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Whole Foods: Capers Community Market
Categories: Restaurants Delis Food Specialty Food Health Food Store Food Grocery Delis, Health Food Store, Grocery [Edit]
1675 Robson StVancouver, BC V6G 1C8
Neighbourhood: West End
(604) 687-5288
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 8 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
41 reviews for Whole Foods: Capers Community Market
Review Highlights
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"It is an organic grocery store." In 12 reviews -
"Nice assortment of baked goods from local bakeries." In 4 reviews -
"...glad to have Capers in walking distance from home, our own..." In 3 reviews
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41 reviews in English
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Review from John J.
Vancouver, BC
4/3/2012
ORGANIC...is where it's @
Superb -
Review from J N.
Vancouver, BC
5/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Wow. This store fails as a whole foods and it fails to deliver for review #350, too. Parking is at a premium. Store seems small and dark. Even the ceilings are lower.
Lines are longer. Bathrooms are gross. (Why would I use a bathroom here? Well, it seemed like a better option than the beach, at the time). Staff seemed overwhelmed. But all of these things were just my first impression, after all.
The patio looked better, but I didn't stick around long enough for the whole "experience." It was cool when they were one of the only Capers in town, maybe 11 years ago, but no longer. Go to the one on Cambie, instead.Listed in: Homeward Bound
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Review from Jean W.
Vancouver, BC
4/25/2012
I miss when this place was Capers.
WHERE THE HELL DID THE COOKIES 'N'CREAM VEGAN CUPCAKES GO?!
Those were my absolute favorite item!
I still go there, but only for "junkfood" items (soy icecream, vegan yogurt), but otherwise, it's a little pricey. -
Review from Simon K.
2/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
Having to buy some organic produce for my significant other, and also being in downtown, on Robson, at the same time, this was the perfect solution to my dilemna. The former 'Caper's' on Robson, who now is called Whole Foods was going to be my destination, and I forgot that they actually have free parking (up to an hour) right up front. This is a huge plus, especially since it can be frustrating in downtown to find parking (especially for the king of parking!), but they have a nice little lot to park, run in, and run out!
The store is not as big as the other 'Whole Foods' I venture to, and in some ways dulls in comparision to the ultra huge Safeway across the street. The selection is more limiting than the store at Cambie and Broadway. Still, it is what it is, and if your looking for quality of food, and quality of eating, you've stepped in the right place. Not the cheapest place to buy your produce, but the companies name is stamped behind this store. -
Review from Gary M.
2/5/2012
Since we had a hankering for something sweet after the "kind of" healthy sushi, we wanted to stay on course of being healthy as we were about to continue our Saturday walk....
Plan: Cross the street to Whole Foods and choose healthy cookies!
We chose vegan gluten free thumbprint cookies and power cookies including chocolate chips.
VERDICT: The Vegan cookies rocked! Not too sweet, nice texture and vegan too! 5/5
The power cookies were a bit less good but still a 3/5... Maybe they were less good because we really loved the taste and healthy feeling of the Thumb prints?!?
$3.87 cost, taxes in... $17.15 left...
We were ready to continue enjoying our Vancouver sunny Saturday on the Coal Harbour Seawall!Listed in: Sunny Saturday walk with 40…
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Review from Robin M.
Updated - 12/13/2011 32 Check-ins Here
Sigh.
- Capers had some nice soft lighting; Whole Foods has kind of... brightened things up -- you know, just enough to be annoying, but not enough to really know why exactly you're annoyed.
- Capers' staff seemed genuinely happy to help and were wholesome, like really wholesome -- you know, like they'd been eating organic their whole lives, *before* it was trendy, and go to hot yoga twice a week and bike everywhere because they love it and have to, not because it's the "healthy" thing to do. Whole Foods' staff have an ever-so-slightly sickeningly sweet smile on their face that sort of says, "I'm here because they pay me to be," and not because they actually embody the "whole"some attitude the company name implies. It's just a job.
- Capers had separate registers that I could choose from -- I was in control of the cash-queue. Baby and elderly lady in one line? I'd go to another. Cute vegan cashier? B-line it that way. Whole Foods has employed the ever-popular single line system, wherein we all wait, single-file, and have no say in where we end up.
The staff have changed. The lighting has changed. The charitable donation option for bringing my own bag has changed. It's no longer my Capers Community Market. No. No, it is now corporate.
It's now Whole Foods.
Sigh.Listed in: My West End, Dinner at Home?, Grocery Shopping, Can I Get Me Some Wifi,…, Healthy Vancouver
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/24/2011
Is it a good thing or a bad thing that I adore Capers this much? I don't know for sure, but I do… Read more »
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Review from Yelp R.
Greater Vancouver Regional District, BC
5/10/2012
Capers is my favourite! Small, gentle, friendly. When I lived in the West End (2011), I was there 2-3x per week (spending just under $1000/mo). That little shop managed to carry about 98% of what I was ever looking for, and on our special diets I look for some rather odd things. The customer service is amazing -if they so much as notice confusion flash across my face, they come over to ask if they can help me. They'll do everything they can to help a customer. I only don't go now because I moved to the PNE area and, after six months of doing so, can no longer bear to travel into the West End. My loss! I hope a WF comparable to Capers or WF Cambie/8th opens in Burnaby Heights or somewhere. (I tried WF West Van because the drive is simpler and faster from here, but its service is severely lacking.)
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Review from Xandria X.
Vancouver, BC
12/2/2011
I am quite saddened about capers now. What was once a great independent grocer with a healthy selection has now transformed into an overpriced market for yuppies. Since they were bought out by whole paycheck (foods) my respect for them and desire to shop there is less than zero.
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Review from May P.
Vancouver, BC
7/27/2011
When they have sale offers they have sale offers, stock up and freeze these items if needed as the quality overall in this store is very good and the sale prices are usually fab.
For lunch may I recomend the seafood crossant at $3.49 plus tax - yummy and filling and about the best value lunch item in the store!
They have 2 for 1 pizzas on Tuesday.
Please please please open a cash only cashier, being stuck behind someone who can't get their card pin right whilst trying to pay for 1 item during a busy lunch rush after the 14th millionth time gets a little annoying!!! -
Review from Vicki L.
3/29/2011
I'm a sucker for Whole Foods, so leave it to me to find the Canadian equivalent when I'm on vacation!
The staff is great at this location and the deli is reasonably priced. The store's layout leaves a bit to be desired but I assume it's just a learning curve for newbies and you acclimate fairly quickly. I was super excited to see nanaimo bars being made here too!
A great option for organic/natural foods in a higher-end setting, and if you're a smart shopper you can find a lot of great sales/deals. -
Review from Dorothea S.
1/19/2012
My hubbie and I went for breakfast to the whole foods on robson st today. Our total spending was about $15: We got an egg sausage breakfast burrito, a big glass with ABC juice, a small bottle with freshly squeezed orange juice and a monster cookie.
The burrito could have been fresher and better but it filled us up fine. The 2 juices were awesome. We highly recommend both; with ABC (apple, beetroot, carrot) being our favorite. It reminded us of good old times at chomp chomp hawker centre in Singapore. -
Review from Melissa E.
Vancouver, BC
2/27/2011
Ah Capers. Sometimes I ponder how much money I have injected into your organization. Let's be real...this is no place to do your grocery shopping when hungry. You have been forewarned. Happy smiley staff, a great deli section of prepared foods, a desert section (although i preferred the old non-Whole Foods one) to die for...make sure you have a strict list and abide by it.
Because well, this place can be crazy expensive. This is why you have to target shop - unless you are financially able to spend 50$ for 3 items on a daily basis. But don't forget to check out the sale items. I find that the sales are really good I can get deals here that I can't anywhere else. Safeway is a rip-off compared to smart shopping at Capers and the quality is infinitely better. There is usually always one sale brand per category, i.e., coffee, yoghurt, pasta etc. If you're picky you won't benefit, but if you are a brand harlot like I am, you will pay much less for high quality items. Also, it's a great way to try out new brands that you had never heard of before.
So yes, dear Capers, you will continue to take advantage of my weakness for high quality foods. But I will continue to clip my coupons in an effort to gouge you right back as much as possible.Listed in: West End Wicked - Groceries
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Review from Linda L.
5/29/2011
Overall: A great place to pick up organic produce and other items
It's a Whole Foods market inside, but with friendlier staff. This store has ample parking and is pretty well stocked. What else can I say? -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
11/13/2009 4 Check-ins Here
Yes, it's now a Whole Foods; yes it's pricier than your average Safeway, and yes, sometimes, most of the time, I'm feeling like I'm paying through the nose on anything in the deli...
but...
The free parking, the dark chocolate raspberry tarts and espresso chocolate chunk muffins, plus all of the other organic, hormone free, good for the earth and good for the body food makes this one of my go to destinations.
Especially today! Today I was in the market for squash. A lot of squash! Filling up an entire Yelp canvas tote, I made my way to the check out. I thought I would be less hassle to leave the heavy beasts in the bag, but then I realized that the petite cashier was having a hard time hoisting all 25 lbs of them to the scale. Oops :-) She was super cool about it though!
That's the way that it is at this Capers, for the most part the people are cool, the produce is fresh, the shelves are stocked and I'm in and out pretty quick. (It's just my wallet that's always a bit lighter!) -
Review from LawAai V.
8/22/2011
Capers is the Rolls Royce of Whole Foods. The quality seems even better than in a typical Whole Foods. ...The price seems higher too though...
I highly recommend to try the chocolate/banana muffins at the bakery. A pure win. -
Review from Ema N.
9/24/2009
Capers has been my lifeblood (literally!) since most of Robson is not very restricted-diet friendly for folks with severe allergies and intolerances like myself.
The selection of vegan and non-dairy items here are great! I was able to stock up on fruits and snack bars to tide me over.
I have to give 5 stars because I wandered into the customer service area literally starving because I was unable to find a place to eat that would not kill me with cross contamination in the Robson area. The guy who helped me recommended that I go to the Naam, which was the most awesome restaurant because they had vegan quesadillas! The staff here are great and understand that people do not eat certain types of food for various reasons and are very helpful without being annoyed or condescending. The guy who helped me also printed out a bus map and gave great directions on the closest bus stop.
5 stars for healthy foods with good dairy-free vegan alternatives on Robson! :) -
Review from Joe L.
Vancouver, BC
10/11/2009
CUPCAKES - Yes, this review is about their cupcakes.
A Saturday after-dinner evening craving of baked goods brought us to the market within a short walking distance from our home. We looked around and decided on cupcakes.
There was not a big selection - only about half a dozen and most were chocolate based. However, they all looked moist and had sumptuous looking frosting. We picked 2 to bring home.
The cake itself was rather dry and crumply but the buttery cream frosting was AWESOME. I could not get enough of it - even better than Sprinkles!
I'm so glad that now I've discovered cupcakes at Capers, I can totally write Cupcakes on Denman off my list. I'm going to Capers a try again and see if I just had an off batch with dry cakes. I hope so. -
Review from Tim L.
8/20/2008
This Capers is really no different than any of the others except for the fact that it is typically a little busier and bustling with all the international students.
It provides everything you'd expect and is a great alternative to other markets that sell slightly less "healthy" equivalents.
Whenever I'm going to a friend's house/dinner party in the downtown core this is the choice place I head to to pick up last minute items. -
Review from Valerie J.
Vancouver, BC
3/8/2009
I live Capers. And I love to go there! It is an organic grocery store. The store has natural, organic alternatives products from vegetables to supplements. The price is a little bit more expensive than a general grocery but the quality is really better!
There is also some free samples that make you happy! Because Cheese or Smoked salmon salad are delicious! -
Review from Tinella T.
Vancouver, BC
5/12/2009
I come to this place often, enjoy to take salmon sandwich or coffee and cake. I love Capers cakes. All of them. Mainly cheesecake and chocomousse .
Prices are cheaper than in other places, and cakes are really fantastic. What I like the most is that cakes do not contain so many preservatives and chemicals as these cakes from Safeway.
I recommend this place. -
Review from natalie s.
Vancouver, BC
10/6/2009
Their bakery puts that Cupcakes shop to shame. Their seasonal cupcakes at $2.99 (most organic) are impossible for me to resist! That's a lot of cupcake too and with clever ''make you smile'' decorating.
I walk over at times just for a savory bun (yumm) or brownie too. I can't do the bulk of my grocery shopping here as it can get quite pricey. But will buy organic items that I can't find at the supermarket and soaps and such (they're really helpful and knowledgeable) and of course those tasty, tasty treats. -
Review from Steve L.
Victoria, BC
6/17/2010 20 Check-ins Here
I'm agree with Christie S., I don't want to love Capers either, but I do.
Shopping at Capers is like dating an extremely high maintenance girlfriend and your wallet will take a hit as a result, but for some reason you keep on coming back for more.
The selection is great, and they have different items that you're just not going to find at a Safeway or a Save-On-Foods. We were making dinner the other night and the recipe called for Jícama, what the hell is a Jícama?! It doesn't matter because Capers actually had it.
Not only are they going to set you up with all your organic, natural and phosphate free shopping needs, but Capers is a great place for lunch. Working less then a block away from the store, I found myself there almost every second day at the noon hour. Their soups are fantastic and perfect for those cold, rainy Vancouver days. The burrito "bar" is a nice addition, but if you get only one thing I highly recommend the turkey, apple, & brie sandwich, you know you can't go wrong with brie!
My only complaint with Capers is that they aren't close enough to my apartment, and as a result I'm going to Safeway more often then I should. -
Review from Roanna Z.
8/24/2009 1 photo
Capers has been absorbed by Whole Foods.
Can you tell the difference? Well I'm sure there are subtle differences, but over all, one high end food store is equal to the next for me.
Cool they have a bakery and cafe, and nice place to sit outside to enjoy your quick grub. This is a plus for sure.
Cool that the folks who work here actually look like they give a crap. One star just for that! Another for trying to offer alternatives to wheat in their bakery. But I want a non gluten BROWNIE!!!! Don't you understand???? Not something that resembles my shoe insert. Call me when you have that 'k?
Sigh-h-h-h... -
Review from Nicole J.
Vancouver, BC
8/9/2011
Wow, a great place to shop for groceries at very reasonable prices for the high quality organic products they carry! I came all the way from W 41 Ave & Granville St to see what kind of stuff Capers sells and am not disappointed at all from the variety of items that are available! Would come again for sure at another time in the near future.
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Review from Irena L.
3/1/2011 18 Check-ins Here
I absolutely love, love, love this place! I actually don't want to move from West End because of this place. My life is planned around this place! Seriously, I am an addict, please help me!:)
Food is delicious, and I don't mind the price that much, although it does get pricey, as long as I know that the food I am buying is organic and comes from trusted sources! I would rather give an extra buck for that, then later on medical (ok, I am exaggerating a bit)
But definitely a great place!
I tried almost all of their treats (vegan thumbprint cookie, chocolate decadence cake, carrot cake, apricot and bluebbery bread....just to name the delicious few). I also love their wraps and sandwiches, yakitori chicken, fresh roasted chicken...and above all, they also have organic chicken liver which is so difficult to find here in Vancouver! And if I love something, I love chicken liver!
Anyways, I will stop now. Definitely go there!Listed in: Creme de la creme, Chocolate?! You had me at…
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Review from Ryan L.
7/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Not as big as other Whole Foods stores, but this Capers does provide a nice neighborhood market ambience. Back when it was Capers and not a Whole Foods market, I felt the variety was a bit better and there were more unique finds. Today, it seems like just a smaller version of a Whole Foods. It is the best place in the area for organic produce and natural foods.
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Review from Jean W.
Vancouver, BC
10/12/2010
VEGAN.FREAKIN.CUPCAKES.
I like the market-calm feel of it, but because it is pricey, I only go there for things I cant get anywhere else.
The cashiers are nice, but it's the cupcakes which keep me there.
They're pretty and dont taste like tree bark. -
Review from pauline c.
4/1/2009
Whole foods for canadians. Fresh fruits, vegetables.
Got a couple items from the bakery for a fast breakfast before a long drive. Delicious! The bran blueberry muffin was the best.
Also got some delicious muscat grapes...
That is all. -
Review from Anna C.
6/21/2009
This is, essentially, the Canadian version of Whole Foods except it's way nicer. Their products are a lot more interesting and varied. The staff is helpful and forthcoming without being irritating about it. Oh, and the juice bar is far superior to that of WF. They have a peanut butter, banana, and DATE shake. Why don't we have that??
I also found a bunch of other cool stuff, like Canadian maple flax waffles and fancy teddy grahams, etc. Their bulk bins are also pretty ace--they have yogurt peanut brittle!
Nice outdoor seating area, with a long counter and stools facing the street. We sat out there for awhile just observing the pedestrians and enjoying the fresh Canadian air. -
Review from Christie S.
Vancouver, BC
1/7/2010
I don't want to love Capers Community Market. It's overpriced and extravagant.
I really, truly want to shop for all of my edibles at a tiny, independent corner market that's been owned by the same family for decades. But, my food shopping experience is very important to me: every time I pass by Capers, the promise of exotic produce, luscious aromas from the baked goods and the zen-like calm of the vitamin aisle lures me in. Capers even looks healthy from the outside! They have a decent bulk food section, yummy-smelling natural skin, hair and body care, flowers and even cooking gadgets. The best thing? There's always cheese samples... it's foodie heaven.
Without a strict grocery list, I do not allow myself to enter the store. It's just way too easy to spend a paycheck here. -
Review from Christina B.
4/25/2010
I am a fancy grocery store whore, and fortunately, so are my friends in Vancouver so when we were out in the rain, a little cold, a little hungry, this is the place we stopped for coffee and a bite.
In the bakery section there was a bin of yummy looking bars labeled puffed Kamut squares. Kamut is one of those grains that I can never remember if it has gluten or not. There was a sign though, 'whole foods puffed Kamut squares- Gluten Free.' Perfect! I picked one up and my friend pointed out her Kamut soda bread that, by looking at the ingredient list, appeared gluten free as well. I asked someone working there, they confirmed it was gluten free and showed me where I could buy a loaf. It was all delicious. The problem is, KAMUT IS NOT GLUTEN FREE!!
I googled my glorious new grain find just to find out it is an ancient type of wheat. I sent the Whole Foods/Capers on Robson a note letting them know about the mislabeling and the rest of my experience. It has been over a month and absolutely no acknowledgment of my letter, what happened, etc. All that i had asked is that they remove the gluten free labels from the kamut products and educate their staff about allergies. Nope, nothing, zilch. -
Review from Lisa K.
2/27/2011
Nice assortment of baked goods from local bakeries. I liked the variety, which included vegan and gluten-free items. They should keep a better eye on some selections, though - we picked up a package of vegan banana pecan cookies and luckily noticed that there was a significant amount of mold on them. These look very moist, but still! They were very close to their sell-by date, while other packages nearby had a sell by date a month later. The selection of chocolates was severely lacking. We'd been considering eating here but the only seating, besides a couple of counter seats, was outdoor (covered). They're part of the "whole foods" family and seem pretty identical to those stores.
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Review from Anne G.
Vancouver, BC
6/1/2011
Amazing burritos for 8.50$!!
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Review from Andrew O.
11/17/2010
If you're familiar with Whole Foods in the U.S, this is the same thing with a different name. Today I purchased a wild rice and quinoa cake from the prepared food counter and found it inedible when I went to eat it. The long grains of wild rice on the outside of the cake were totally hard, like knitting needles. Maybe not the best comparison, but needles nonetheless. My only guess is that they were made (at least) yesterday and then sat around getting hard, because the rice inside was soft.
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Review from Naomi L.
Vancouver, BC
9/3/2010
Absolutely appalling customer service. This is not the place to go when you're dashing home from work. The store is understaffed, the lineups are long, and the manager not really willing to do anything about it. To make matters worse, staff have not been trained to politely desist from extensive chats with customers when there are long lineups. Indeed, on raising the issue with one member of staff, I was informed that this was "customer service." Are those of us waiting in the long lineups not customers then?
Paying the high prices is tough enough; waiting in line 15 mins for the privilege of doing that is simply being a sucker. -
Review from David L.
1/7/2010
Why do people even shop here? The one attraction to a store that sells mostly organics is the produce section. Produce sold here isn't all that fresh looking yet it's 2-3 times more expensive than other organic supermarkets with much fresher looking produce.
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Review from Mercedes G.
Vancouver, BC
9/24/2008 1 photo
My reviews often seem to originate from the fact that I am relatively new to the city and, well, Vancouver is big! I didn't even know there was a Caper's here and I am very happy that it is within a healthy walking distance and that I don't necessarily need to trek to North Vancouver to Whole Foods to gather my picky necessities. In case you didn't know, Caper's is a mini-Whole Foods, with plenty of organic, healthy and alternative items to your everyday grocery, along with organic and natural cosmetics and health literature. The deli and bakery are equally fabulous, as is the outdoor seating area patio, perfect for catching up on your reading and having lunch or a snack.
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Review from I have something to say... A.
10/4/2010
Great prepared food section. Quiche and root veggies are delicious.
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Review from Darien C.
BC
11/14/2008 1 photo
Capers is an organic grocery store servicing the all natural needs of Vancouverites. Capers is right at home in this health obsessed city. The store is quite large and has natural, organic alternatives to most things found in a general super market. As is the standard price to pay for better foods, things are expensive relative to other grocery stores. I've never been one to indulge in the organic food craze. I do come here though, their selection of vitamins and supplements is massive. In effect the place is a grocery and vitamin store hybrid. If you want it, chances are here you'll find it. Occasionally Capers will host an organic food fair in their parking lot. If you manage to catch one, take advantage. The free samples alone make it time well spent. Just stay away from the hemp milk, it's as disgusting as it sounds. How the hell does hemp make milk?
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Review from Juliet G.
8/3/2010
Very pricy but great selection in a beautiful setting. Very upmarket feel with lots of helpful and friendly clerks both at check out and while shopping. Very good bakery with fresh items as well as a good assortment of other prepackaged baked goods near the bakery. Lots of produce but very pricy. Great selection of vitamins, supplements, and toiletries like skincare, perfume, makeup etc. Vancouver is a beautiful city to visit and picking up a picnic here before heading out for a day at Stanley Park or popping in to get some fruit or juice boxes for the kids made our visit even more enjoyable.
