PARLIAMENT INTERIORS

2703 Main St.

Here, mid-century modern meets trendy seasonal with fresh decor pieces and accessories that cater to smaller spaces. Give yourself plenty of time in the extensive showroom as you debate with yourself over how much your current lifestyle necessitates a gold-mirrored bar cart. And don’t sleep on the Kermodi Living Art collection: find funky plants in minimalist pots here. parliamentinteriors.com

FUEL

4391

Liberty Bakery And Caf

3699 Main St.

Start your SoMa day at Liberty Bakery, Main Street’s Wes Andersonesque café. Run by an artist, musician and photographer trio, it’s as cool as it gets. Prepare to be seduced by the aroma of fresh cardamom buns and the cuteness of Totoro-shaped gingerbread cookies. Pair one with a smooth latte and you’re all set to hit the streets, snack in hand for that mid-shopping energy boost. liberty-bakery.com

EL CAMINO’S

3250 Main St.

Cure your shopping fatigue with some happy hour pescado tacos, plus a refreshing paloma (Altos Reposado, pressed lime, grapefruit soda and a pinch of salt) to wash them down. And for a true Mount Pleasant experience, enjoy your cocktail on the quaint roadside patio, making cars and passersby green with envy. elcaminos.ca

Forgoing the hip hood’s usual pared-down vibe, Olive and Wild is like that one jet-setting friend who always brings back an earth-toned sculptural clay pot or 100-percent alpaca throw. Featuring elegant, global-chic accents from international and local designers, this boutique home decor shop is where you’ll find that je ne sais quoi oliveandwild.com

Armoury District Armoury District

Here’s fuel for a humble brag: just last year, Architectural Digest named the Armoury District one of the top 12 design districts in the world (hey NYC, jealous much?). Named after the Seaforth Armoury at 1st and Burrard, it’s home to Arthur Erickson’s masterful Waterfall Building and several top furniture and decor stores, as well as many local architect and design offices—and it’s just steps from Granville Island for a post-shop cocktail or two.

Livingspace

1706 W 1st Ave.

The building that houses Livingspace’s 30,000-squarefoot showroom is a destination in and of itself, namely to experience the architectural marvel that is the concrete-and-glass staircase that clings to its exterior. Designed by Bocci’s Omer Arbel, it’s flooded with light even on the grayest days—and serves as a proper entry to experience the showroom’s luxe European design brands (like Molteni&C, Paola Lenti, Poltrona Frau and Minotti). livingspace.com

East India Carpets

1606 W 2nd Ave.

The Armoury owes its curated, designforward nature to East India Carpets’ Ravi Sidhoo, who personally recruited many of the tenants to the ’hood. EIC itself has been going strong as a family business since 1948: its current collections run from classic Persian designs to the strikingly modern (like Matteo Cibic’s stunning Wunderkammer collection, which celebrates the Pink City of Jaipur). eastindiacarpets.com

Alimentaria Mexicana

1596 Johnson St.

There’s likely no more coveted spot on Granville Island than the patio

Alimentaria Mexicana on a sunny summer day, and for good reason. it’s an excellent spot people watching. But there’s a better way wrap up a successful Armoury shopping day— one of AM’s perfectly balanced margaritas hand, a side of happy guacamole (sprinkled with the inspired update of feta and pepitas)—well, facts are facts: there isn’t. alimentariamexicana.com

Prado Cafe

1809 Fir St.

Expect a little local celebspotting in the Armoury outpost of Vancouver’s excellent mini-chain— many architects and interior designers have their offices nearby, and Prado buzzes with designoriented caffeine-seekers all day. (Fun fact: design legend Alda Pereira crafted the original space when it was under its previous ownership—and the room looks as fresh today as when she designed it nearly a decade ago.) pradocafe.com