Bakery$$strathconaWed-Sun 08:30-17:00, closed Mon-TueWalk-in onlyItalian pastry, panettone, brioche
Livia on Commercial Drive from baker Cynthia Rogerson is the city's reference Italian-leaning patisserie since 2018, sourdough panettone the calendar event.
Tip: Panettone pre-orders open in October for December; the daily ricotta cakes and brioche turnover sell out by lunch.
Worth the queue: Sourdough panettone
Bakery$$kitsilanoWed-Sun 08:00-16:00, closed Mon-TueWalk-in onlyNaturally leavened bread, baguette
Batard on West Broadway is Vancouver's reference natural-leavened bread bakery since 2017, the daily baguette pulled hot at 11:00 the city standard.
Tip: Baguettes pulled fresh at 11:00 and 14:30; the kitchen sells out by 15:00 on Saturday.
Worth the queue: Sourdough baguette
Bakery$$gastownDaily 07:30-17:00Walk-in onlyLoaf cakes, scones, gluten-free
Purebread's Gastown branch is the Whistler-origin bakery's Vancouver outpost since 2014, the sticky cinnamon brioche the kitchen's calling card.
Tip: Boxed pastry-of-the-day samplers from the counter; the Granville Island branch has more daily varieties.
Worth the queue: Sticky cinnamon brioche
Bakery$$yaletownDaily 07:30-18:00Walk-in onlyFrench viennoiserie, sourdough
Small Victory in Yaletown since 2014 is a French-leaning bakery and cafe, plus newer Burrard and Mount Pleasant branches and a reference almond croissant.
Tip: Croissants sell out by 11:00 on Saturday; the Burrard branch is the calmer seat.
Worth the queue: Almond croissant
Bakery$mount-pleasantDaily 07:00-17:00Walk-in onlyDoughnuts, fritters, brioche dough
Lucky's Doughnuts inside 49th Parallel Coffee on Main Street is Vancouver's reference doughnut shop since 2009, fritters fried fresh through the morning.
Tip: Persian rosewater and the daily fritter sell out by lunch; the West 4th branch is the calmer seat.
Worth the queue: Persian rosewater doughnut
Bakery$$$kitsilanoTue-Sat 08:00-17:30, closed Sun-MonWalk-in onlyChocolate, viennoiserie, macarons
Thomas Haas Chocolate and Pastries on West Broadway since 2009 is the Master Chocolatier's Vancouver branch, the double-baked almond croissant a calendar.
Tip: The North Van Park Royal flagship has the chocolate counter; Vancouver branch has tables for a quick croissant.
Worth the queue: Double-baked almond croissant