Pretty in pastels: Vancouver’s must-try macarons
A good macaron should be chewy (almost cake-like) with a crisp, thin shell and moist centre. These pretty, melt-in-your-mouth morsels should never shatter upon biting. If you're looking for a taste of Paris on the West Coast, take a tour of Vancouver’s must-try macarons. [Image courtesy of Thierry; photo credit: James Stockhorst]
Aquilini Thierry Ltd
1059 Alberni St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1A1My macaron addiction started at Thierry; I would frequently purchase a seven or 12-pack! Their oversized macarons are $2.25 a piece and are larger than most other options in the city. The flavour selection is small, however they do change the options frequently depending on what’s in season. Best of all, this downtown café is open until midnight, so there’s no excuse not to indulge in a late night sugar fix.
Bon Macaron Patisserie Ltd
4-1244 Cartwright St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R8Bon Macaron first opened their doors in downtown Victoria, B.C. and just recently made the move to Vancouver with two local outposts: one in Kitsilano and the other on Granville Island. Both shops offer a large selection of flavours, at the sweet price of just $1.50 per macaron. Daring dessert fans can also try unique savoury flavours such as Sriracha, curry mango chutney and strawberry balsamic! And the stamp card will keep you coming back for more delicious treats.
Thomas Haas Patisserie
2539 Broadway W, Vancouver, BC V6K 2E9Our beloved Thomas Haas has been a Vancouver favourite since he first opened his namesake bakery back in 2004. Known for its handcrafted chocolates and amazing double-baked almond croissants, this popular patisserie also serves top-notch macarons. They carry a selection of seasonal flavours ($1.90 per piece) and also offer a “macaron of the moment” if you’re feeling adventurous.
L'Opera Patisserie Ltd
153-5951 Minoru Blvd, Richmond, BC V6X 4B1You wouldn’t expect to find a decadent French-inspired bakery located in the middle of Richmond, but L’Opera Patisserie is definitely a little local gem that’s worth the visit. Although their $2 macarons are petite sized, they are possibly the best in Richmond and rival some of the top treats in Vancouver. They also offer an exquisite high tea menu (reservations required), and although a bit pricey, the food and tea do not disappoint!
Soirette
1433 Pender St W, Vancouver, BC V6G 2S3Soirette is top on the list for most photogenic macarons. These pretty sweets are a fantastic combination of tasting good and looking attractive. Priced at $2 each, the macarons are very light tasting, not overly sweet and are available in a wide variety of flavours, including locally-inspired selections such as Vancouver fog.
Bel Café
801 Georgia St W, Vancouver, BC V6C 1P7Have your lunch and your dessert too! At Bel Café you can have the best of both worlds with a gourmet sandwich, soup, or salad followed by a delectable treat. Renowned Vancouver chef David Hawksworth and his skillful culinary team are behind the menu at this Hotel Georgia café. The macarons are the perfect size and come in interesting flavours such as cookies and cream, key lime pie, carrot cake, and Manjari and raspberry.
Faubourg Bakery
2156 W 41st, Vancouver, BC V6M 1Z6Faubourg has three locations: one in the heart of Kerrisdale, another downtown and a recently opened outpost in the Park Royal Centre in West Van. Although the macarons are small, the $2 treats are very decadent and will quickly satisfy your sweet tooth. These talented bakers also experiment with unique flavours such as strawberry black pepper, which sounds scary but is quite delicious. They also feature a “macaron of the month” if you don’t know what flavour to select.
French Made Baking
81 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5T 3J1It wouldn’t be a macaron list without mentioning French Made Baking, a Vancouver baking institution known for their macarons and macaron making classes. Priced at $2 a piece, the daily macaron selections are available in 12 to 15 seasonal flavours, all of which are oozing with creativity. Try the banana and nuts, yuzu dark chocolate, or the l’oriental, which is a mix of rose and litchi with white chocolate – delicious!
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