A Taste of the West: 8 BC Foods Ontarians Will Want to Bring Home
Skip the usual souvenirs and bring back something you can savour. These West Coast flavours are the real deal.
When Ontarians travel west, they quickly discover something delicious: British Columbia has its own unique food culture. Rooted in Pacific ingredients, local traditions, and a laid-back attitude, BC’s culinary scene is full of flavours you won’t find back home.
Whether you're wandering Granville Island Market or browsing a roadside farm stand, here are eight iconic BC foods worth packing in your carry-on.
1. Wild Smoked Salmon
This one tops every list for good reason.
Wild Pacific salmon, especially when smoked using traditional Indigenous methods, is a West Coast staple. You’ll find vacuum-sealed packs at Granville Island, local gift shops, and even the airport. Bonus: it travels well and makes an excellent host gift.
2. Salt Spring Island Cheese
Soft goat cheeses from Salt Spring Island are rich, creamy, and artfully made. Pick up a wheel of chèvre topped with edible flowers or herbs. While it’s best enjoyed fresh, many varieties come vacuum-packed for easy transport.
3. BC Wine
Discover something you won’t find at the LCBO.
Wineries in the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys produce some of Canada’s best reds and whites, with increasing attention from international critics. As a rule of thumb, look for reds from Oliver and Osoyoos, and whites from right across the Okanagan. Look for local favourites like Mission Hill, Burrowing Owl, or Poplar Grove. Many shops offer wine shipping if you’d rather not carry it on your flight home.
4. Sea Salt from Vancouver Island
Yes, even the salt is special out here. Vancouver Island Sea Salt is harvested from the cold, clean waters near Campbell River. It adds a crisp, mineral flavour to everything from eggs to desserts, and the little tins are easy to pack. It’s a small item to bring back, but it packs a big punch.
5. Locally Roasted Coffee
BC’s coffee culture is next-level. Try Moka Coffee (used at The Cabin inside Capilano Suspension Bridge Park if you’re looking for a taste), 49th Parallel, or JJ Bean. These roasters take freshness seriously, and most offer travel-sized bags perfect for gifting or brewing at home. Local coffee shops Nemesis and Revolver are two additional great stops if you need a quick fix.
6. Specialty Jams and Preserves
Look for handmade preserves featuring West Coast berries like salal, huckleberry, and wild blackberry. Many farmers markets and specialty shops sell small-batch jams you won’t find outside of BC. If you’re staying a little outside of the city to the east and love berries, a trip to Krause Berry Farms is a blast. They have a pie that is as visually stunning as it is delicious, which is saying something on both counts. That’s just an aside, though; you’ll eat the whole thing way before your flight home.
7. Chocolate from East Van
The craft chocolate scene is growing fast. Check out Kasama Chocolate or Melt Confectionary (try the Matcha Black Sesame Bar), both based in East Vancouver. Their bars often include local ingredients like birch syrup, Douglas fir, and BC sea salt.
Pictured below is the Jasmine Strawberry bar from Melt, absolutely incredible.
8. Indigenous-Inspired Snacks and Teas
Support Indigenous-owned businesses while sampling something truly unique. Try tea blends featuring wild-foraged plants, bannock baking mixes, or jerky made from local game. You can find these items at Indigenous-run shops and markets around the city, Granville Island is a great option to stock up.
When you visit Vancouver, the memories don’t have to end when your flight takes off. Stock your bag with a few West Coast favourites and enjoy a taste of BC back home in Ontario. Whether you’re sipping local wine or spreading wild berry jam on toast, it’s a souvenir you’ll actually use.
