Vancouver, BC – written December 5th, 2023 – Many locals rarely explore Alberni Street, despite it being home to a plethora of upscale brands in Vancouver, such as Burberry, Escada, Tiffany, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Gucci, and Ferragamo. Notably, Holt Renfrew, situated in the same area, boasts additional luxury labels like CHANEL, Prada, Jimmy Choo, and Diesel. Adjacent to it, the Pacific Centre Mall features two German luxury brands, Marc Cain and Hugo Boss. The mall further showcases renowned names like Armani, Abercrombie & Fitch, Club Monaco, and Ralph Lauren. Most of the target audience are young career-oriented women with cash to spare or tourists interested in fashion brands.

Once they are fashionably dressed, they might want to put their reusable hand-made shopping bags into a luxury car, which they have purchased from one of four German brands like BMW, Porsche, Mercedes or Audi. The best and most convenient place to test-drive or purchase a car is the corner at Broadway and Boundary Road. This is home to Brian Jessel BMW, Mercedes-Benz Boundary, OpenRoad Audi Boundary with Porsche available on Terminal Avenue. Meanwhile, close to Granville Island, they can purchase other brands at Lamborghini Vancouver or your Regency Lexus Vancouver Dealership. At this point, they might have worked up an appetite.

Then its time to visit places, such as L’Abattoir, which boasts “Industrial-chic setting for Pacific Northwest fare with a French touch, plus craft cocktails.” Or Le Crocodile, a “Long-standing destination for Michel Jacob’s traditional French cooking in an elegant space.” The best hotel restaurant in town is the Five Sails Restaurant described as “Pacific NW fine-dining room in the Pan Pacific Hotel featuring sweeping views of water & mountains.”

Brix and Mortar describes their offerings as “Modern Canadian fare & some 60 wines by the glass served in a chic heritage building with a patio.” And last, but not least, the Hawksworth Restaurant “Inventive Pacific Northwest cuisine & extensive wine list served in the Rosewood Hotel Georgia.”

After dinner, it is time to try luxury coffee shops, such as Thomas Haas, with a legacy of culinary excellence and a passion for crafting exquisite treats, Thomas Haas has risen as a renowned pastry chef, earning accolades and captivating taste buds worldwide. You can tell that it great, because it is always full. Not too far away is Ca Croustille – A French bakery found at 3273 West Broadway in Kitsilano. This concept was established in 2018 by two bakers, one from France and one from Belgium. Absolutely scrumptious pastries, although they are priced accordingly.

Breka Bakery & Cafe offers German goods, as well as other delicious sweets at three locations – Fraser Street, Bute Street and at the Jericho Village Shopping Centre. Across from the Art Gallery, there is “Faubourg – “Vancouver’s answer to Parisian elegance and decadent gastronomic adventures, Faubourg Paris caters to sophisticated gourmands and amateur epicures alike.” They have unique items like pistachio croissants or German stollen.

Now they are full, so it is time to enjoy some sights and sounds in Vancouver. This time of year in December, the Vancouver Christmas Market is set up in the Jack Poole Plaza with over 90 stalls sharing German, Austrian or European brands. If it was summer, they could enjoy the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival: a renowned Shakespeare festival held in Vanier Park with stunning views of the city. It offers a unique and culturally rich experience for those who appreciate fine arts in a picturesque setting.

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) is renowned for its world-class performances, bringing classical music to the city. The elegant Queen Elizabeth Theatre hosts a variety of performances, including Broadway shows, concerts, and ballets. Finally, don’t forget the Vancouver Opera: For those interested in opera and theatrical productions, the Vancouver Opera is a prestigious institution that stages high-quality performances. Check their schedule for productions held at venues like the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

This will be an ongoing series of all the different luxury brands and shops can be found in Vancouver. Next time we will focus on travel, tourism, ski hills and events. Let us know if there is anything you would like us to write about.