Not that I frequent the 'Drive' often for grocery shopping, but really when I do and I need some fruit's and veggies, somehow, someway when I am around this neighbourhood I will come in here and put some money down, maybe cause I know there are deals to be found here. I remember the first time I actually walked in here, it was recent, the Italian Street Festival, I was in need of lime's, I was stuck in the street festival, trying to escape it and get to my car to get out of there, yet taking a break from the sea of people and I came in here, and I had to say 3 for $1 for lime's (especially during times of fluctuation for this fruit) hey, you can take my loonie! They looked good, the prices were fair, and that is what you will get here for anything they sell you, fair prices. Yesterday was a good example, brussel sprouts, was outside where all the produce is usually put out, and they were listed for $1.99 lb, went to bag some up while my wife was inside looking for ingredients on her checklist, she didn't find them, yet we still bought what I picked out. Later on while being at another grocery store, saw those same brussel sprouts for $2.99 lb, felt like a winner indeed. A great shop for the people who live around the area, it's not your 'Choices or Whole Foods' but it does have enough of the essentials to get you cooking your meal at home. read more

There's really not much to add beyond all the rave reviews they're receiving. I go there mostly for the deli meats. I'm trying to cut down on my dairy intake so cheese is on its way out.....Sorry! But, oh, the deli meat is so nice. Never mind the price. I go for value and that is foremost in choosing such specialty. My favorite is their prosciutto​, both the local ones and those imported from Italy. They would thinly slice it for you​ and carefully layer them across wax papers so that you can enjoy them one by one with ease. Go late at night past 8 and the line up is relatively good, and sometimes non-existent. The staff will take their time showing care to wrap that meat perfectly for you. I like smiling at the staff behind the counter because they inevitably smile back. Smiling is contagious. read more

The selection is as great as ever and the deli staff are great but can we pleeeease not have feculent autotuned pop blasting on the speakers? Damn. Just leave the radio off. Nobody needs this. read more

I have used Santa Barbara for the last decade - was always so busy - at the transition to the new owners it was a little strange - but went 2 weeks ago to get my cheese board for thanksgiving and they had everything and the guy at the counter was awesome - back today - no line up and was great again... so confused why - but happy not to be lined up - but hope the new owners can keep the deli read more

Love this market for years... recently they have a new lady working the cash register and she throws change at customers. Dread going to counter to buy stuff anymore. read more

I wrote a very positive evaluation of this business elsewhere and am restricting myself today to a specific product of this store. I used to buy and enjoy their "Bertoia Chorizos" (0.722/kg $1.39 per 100 gram) but of late I find the quality deteriorating to the point where I dumped a recently bought batch of these sausages into the garbage for total lack of flavour. The meat filling was very dry such as one might expect for a filling of breadcrumbs and devoid of any spices that made the previous ones so tasty and Mexican style spicy. My search for a deli that sells Chorizos that taste like Chorizos is on. Unfortunately, I might have to patronize such a store for practical reasons of travel. Sorry, Sta. Barbara! read more

Great selection of quality meats and cheeses, nice breads and buns, good prices! Don`t go on Saturday or Sunday afternoon, or you will be waiting a long time to be served at the counter. read more

I need a place like this place in my neighbourhood. In fact, everyone needs a place like this in their neighbourhood. I'll gladly go out of my way on a weekend to hit this grocery, produce and deli Mecca of the Drive. Produce that you will not find at a supermarket, or will disgust any supermarket in comparison. Fresh basil, reasonably priced pineapples, beautiful tomatoes, a sidewalk of fruit, they've got it all. European inspired groceries. The best and cheapest place I've found to buy pasta, olive oil, yogurt, sandwich meats, chorizo, bocconcini, corn tortillas, polenta... the list goes on. An amazing assortment of meats and cheeses behind a crazy chaotic and super efficient deli counter that will have you wondering what kind of dreams those girls must have at night. read more

Santa Barbara Market - a woman shopping in a grocery store - Fruits & Veggies Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

See all

This is the local European grocery store, full of fresh produce, obscure ethnic crackers, and those tall Italian cakes that come pre-boxed from the factory. Everything is reasonably priced, and the specialty foods are delicious, leading to long line-ups at the register. They have a very good selection at the deli in the back, with all kinds of fancy things that will make you seem worldly if you bring them to a barbeque. There are also dozens of rare cheeses, which may contribute to the store's distinctly terrible smell. Stop here if you're looking to make a special dinner at home tonight. From gnocchi to tiny ravioli, Santa Barbara provides you with the ideas and ingredients to make a meal capable of seducing someone special. read more

Santa Barbara Market - a woman bending over to pick up apples - Fruits & Veggies Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

The Santa Barbara Market on Commercial Drive is not the place to buy toothpaste or toilet paper, but rather you must simply experience the deli, ohh and is a good place for inexpensive fruit and vegetables (I've picked up some excellent cheap red peppers and local plums for example). On the weekends, it gets very crowded (especialy at the deli meat and cheese counter), so try to come on the weekdays or early in the morining on a weekend. Their Italian selection is also quite good. If they have the pasta or Italian tomatoes or, roasted red peppers, anitipasti, etc. that you are looking for, it will be cheaper than at other places on the Drive. They also stock a good selection of breads Highly recommended: good quality for good prices! read more

Santa Barbara Market - people walking down the street - Fruits & Veggies Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Your owners manual to Italian epicurean satisfaction in Vancouver. 1) Go to Santa Barbara Market 2) Walk directly to the deli counter and take a numbered ticket. Weekend waits to be served can be 10 minutes, 20 minutes or more. 3) Choose from a myriad of imported dried pastas at very reasonable prices. Dozens of cuts and dozens of brands yielding a selection in the hundreds awaits your hungry tummy. Factoid: virtually all Italian pasta is produced with Canadian durum, this is the best the world has to offer. 4) Choose from dozens of brands of import and domestic canned tomatoes, beans etc. No better selection exists in the city. Factoid: the chemistry and taste of a tomato changes irreversibly when a tomato hits 11 degrees C. That is why a quickly processed, canned tomato has the deepest tomato flavour possible. Confirm this for yourself with a taste test! 5) Choose fresh fruit and vegetables from a typical produce section but, with an alert eye for rarely found escarole, brocolli rabe and fennel of very good quality. 6) Finally, your deli counter number will be called and choose from over 100 cured, smoked and processed meats with quality and prices that make you wonder how Urban Fare, Whole Foods etc can continue to gouge their customers with 300+% mark ups. And don't get me started with the 500+% mark ups that local restauranteurs try to pass off as charcuterie of marginal quality. (Oyama Sausage on Granville Island, along with Santa Barbara Market, is also excellent and noteworthy.) By now, you will have seen why the lineup is so long, every slice of meat is hand sliced per the order of every customer! If you can't get what you want here, it is your own fault for not knowing what good processed meat is. 7) While you are getting your meats choose from dozens of 3 litre cans of olive oil with astonishingly low price points and high quality. Granted you will have to suffer crowded aisles, dirt on the floor and long waits but, with the high quality, outstanding selection and seemingly decade old pricing, you will entertain your family and friends with food made with love that is better than what is served in virtually every Italian restaurant in town and wash it down with your favourite amarone or super-Tuscan for a fraction of the price. read more

I used to live a couple blocks away from this shop when I was in my twenties. At this time in my life I was struggling to make my pennies stretch all the way to my next pay day. Shopping at Santa Barbara ensured that I actually had something to eat. I am still a frequent shopper here as the prices can't be beat. I go here for the cheese, deli meats, olive oil, olives, vinegars, pasta and canned tomatoes. They have a pretty good selection of produce, although not many organic options. They always seem to pass on the savings to their patrons when items are in season. For example, in the summer they sell huge bouquets of fresh basil for around $2.00. If you buy quantity they are always willing to make you a deal. I bought 25 pounds of grade 'A' B.C. cherries in July for $1.80 a pound. Of course there was a bumper crop of cherries this year. If you want something from the deli go straight to the back and get a number as soon as you arrive. You can linger in the area and do some other shopping, but as soon as they are around 6 numbers away wait patiently for your turn next to the counter. Make sure you know what you want and the quantity to save everyone's time. If you have never tried an item, and you ask nicely, your server may even offer you a sample. Like when your at the gelato shop, but way better. Keep in mind this place is cheap and likely hasn't been renovated in decades. The aisles are narrow and the shelves are a bit shabby. However, if they did renovate the prices would likely climb and well who wants that. read more

amazing deli! super helpful staff. great produce; especially if you like a variety of apples. read more

This used to be my go-to spot before I moved further down the Drive, and last night I was in the area so popped in to pick up some deli items for dinner. Nothing has changed in here, and I doubt it ever will! It's typical of so many spots on the Drive - slightly grubby and a little dilapidated, but absolutely does the job. I came in and grabbed a number right away - thankfully they weren't too busy so I only waited a few minutes. They have a piece of cardboard with all their meats handwritten on it, which is a bit overwhelming as they have A LOT, but is easier to follow than all the little pieces of paper that used to litter the cabinet. I grabbed a couple of different kinds of sausage, some rosemary prosciutto cotto, and some Mexican salami, took a quick wander through the store and paid up. The wine chorizo went perfectly with my tomato gnocchi! I munched on some of the prosciutto while it was cooking, and I have to say it wasn't as good as some other kinds I've had as it was quite thick cut and fatty. It would be great in a sandwich, but not so good for just nibbling on (for some reason my preferred way of eating it!) The service is usually quick, and the deli workers are polite enough but they are extremely busy so don't expect a conversation! I've always had a soft spot for Santa Barbara and I always will. It's a great spot to pick up your necessaries, and some little frivolities! read more

If you're feeling a bit dissatisfied with the Western Canadian grocery stores (Safeway et al.), and over-charged by Capers and Whole Foods-inspired yuppiness, there's always Santa Barbara. Somehow it manages to combine a bit of the ambiance and specialties of two near-and-dear Montreal grocery stores. Milano and Segal's. Not to great effect necessarily, but damn, it's Vancouver, right? The deli's about the best part. Try the prosciutto. Season it with the salt of your tears, as you ache to return to Montreal, and count the days until your plane leaves. read more

This is a fantastic little market that I'm fortunate to live close to. As others have mentioned, this place has an excellent selection of deli meats and cheeses. Since the deli's so busy, there's always a bit of a wait to get served, and when your number comes up the pressure is ON! I got a bit of stage fright the first time I was there, but I soon realized that I could choose almost anything, and it would be amazing. The prices on deli items are very reasonable, especially given the quality. Besides the deli, Santa Barbara also has a great selection of pastas, breads and produce. I was thrilled when I discovered they carried Milka, a brand of chocolate bar that I haven't seen since I was in Germany. Sure, my waistline hasn't thanked me for it, but being the chocoholic that I am, I just had to load up on a few bars. Cash or debit only, folks! read more

This is still the most crowded market in the lower Drive area. Consistently good quality produce, fresh local fruit buzzing with bees, fresh baguettes, breads and all the necessities. There's a crazy popular deli in there too. Still not a blip on the friendly radar though, even if you try and make a joke. Groceries are a very serious business, apparently. read more

Selection of produce is very good. They have a zillion kinds of apples. They are so fresh so I had to buy a bag of Ambrosias. The line ups are long and the cashiers are a bit slow. The only downside is they don't take credit card. Cash and debit only. Parking is also metered and not a lot of spots out front. read more

Want something from the Deli? Be prepared to wait a lifetime. They have amazing stuff in the deli too, but best be advised to grab a number, do some shopping and come back to see which number is serviced (they have it up on the board). This place is fabulous for hard to find European goods, especially Italian meats and cheeses. They also have a few random things from all over the place, so if you are willing to experiment pick the weirdest looking one. I also recommend NOT going here during peak hours (after work, the weekends in general) because the lines are super long and the cashiers can only go so fast. Besides that, this place is a lovely little market on the drive that should not be passed up. read more

I love this Italian market. The selection of meats and cheeses is huge with some of the best prices in the city. Because the deli part is so incredibly popular, the meat and cheese turnover is rapid so the food is always very fresh. They also have a really nice variety of olive oils, ricotta, dried pastas, canned tomato products and fresh breads. For the uninitiated, be sure to go immediately to the deli and pull a number. I usually use the first few minutes to grab a piece of paper and pencil from the counter and make a list of everything that I want so when my number is called I hand them my list and then I'm off to do the rest of my shopping. Be sure to check out the bags of meat ends that they put in the end of the cooler near the hard cheeses - I've picked up some chunks of prosciutto costing next to nothing. They only accept cash or debit. read more

I love this place for meats and cheeses. It's busy and there is always a wait, but I don't mind it in this case. I get to hear what other people order. That's fascinating to me. I've been looking for sheep cheese for months and months. And I found some sheep manchego and other good sheep cheese's... not a lot of places carry sheep cheese. Or maybe I haven't looked hard enough. My main to go food items here are the canned tomatoes, chicken peas and kidney beans.. as well as mortadella, prosciutto and calabrese hot salami! Oh and they always have good pricing on their produce. Especially when red/yellow/orange peppers and asparagus are normally expensive. When apple season hits, they have such a great variety as well. I could go on.. read more

One of the best independent small groceries/delis in the city. As others have pointed out it can be extremely busy during the dinner rush (especially on weekends!) but it's almost impossible to find any place that has more selection at such a low price. I live a block away and seriously consider this place one of the best reasons to live on the drive. Not many options for organic produce but during the summer and fall they do a good job of caring local produce. Year round most produce is marked where it comes from. If your looking for organic try the east end food coop just down the street read more

Great selection of natural products. Great prices. Produce is decent, but truly great when they have the bushels of local fruit/veg outside. Dairy is good and offers a wide selection of great price and great quality choices. Deli products are not quite as natural, as most contain nitrites, but are very well priced. Be prepared to wait, and for goodness sakes, when your number is called, be ready, and order all meat together/cheese together. No back and forth business. read more

Meat and cheese prices are cheap!!! Can't believe how cheap some of the deli meat is. Not sure how they do it. Half the price of other grocery stores. Produce is usually pretty good. Staff can be pretty grumpy, and I don't think customer service is really their thing, but the prices are so good I keep going back. The deli can get extremely busy, so go during the day during the week read more

I am so conditioned to shop at Santa Barbara from my youth spent on the Drive that if I am grabbing a bite in the neighbourhood or visiting my mum I always make sure to pop in and hit the deli. Good prices on high quality fruits and veggies, a great selection of imported European products (even Macedonian food!) and a deli that could make an Italian happy - this is a one-stop shop for groceries. The proliferation of organic and niche products guarantees that you'll stay moderately healthy - and the cheese choices will break that guarantee with its wonderful (and reasonably priced) selection. I am salivating thinking about all that cheeeese.... For meat eaters, the homemade sausages are amazing. I also love the olive oil and pasta selections! It won't break the bank - you can fill plenty of their signature orange bags for about the same cost as Safeway et al, yet be much more satisfied with your purchases. read more

Love this place for charcuterie and cheese. Amazing selection and great low prices. Before I came here I read reviews about poor service and was worried. But honestly Everybody is friendly, helpful and patient. You may feel a bit overwhelmed but they're not rushing you. In fact there's a huge lineup (sometimes over an hour) and it makes no difference to them. Sometimes I have parties and I get them to make recommendations. There's been times they've given me numerous samples very patiently. I love this place. It's not a secret so I'm not spoiling anything. It's soooo good. Great for olive oil and pasta sauce as well read more

Always been a supporter of the smaller grocery supermarkets, lucky for the local residents on the Drive. Pretty well to get your basics but probably won't have all the brands of the frozen TV dinners or junk food. But they should advertise their deli section better, as I've dropped by a few times for their bavarian & honey garlic smokies. All of their fruits they put outside on the front, and veggies inside on the right. Not a place to really drive to as parking's tough here, or you better be a great parallel parker like me, esp. during rush hour. You can park on this side at all times of the day. read more

I love this place. I know that whenever I walk in here that I am going to be there for like an hour... this place is so busy and I am convinced that all the deli meat is fresher because of the high turnover rate. Their produce prices are cheap... not as cheap as up the street, but everything is here for one stop shopping... I don't have time to run every which way to save like twenty cents. Everything is always fresh... I can always find all the veggies and fruits I need... Their deli prices are like half of what they are at the regular grocery stores or other specialty delis. Great selection of fresh sausages too. It's so easy to stop here and pick some up for a quick dinner. Their feta is such a good price too. All their canned goods are also well priced. I buy my tomato paste in a tube here for a song... They have fresh bread. Their pasta is cheap. I have so many different types at home because I love variety. I buy everything here. I only go to other shops to buy meat that I can't get here. Everything is so well priced that I gladly spend the hour here... I can spend the time waiting looking for things I want to try. read more

Santa Barbara is one of my favourite places to shop at on The Drive. It reminds me of one of those little side street grocery stores you'd come across in Europe. This place has a top notch selection of fruits and veggies, pasta, and canned goods, but truth be told, everyone who comes to Santa Barbara is usually coming in for one reason alone: The Deli. You usually have to grab a number and wait, but the wait is always worth it. Santa Barbara has an amazing selection of hams, cheeses, olives, and other European delicacies, and all reasonably priced. The only reason this place doesn't get 5 stars is because of the customer service. The staff usually looks bored or annoyed. Let's work on that n'kay? FYI: The weekends get Ka-Ray-Zee here! Shopping here during the week is usually your best bet. read more

Be prepared to shuffle about the store while trying to avoid bumping elbows with your neighbors because this store is quite busy most of the time and with good reason! Along with your usual grocery offerings from produce (at good prices!) to dairy products, junk food and the like, Santa Barbara has a fantastic Italian deli and specialty foods section that is worth a second (and third!) look. With a delectable selection of local meats and cheeses, as well as imported pastas, fresh olives and Italian specialties, Santa Barbara does its best to compete with the many Italian foods stores along Commercial Drive and succeeds! Again, remember to bring a bucket full of patience with you or you'll never make it out of here alive, it is definitely worth it! read more

If you want to find a really good quality cheese, ham and sausages, look no more! And you cannot beat their price! Yesterday My French friend and I went to Commercial Drive for Italian day but their over priced street vendors were a total turn off so we just got some cheese and ham along with baguettes then sat in the park and had a feast for less than 5 dollars! Yummmmm soooo goood!! read more

Chaos in picking meats! I really like this place. It's a local market with a local clientele. Service is prompt and the staff know their meats! Hey, they even took their time to answer a quick conundrum; even though they were busy selling the last meat slices on the planet! :) thanks for the pleasant and quaint local experience! read more

Santa Barbara Market - the front of the building - Fruits & Veggies Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

See all

When I was younger and significantly more naive than I am now, I used to daydream about my future ~fancy lady~ life where I would have a cool job and a wicked apartment and the weather would be great all the time, and I would walk home from the office and stop by the neighbourhood grocer and inhale the aroma of succulent, perfectly ripe tree-fruits, and then I would pause there and fill a wicker basket with beautiful things, then take my plunder home and make a delicious dinner for me and all my best friends (and my dog) and we would all laugh and laugh whilst sitting on the patio eating and drinking. Suffice it to say, my actual non-fancy lady life is not anything like that. However, if it were, the neighbourhood grocer of my dreams would be something like Santa Barbara. I love this place so much, mostly because of it's straightforward approach to groceries. Some grocers turn food into this huge ordeal, where the process of acquiring goods to fuel yourself becomes mired in concerns about labels and brands and non-this and pro-that and all kinds of other miscellaneous things. Santa Barbara keeps it real, man. The deli, which is arguably one of, if not the single best in the city, runs by an orderly, numbered system. There is a healthy selection of meats and cheeses to choose from. The prices and quality of the produce reflect what's in season, and the meat, cheese, and produce are supplemented by other staple products like breads and sauces. So, I recommend that you channel your inner fancy lady and drop by Santa Barbara. Nectarines and peaches are coming into their prime! Less than $2.00 a pound! read more

Great for their olive oils, cheeses, and cured meats. Their bacalhau is only slightly overpriced, ok deal if you are already in there. The rest of their grocery items and fresh produce tends to be much more expensive than the closest competitors. Staff are usually grumpy and unhelpful, but clearly it's them, not you.... read more

I like this store! Good laid back atmosphere. Well priced produce.

I have been coming to this market for 20 years and while I have always enjoyed the cheap deli and drive like atmosphere, the customer service has seriously gone downhill. Staff seem angrier and more abrupt especially in the deli. I joked around with the cashier girl today and said whoa everybody seems so somber, did someone die? She responded in a katty tone with" have you ever worked cash before?" Whoa!!! I asked her if she had ever worked with addicts. She said no but it was similar. Damn!! Seems I am declaring an official divorce from this place after 20 years. Plenty of good options elsewhere. read more

I've been going here for over twenty years. This place reminds me of the small, independent grocery market that I grew up with in Kelowna years ago. The deli counter is great, especially when they have their monthly sale going on. Great cheese and cold cut selection. I have always found the staff great - helpful and friendly. Their pasta selection is phenomenal and you can get a great variety of oils and vinegars for salads and cooking. The produce is top quality and in the summer it's direct from the farm as you can tell from the fruit bins that contain the Italian prune plums, apples, and peaches. It's way better to come here on a weekend than a chain supermarket, save some money, and take advantage of other great places on the Drive like Memphis Blues BBQ or any of the authentic Italian coffee houses along the street. read more

Great stock and well-regarded deli counter, but not exactly the most shiny of shopping experiences. As others have mentioned, the aisles are narrow and I constantly felt that I was jostling and being jostled by other shoppers (excuse me thank you sorry excuse me). Overall, it felt a little dingy and crowded, but they had multiple choices in everything that I needed - I never knew there were so many varieties of pita bread - and prices were excellent. So maybe I shouldn't be such a lookist. read more

Whenever I'm in the neighbourhood, I stop here and pick up a few things that are hard to find elsewhere... and I get some deli meats and cheeses, stock up on produce, bread, crackers and tomato paste. It's a great store! read more

Fresh vegies, great deli meats and friendly service :)