All within walking distance (almost).
Cafes and Coffee Shops
Moja Coffee
1102 Commercial DrOur go-to. Great coffee, great treats.
Paris vibes, Italian goodies, amazing bread. Enjoy a morning pastry, then head back here when it turns into a wine bar in the evening.
24 abantu bendawo batusa
LIVIA Forno e Vino
1399 Commercial DrParis vibes, Italian goodies, amazing bread. Enjoy a morning pastry, then head back here when it turns into a wine bar in the evening.
Turks Coffee Bar
1276 Commercial DrGreat coffee (and oh, so close)
A bit of a walk, but worth it. Delicious sourdough baked goods, gorgeous space (definitely make sure to head here if you’re going to explore Trout Lake).
19 abantu bendawo batusa
FLOURIST
3433 Commercial StA bit of a walk, but worth it. Delicious sourdough baked goods, gorgeous space (definitely make sure to head here if you’re going to explore Trout Lake).
Cocktails & Wine Bars
Feel like you’re in Italy in this gorgeous wine bar. Located right beside Pepinos (which you should go to for dinner).
13 abantu bendawo batusa
Caffé La Tana
635 Commercial DrFeel like you’re in Italy in this gorgeous wine bar. Located right beside Pepinos (which you should go to for dinner).
Bar Corso
1566 Commercial DriveWine, grappa, cocktails and tapas - need we say more?
Restaurants
Delicious food, great room, amazing cocktails (ask for a mezcal sour)
155 abantu bendawo batusa
La Mezcaleria
1622 Commercial DrDelicious food, great room, amazing cocktails (ask for a mezcal sour)
Cuban American - a really great time, the best patio, totally okay food.
153 abantu bendawo batusa
Havana Vancouver
1212 Commercial DrCuban American - a really great time, the best patio, totally okay food.
Kishimoto Japanese Restaurant
2054 Commercial DrPerhaps some of the best sushi in the city.
Incredible, amazing, mind blowing. This restaurant doesn’t take reservations, and is tiny, but it’s right around the corner. Your best bet is to go get in line at around 4:45, put your name on the list, head back home and wait for your table. It’s pricier, but definitely worth it (especially the tasting menu).
10 abantu bendawo batusa
Oca Pastificio
1260 Commercial DriveIncredible, amazing, mind blowing. This restaurant doesn’t take reservations, and is tiny, but it’s right around the corner. Your best bet is to go get in line at around 4:45, put your name on the list, head back home and wait for your table. It’s pricier, but definitely worth it (especially the tasting menu).
Lunch Lady
1046 Commercial DrSo delicious, always busy, worth the wait (not just for lunch).
Japanese Fried Chicken - started as a food truck and now they’re here... in our guidebook... because they're so delicious.
Mogu Fried Chicken
1012 Commercial DriveJapanese Fried Chicken - started as a food truck and now they’re here... in our guidebook... because they're so delicious.
Authentic Napoletana Pizza - quite honestly the best pizza in town, cute atmosphere
159 abantu bendawo batusa
Via Tevere Pizzeria
1190 Victoria DrAuthentic Napoletana Pizza - quite honestly the best pizza in town, cute atmosphere
Pepino's Spaghetti House
631 Commercial DrItalian - great room, great service, great food.
Long lines, always busy, we don’t love it - but you might!
23 abantu bendawo batusa
Downlow Chicken Shack
905 Commercial DrLong lines, always busy, we don’t love it - but you might!
Kin Kao Thai Kitchen
903 Commercial DrFancy Thai, delicious.
Neighbourhoods
This is our hood, and we couldn't be prouder. Explore our vibrant, lively, and unique corner of the city and discover all sorts of gems.
296 abantu bendawo batusa
Commercial Drive
Commercial DriveThis is our hood, and we couldn't be prouder. Explore our vibrant, lively, and unique corner of the city and discover all sorts of gems.
Similar to The Drive - lots of really cute stores (great for shopping), some awesome eats and fun bars and breweries.
82 abantu bendawo batusa
Mount Pleasant
Similar to The Drive - lots of really cute stores (great for shopping), some awesome eats and fun bars and breweries.
(not walking distance from us) BUT very cute, beachy neighbourhood. Enjoy coffee and shopping on 4th ave, then stroll down to kits beach for some stand up paddle boarding and beautiful views.
190 abantu bendawo batusa
Kitsilano
(not walking distance from us) BUT very cute, beachy neighbourhood. Enjoy coffee and shopping on 4th ave, then stroll down to kits beach for some stand up paddle boarding and beautiful views.
Small, but mighty - some of the best restaurants (Bao Bei, Kissa Tanto), great nightlife, and lots of heritage.
171 abantu bendawo batusa
Chinatown
Small, but mighty - some of the best restaurants (Bao Bei, Kissa Tanto), great nightlife, and lots of heritage.
Our neighbouring neighbourhood, filled with gorgeous heritage houses, a beautiful park (Maclean Park) and some very cute spots to stop and have a bite (Finches, Wilder Snail, Harvest Foods, The Garden) - it's the perfect 'hood for a sunny afternoon stroll.
10 abantu bendawo batusa
Strathcona
Our neighbouring neighbourhood, filled with gorgeous heritage houses, a beautiful park (Maclean Park) and some very cute spots to stop and have a bite (Finches, Wilder Snail, Harvest Foods, The Garden) - it's the perfect 'hood for a sunny afternoon stroll.
(Not within walking distance...unless you really like walking) Olympic Village is awesome. Grab a coffee at Terra Breads, take a nice, long walk along the seawall and take in Vancouver, or rent a kayak and paddle around False Creek, OR hop on a water taxi and let someone else drive the boat. Maybe stop off at Granville Island for a snack and a walk-around (lots to see there). Then end your day with dinner at Nook (in Olympic Village) - one of our faves for pasta and pizza.
83 abantu bendawo batusa
Olympic Village Square
(Not within walking distance...unless you really like walking) Olympic Village is awesome. Grab a coffee at Terra Breads, take a nice, long walk along the seawall and take in Vancouver, or rent a kayak and paddle around False Creek, OR hop on a water taxi and let someone else drive the boat. Maybe stop off at Granville Island for a snack and a walk-around (lots to see there). Then end your day with dinner at Nook (in Olympic Village) - one of our faves for pasta and pizza.
Shopping
Something for (mostly) everyone - love this store for it's incredible selection of lifestyle goods ranging from locally made peanut butter to women's fashion.
Gatley Lifestyle Store
1136 Commercial DrSomething for (mostly) everyone - love this store for it's incredible selection of lifestyle goods ranging from locally made peanut butter to women's fashion.
Sightseeing
One of those places where you stop and think 'and I'm how close to the city?'. The perfect spot to unwind, enjoy nature and people watch (we wouldn't advise swimming, though...). There's a summer farmer's market in the North parking lot that's always great to checkout. Be sure to walk a little further and pickup some baked goods at Flourist.
192 abantu bendawo batusa
Trout Lake Beach
One of those places where you stop and think 'and I'm how close to the city?'. The perfect spot to unwind, enjoy nature and people watch (we wouldn't advise swimming, though...). There's a summer farmer's market in the North parking lot that's always great to checkout. Be sure to walk a little further and pickup some baked goods at Flourist.
(Not within walking distance) Go for the food, quirky shops, market, and views - stay for all of the above.
1659 abantu bendawo batusa
Isiqithi saseGranville
(Not within walking distance) Go for the food, quirky shops, market, and views - stay for all of the above.