Guidebook for Vancouver
Food Scene
This little spot holds the well-earned #1 restaurant in Vancouver on Tripadvisor and it's just three short blocks from our house. Make a reservation, it's tiny and very popular.
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Absinthe Bistro
952 Commercial DrThis little spot holds the well-earned #1 restaurant in Vancouver on Tripadvisor and it's just three short blocks from our house. Make a reservation, it's tiny and very popular.
Creative mezcal cocktails, tasty taco selections and molten queso fundido. Also very busy, no reservation so expect a bit of a wait.
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La Mezcaleria
1622 Commercial DrCreative mezcal cocktails, tasty taco selections and molten queso fundido. Also very busy, no reservation so expect a bit of a wait.
Fratelli Authentic Italian Baking
1795 Commercial DrAuthentic Italian bakery. Need I say more?
A little further away than Tatsu, but serves some of the freshest sushi in town. Often has a line up, no reservations.
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Kishimoto Japanese Restaurant
2054 Commercial DrA little further away than Tatsu, but serves some of the freshest sushi in town. Often has a line up, no reservations.
Jamjar Canteen
2290 Commercial DrTasty Lebanese fare and hummus to go.
Authentic Neopolitan pizza. Check out the wood fired pizza oven imported from Naples. There is a line up every night, no reservations, no delivery. Worth the wait.
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Via Tevere Pizzeria
1190 Victoria DrAuthentic Neopolitan pizza. Check out the wood fired pizza oven imported from Naples. There is a line up every night, no reservations, no delivery. Worth the wait.
Local coffee roasters, try a mocha with their signature chocolate whipped cream.
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Continental Coffee
1806 Commercial DrLocal coffee roasters, try a mocha with their signature chocolate whipped cream.
In true Italian style, Calabria will serve you the best cappuccino in town.
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Cafè Calabria
1745 Commercial DrIn true Italian style, Calabria will serve you the best cappuccino in town.
The Red Wagon
2128 E Hastings StBecause pulled pork pancakes.
218 flavours, including originals like beer, wasabi or blue cheese flavoured ice cream. and check out the pop up vintage arcade right around the corner!
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La Casa Gelato
1033 Venables St218 flavours, including originals like beer, wasabi or blue cheese flavoured ice cream. and check out the pop up vintage arcade right around the corner!
Don't miss Wing Night on Tuesday! Also a good spot for weekend brunch.
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The Charlatan
1447 Commercial DrDon't miss Wing Night on Tuesday! Also a good spot for weekend brunch.
Entertainment & Activities
The last video store in Vancouver! It's full of unexpected surprises and the best curated collection of films you can imagine.
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Black Dog Video
1470 Commercial DrThe last video store in Vancouver! It's full of unexpected surprises and the best curated collection of films you can imagine.
Local movie house showing first run and repertory films. Also hosts live events and music. Licensed.
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Rio Theatre
1660 E BroadwayLocal movie house showing first run and repertory films. Also hosts live events and music. Licensed.
Pop up vintage arcade! So fun and right next to the biggest best ice cream shop ever!
Landyachtz Factory Store
1146 Union StPop up vintage arcade! So fun and right next to the biggest best ice cream shop ever!
Long-time music venue, recently updated, now includes theatre and musical performances and other events.
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York Theatre, The Cultch
639 Commercial DrLong-time music venue, recently updated, now includes theatre and musical performances and other events.
Parks & Nature
Home to the East Vancouver Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings. Also makes for a lovely walk around the lake.
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Trout Lake Beach
Home to the East Vancouver Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings. Also makes for a lovely walk around the lake.
McSpadden Park
2125 Victoria DrIt's the nearest off leash dog park.
Water park in the summer for kids, playground, bicycle polo court and general fun place where musicians play impromptu concerts and vendors set up random markets.
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Iphakamisa Park
1657 Charles StWater park in the summer for kids, playground, bicycle polo court and general fun place where musicians play impromptu concerts and vendors set up random markets.
Drinks & Nightlife
Another nearby brewery and tasting room. They also have a small art gallery featuring local artists.
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Strange Fellows Brewing Company
1345 Clark DrAnother nearby brewery and tasting room. They also have a small art gallery featuring local artists.
Powell Brewery
1357 Powell StAnother favourite brewery in the Hop Circle!
Recently voted the "Nerdiest bar in Canada", the Storm Crow will impress sci-fi nerds, board game fanatics and just regular folks. It's fun, inexpensive and a great experience.
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Storm Crow Tavern
1305 Commercial DrRecently voted the "Nerdiest bar in Canada", the Storm Crow will impress sci-fi nerds, board game fanatics and just regular folks. It's fun, inexpensive and a great experience.
Great space, good beer. The have pinball machines to keep the kids occupied.
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East Vancouver Brewing Company
1675 Venables StGreat space, good beer. The have pinball machines to keep the kids occupied.
Essentials
Spartacus Gym
1522 Commercial DrOne week pass for $20 or $10 drop-in fee.
Super Valu
1645 E 1st AveChain supermarket. Nothing special but it is open 24 hrs.
Santa Barbara Market
1322 1322 Commercial DrGood produce, busy deli.
Triple A Market
1626 Commercial DrGood selection of organic and conventional produce.
Norman's Fruit & Salad
1604 Commercial DrGreat for produce, dry goods and other food items.
Sells only Oceanwise certified sustainable seafood.
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The Daily Catch 100% Sustainable Seafood Market - Commercial Drive
1418 Commercial DrSells only Oceanwise certified sustainable seafood.
Pasture To Plate Natural Products Ltd
1420 Commercial DrOrganic meats.
Care Point Medical
1623 Commercial DrDrop in medical clinic.
Pharmasave Commercial Drive
1308 Commercial DrFriendly family run pharmacy, incredibly helpful.
Long standing organic and natural food shop. Grab a couple of tasty inexpensive samosas to go.
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Sweet Cherubim
1105 Commercial DrLong standing organic and natural food shop. Grab a couple of tasty inexpensive samosas to go.
For any kind of cheese you need. They also do inexpensive deli sandwiches to go.
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La Grotta Del Formaggio
1791 Commercial DrFor any kind of cheese you need. They also do inexpensive deli sandwiches to go.
Arts & Culture
Dance, music and live theatre in an historic building. Also houses an art gallery featuring local artists.
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Historic Theatre, The Cultch
1895 Venables StDance, music and live theatre in an historic building. Also houses an art gallery featuring local artists.
Performing arts, music, dance venue. Cool lounge downstairs with a definite locals-only feel.
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The Wise
1882 Adanac StPerforming arts, music, dance venue. Cool lounge downstairs with a definite locals-only feel.
Getting Around
Commercial Platform 3 station
15 minute walk from our house.
#20 bus heading north (toward the mountains) will take you to Historic Chinatown (15 mins), Gastown (20 mins) or downtown (30 mins). #20 bus heading south will bring you to the Skytrain.
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Commercial Drive
Commercial Drive#20 bus heading north (toward the mountains) will take you to Historic Chinatown (15 mins), Gastown (20 mins) or downtown (30 mins). #20 bus heading south will bring you to the Skytrain.