The scoop on the Vancouver scone scene
More versatile than a muffin, with more flavour than a slice of bread, the scone is the perfect treat morning, noon or afternoon. After a basic recipe, the pastry allows for any ingredient innovation its baker throws at it, and these seven bakeries offer up some tasty, creative concoctions. A mug of tea is the only other thing you’ll need.
The Last Crumb Bakery and Cafe
3080 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3G5Known for its cheery demeanour and excellent afternoon tea, The Last Crumb on Main Street is equally well known for its scones. In fact, in lieu of bread slices, your sandwich – or sconewich – comes enveloped in the tender, flaky pastry of their signature scones. Choose from bacon-cheddar-scallion, cheddar-scallion, their daily special or even a sweet scone for a nice contrast to your savoury lunch. It’s a meal and dessert in one, and who can argue with that?
TWG Tea Salon & Boutique
1070 Georgia St W, Vancouver, BC V6E 2Y2This downtown tea shop, famous for its decadent afternoon tea service, wouldn’t be what it is without the English drink’s ideal accompaniment. What goes better with a steaming cup of perfectly steeped tea than a light, fluffy scone? Even better when that scone is served with real Devonshire cream and tea-infused jelly. You’re welcome to go all out with caviar and champagne service, but tea in a china cup and this tasty pastry will satisfy your afternoon cravings.
Lemonade Gluten Free Bakery Ltd
3385 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2W6Not only can this bakery vie for top spot in the gluten-free realm, when it comes to scones, it will happily compete with the standard wheat recipes found around town. Made with either fruits or nuts, theirs are, as mentioned, gluten free, and also egg free but manage to avoid being taste free. If butter is still your friend, we recommend a little smear on top, though it would be just as good plain, dunked into coffee or tea.
Viva Fine Foods & Bakery Inc
1555 Yew St, Vancouver, BC V6K 3E5This always-busy, high-energy café near Kits Beach is a great morning stop before heading downtown to work or your leisurely day basking in the sun. Friendly staff, an energetic crowd and loads of pastries to choose from make for an excellent start to the day. Opt for their “Healthy Scone,” a pastry chock-full of seeds, grains and warm spices that will provide serious fuel for your morning. An herbal tea or chai latte is a great partner in crime.
Cadeaux Bakery Inc
172 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1G1Frequently touted as one of Vancouver’s best bakeries, Cadeaux Bakery, tucked away on Powell just east of Gastown, lives up to the hype with all its pastries, including the scone. With a changing seasonal sweet variety as well as savoury versions like cheddar or spring onion-dill, you’ll find these flavourful, satisfying and ideal any time of day.
Crème de la Crumb
1215 Clark Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3K6This rapidly expanding catering company and bakery is all about freshness and unique twists on classic treats. From their headquarters on industrial Clark Drive, owner and baker Lydia Lai turns out delicious confections as well as soups and sandwiches for her café crowd and her other smaller outlets across the city. Scones are hand-rolled and all-butter and come in five delectable flavours including a rotating seasonal selection. Perfect for on the go or to while away a Saturday afternoon.
Purebread
159 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 1H4Once only available at weekly farmers markets or after a trip up the 99 to Whistler, Purebread has been welcomed with open, hungry arms to its new — beautiful — Cambie and Hastings location in Vancouver’s Gastown. The bakery with the cult following is known for its innovative flavour combinations and scones are no exception: bacon-sour cream, jalapeno and buckwheat-cherry as well as more traditional cheese, ham or fruit are all crumbly, flaky goodness.
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