Top Spots for a Sugar Fix in Downtown Vancouver

Unrelenting jet lag? Boring conference speaker? Kids in need of bribing?

When you’re jonesing for sugar in downtown Vancouver, don’t waste those empty calories on crappy candy. If you’re going to indulge, make the inevitable crash count with a memorable hit from one of these Top 10 sweet spots:

• Bella Gelateria, near the Fairmont Pacific Rim at the corner of Burrard and Cordova: Old-world handcrafted gelato–and yes, it is worth $7 a cone.

• The Candy Aisle, between Granville and Seymour in the Granville Entertainment District: From Pez to Pop Rocks, all your childhood faves and then some at this popular Palace of White Death.

• Beard Papa’s, on Denman near Davie, and Robson near Seymour: How good can a cream puff be? This good.

• Original Cupcakes by Heather and Lori, on Denman near Davie near English Bay: These ain’t your mama’s cupcakes. Can’t decide? Start with the Red Velvet with cream cheese frosting…

• Marble Slab Creamery, on Denman near Davie near English Bay: Choose your base ice cream, choose your ingredients, then watch as they smoosh them all together on a marble slab. Call it dinner.

• Purdy’s in Pacific Centre Mall and Bentall Centre Mall: For more than a century, a box of goodness from this family-run business has been the hostess gift to give and receive in Vancouver.

• Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, on Robson near Burrard: Two words–killer fudge; candy apples. (Ok, so four words.)

• Mink Chocolates, in the plaza at Hastings and Hornby: Take your best beloved for the hot chocolate or the chocolate fondue and don’t leave without a bar of Mermaid’s Choice for the hotel room.

• Absolute Sugar, in the basement of Harbour Centre at Hastings and Seymour: Whatever cheesecake they’re serving the day you visit? Just eat it.

• Daniel Le Chocolat Belge, at Robson near Thurlow: High-end Euro-style chocolates. A small box will put you in the poorhouse–by way of heaven.

Do you have a secret sweet spot in downtown Vancouver? Please share it below!