Where can I get shaved ice in Vancouver?

Asian dessert cafés in Richmond, Burnaby and on Robson Street serve Taiwanese snow ice and Korean bingsu.

Do Nanaimo bars contain nuts?

Usually, yes, along with dairy and coconut. Ask the bakery if you have an allergy.

Dish guide

Dessert in Vancouver: ice cream, shaved ice, Nanaimo bars and late-night sweets

Mosey · November 11, 2026 · 5 min read

Vancouver might be better known for seafood and sushi, but it has a serious sweet tooth. The city's mix of cultures means dessert can be small-batch ice cream on a summer evening, a Taiwanese shaved ice piled with mango, a Hong Kong egg tart warm from the oven, or a Nanaimo bar, BC's own no-bake classic. Here is a guide to what to try.

What desserts is Vancouver known for?

Dessert	What it is
Nanaimo bar	A no-bake bar with a chocolate, coconut and crumb base, custard-flavoured buttercream and chocolate top
Egg tarts	Flaky Hong Kong-style or Portuguese-style custard tarts from bakeries
Shaved ice	Taiwanese or Korean (bingsu) shaved ice with fruit, condensed milk and toppings
Small-batch ice cream	Inventive flavours, often with local berries
Mochi and Japanese sweets	Rice cakes, cheesecakes and soft serve
Indian sweets	Gulab jamun, jalebi and barfi in Surrey and the Punjabi Market
Doughnuts	From classic to brioche-style
BC fruit pies	Blueberry, blackberry and peach in summer

What is a Nanaimo bar?

The Nanaimo bar is named after the city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island and is one of Canada's best-loved desserts. It has three layers: a base of chocolate, graham crumbs, coconut and nuts; a middle layer of custard-flavoured buttercream; and a top of chocolate. It is sweet and rich, and no baking is involved. You will find it at bakeries and cafés across Vancouver, sometimes with flavoured variations. It contains nuts and dairy, so take care with allergies.

What is a butter tart?

A butter tart is one of Canada's best-loved pastries: a small, flaky tart shell filled with butter, sugar, syrup and egg, baked until the filling sets at the edges and stays soft and runny in the middle. It comes from Ontario, but bakeries across the country make them, including many in Vancouver.

The great debate is about raisins. Some people insist on them, others want them plain, and many bakeries offer both, along with pecans, chocolate or maple. A butter tart is very sweet, so one is usually enough, ideally with a strong coffee. Look for them at bakeries, farmers markets and holiday markets, especially in the fall and around Christmas.

Where can you get ice cream in Vancouver?

Ice cream shops are everywhere, but they cluster in places with summer foot traffic: Kitsilano near the beach, the West End near English Bay, Main Street, Commercial Drive and Granville Island. Small-batch shops often use local ingredients, such as BC berries, and change flavours with the seasons. On a hot summer evening, expect lines at the most popular shops; they move quickly.

What is shaved ice and where can you get it?

Shaved ice desserts are hugely popular in Metro Vancouver's Asian dessert cafés. Taiwanese snow ice is shaved into fine, fluffy ribbons and topped with fresh mango, condensed milk, taro, red bean or mochi. Korean bingsu is similar, often with sweet red beans or fruit. Find them in Richmond, Burnaby and on Robson Street, especially in summer.

Where can you find Asian dessert cafés?

Richmond has the largest concentration of Asian dessert cafés in the region, many open late, serving shaved ice, Hong Kong-style desserts like mango pomelo sago, tofu pudding, egg waffles and bubble tea. Burnaby's Metrotown area and downtown's Robson Street have many more. They are popular places to hang out late in the evening.

Where can you get egg tarts in Vancouver?

Chinese bakeries in Chinatown, Richmond and Burnaby sell Hong Kong-style egg tarts, with a flaky or shortcrust pastry and a smooth, glossy custard. Portuguese-style tarts, with a caramelized top, are sold at some bakeries too. Egg tarts are best eaten warm, soon after they come out of the oven; ask what time the next batch is due.

What desserts can you get late at night?

Asian dessert cafés in Richmond and on Robson Street often stay open later than other places, as do some bakeries and ice cream shops in summer. Bubble tea shops are a reliable late-night sweet option across the city.

Are there vegan and gluten-free desserts in Vancouver?

Yes. Vancouver has dedicated vegan bakeries and many ice cream shops with dairy-free sorbets or oat-based flavours. Gluten-free baking is widely available, though dedicated gluten-free kitchens are rarer, so ask about cross-contact if you have celiac disease. Many Asian desserts, such as shaved ice and mango sago, are naturally gluten-free but may contain dairy.

How much does dessert cost and do you tip?

Most desserts are affordable treats. Baked goods and ice cream from a shop carry 5 percent GST in BC. Tipping at counters is optional, and at sit-down dessert cafés, 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax amount is normal.

On Mosey you can rate the places you visit and the exact sweet you ordered, with a photo, and keep a list of dessert spots for the next hot evening or birthday.

Common questions

What is a Nanaimo bar?
A BC no-bake dessert with a chocolate, crumb and coconut base, a custard-flavoured buttercream middle and a chocolate top.
Where can I get shaved ice in Vancouver?
Asian dessert cafés in Richmond, Burnaby and on Robson Street serve Taiwanese snow ice and Korean bingsu.
Where are the best egg tarts in Vancouver?
Chinese bakeries in Chinatown, Richmond and Burnaby sell Hong Kong-style egg tarts. They are best eaten warm.
Are there late-night dessert places in Vancouver?
Yes. Asian dessert cafés in Richmond and on Robson Street often stay open late, as do bubble tea shops.
Do Nanaimo bars contain nuts?
Usually, yes, along with dairy and coconut. Ask the bakery if you have an allergy.
What is a butter tart?
A small Canadian pastry tart with a sweet filling of butter, sugar, syrup and egg that stays slightly runny. It comes from Ontario, and Vancouver bakeries sell them too.