La Grotta del Formaggio Vancouver

Part sandwich shop, part cheese shop, and part Italian grocer, La Grotta del Formaggio is one of those Vancouver gems that seems to have existed forever. Dating back to the 1970s, it is most famous for dishing up pre-designed and customizable sandwiches ranging from a small baguette to a Foccacia the size of a dinner plate. They are generously filled with toppings, and you won't leave hungry. 

The shop's other highlights are an olive bar, bags of less common pasta shapes, and a selection of local and European cheeses. Right now they have a delicious array of Italian Christmas treats like Pannetone and Pandoro with unique flavours such as pistachio, tiramisu, or limoncello. 

My favourite thing to do is get a half focaccia sandwich with pesto, prosciutto, and mozzarella as the base and take a look at the photos from La Grotta del Formaggio's early days while waiting to pay. While you can head to a local park to enjoy your creation, I like to be patient and grab one of the eight seats (four inside and two tables outside) for people to watch while snacking.

The other nice thing about La Grotta del Formaggio is its location on Commercial Drive, in a section known as “Little Italy.” It’s a hotspot for murals and niche shops, along with other cafes and restaurants, making it a delicious lunch stop after a walk in this area.