Whenever a great new business opens up in the neighbourhood, you want to tell a couple of friends.
Friends, here are a few local spots that Team GMD recommends.
Oh Carolina – Mount Pleasant (Tyler)
Oh Carolina is the latest cafe/grocer to take over the cozy little convenience store at the corner of 12th Ave and Carolina. From the chefs/entrepreneurs behind Lucky Taco, Bufala, and Bell’s & Whistles, Oh Carolina offers a selection of sandwiches, salads and even a Burrata pasta dish alongside curated groceries, fresh pastries & baking from Livia sweets and other local bakeries. Their breakfast sandwiches are a great kick start to the day especially when paired with a Timbertrain coffee or espresso.
Location: 12th and Carolina
Cin City – Mount Pleasant (Tyler)
Right around the time that it became clear that the PNE would not be happening last year, Cin City 
popped up next to AJ’s Pizza on Broadway offering several fair favourites including mini donuts, lemonade and Nathan’s hot dogs. They also serve up Lavazza coffee so the next time you are craving coffee and donuts you know where to go. They are also on Uber Eats and Door Dash if you’re having one of those days where you just can’t leave the house but need that fair food fix.
Location: Broadway & Kingsway
Superbaba – Mount Pleasant (Tyler)
The corner of Main and Broadway has seen a bit of a tumultuous year that included a construction site
cave-in that took out the Congee house, a fire that destroyed the much loved Dandelion records & gifts, and the beginning of (de)construction for the skytrain station., Amidst all of that Superbaba opened up in the former Kam’s bakery location on Main St. Superbaba offers modern quick Middle Eastern food in wrap or bowl form. Highlights include their delicious take on Isrealli Sabich (Fried Eggplant & boiled Egg with lots of fixings) and my personal favourite Chicken Shawarma bowl which is the perfect mix of flame grilled chicken, rice and salad/pickled things to fuel an afternoon of coding.
Location: Main & Broadway
Collective Goods, Cedar Cottage (Laura)
From the folks who brought us the Mackenzie Room, Say Mercy and B-Side, there’s a bistro and neighbourhood grocery spot opening where Casa Verde used to be on newly super-hip Commercial Street. The website touts a chef-curated fridge and pantry. If it’s anything like Caffe La Tana or Marché St. George, we cannot wait!
Location: 3532 Commercial Street
Equinox Gallery, Cedar Cottage (Laura)
With an unassuming street front presence and garage door entrance in the alley, the Equinox Gallery has been hosting works of iconic local artists and which it represents to investors. The gallery is open to the public Tuesday- Saturday 10 am-5 pm.
Through the end of August, Equinox is featuring the works of Takao Tanabe. This exhibit focuses on the abstract geometric era of his work from the 1960s to his iconic Canadian landscape paintings from the late 70’s/ early 80’s.
Location: 3642 Commercial St.
Cardero Cafe & Latin Snackery, The West End (Liv)
A warm and friendly Latin American grocery in the West End selling sandwiches, baked treats as well as Latin American snacks, candies & pantry supplies. They recently opened a second location on Davie street where they have new tasty offerings like Brazilian empanadas, Colombian cheese fritters and Dulce de Leche Macchiatos.
Locations: 1016 Cardero St. and 1105 Davie St.
German Doner Kebab, Surrey (DGS)
This is a relatively new addition to the Surrey area … having lived in Germany and experienced the “real”
German doner kebab we have been actively trying to find anything that comes remotely close. This is, by far, the closest and it is delicious. I like the mixed meat (extra meat) and the slightly spicy sauce.
Location – 15551 Fraser Hwy Unit #105, Surrey, BC
Farm to Table Market, Multiple locations (Adina)
This local grocery store celebrated three years in business on July 24, 2021. They carry a very wide selection of organic products from local farms and small businesses. They offer same-day delivery for orders over $60. This store also carries a wide range of plant-based products and meat alternatives. Check out their Instagram page.
Locations: 1476 Marine Drive, West Vancouver and 1312 Richards St, Vancouver.