A Food Lover’s Guide to Upper Ganges Road: The One Stop You Can’t Miss on Salt Spring Island
If you only have one stop to make on Salt Spring Island, make it Upper Ganges Road.
This unassuming stretch is home to a handful of small businesses that have quietly grown into something really special, the kind of place that feels like it belongs entirely to the island. Whether you're gathering ingredients for a dinner in at the cabin, packing a picnic for an afternoon at the beach, or just wandering with a coffee in hand, this little food hub has everything you need and then some.
Francis Bread
I'll be honest, I've been watching Francis Bread grow since day one and cheering them on every step of the way. Their bread and pastries are genuinely world-class. I don't say that lightly. These are loaves that could hold their own against any acclaimed bakery in Vancouver or Victoria, but they're made sweeter by the fact that they come from here, baked with quality ingredients and real island heart.
Salty Stay Favourites: The miso chocolate chip cookie (trust me on this one), the ham and cheese croissant so flaky it should probably be illegal, and the country loaf, which is the kind of bread that makes you want to cancel your dinner plans and just stay home with good butter.
Woodshed Provisions
Woodshed is my seasonal vibe check, and I mean that in the best possible way. Every time I walk in, Haidee has created something that feels less like a shop and more like an edible experience, and the space itself shifts with the seasons in a way that is genuinely unlike anywhere else.
In spring, tulips spring up from centrepieces and moss overflows from the corners. Come summer, you might find a tomato vine trailing by the door. The decor is ever-changing, seasonal, and at times actually living. Walking into Woodshed has a way of pulling you out of your head and grounding you right into the current moment, into what's abundant right now, what's growing, what's ready to eat. It's a rare thing, a space that makes you feel present just by stepping through the door.
Salty Stay Favourites: The chocolate mousse, the seasonal quiche, and the curated cheese selection. You'll want to linger.
Salt Spring Kitchen Co.
Melanie started Salt Spring Kitchen Co. at the local Saturday market, and I just love that origin story. It's a perfect example of what a little local support and a lot of heart and will can grow into. Her shop is beautifully curated and such a sweet spot to pop into. Everything feels intentional and delicious, which is exactly what you want from a place built on handmade preserves and sauces.
Salty Stay Favourites: The habanero curry and orange hot sauce, and the onion and thyme jam. The jam on pizza instead of tomato sauce is a move you need to try.
Mavericks Ice Cream
Great espresso, great ice cream, and if you've never had an affogato, well, this is your sign. Espresso poured over vanilla ice cream. Simple, perfect, and absolutely worth stopping for.
Salt Spring has always had a deep relationship with good food, with growing it, making it with care, and sharing it with others. That's not just a trend here, it's a way of life. This little row on Upper Ganges Road is one of the best expressions of that. Pop in, support these local businesses, and taste a little of what makes this island so worth visiting.
You'll find this spot linked in your in-cabin guidebook. Just scan the QR code to pull up the location.
