Banana bread: A moist, sweet, cake-like treat that when served warmed with lashings of butter is the perfect mid-morning pick-me-up.
Whether you like more extravagant versions topped with salted chocolate ganache or prefer sticking to traditional loaves only, there are plenty of great slices of banana bread in Vancouver.
Here is our list for where to find the best banana bread in Vancouver.
Ask For Luigi
Banana bread (Jess Fleming / Vancity Buzz)
Freshly made with white chocolate chips and served with a whipped salted caramel butter, there’s a reason why Ask for Luigi’s banana bread comes highly recommended by both staff and patrons alike: it is outrageously good!
Address: 305 Alexander Street, Railtown
Phone: 604-428-2544
Twitter: @askforluigi
Culprit Cafe
Catering to those with nut and dairy allergies, this completely gluten-free cafe in Kitsilano is dedicated to making an array of moreish baked goods. One treat that receives consistently great reviews is the house-made banana bread. Offered in muffin form, Culprits’ banana bread is wonderfully moist and topped with a dairy-free salted chocolate ganache.
Address: 2028 Vine Street, Kitsilano
Phone: 604-730-0133
Twitter: @CulpritCoffee
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It’s To Die For
No banana bread-related list would be complete without Erin Ireland’s delicious rendition. The infamous and drool-worthy loaf, made under Ireland’s It’s To Die for brand, is topped with a macadamia and chocolate crust. It’s moist but not greasy, and packed full of banana goodness. Look out for a vegan version coming soon!
Where to buy: Various locations (click here for a full list of carriers)
Viva Fine Foods and Bakery
Situated on Yew Street in Kitsilano, Viva Fine Foods and Bakery offers some of the best baked goods around. The next time you’re in the area, do yourself a favour and grab a coffee and a slice (or loaf) of homemade banana bread, which has a slightly sweeter taste and crunchier texture thanks to a sprinkling of coconut.
Address: 1555 Yew Street, Kitsilano
Phone: 604-738-8482
Twitter: @vivakits
The Oakwood Canadian Bistro
Banana Bread French Toast (Jess Fleming / Vancity Buzz)
Sweet-toothed bandits are guaranteed to go crazy over The Oakwood’s banana bread French toast, which is offered at brunch. It’s warm, delightfully cakey and topped off with a salted caramel drizzle, raspberry coulis, and candied walnuts.
Address: 2741 West 4th Avenue
Phone: 604-558-1965
Twitter: @theOakwoodKits
Breka Bakery
If you ever have a hankering for banana bread at 3 a.m. in the morning you might want to try hitting up Breka Bakery. Open 24 hours a day this bakehouse offers a traditional made-in-house banana bread, which can be ordered either by the slice or whole, alongside a smorgasbord of other tasty treats.
Address: Multiple locations (please check website)
Jethro’s Fine Grub
Known for its enormous and gratifying portions is it any wonder that Jethro’s Fine Grub offers an over-indulgent Chocolate-Chip Banana Bread French Toast mash up? Dense, studded with choc chips, and topped with caramelized bananas and whipped butter, this ultra satisfying dish will leave you smiling from ear to ear.
Address: 3420 Dunbar Street
Phone: 604-569-3441
Address: 3455 Fraser Street
Phone: 604-620-5292
Twitter: @jethrosfinegrub
Trees Organic
Trees Organic is perhaps best known for their irresistible cheesecake, however, they also offer their patrons a scrumptious gluten-free banana date bread. While this loaf of fruity goodness is not made on site it is sourced locally from Powell Street’s Trumps bakery.
Address: Multiple locations (please check website)
Twitter: @TreesOrganic
JJ Bean
Banana Bread at JJ Bean (Jess Fleming / Vancity Buzz)
This local coffee roaster chain prides itself on baking fresh a range of treats daily, including a delicious slab of banana bread. Traditionalists will enjoy the classic version, while those craving a little bit of cocoa will love chowing down on the chocolate chip riddled variety.
Address: Multiple locations (please check website)
Twitter: @JJBeanCoffee
AnnaLena
In addition to an assortment of Eggs Benny plates, brunch guests at AnnaLena have the option to order the restaurant’s house-made banana bread. Served warm, this fruity loaf is packed with walnuts and big chunks of banana. A dollop of maple butter adds a nice touch of sweetness.
Address: 1809 West 1st Avenue, Kitsilano
Phone: 778-379-4052
Twitter: @annalenayvr
UPDATE 05/04/16: AnnaLena has announced that their brunch service will end on Sunday, May 8.
Trafiq Café and Bakery
If we could only use two words to describe Tafiq’s signature “Chunky Monkey” loaf they would be decadent and delicious. A cross between bread pudding and banana bread this moist, soft, almost dessert-like treat is sinfully good. Boasting a rich and creamy texture, banana bread purists be warned this is not your typical banana bread loaf.
Address: 4216 Main Street, Riley Park and Little Mountain
Phone: 604-648-2244
Twitter: @TrafiqCafe