Mixing Vancouver’s world-class cannabis with its topnotch cuisine is, undoubtedly, a no-brainer—and in Vancouver, choices abound in both realms.
Although the word munchies might elicit images of bags of potato chips or greasy French fries, we like to think cannabis consumers in this city prefer to satisfy their post-toke pseudohunger with food options that are a little more elevated than tired stoner stereotypes might have you believe.
With that in mind, we’ve come up with a list of dispensaries conveniently located in a few areas of the city overflowing with alternatives to junk food—from plant-based options in Kitsilano to tasty tapas hot spots on Main Street, we’re sure there’s something to appeal to the tastes of cannabis users throughout the city.
West End
The Medical Cannabis Dispensary
1182 Thurlow Street
Once you’re done sorting through classic strains like Texada Timewarp, Rockstar, Sour Diesel, and the 21 other varieties available in this cozy shop housed in an adorable West End character home, Davie Street’s unparalleled variety makes this dispensary a prime spot for a post-pickup dinner.
If you’re looking to sit down, try La Brasserie (1091 Davie Street) for chic but casual French- and German-inspired dishes, or the ever reliable Banana Leaf (1034 Davie Street) for a menu chock-full of Malaysian favourites. But if takeout makes more sense after your sesh, go for an oversized juicy burger at Fatburger (1067 Davie Street), a special roll at Kadoya Japanese (1063 Davie Street), or the classic souvlaki plate at the always busy Stepho’s Greek Taverna (1114 Davie Street)—all within a block of the dispensary.
Kitsilano
Buddha Barn
2179 West 4th Avenue
At Buddha Barn, one of the city’s only dispensaries with a product-testing policy, it’s clear that staff have genuine care for the health and well-being of their members. After you’ve selected your favourite products with the help of one of the shop’s knowledgeable budtenders, West 4th offers everything from tasty vegetarian dishes (try the Naam [2724 West 4th Avenue], a few blocks west, or Sejuiced [1958 West 4th Avenue], just two blocks east) to comfort food (Burgoo [2272 West 4th Avenue], a block to the west) and more.
If you happen to pick up on the weekend, brunch at the Oakwood (2741 West 4th Avenue) is an experience that can only be made more wonderful by a pre-Benny hoot. But if you’re in a hurry, takeout from Ramen Danbo (1833 West 4th Avenue), just a few blocks east, makes for a meal so flavourful you’ll wonder if your altered state is playing tricks on your taste buds.
False Creek/Strathcona
The Herb Co.
1193 Main Street
You might guess by the name of this shop that its focus is primarily on stocking topnotch flower, and you’d be correct: on any given day, consumers will find upward of 30 strains on the shelves of this conveniently located dispensary just beneath the Main Street–Science World SkyTrain station.
You might find that the only thing more challenging than choosing from 30 different varieties of cannabis is choosing what to eat once you’re finished: tapas dishes at Bodega on Main (1014 Main Street) or rustic Italian at Campagnolo (1020 Main Street), both just two blocks north? Pan-Asian flavours at Torafuku (958 Main Street) or Neapolitan-style pizza at Pizzeria Farina (915 Main Street), a block farther? And with the Herb Co.’s proximity to Lisa Lou’s Chocolate Bar (1007 Main Street), dessert will likely be inevitable.
