Vancouver
This historic West Coast chocolate-making company is based in Victoria, but this is its flagship Vancouver store. Try not to lick the dark-wood shelves as…
Vancouver
A Vancouver institution since 1879 – hence the landmark freestanding clock outside – Birks crafts exquisite heirloom jewelry and its signature line of…
Fairview & South Granville
One of the oldest established of Vancouver's private galleries, Bau-Xi – pronounced 'bo-she' – showcases the best in local artists and generally has…
Québec City
Illustrator Julie St-Onge-Drouin started up Kettő with her partner Catherine Fafard after her illustrative designs kept finding their way onto ceramic…
Québec City
This toy shop gives a glimpse into what the world would be like if kids ran the show. Even the front doors are pint-sized (the grown-ups door is in the…
Vancouver
Stockists of the legendary Canada-made Tilley Endurables travel hat range, this family owned store has added other labels to its lineup of hard-wearing…
Vancouver
Flagship downtown store of the Vancouver-based chain that made ass-hugging yoga wear a mainstream fashion, this is the shop for that archetypal West Coast…
Vancouver
If rain curtails your shopping activities, duck inside downtown Vancouver's main mall. You'll find all the usual chain and department store suspects, plus…
Montréal
Although the selection isn't huge, this dapper menswear shop is worth a visit for classic, well-made trousers, button-downs, sweaters, leather belts and…
Gastown & Chinatown
Colonizing this Gastown strip long before it was fashionable, this browse-worthy men's and women's boutique still offers plenty of reasons for a visit…
Vancouver
Stocking guidebooks and travel literature as well as bags and backpacks, this is one of Vancouver's oldest travel-themed stores. There are also several…
Montréal
La Baie, as it’s called in French, found fame three centuries ago for its striped wool blankets used to measure fur skins. The unique blankets are still…
Prince Edward Island
What was once a literary theme park has wound down into a glorified shopping mall. You might see a cow being milked, or ride on a wagon before emptying…
Montréal
Going strong since 1932, this classy millinery sells an impressive assortment of hats, including top global brands such as Stetson, Akubra and Kangol, as…
Gastown & Chinatown
This large Chinese tea-and-herb shop is a great place to buy supplies of good green, red, white and black teas. The friendly staff – women in cool pink…
Gastown & Chinatown
A campaigner for legalization for many years, this near-iconic storefront was once the center of the city's 'Vansterdam' strip. With books, hemp clothing…
Gastown & Chinatown
Tucked among the basement stores in Gastown's heritage Le Magasin building, this sneaker, streetwear and collectibles shop is loved by in-the-know…
Toronto
Vaughan Mills is a gigantic outlet mall about 30km north of Toronto, right by Canada's Wonderland. Shop a range of retail and outlet stores, and stop by…
UFO Data Centre & Tourist Information
Alberta
Next to the flying saucer landing pad, this information center has a space-themed gift shop and a book you can flip through to learn more about 137…
Montréal
Beautifully designed Les Touilleurs celebrates Mile End’s love affair with good food, presenting gorgeous high-end cookware and cookbooks by local and…
Gaspé Peninsula
Owners Catherine and Gérard's love of local wild mushrooms is clear from their shop south of the city, which sells locally sourced mushrooms and products…
Entertainment & Financial Districts
At this Canadian shop, expect plenty of unique gifts, many like those you'd find in a museum store. Designer Toronto souvenirs by local artists include…
Vancouver
True to Commercial Dr's Italian heritage, family-run Kalena's imports handsome top-quality leather shoes and boots from the old country. Well-crafted men…
Montréal
VdeV is packed with striking designs that evoke both a modern and vintage aesthetic, making it a fun place to browse for gift ideas. Among the finds:…
Vancouver
A jam-packed browser's paradise of mostly women's retro clothes and accessories, this is the perfect store to reinvent your look. Thinking of combining a…
Montréal
One of downtown’s most successful malls, with enough rays from the skylights to keep shoppers on their day clock. Major retailers here include La Senza…
Vancouver
Stocking a kaleidoscopic and wildly eclectic array of original retro clothing from 1970s concert T-shirts to 1990s grunge-wear, there's also a particular…
Fairview & South Granville
The original branch of a popular Lower Mainland mini-chain, this high-end used-clothing consignment store is perfect for a spot of leisurely browsing…
Montréal
This Montréal institution is a godsend for label-conscious, cashed-up professionals and upscale shoppers. From fragrances to cosmetics, jewelry and men’s…
Vancouver
Small and friendly, this boutique wine shop has a down-to-earth approach to its products, which makes it a great place to hit if you can't tell the…
Montréal
The most elegant store on Rue Notre-Dame’s Antique Alley is a pleasure to visit for its English and continental furniture, lighting and decorative objects…
Vancouver Island
Handily located next to a bakery, this long-established cheesemaker purveys a rich selection of local and international cheeses that'll add nuance to your…
Montréal
One of Canada's best known homegrown brands, Roots started off as a humble shoemaker in the '70s. Now its range includes Roots for kids, Roots athletics,…
Old Montréal
Boasting a vintage-chic aesthetic, Espace Pepin is a fun place to browse for gift ideas. You'll find items such as wood-branch pepper and spice mills,…
Vancouver
This farmers market has popped up outside the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in recent years and it's popular with office workers on their way home. The usual…
Vancouver
Pearls and Canadian diamonds feature prominently in the rings created by local artisan Michael Dean, who works on his shiny trinkets at this cozy little…
Gastown & Chinatown
There's a huge array of albums to riffle through at this vinyl-lover's dream but make sure you strike up a conversation with the owner since he knows…
Montréal
The vibe is motorcycle chic, with stylish helmets, goggles, sew-on patches, leather gloves and other eye-catching gear for sale. The real reason to come…
Québec City
This modern and very elegant Japanese-inspired shop, which takes its name from the botanical name for 'tea,' stocks some 200 varieties of said commodity;…
