Our favourite Vancouver spots
Our favorite restaurants
Vancouver has so many amazing food options. Here is a list of some of our favorites, from quick eats to fine dining.
Our favourite! Fancy Japanese-Italian cuisine and cocktails in a 60s style restaurant. You absolutely have to reserve well in advance.
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Kissa Tanto
263 E Pender StOur favourite! Fancy Japanese-Italian cuisine and cocktails in a 60s style restaurant. You absolutely have to reserve well in advance.
Upscale restaurant serving rustic Italian fare a short drive, bus ride or walk from our house. Reserve ahead of time.
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Osteria Savio Volpe
615 KingswayUpscale restaurant serving rustic Italian fare a short drive, bus ride or walk from our house. Reserve ahead of time.
Miku Vancouver
200 Granville StFancy Aguri (flame seared) sushi right by the water.
Minami
1118 Mainland StSame owner and similar style sushi as Miku, in trendy Yaletown.
Belgian cuisine serving Pacific Northwest seafood in a cozy, exposed brick wall restaurant. Fancy food and totally unpretentious.
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Chambar Restaurant
568 Beatty StreetBelgian cuisine serving Pacific Northwest seafood in a cozy, exposed brick wall restaurant. Fancy food and totally unpretentious.
Perfect place to go for fish tacos or fish and chips if you're headed to Granville Island or strolling along the seawall. Outdoor seating only. Don't come too hungry as you usually have to wait in line.
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Go Fish
1505 W 1st AvePerfect place to go for fish tacos or fish and chips if you're headed to Granville Island or strolling along the seawall. Outdoor seating only. Don't come too hungry as you usually have to wait in line.
Yummy sushi place on the Drive. Only open evenings.
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Kishimoto Japanese Restaurant
2054 Commercial DrYummy sushi place on the Drive. Only open evenings.
Crowd pleaser that's popular with locals and tourists alike. It's a chain with several locations. Make sure to hit up the Coal Harbour or English Bay location to enjoy the ocean views and sunset.
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Cactus Club Cafe Coal Harbour
1085 Canada PlCrowd pleaser that's popular with locals and tourists alike. It's a chain with several locations. Make sure to hit up the Coal Harbour or English Bay location to enjoy the ocean views and sunset.
Indian-Chinese restaurant that's perfect for a quick meal or takeout. Right across the street from us. Make sure to try the spicy eggplant and the Masala fish.
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Green Lettuce
1949 KingswayIndian-Chinese restaurant that's perfect for a quick meal or takeout. Right across the street from us. Make sure to try the spicy eggplant and the Masala fish.
Vietnamese style plant-based foods that taste amazing just 10 minutes walk from our house.
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Chau Veggie Express
5052 Victoria DrVietnamese style plant-based foods that taste amazing just 10 minutes walk from our house.
Via Tevere Pizzeria
1190 Victoria DrGreat pizza restaurant not too far from our house.
The Acorn Restaurant
3995 Main StFancy and delicious vegan and vegetarian food.
Incredible fried chicken tenders nearby on the Drive. Don't go too spicy as they are HOT!
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Downlow Chicken Shack
905 Commercial DrIncredible fried chicken tenders nearby on the Drive. Don't go too spicy as they are HOT!
La Mezcaleria
1622 Commercial DrDelicious Mexican tacos and mezcal.
Fancy yet approachable restaurant a 10 minute walk from our house. One of our favourite date night spots!
Collective Goods Bistro & Grocer
3532 Commercial StreetFancy yet approachable restaurant a 10 minute walk from our house. One of our favourite date night spots!
Breweries and drinks
Vancouver has a host of microbreweries. Hop on a mobi bike and go brewery hopping! Here are also some cocktail bars we like.
One of the first microbreweries and one of the best (in our opinion). Often has a food truck outside as well.
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33 Acres Brewing Company
15 W 8th AveOne of the first microbreweries and one of the best (in our opinion). Often has a food truck outside as well.
Brassneck Brewery
2148 Main StRustic setup and tasty beers, not far from 33 Acres.
Another fave that's close by the other breweries. In an old heritage building.
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Main Street Brewery
261 E 7th AveAnother fave that's close by the other breweries. In an old heritage building.
Definitely not close by and we only recommend the trip if you are going in that direction anyways, but their beer is fantastic and they've won lots of prizes for it. You can also just hit up the local liquor store to get yourself a taste.
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Four Winds Brewing Company
4-7355 72 StDefinitely not close by and we only recommend the trip if you are going in that direction anyways, but their beer is fantastic and they've won lots of prizes for it. You can also just hit up the local liquor store to get yourself a taste.
The Keefer Bar
135 Keefer StFancy cocktails and a cool ambiance.
Chain that keeps on snatching up the best patio spots in the city. Try the one in Coal Harbour by the Convention Centre or in the Olympic Village. There's also a smaller TapShack under the Burrard Bridge.
Lots of beers on tap. Food is ok.
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Tap & Barrel • Olympic Village
75 Athletes WayChain that keeps on snatching up the best patio spots in the city. Try the one in Coal Harbour by the Convention Centre or in the Olympic Village. There's also a smaller TapShack under the Burrard Bridge.
Lots of beers on tap. Food is ok.
The Diamond
6 Powell StProhibition-style cocktail bar in the heart of Gastown.
The lounge at the Fairmont Pacific Rim is a lovely place to have a drink, listen to live music and people watch.
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Hotel Fairmont Pacific Rim
1038 Canada PlThe lounge at the Fairmont Pacific Rim is a lovely place to have a drink, listen to live music and people watch.
Local microbrewery that's great to visit with kids. It’s family-friendly, especially during the day (nighttime gets pretty shoulder-to-shoulder busy). Mom and dad can enjoy a craft beer sampler or a pint of R&B’s signature brews, including the Dude Chilling Pale Ale and East Side Bitter. There’s also wood-fired, thin-crusted Neopolitan-style pizza (try the mushroom), and for the kids, there are complimentary roasted marshmallows, served tableside. There’s also a big toy bin and games, and in the summer, there’s a narrow but sunny patio with turf green flooring, where the kids are nicely corralled behind the patio fencing.
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R&B Ale & Pizza House
1-54 E 4th AveLocal microbrewery that's great to visit with kids. It’s family-friendly, especially during the day (nighttime gets pretty shoulder-to-shoulder busy). Mom and dad can enjoy a craft beer sampler or a pint of R&B’s signature brews, including the Dude Chilling Pale Ale and East Side Bitter. There’s also wood-fired, thin-crusted Neopolitan-style pizza (try the mushroom), and for the kids, there are complimentary roasted marshmallows, served tableside. There’s also a big toy bin and games, and in the summer, there’s a narrow but sunny patio with turf green flooring, where the kids are nicely corralled behind the patio fencing.
Coffee and treats
Some of our favorite coffee shops, bakeries and ice cream places.
A 15-minute walk away on Kingsway, this is a great local coffee spot for your morning joe.
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Pallet Coffee Roasters
323 Semlin DrA 15-minute walk away on Kingsway, this is a great local coffee spot for your morning joe.
Award winning ice cream place. So delicious. You will have to wait in line for quite a bit on a sunny weekend though.
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Bella Gelateria
1752 W Cordova StAward winning ice cream place. So delicious. You will have to wait in line for quite a bit on a sunny weekend though.
A local favourite run by one of our dear friends. Rotating flavors. Whiskey and hazelnut is the best!
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Earnest Ice Cream
3992 Fraser StA local favourite run by one of our dear friends. Rotating flavors. Whiskey and hazelnut is the best!
Local donut store with vegan and gluten free options. Earl Grey is their most popular flavour, but get a stuffie if they have them.
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Cartems Donuts
2190 Main StLocal donut store with vegan and gluten free options. Earl Grey is their most popular flavour, but get a stuffie if they have them.
Nemesis Coffee Gastown
302 W Hastings StGreat coffee and lovely atmosphere. Win-win.
Several locations serving delicious coffee and homemade treats.
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Matchstick Fraser St.
639 E 15th AveSeveral locations serving delicious coffee and homemade treats.
Best baked goods in Vancouver, hands down. And yummy coffee. Stop here if you're downtown.
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Small Victory Bakery
1088 Homer StBest baked goods in Vancouver, hands down. And yummy coffee. Stop here if you're downtown.
17°C Bubble Tea & Dessert Café
2229 KingswayDelicious bubble tea close to our house.
Kozak Ukraїnian Eatery
5077 Victoria DrDelicious freshly baked bread, coffee and treats a short walk from our house.
Amazing sourdough bread made from freshly milled grains. Good sandwiches and coffee, and delicious local/regional staples - great if you're looking for something 'Vancouver' to take home. They sell wine too!
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FLOURIST
3433 Commercial StAmazing sourdough bread made from freshly milled grains. Good sandwiches and coffee, and delicious local/regional staples - great if you're looking for something 'Vancouver' to take home. They sell wine too!
Groceries and essentials
We have a grocery store within a few blocks in pretty much every direction (just don't head north). The closest pharmacy and walk-in clinic are both a block away.
Large western style grocery store chain. Often has savings that you can only unlock with a Save on More card. Use Jesse's phone number (604-616-3851) and name to get the discount.
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Save-On-Foods
1403 E King Edward AveLarge western style grocery store chain. Often has savings that you can only unlock with a Save on More card. Use Jesse's phone number (604-616-3851) and name to get the discount.
The closest Asian grocery store just a couple blocks away on Victoria drive. Great selection of fruit and veggies.
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88 Supermarket
2611 E 49th AveThe closest Asian grocery store just a couple blocks away on Victoria drive. Great selection of fruit and veggies.
Brand new massive Asian supermarket just a few blocks East on Kingsway. Tons of fresh fish and produce. Also has a small bakery and hot bar.
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T&T Supermarket
179 Keefer PlBrand new massive Asian supermarket just a few blocks East on Kingsway. Tons of fresh fish and produce. Also has a small bakery and hot bar.
Lots of organic meat and bulk items. Their produce section is a bit small though. Get their frozen BC salmon if you're looking for things to cook.
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Famous Foods
1595 KingswayLots of organic meat and bulk items. Their produce section is a bit small though. Get their frozen BC salmon if you're looking for things to cook.
Pharmacy and drug store right around the corner from our house. Doesn't have the best evening opening hours but really close by and the staff are super friendly.
Pharmasave Kingsway & Commercial
1808 KingswayPharmacy and drug store right around the corner from our house. Doesn't have the best evening opening hours but really close by and the staff are super friendly.
Walk-in clinic right around the corner from our house. Make sure to bring your insurance information. Open Monday-Saturday. You can check wait times ahead of time by going to medimap.ca. The website also shows you what clinics are open Sundays.
Simply Wellness Medical
1818 KingswayWalk-in clinic right around the corner from our house. Make sure to bring your insurance information. Open Monday-Saturday. You can check wait times ahead of time by going to medimap.ca. The website also shows you what clinics are open Sundays.
Shopping
Here are some great places to spend all your money :)
Gastown
Lots of smaller independent stores.
Lovely little store on Commercial Street, just a 10-minute walk away. Features some local designers and lots of lovely home goods. Great for gifts!
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Second Nature Home Boutique
3565 Commercial StLovely little store on Commercial Street, just a 10-minute walk away. Features some local designers and lots of lovely home goods. Great for gifts!
Lots of great independent shops, especially between Broadway and King Edward.
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Main Street
Main StreetLots of great independent shops, especially between Broadway and King Edward.
Cute little store with lots of fun and eclectic things, also has lots of local food items (East Van honey!). Great place for meaningful souvenirs.
Grubwear - JACKSON'S GENERAL
1490 KingswayCute little store with lots of fun and eclectic things, also has lots of local food items (East Van honey!). Great place for meaningful souvenirs.
Lots of fun little stores towards the north end of Commercial, starting around 1st Ave.
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Commercial Drive
Commercial DriveLots of fun little stores towards the north end of Commercial, starting around 1st Ave.
Things to see and do
Some of our favorite activities in and around town, plus a few outside.
Iziko loMphumela
6393 NW Marine DrAmazing museum documenting BC's first nations history.
Massive Park on the west side of the city. We recommend walking the sea wall or grabbing a mobi bike and riding all the way around.
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I-Park ye-Stanley
610 Pipeline RdMassive Park on the west side of the city. We recommend walking the sea wall or grabbing a mobi bike and riding all the way around.
Grab a bike and spend half a day just cycling around. Start in Coal Harbour, go around Stanley Park to English Bay and all the way to Yaletown, then go around False Creek and over to Granville Island.
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Vancouver Seawall
Grab a bike and spend half a day just cycling around. Start in Coal Harbour, go around Stanley Park to English Bay and all the way to Yaletown, then go around False Creek and over to Granville Island.
Spanish Banks
Lovely beach a bit farther away from bustling Kits beach.
Vancouver's most popular beach. Gorgeous views and lots of activities. Kits pool is a massive outdoor pool that's great for swimming laps (it's over 125 metres long!). It also has a flat area for kids.
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Kitsilano Beach Park
1499 Arbutus StVancouver's most popular beach. Gorgeous views and lots of activities. Kits pool is a massive outdoor pool that's great for swimming laps (it's over 125 metres long!). It also has a flat area for kids.
Head up to Squamish and take the gondola up the mountain for spectacular views and beautiful hikes. The drive in itself makes the trip worth it!
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Indlela ye-Sea to Sky
36800 British Columbia 99Head up to Squamish and take the gondola up the mountain for spectacular views and beautiful hikes. The drive in itself makes the trip worth it!
Beach on the west side of Stanley Park. Amazing sunsets. Tends to attract a younger, hipper crowd. Lots of impromptu music and drum circles at night.
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Third Beach
Beach on the west side of Stanley Park. Amazing sunsets. Tends to attract a younger, hipper crowd. Lots of impromptu music and drum circles at night.
A 20-minute walk from our house, Trout Lake is a great running or walking trail. It also has a small beach and concession stand.
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Trout Lake Beach
A 20-minute walk from our house, Trout Lake is a great running or walking trail. It also has a small beach and concession stand.
Granville Island is a peninsula close to downtown that's know for its arts, entertainment and shopping. The public market is a great place to get a taste (quite literally!) of what Vancouver has to offer. Make sure to stop at Siegel's Bagels for an apricot almond rugelach.
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I-Granville Island Public Market
1689 Johnston StGranville Island is a peninsula close to downtown that's know for its arts, entertainment and shopping. The public market is a great place to get a taste (quite literally!) of what Vancouver has to offer. Make sure to stop at Siegel's Bagels for an apricot almond rugelach.
Queen E Park is an expansive and stunning park not too far from our house. At 152 metres above sea level, it’s the highest point in Vancouver and makes for spectacular views of the park, city, and mountains on the North Shore.
The 52-hectare park is home to the stunning Bloedel Conservatory. There is also a gorgeously landscaped quarry garden, the arboretum with its collection of exotic and native trees, sculptures including one by internationally renowned artist Henry Moore, and diverse recreational offerings such as tennis, lawn bowling and pitch & putt. The park is also the perfect setting for fine dining at Seasons in the Park, a picnic or stargazing!
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Iphakethe likaQueen Elizabeth
4600 Cambie StQueen E Park is an expansive and stunning park not too far from our house. At 152 metres above sea level, it’s the highest point in Vancouver and makes for spectacular views of the park, city, and mountains on the North Shore.
The 52-hectare park is home to the stunning Bloedel Conservatory. There is also a gorgeously landscaped quarry garden, the arboretum with its collection of exotic and native trees, sculptures including one by internationally renowned artist Henry Moore, and diverse recreational offerings such as tennis, lawn bowling and pitch & putt. The park is also the perfect setting for fine dining at Seasons in the Park, a picnic or stargazing!
Things to do with kids
Many of the activities and recommendations in this guidebook are kid-friendly, so make sure to check those out as well. Here are some more kid-specific things we like to do.
Spectacular aquarium. Great place to see marine animals and learn about conservation.
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I-Aquarium yaseVancouver
845 Avison WaySpectacular aquarium. Great place to see marine animals and learn about conservation.
Great place for a rainy day. Lots of kid friendly fun activities. Has a separate play area for little kids under 5. Creekside Park is a beautiful new playground right outside. Oh, and Earnest Ice Cream is just up the road.
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Science World kwi-TELUS World of Science
1455 Quebec StGreat place for a rainy day. Lots of kid friendly fun activities. Has a separate play area for little kids under 5. Creekside Park is a beautiful new playground right outside. Oh, and Earnest Ice Cream is just up the road.
Has a tot gym that's on every day except Sunday from 10-12 (please double check though). Great for kids 5 and under.
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Trout Lake Community Centre
3360 Victoria DrHas a tot gym that's on every day except Sunday from 10-12 (please double check though). Great for kids 5 and under.
Great indoor pool for rainy days and outdoor pool in the summer. Not far from our house.
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Hillcrest Centre
4575 Clancy Loranger WayGreat indoor pool for rainy days and outdoor pool in the summer. Not far from our house.
Great playground right across the street from us. Has recently been redone and has lots of great things for kids, including trampolines!
Brewers Park
4175 Victoria DrGreat playground right across the street from us. Has recently been redone and has lots of great things for kids, including trampolines!
Great playground that's usually fairly busy with other kids to play with.
Lord Selkirk Elementary School
1750 E 22nd AveGreat playground that's usually fairly busy with other kids to play with.
Another neat park and playground nearby if you need more playground variety.
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Kingcrest Park
4150 Knight StAnother neat park and playground nearby if you need more playground variety.
Community Centre with a tot gym, pool and outdoor playground and skatepark. Check online for tot gym hours. 10 minutes walk from our house.
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Kensington Community Centre
5175 Dumfries StCommunity Centre with a tot gym, pool and outdoor playground and skatepark. Check online for tot gym hours. 10 minutes walk from our house.
Super fun little area to explore with kids. Lovely stretch of seawall, a nearby playground and a cute peninsula to explore. There are lots of restaurants and coffee shops to stop in at.
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Olympic Village Square
Super fun little area to explore with kids. Lovely stretch of seawall, a nearby playground and a cute peninsula to explore. There are lots of restaurants and coffee shops to stop in at.