Vancouver’s tastiest chocolate chip cookies
With apologies to my mother, Vancouver offers some tough competition for the title of Best Chocolate Chip Cookie. Some of them riff on traditional elements with creative twists, while others are more of a chip off the ol’ block – or, should I say, a chip off the ol’ choc…olate chip cookie? Here are a few local bakeries and cafés where you’ll find tasty renditions of this timeless treat.
East Van Roasters
319 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2J4East Van Roasters’ salted chocolate chip cookie just might be absolutely perfect. While this is not unexpected from a “bean to bar” chocolatier, it’s nonetheless satisfying that they can put their money where their mouth is – or, rather, their chocolate chip where their cookie is. At $1.75, these chewy, crispy, golden cookies streaked with rich dark chocolate and topped with a hint of salt are an affordable indulgence. And this is chocolate with a conscience: part of East Van Roasters’ mandate is to provide employment and training to the marginalized women residing at the Rainier Hotel next door.
Purebread
159 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 1H4You’ve never experienced true sensory overload until you’ve walked into Purebread right when it opens. The most luxurious spread of baked goods and desserts awaits you, their decadent scents wafting every which way. If you want one of their salted chocolate chip cookies, I recommend going early to avoid disappointment. When I got there 20 minutes after opening, there were only two left. And it’s easy to see why – with their buttery, salty richness, and soft, chewy texture, they are a popular choice. A masterful rendition of a classic treat.
Prado Café
100 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 1G8What’s neither a cookie nor a s’more, a handful of trail mix nor a rocky road granola bar? Prado’s Cookie with No Name. This is a rather unique assemblage of decadence, comprising a crunchy mixture of oats, shredded coconut, sliced almonds and chocolate chips, and held together by the power of peanut butter and a s’more-like marshmallow centre. This comforting, crispy mound is great to nibble on absent-mindedly while doing the crossword with one of Prado’s expertly poured espresso drinks or teas. Bonus points if you can make it last all morning.
JJ Bean Coffee Roasters
3010 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3G5You’re going to have your hands full with this one, literally; this cookie is the size of a giant’s palm. Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside and just the right thickness, JJ Bean’s rendition opts for bittersweet chunks of chocolate rather than chips. The result is a rich, but not cloying, cookie that is perfectly balanced with a steaming cup of black coffee.
Culprit Coffee
2028 Vine St, Vancouver, BC V6K 3K1I should thank Culprit for baking all my snack cravings into one cookie. Their aptly named Culprit Cookie (as in, we know where to attribute blame for any sudden bouts of weight gain) features a salty-sweet mixture of sunflower seeds, chocolate chips and decaf espresso, topped with plain ruffled potato chips and a pretzel. While their salted chocolate chip cookie is also delicious, I can never say no to the signature Culprit Cookie once I’ve laid eyes on it. Chewy, crispy, salty and fun, this is one twist on the classic that’s sure to satisfy any and all cravings.
The Boulevard Coffee Roasting Co
5970 University Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3Do yourself a favour and rustle up some pocket change for a chocolate chunk cookie at the Boulevard. This spacious study hangout on UBC’s campus delivers a full line-up of coffee, tea, Italian sodas, baked goods, sandwiches, breakfast foods and salads, and is a great place for students to splurge on a latte or some lunch. Their cookie is of the slightly under-baked, chewy-gooey variety – ask one of the baristas to warm it up in the microwave for you and don’t forget to ask for a fork.
Beaucoup Bakery & Cafe
2150 Fir St, Vancouver, BC V6J 3B5If you’re looking for something that’s seriously delicious but also quite unique, try Beaucoup’s salted chocolate rosemary cookie. Fudgy, deeply chocolatey and rich, this is less of a cookie and more of a circular brownie with an edgy, herb-scented, salty finish. Pair it with a perfectly steeped cup of Bellocq Earl Grey tea and you’ll be in heaven.
The Last Crumb Bakery and Cafe
3080 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3G5Need to get your chocolate chip cookie fix? The Last Crumb’s got plenty of options for you, from their chocolate chip pecan to their gluten-free chocolate chip cookie to their cookie sandwiches, which feature two of either of the aforementioned choices with a layer of vanilla buttercream icing squished between. The chocolate chips are sweet and the cookies are cakey and caramelly – the decadent answer to even the most persistent craving.
Uppercase
6138 Sub Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 2A5The Marbelous, a generous chocolate cookie with a square of creamy white chocolate at its centre, was formerly part of the all-star heavyweight line-up of monster cookies offered by UBC’s infamous Blue Chip Cookies. Since opening UBC’s new Student Union Building, however, all the Alma Mater Society (AMS) food offerings were revamped – all except for the original Blue Chip Cookies recipes, which were deemed too good to let go. Uppercase serves two other variations on the chocolate chip theme – the Chunky and the Smartie cookies – and they are all incredible.
