Guidebook for Coquitlam
Food Scene
Best value pasta in town. Pasta is buy one get one free. I would recommend their linguine alle vongole, which is linguine done in garlic, white wine sauce with clams. If you want to try spicy spaghetti, you can also try the linguine soul, which is linguine in a spicy, tomato soup/sauce with seafood. It's about a 10-15 minute walk from home.
9 locals recommend
Jimoco Café & Pasta
1046A Austin AveBest value pasta in town. Pasta is buy one get one free. I would recommend their linguine alle vongole, which is linguine done in garlic, white wine sauce with clams. If you want to try spicy spaghetti, you can also try the linguine soul, which is linguine in a spicy, tomato soup/sauce with seafood. It's about a 10-15 minute walk from home.
Very authentic northern Chinese cuisine, and large portions. I would recommend dumplings, noodles (freshly made right in front of you!), Chinese donuts (only available at lunch time), pork ribs, cold bean noodles. About a 10-15 walk from home.
Lucky Gate Chinese Restaurant
1139 Austin AveVery authentic northern Chinese cuisine, and large portions. I would recommend dumplings, noodles (freshly made right in front of you!), Chinese donuts (only available at lunch time), pork ribs, cold bean noodles. About a 10-15 walk from home.
McDonald's
515 6th StCheap fast food, 24 hour service. Everyone loves McDonald's!
They have really creative sushi rolls. My favourite is the aburi scallop roll. Aburi is flame seared sushi. This restaurant has 2 types of aburi rolls as well as aburi nigiri. It has a very unique slightly charred taste to it. Nao sushi also also has fresh sashimi. If you're up for an adventure, try their lobster sashimi set. It's about $40 for a sashimi boat, which includes 4-5 pieces of lobster sashimi and other assorted sashimi, such as salmon, tuna, amaebi, hokkigai, etc. They will use the lobster shell to cook miso soup. You can add udon to the soup for $2, which I would recommend adding, because their udon is super tasty.
Mika Sushi
1049 Ridgeway AveThey have really creative sushi rolls. My favourite is the aburi scallop roll. Aburi is flame seared sushi. This restaurant has 2 types of aburi rolls as well as aburi nigiri. It has a very unique slightly charred taste to it. Nao sushi also also has fresh sashimi. If you're up for an adventure, try their lobster sashimi set. It's about $40 for a sashimi boat, which includes 4-5 pieces of lobster sashimi and other assorted sashimi, such as salmon, tuna, amaebi, hokkigai, etc. They will use the lobster shell to cook miso soup. You can add udon to the soup for $2, which I would recommend adding, because their udon is super tasty.
Groceries
Newly revamped, Safeway is open quite late, and is about a 10-15 minute walk from home. It's a grocery store, but it also has a deli, bakery and a pharmacy. I really like their pizza buns.
6 locals recommend
Safeway Austin Heights
1033 Austin AvenueNewly revamped, Safeway is open quite late, and is about a 10-15 minute walk from home. It's a grocery store, but it also has a deli, bakery and a pharmacy. I really like their pizza buns.
Getting Around
Lougheed station is about a 10-12 minute bus ride away, and you an acess many bus routes, the Millenium Line (to VCC-Clark) and skytrain to Waterfront station. Both trains will take you to downtown (40-50 minutes), no transfer is required for the train to Waterfront. For the VCC-Clark skytrain, transfer at Commercial-Broadway. If you're going to Metrotown, take the train to Waterfornt and ride for about 20 minutes. You may want to purchase an compass card, which you can use on the bus, skytrain and seabus. You save some money paying with stored value on a compass card rather than buying a single fare ticket each time you ride.
54 locals recommend
Lougheed Town Centre Station
Lougheed station is about a 10-12 minute bus ride away, and you an acess many bus routes, the Millenium Line (to VCC-Clark) and skytrain to Waterfront station. Both trains will take you to downtown (40-50 minutes), no transfer is required for the train to Waterfront. For the VCC-Clark skytrain, transfer at Commercial-Broadway. If you're going to Metrotown, take the train to Waterfornt and ride for about 20 minutes. You may want to purchase an compass card, which you can use on the bus, skytrain and seabus. You save some money paying with stored value on a compass card rather than buying a single fare ticket each time you ride.
Less than 5 minute walk just up the street. Bus stop number 53548 for the 151 to Coquitlam Station (15-29 minutes). This bus goes by the Poirier Rec Centre as well. Text 33333 for next bus.
Eastbound Foster Ave @ Gatensbury St station
Less than 5 minute walk just up the street. Bus stop number 53548 for the 151 to Coquitlam Station (15-29 minutes). This bus goes by the Poirier Rec Centre as well. Text 33333 for next bus.
Less than 5 minute walk just up the street. Bus stop number 53534 for the 151 to Lougheed Station. Text 33333 for next bus.
Westbound Foster Ave @ Gatensbury St station
Less than 5 minute walk just up the street. Bus stop number 53534 for the 151 to Lougheed Station. Text 33333 for next bus.
Parks & Nature
The lake is very beautiful all year round. There is path around the lake that is perfect for strolling or running (one lap is around 1 mile). There is a playground there for families with children. In spring, you can see the cherry blossoms in full bloom.
12 locals recommend
Como Lake
The lake is very beautiful all year round. There is path around the lake that is perfect for strolling or running (one lap is around 1 mile). There is a playground there for families with children. In spring, you can see the cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Nice park with a picnic area. There’s also a tennis court here. Great place for families and pets. If you’re a Pokémon Go fan, this is a great spot for community day.
13 locals recommend
Blue Mountain Park
975 King Albert AveNice park with a picnic area. There’s also a tennis court here. Great place for families and pets. If you’re a Pokémon Go fan, this is a great spot for community day.
Entertainment & Activities
There is an indoor swimming pool, skating rink, tennis court, gym with drop-in activities, track and gym. There are lots of summer camps and activities for children. The community centre is about 10 minutes walk from home.
11 locals recommend
Poirier Sports & Leisure Complex
633 Poirier StThere is an indoor swimming pool, skating rink, tennis court, gym with drop-in activities, track and gym. There are lots of summer camps and activities for children. The community centre is about 10 minutes walk from home.
Arts & Culture
Simon Fraser University just celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016. It's unique architecture and scenic mountain views are a great attraction. SFU has been considered one of the top universities in the province and seeks to foster a caring, open community through tolerance and cultural diversity. There are plenty of Aboriginal arts and sculptures lining the halls of Saywell Hall and the Academic Quadrangle. You can go visit the observatory to see if you can see Saturn, or go mountain biking. Visit the Christmas fair during winter to buy local, handmade items. Fun fact: SFU was designed so that all buildings are connected, which means that students don't have to get wet on rainy days. SFU is a favourite for sci-fi movies and TV shows as well. SFU is about a 10 minute drive, or a 15 minute bus ride (take the 143 at Como Lake and Gatensbury.
79 locals recommend
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Dr WSimon Fraser University just celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016. It's unique architecture and scenic mountain views are a great attraction. SFU has been considered one of the top universities in the province and seeks to foster a caring, open community through tolerance and cultural diversity. There are plenty of Aboriginal arts and sculptures lining the halls of Saywell Hall and the Academic Quadrangle. You can go visit the observatory to see if you can see Saturn, or go mountain biking. Visit the Christmas fair during winter to buy local, handmade items. Fun fact: SFU was designed so that all buildings are connected, which means that students don't have to get wet on rainy days. SFU is a favourite for sci-fi movies and TV shows as well. SFU is about a 10 minute drive, or a 15 minute bus ride (take the 143 at Como Lake and Gatensbury.
Coffee
Cute little coffee shop with great coffee and a great selection of baked goods and sweets. Great place to study or meet up with friends. Check out their daily specials for quality coffee at a discount. 10-15 min. walk/ 3 min. drive (limited parking available).
Coffee + Vanilla
1054 Austin Ave