Places To Visit In South Granville
A recent visit to Vancouver reveals how much the city has changed…and how much it hasn’t
It’s part of a neighborhood called South Granville, a few blocks that represents just a section of one Vancouver’s major streets. Granville is one of the city’s major arteries and stretches several kilometers south, from the dense core of downtown to the Arthur Liang Bridge, which leads to the airport.
Some of Vancouver looks different, but a lot of it still looks the same. This part of town always smelled like freshly cut grass and old money, so compared to places like the West End, not a lot has changed on South Granville. I didn’t spend a lot of time in this neighborhood when I lived in Vancouver, so it was interesting to explore a new (well, new to me, anyway) part of town. It’s walking distance from Granville Island and on several convenient bus routes, so not only is it pedestrian friendly, it’s easy to hop on a bus and explore other Vancouver neighborhoods.
I discovered that Vancouver transit is a lot less annoying when you have no schedule and have nowhere to be. Just goes to show, like we always used to say, that the system is built for tourists and always has been.
Muse Cannabis
Canada is one of the few countries that has legalized cannabis use, and the industry that has popped up in the last tens years is impressive. Some might say the commercialization has gone too far, and they’re right, but this beats the holy shit out of dodging the RCMP. Given that I have to do the old-school dealer bullshit back in Mexico (not exactly illegal here but that’s another post), I appreciated this.
Muse has three locations throughout the city, and all of them are upscale cannabis retail sales, the very pinnacle of Canadian legalization. In keeping with the aesthetic of this particular neighborhood, Muse on Granville resembles a restored 19th century library. The wooden shelves are lined with various cannabis products and there’s a cozy sitting area in front of a fireplace near the front door. This is where my partner chills out while I spend a silly amount of time browsing the wares, which range from edibles to flower to pre-rolls.
Yes, the prices are rather high, but holy mother of god, of course you’re going to pay top dollar for weed that’s 35% THC, and that’s not even close to the maximum number. I highly recommend you splurge on a few pre-rolls and chill out in a nearby plaza to enjoy some Vancouver weather.
Sushi Umi
Located at the lower end of this stretch, a block away from the stately class of Muse, Sushi Umi also has a quaint little patio in addition to a glowing wood dining room. There are only three tables out there so it’s kind of a secret. The weather was so damn nice this week that we ate outside on both visits.
There’s a great selection of all the rolls – Dynamite, California, and BC, just to name a few. There are also the usual fun ones, like Rainbow and Caterpillar. My personal favorite is the Dragon Roll, which is basically a Dynamite Roll with grilled unagi on top. The menu includes raw oysters, when they’re in season, in addition to all of the best Japanese appetizers. I love the seaweed salad.
Meinhart’s Fine Foods
They aren’t kidding. The main entrance opens up to the deli. Good luck getting past that shiny stretch of mouth-watering goodies. This is an upscale location, just like the sign says, and it shows in the products. This whole store could be just the deli and they’d do just fine, but there’s a whole store of upscale edibles to discover.
When people talk about Vancouver being for the wealthy and pretentious, this is what they mean. Even the junk food is represented by designer name brands. They do a lot of gift boxes and catering, and it feels like the grocery store is an extension of the bigger operation in the background. Those gift baskets aren’t cheap either, you can check on the website. But for now, it’s just damn fun to browse the fancy snacks and fresh flowers.
Small Victory Bakery
The heigh ceilings and low-hanging light give Small Victory Bakery the feel of a rustic warehouse. The interior design of this place is as impressive as the rows of bread, pastries, and gigantic ovens. It has a rustic tone of brick and metal that reminds me of a place you might see in Gastown.
We’re in line for bread, and there’s a whole selection of succulent loaves. It seems like the kind of place where you’d by chunks of hearty products, so the variety of small, delicate pastries might take you by surprise. There’s seating inside and out, and coffee is also on the menu, which includes food items for brunch and lunch. So much avocado toast, it makes us laugh.
The Breakfast Table
I’m a fucking pig for eggs benny in any form, so I’m focused on that part of the menu. They’ve got six different varieties, in addition to the Asian-inspired Classics section that includes Japanese, Korean, and Thai dishes. Thanks to my partner, I get to experience the sweet side of the menu that includes fresh fruit and quinoa.
Nobody is sure why this space is so noisy, but it’s always crowded, which might have something to do with it. It’s no wonder from the menu, which is fun, creative, and from what I experienced, delicious. You’ll probably be too busy filling your face to talk anyway.
Williams Sonoma
There are several classy gift shops along this stretch of Granville Street, and this is one of the swanky ones that focuses on the kitchen. It’s huge, and they’ve got everything. Plenty of food items, too, but stuff in jars and cans you often put in a gift basket. This is the kind of place people get registered for weddings and showers and such.
The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. We look a bit scruffy but nobody gives us the side-eye. There were a few nice things inspired by Mexican art that were amazingly beautiful. Great for uncommon stuff like garlic peelers and tea cozies. Lots of souvenir type stuff too, if you’re looking for a new mug or magnet.
Ian Tan Art Gallery
It’s only two rooms, and there aren’t any tours or a gift shop, but if you’re thinking of making an investment in local art this is one of the best places to look. The artists are from Vancouver and some of my personal favorites included local subjects and the city skyline.
The style of art is contemporary, but the subjects can range from still life to abstract. Exhibits include paintings along with sculptures and unique media like glass art.
Fire & Flower Cannabis Co.
A similar design to Muse up the street, with the glass cases and elaborate displays, this store has a more utilitarian feel. It’s located on a busier and less expensive part of Granville, and caters to commuters and tourists as much as neighborhood folks.
This might be why it feels more modern. It’s only a few blocks down from Muse but the vibe is entirely different. Just as friendly, but with less glowing wood and plush seating. There are no places to sit and commiserate or enjoy the atmosphere. Time is marijuana these days.
Sushivan
Combine your cannabis shopping with a bite to eat at Sushivan, which seems to do most of its business during the busy lunch hours with local office workers or folks taking a break between bus transfers. It looks like a small place, but it’s a big kitchen with an equally expansive menu.
You’ve got all the roles and nigiri sushi, as usual, along with bowls of noodles and rice, but there are also a few Korean dishes on the menu like the ramen and soup. I had a side of kimchi every time we came here.
Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen
To be fair, Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen is on West 11th Avenue, just off Granville. This could be some of the best tea I’ve ever had, but that’s often my experience when it comes to Middle Eastern cuisine. The tea is just as good as the food. I had the house tea, Mint with Mazahr, and it was exceptional.
I get falafel because I love chickpeas in all their forms. The atmosphere is busy but also serene, which is a nice combination for a quiet dinner and decent conversation. There’s an outdoor patio but it’s more popular during lunchtime, when it’s still light out.
Honorable Mentions
Shopper’s Drug Mart
A much a Canadian icon as Tim Horton’s or Bombardier, Shopper’s might have started out as a pharmacy but is now a grocery store, department store, and post office. This one has a decent snack section, complete with all the crazy chip flavours I know and love from back in the day. Despite rumors of certain brands going enshittified, so I’m pleasantly surprised that Lay’s Salt & Vinegar still has the same old bite.
Granville Park
There’s a whole city block of green space here if you count the adjacent Lawn Bowling Club and the Vancouver Tennis Club. This part is designed for kids and dogs, with playgrounds for each group, plus a big open field with a couple of picnic tables. The dog park is off-leash and has a variety of seating, greenery, and features to keep Fido busy. It’s a lot of fun to watch the mix of rescue mutt and expensive purebred pets cavort together over wood chips and underneath lush saplings.
