Guidebook for Vancouver
Food Scene
This is my go-to coffee shop to meet a friend or read a book. Great food, cool, minimal decor and friendly staff.
http://greenhorncafe.com
93 locals recommend
Greenhorn
994 Nicola StThis is my go-to coffee shop to meet a friend or read a book. Great food, cool, minimal decor and friendly staff.
http://greenhorncafe.com
A great place to meet friends, Banana Leaf serves a delicious menu of Malaysian food.
71 locals recommend
Banana Leaf on Davie
1043 Davie StA great place to meet friends, Banana Leaf serves a delicious menu of Malaysian food.
Comfort food from around the world. A main street favourite of mine.
http://burgoo.ca
113 locals recommend
Burgoo
3096 Main StComfort food from around the world. A main street favourite of mine.
http://burgoo.ca
Joe's Grill
1031 Davie StReasonably priced, traditional breakfast and a no-nonsense decor.
A Vancouver favorite. Creative Belgian cuisine and sustainable seafood. Open concept with exposed brick. The Moules Frites are amazing.They also do a mean breakfast. http://www.chambar.com
371 locals recommend
Chambar Restaurant
568 Beatty StreetA Vancouver favorite. Creative Belgian cuisine and sustainable seafood. Open concept with exposed brick. The Moules Frites are amazing.They also do a mean breakfast. http://www.chambar.com
Forage
1300 Robson StDelicious brunch.
Nuba in Gastown
207 W Hastings StModern Lebanese cuisine.
http://www.nuba.ca/about-nuba/
Fancy, well-made cocktails and delicious food. Dress smart-casual for this place.
111 locals recommend
Pourhouse Restaurant
162 Water StFancy, well-made cocktails and delicious food. Dress smart-casual for this place.
Specializing in sandwiches, this lunch spot has become a Gastown staple.
http://meatandbread.ca
132 locals recommend
Meat & Bread
370 Cambie StSpecializing in sandwiches, this lunch spot has become a Gastown staple.
http://meatandbread.ca
My favourite lunch spot in Vancouver. Rustic decor. Delicious baguette sandwiches, soups, and salads made with fresh ingredients. Get there early so you can snag a seat.
32 locals recommend
Finch's
353 W Pender StMy favourite lunch spot in Vancouver. Rustic decor. Delicious baguette sandwiches, soups, and salads made with fresh ingredients. Get there early so you can snag a seat.
Indian food in a warm, candle-lit atmosphere. The Chai Feast is a must-try.
http://www.eastiseast.ca
224 locals recommend
East Is East
3035 W BroadwayIndian food in a warm, candle-lit atmosphere. The Chai Feast is a must-try.
http://www.eastiseast.ca
A perfect spot to read, meet a friend or people watch with a coffee. Minimal, cozy decor with delicious baked goods and lunch options. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Coco-et-Olive-Cafe/140592969322040
17 locals recommend
Coco et Olive
3707 Main StA perfect spot to read, meet a friend or people watch with a coffee. Minimal, cozy decor with delicious baked goods and lunch options. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Coco-et-Olive-Cafe/140592969322040
Delicious fish and chips and fish tacos to eat in or take out, as well as a variety of fresh fish to cook at home. Great place to stop for lunch while shopping on Main St.
84 locals recommend
The Fish Counter
3825 Main StDelicious fish and chips and fish tacos to eat in or take out, as well as a variety of fresh fish to cook at home. Great place to stop for lunch while shopping on Main St.
Guu is the first Japanese tapas (Izakaya) restaurant in Vancouver, "offering the most authentic real izakaya experience to Vancouver locals."
https://guu-izakaya.com
54 locals recommend
Guu Original Thurlow
838 Thurlow StGuu is the first Japanese tapas (Izakaya) restaurant in Vancouver, "offering the most authentic real izakaya experience to Vancouver locals."
https://guu-izakaya.com
You won't regret splurging on a dinner at Joe Fortes. Or stop in for an afternoon glass of wine on the patio. http://www.joefortes.ca
178 locals recommend
Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House
777 Thurlow StYou won't regret splurging on a dinner at Joe Fortes. Or stop in for an afternoon glass of wine on the patio. http://www.joefortes.ca
My favorite Japanese restaurant in Town. Order the "Famous Invincible & Undefeated Tan-Tan Noodles." Hands-down the best noodles I've ever eaten.
68 locals recommend
Kingyo
871 Denman StMy favorite Japanese restaurant in Town. Order the "Famous Invincible & Undefeated Tan-Tan Noodles." Hands-down the best noodles I've ever eaten.
Drinks & Nightlife
An British-style, gastro pub with thoughtful comfort food. Generally draws a 30+ crowd.
6 locals recommend
The Fat Badger
1616 Alberni StAn British-style, gastro pub with thoughtful comfort food. Generally draws a 30+ crowd.
A great place to sample some eclectic nightlife or grab a bite to eat.
62 locals recommend
Davie Street
Davie StreetA great place to sample some eclectic nightlife or grab a bite to eat.
My favourite bar in the city. Six Acres has an amazing beer selection, tapas-style food and an intimate atmosphere. Great for a date or catching up with a friend.
66 locals recommend
Six Acres
203 Carrall StMy favourite bar in the city. Six Acres has an amazing beer selection, tapas-style food and an intimate atmosphere. Great for a date or catching up with a friend.
A tiny, hidden bar in a basement. There's a red light above the door to indicate that you're in the right place. The fish tacos are tasty.
94 locals recommend
The Narrow Lounge
1898 Main StA tiny, hidden bar in a basement. There's a red light above the door to indicate that you're in the right place. The fish tacos are tasty.
A chill vibe with a diverse crowd. Catch some live music if you're lucky.
171 locals recommend
Guilt & Co
A chill vibe with a diverse crowd. Catch some live music if you're lucky.
Arts & Culture
Craving some DiCaprio or Streep? Just pop down the street to this giant multiplex.
259 locals recommend
Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver
900 Burrard StCraving some DiCaprio or Streep? Just pop down the street to this giant multiplex.
Get your art fix here. Holds a variety of permanent and rotating exhibits. The building itself is quite impressive if all you have time for is a walk-by. A great little cafe and gift shop inside.
1154 locals recommend
Vancouver Art Gallery
750 Hornby StGet your art fix here. Holds a variety of permanent and rotating exhibits. The building itself is quite impressive if all you have time for is a walk-by. A great little cafe and gift shop inside.
Essentials
Cheapest groceries in the neighbourhood at this bare-bones supermarket.
38 locals recommend
Brandon & Joanny's No Frills
1030 Denman StCheapest groceries in the neighbourhood at this bare-bones supermarket.
Just two blocks away, this is where I do must of my shopping. They carry a great selection of organic items.
403 locals recommend
IGA
2286 W BroadwayJust two blocks away, this is where I do must of my shopping. They carry a great selection of organic items.
Reasonably priced, great for you basic grocery needs.
85 locals recommend
Davie Street Your Independent Grocer
1255 Davie StReasonably priced, great for you basic grocery needs.
Convenient, higher end, great bakery, can sip a glass of wine while you shop!
425 locals recommend
Urban Fare
177 Davie StConvenient, higher end, great bakery, can sip a glass of wine while you shop!
American high-end organic-focused chain. There is a much bigger one at Cambie and Broadway.
726 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
510 W 8th AveAmerican high-end organic-focused chain. There is a much bigger one at Cambie and Broadway.
Gym facilities and pool. The gym is usually very busy on weekends and after 4:00 and weekdays. If you go on a weekday morning or early aft you'll likely be able to use the equipment without waiting.
34 locals recommend
Robert Lee YMCA
955 Burrard StGym facilities and pool. The gym is usually very busy on weekends and after 4:00 and weekdays. If you go on a weekday morning or early aft you'll likely be able to use the equipment without waiting.
Should you need medical attention, St. Paul's Hospital is just two blocks away.
20 locals recommend
St Pauls Hospital
1081 Burrard StShould you need medical attention, St. Paul's Hospital is just two blocks away.
Parks & Nature
Want to escape the big city for a while? Stroll up to Stanley park. Walk around the lagoon, rent a bike and take it for a spin through the park, or relax on a bench and watch the ducks waddle past.
2658 locals recommend
Stanley Park
610 Pipeline RdWant to escape the big city for a while? Stroll up to Stanley park. Walk around the lagoon, rent a bike and take it for a spin through the park, or relax on a bench and watch the ducks waddle past.
Head down the hill on Bute and you'll hit the beach. Great on a sunny day.
235 locals recommend
Sunset Beach
Beach AveHead down the hill on Bute and you'll hit the beach. Great on a sunny day.
A great spot to have a drink, eat, people watch, or check out the beautiful view of the water from a restaurant patio or a bench along the beach.
537 locals recommend
English Bay Beach
Beach AvenueA great spot to have a drink, eat, people watch, or check out the beautiful view of the water from a restaurant patio or a bench along the beach.
A scenic 55-acre botanical garden of plants collected from around the world and artistically displayed. http://vandusengarden.org
321 locals recommend
VanDusen Botanical Garden
5251 Oak StA scenic 55-acre botanical garden of plants collected from around the world and artistically displayed. http://vandusengarden.org
Entertainment & Activities
Vancouver Aquarium
845 Avison WayThe cutest of sea otters holding hands. Need I say more.
One of the only independent movie houses in Vancouver, the Rio won't disappoint if you're in the mood for a cult classic, an offbeat, independent film or an 80's theme night.
http://riotheatre.ca/about/
100 locals recommend
Rio Theatre
1660 E BroadwayOne of the only independent movie houses in Vancouver, the Rio won't disappoint if you're in the mood for a cult classic, an offbeat, independent film or an 80's theme night.
http://riotheatre.ca/about/
Shopping
Shop till you drop. Start at Robson and Bute and keep going until you hit Granville Street.
789 locals recommend
Robson Street
1155 Robson StShop till you drop. Start at Robson and Bute and keep going until you hit Granville Street.
Need a new pair of Jeans? Dutil sells nothing but denim, and their knowledgeable staff will help you find the perfect pair.
7 locals recommend
Dutil Denim
303 W Cordova StNeed a new pair of Jeans? Dutil sells nothing but denim, and their knowledgeable staff will help you find the perfect pair.
Marketplace, theatre, comedy, music, restaurants and artisan shops. The little colourful water taxis will take you over.
1659 locals recommend
Granville Island
Marketplace, theatre, comedy, music, restaurants and artisan shops. The little colourful water taxis will take you over.
A main street fashion mainstay, you'll find a clothing item or accessory here that will make your friends back home jealous. I promise. Very cool, friendly and helpful staff.
23 locals recommend
Eugene Choo
3683 Main StA main street fashion mainstay, you'll find a clothing item or accessory here that will make your friends back home jealous. I promise. Very cool, friendly and helpful staff.