Where to find Vancouver’s best banana bread
Gooey, warm, aromatic, nostalgic – a universally loved snack, banana bread is a staple on café and bakery menus across North America. I’ve scoured Vancouver to come up with the best locations for indulging in everything from banana-bread-flavoured French toast to simple, pared down loaves reminiscent of childhood kitchens. [Photo credit: iStock.com/ bhofack2]
Milano Coffee Roasters
156 8th Ave W, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1N2This bustling Mount Pleasant café stocks fresh slices from To Die For Banana Bread, Erin Ireland’s aptly named Vancouver-based company, which has gained international attention for its secret recipe. Tip: Enjoy your famous treat on Milano’s outdoor patio, with a view of the adjacent park and stunning North Shore Mountains beyond.
Jethro's
3420 Dunbar St, Vancouver, BC V6S 2C2A much loved Dunbar breakfast spot, Jethro’s takes its inspiration from traditional Southern diners to offer a range of hearty, comforting breakfasts including – wait for it – chocolate chip banana bread French toast. The restaurant’s arguably most talked-about dish is topped with caramelized bananas and whipped butter for a fresh, intriguing take on traditional banana pancakes (sorry, Jack Johnson).
Breka Bakery & Cafe
6533 Fraser St, Vancouver, BC V5X 3T4Breka Bakery is open 24 hours a day, so consider visiting after your night shift, or late-night study session, for a well-deserved slice of warm banana bread. Baked daily in-house, Breka’s nostalgia-inducing, super-sweet variety is served by the loaf for less than $10 each, which means you’ll enjoy the rest at tomorrow’s breakfast – if you can resist tonight, that is.
Le Marche St Geroge
4393 St. George St, Vancouver, BC V5V 4A3The second café on this list to serve To Die For Banana Bread, Le Marche St George is an intimate location to enjoy the popular North American loaf amidst French bohemian decor, whimsical and lovely staff (with even lovelier accents) and a vibrant community of local regulars. Tip: order the treat for dessert after a perfect lunch of quiche, crepe or arugula salad from the café’s daily chalkboard menu.
The Last Crumb Bakery and Cafe
3080 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3G5Order the banana walnut bread at The Last Crumb and you won’t be disappointed – nor will you leave your last crumb behind, as the bread here is moist and hearty, with just the right amounts of chocolate sweetness and nutmeg-y spice. The perfect size to enjoy with tea or coffee, you’ll feel like the Mad Hatter in this quirky, bright Mount Pleasant café, where one feature wall is adorned entirely in patterned teacups and saucers, among other design delights.
Bella Gelateria
1001 Cordova St W, Vancouver, BC V6C 0B7If you love handmade, authentic Italian desserts, then you’ve likely visited Bella Gelateria—but have you tasted the banana bread gelato? Made with To Die For Banana bread, this creamy banana-flavoured gelato perfectly captures the beloved loaf’s essence and features moist chunks of sweet banana bread throughout. And Bella’s Coal Harbour parlor is an excellent location at which to take your first lick; the nearby Seawall is ideal for strolling with your cone or cup.
Purebread
159 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 1H4There’s always plenty to choose from at Purebread – a bustling Gastown bakeshop where cases are piled high with oodles of decadent baked goods – but the banana bread is divine here; depending on the day, guests queue to stock up on the treat. But if you’re feeling adventurous, try a slice of the Humming Bird cake instead, packed with crushed pineapple and bananas, and topped with pecan and cream cheese icing.
