[Rusty Gull]

The Seattle forumers are having some good discussion at SSP about Pike Place Market.

Which begs the question: What is Greater Vancouver's best public market, and why?

[Canadian Mind]

Grandville Island. Why? Because its so bloody cool.

Also, only public market I've ever been to to be honest. :( Although from what I hear of other Vancouver posters, Granville is the place to go.

[CC420]

Granville Island because it's home to Granville Island beer. :slob: :cheers:

[raggedy13]

I've only been to Lonsdale Quay and New West Quay a few times each and from what I recall they both seemed nice enough, but I've been to Granville Island countless times and it is definitely one of the best you could find anywhere, let alone just around the GVRD (just my opinion though). I haven't been to the Richmond Night Market but I've heard very good things about it and I definitely want to check it out soon. From what I've heard it seems like it deserves a lot of credit just for the fact that it is such a unique cultural experience. I haven't been to the Chinatown one either, and it is the one I know least about. I'm sure if I found out more about it I would check it out sometime.

[mr.x]

Granville Island and the Quay by far.

[Nutterbug]

Granville Island is the big central public market, and Lonsdale and Westminster are like branch markets.

Comparing the night markets to them is apples and oranges.

[Jared]

Granville Island because it's home to Granville Island beer. :slob: :cheers:

YUSS!! :cheers:

[SunCoaster]

Is the Richmond Night Market the same venue as the Steveston Quay? If so then I'll give that facility a :tup: due, in part, to all the fish boats on the quay selling a variety of very fresh seafood products. Additionally, the Steveston Quay has a good variety of small shops ala Granville Island style.

[Nutterbug]

Is the Richmond Night Market the same venue as the Steveston Quay?

No. They're practically on opposite sides of Richmond.

[vanman]

I've only been to Lonsdale Quay and New West Quay a few times each and from what I recall they both seemed nice enough, but I've been to Granville Island countless times and it is definitely one of the best you could find anywhere, let alone just around the GVRD (just my opinion though)

That's not just your opinion. It was rated one of the best markets in the world awhile back from some international survey (it probably has alot to do with the smoked salmon). I personally have only been there once or twice but it is definitely an awesome place.

[smasher000]

I voted Lonsdale Quay to be different.

[fever]

I go to Granville Island quite frequently. The grocery store near me has a terrible deli, so it's worth going a little further for meat. Lonsdale Quay is pretty good too, though it's small. Richmond has a public market near No. 3 and Westminster, but I've only been there a couple times for lunch.

Have there been any new markets built recently? Does Burnaby or Coquitlam have one?

It's amusing how many people are fascinated by apples. It's like they've never seen one before so they have to touch it... then they see the oranges.

[The_Henry_Man]

I must say Richmond Night Market >>>>>>>>>>>>>Chinatown Night Market. Not even comparable. The Chinatown one last summer only took up a tiny small section of Keefer, half the length of what occurred the year before. And it is so quiet. Richmond Night Market is jam packed everytime I go there, but then the parking leaves something to be desired though.

[SunCoaster]

I must say Richmond Night Market >>>>>>>>>>>>>Chinatown Night Market. Not even comparable. The Chinatown one last summer only took up a tiny small section of Keefer, half the length of what occurred the year before. And it is so quiet. Richmond Night Market is jam packed everytime I go there, but then the parking leaves something to be desired though.

/\ What's the address of the Richmond Night Market, what time(s) is/are best to attend and which night(s) is/are best to attend? - Thanks

[SunCoaster]

Just to expand the topic slightly - Granville Island is definately one of the best public markets in North America ... in my humble opinon much better than Pike's Market in Seattle and on par with Ghirardelli Square/Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco, CA and the Boston Public Market, Boston MA. Most Canadian and USA cities have a public market of somesort and a few other notable Canadian ones are - Kensington Market, Toronto, ON, Harbourside Market, Halifax, NS and City Market Saint John, NB

[SpongeG]

/\ What's the address of the Richmond Night Market, what time(s) is/are best to attend and which night(s) is/are best to attend? - Thanks

its behind the home depot near IKEA - it only runs from may to october

and its insane - 1000's of people attend - fri sat sun nights only

the food is great and cheap

you have to park a long way away unless you pay the price to be closer

when i have been we leave around 10 pm and there are still hundreds of people streaming in

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f5/Richmondnightmarket.jpg/250px-Richmondnightmarket.jpg

[twoNeurons]

How can one vote if one haven't been to all of them? If you've been to Richmond Night Market you'd know that it trumps Granville in terms of variety.

Granville is more of an outdoor gourmet supermarket (in a beautiful location) in comparison. Richmond is more of a real market.

[Rusty Gull]

Too bad to see New West's market lagging behind the pack. With its Skytrain proximity and riverside setting, it has so much potential. Hopefully the growth in that community will spill over into some rejuvenation for the public market.

[raggedy13]

How can one vote if one haven't been to all of them? If you've been to Richmond Night Market you'd know that it trumps Granville in terms of variety.

Granville is more of an outdoor gourmet supermarket (in a beautiful location) in comparison. Richmond is more of a real market.

I don't know how you can say the Richmond one is more "real". Last time I checked Granville Island Market wasn't imaginary. ;) I get what you're trying to say though but as far as I'm concerned Granville Island Market is just as functional of a market as any, despite many people's views of it as just some sort of tourist attraction where more looking goes on than buying. Also, I believe the market itself is quite indoors (you sure you've been there? :D) but you're right that the location is pretty beautiful. But anyways, I haven't been to the Richmond Night Market yet so I wouldn't know how it compares in terms of variety but from what I've heard I wouldn't be surprised if it had more than Granville Island (although Granville Island clearly has better variety than your typical supermarket). I've heard there is some amazing food there. I'm looking forward to checking it out sometime.

[twoNeurons]

I don't know how you can say the Richmond one is more "real". Last time I checked Granville Island Market wasn't imaginary. ;) I get what you're trying to say though but as far as I'm concerned Granville Island Market is just as functional of a market as any, despite many people's views of it as just some sort of tourist attraction where more looking goes on than buying. Also, I believe the market itself is quite indoors (you sure you've been there? :D) but you're right that the location is pretty beautiful. But anyways, I haven't been to the Richmond Night Market yet so I wouldn't know how it compares in terms of variety but from what I've heard I wouldn't be surprised if it had more than Granville Island (although Granville Island clearly has better variety than your typical supermarket). I've heard there is some amazing food there. I'm looking forward to checking it out sometime.

I agree it's functional... what I mean is that Granville Island Market specializes in produce and other food items. I think people tend to include Granville Island with the market. They're really totally different markets, to tell you the truth... catering to totally different groups.

Richmond Night Market has a much more "Asian Summer Festival" feel to it... with lots of prepared food, music, noise, people, pirated wares, knock-offs, hand-made stuff.

In truth, it's hard to compare the two.

In case anyone wants to know, 98 B-Line and then transfer to the 407 bus.

www.richmondnightmarket.com

[SpongeG]

Too bad to see New West's market lagging behind the pack. With its Skytrain proximity and riverside setting, it has so much potential. Hopefully the growth in that community will spill over into some rejuvenation for the public market.

i know i used to work near it and month after month it got worse as food places moved out and nothign moved into to fill the void

it was good when it frst opened but it has languished lately

hopefully the downtown revite in new west will help it

they thought moving the casino would help but i think its gotten worse since than

[Distill3d]

my personal preference, and always a stop in my Vancouver vacations is Lonsdale Quay.

[Rusty Gull]

Lonsdale Quay is fine as a market, but it could use some improvements from the property ownership/management. Some of the areas outside of the Quay are getting long in the tooth -- like the souvenir shops between the market and the Seabus entrance.

Also, the retail traffic on the 2nd floor of the market is not very strong... as several high-profile retailers have left the market in recent years.

Finally, there's the Lonsdale Quay hotel, which is well-located, but has problems of its own. Apparently, some local "crackheads" have set up shop there, much to the chagrin of the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce.

[Rusty Gull]

By the way, for those who have not been to the Richmond Night Market, this is a must-do event, especially for forumers here. It's not something you want to do every weekend, but you have to go at least once. Wonderful food, trinkets and knock-offs galore, festive and chaotic atmosphere. Just be aware that parking and crowding are issues.

The venue is actually what seems to be an abandoned warehouse parking lot, or something to that effect. Very non-descript lot on the Fraser River. If this market were able to migrate to a higher-profile, transit-friendly destination such as Number 3 Road or a site in downtown Vancouver, it would be nothing short of spectacular.

Unfortunately, Chinatown has not been able to emulate Richmond's success... although they are trying, and the Chinatown market is fun in its own right.

[SpongeG]

yeah i have been to the downtown one - it was pretty pale in comparison

it tries though

the richmond night market has been in two previous venues

it started out in the parking lot at lansdowne mall - and than it moved next to where the Casino is now and than to its present location where it is bigger than ever