Guidebook for Vancouver
Essentials
Wilder Snail is a local gem. Go for your morning or afternoon coffee and if you are missing some ingredients for lunch or dinner, you'll find it here. Open from 8am-7pm most days.
58 locals recommend
Wilder Snail Neighborhood Grocery & Coffee
799 Keefer StWilder Snail is a local gem. Go for your morning or afternoon coffee and if you are missing some ingredients for lunch or dinner, you'll find it here. Open from 8am-7pm most days.
A good little market if you're looking for dinner ingredients and want to stay local. Sit and watch the cyclists riding along Union into downtown.
47 locals recommend
Union Market
810 Union StA good little market if you're looking for dinner ingredients and want to stay local. Sit and watch the cyclists riding along Union into downtown.
A good little market if you're looking for dinner ingredients and want to stay local. Open Tuesday - Saturday until 6:30pm.
31 locals recommend
Benny Foods Ltd
598 Union StA good little market if you're looking for dinner ingredients and want to stay local. Open Tuesday - Saturday until 6:30pm.
One of our favourite places to grocery shop. They carry local and organic options, and have a very large selection of food. They have a great bar of ready food if you want to eat in as well.
726 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
510 W 8th AveOne of our favourite places to grocery shop. They carry local and organic options, and have a very large selection of food. They have a great bar of ready food if you want to eat in as well.
Great local food joint. They have delicious hot udon soups for eating in, carry local Earnest Ice Cream and carry a variety of local food ingredients. A neat place to check out.
28 locals recommend
Harvest Community Foods
243 Union StGreat local food joint. They have delicious hot udon soups for eating in, carry local Earnest Ice Cream and carry a variety of local food ingredients. A neat place to check out.
Save-On-Foods
2308 Cambie StGroceries, just not many of the organic options.
Sausages, cheeses, breads, deserts, chocolates, fruits, vegetables, fresh pasta, and wine. This is where you want to go if you want to create a nice special dinner. A must see!
470 locals recommend
Granville Island Public Market
1689 Johnston StSausages, cheeses, breads, deserts, chocolates, fruits, vegetables, fresh pasta, and wine. This is where you want to go if you want to create a nice special dinner. A must see!
Entertainment & Activities
Great Park for the kids or to lie and read a book. There is a swing here for infants, a playground for toddlers and a water park for everyone!
16 locals recommend
MacLean Park
710 Keefer StGreat Park for the kids or to lie and read a book. There is a swing here for infants, a playground for toddlers and a water park for everyone!
Food Scene
Rated as one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Vancouver, we have never been, but it's supposed to be great. http://www.yelp.ca/biz/phnom-penh-vancouver
212 locals recommend
Phnom Penh Restaurant
244 E Georgia StRated as one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Vancouver, we have never been, but it's supposed to be great. http://www.yelp.ca/biz/phnom-penh-vancouver
Coffee shop and restaurant, they serve Vancouver's own Parallel 49 Coffee, this is a nice place for a local breakfast.
31 locals recommend
The Brixton
212 E Georgia StCoffee shop and restaurant, they serve Vancouver's own Parallel 49 Coffee, this is a nice place for a local breakfast.
Great local vegetarian restaurant. Go for a nice breakfast or dinner, and you will not be disappointed!
15 locals recommend
The Parker
237 Union StGreat local vegetarian restaurant. Go for a nice breakfast or dinner, and you will not be disappointed!
Beer Fan? This is top of our list! With something like 40 local microbrewery beers on tap & 3 casks, you will not be disappointed in the beer selection. Also great food, local, organic & free range.
207 locals recommend
Alibi Room
157 Alexander StBeer Fan? This is top of our list! With something like 40 local microbrewery beers on tap & 3 casks, you will not be disappointed in the beer selection. Also great food, local, organic & free range.
Upscale and trendy authentic Chinese cuisine. Great atmosphere, great cocktails and really delicious food!
250 locals recommend
Bao Bei
163 Keefer StUpscale and trendy authentic Chinese cuisine. Great atmosphere, great cocktails and really delicious food!
Great patio along the water. Enjoy a nice sunny day here. They have barrel wines and beers, all local BC product. The food is decent.
186 locals recommend
Tap & Barrel • Olympic Village
75 Athletes WayGreat patio along the water. Enjoy a nice sunny day here. They have barrel wines and beers, all local BC product. The food is decent.
Great vegetarian cuisine. This is an upscale place with a great atmosphere and the most delicious food!
184 locals recommend
The Acorn Restaurant
3995 Main StGreat vegetarian cuisine. This is an upscale place with a great atmosphere and the most delicious food!
Want the best Vancouver has to offer for Thai food? It's a simple place but has the best authentic thai food. Try the Six Bites and you will not be disappointed.
56 locals recommend
Bob Likes Thai Food
3755 Main StWant the best Vancouver has to offer for Thai food? It's a simple place but has the best authentic thai food. Try the Six Bites and you will not be disappointed.
Exquisite Belgium cuisine. This is the place to go if you are craving mussels. And pretty much everything else on the menu will make your mouth water as well.
371 locals recommend
Chambar Restaurant
568 Beatty StreetExquisite Belgium cuisine. This is the place to go if you are craving mussels. And pretty much everything else on the menu will make your mouth water as well.
Farm to Table is the mantra. Absolutely delicious local food. The menu is constantly rotating. This is definitely a place to try if you're a food lover.
104 locals recommend
Fable Kitchen
1944 W 4th AveFarm to Table is the mantra. Absolutely delicious local food. The menu is constantly rotating. This is definitely a place to try if you're a food lover.
Vancouver seafood, and great dining on the water. This is a place to go and dine while you watch the sunset out west. Enjoy some ice cream along Denman street afterwards.
28 locals recommend
The Boathouse Restaurant
1795 Beach AvenueVancouver seafood, and great dining on the water. This is a place to go and dine while you watch the sunset out west. Enjoy some ice cream along Denman street afterwards.
Upscale seafood restaurant, this is a Vancouver icon. Great place to enjoy lunch or dinner.
145 locals recommend
Cardero's Restaurant
1583 Coal Harbour QuayUpscale seafood restaurant, this is a Vancouver icon. Great place to enjoy lunch or dinner.
Aburi style sushi. This is a recent addition to the Vancouver restaurant scene and it's quickly become one of our favourites. If you're a sushi fan, then this is a must!
144 locals recommend
Minami
1118 Mainland StAburi style sushi. This is a recent addition to the Vancouver restaurant scene and it's quickly become one of our favourites. If you're a sushi fan, then this is a must!
Oysters Oysters and Oysters. That's all I have to say! It's delicious, great atmosphere and just a really fun place all around.
214 locals recommend
Rodney's Oyster House
1228 Hamilton StOysters Oysters and Oysters. That's all I have to say! It's delicious, great atmosphere and just a really fun place all around.
Delicious pies and a great place to stop into for breakfast or lunch.
30 locals recommend
Savary Island Pie Company
1533 Marine DrDelicious pies and a great place to stop into for breakfast or lunch.
Drinks & Nightlife
Need to catch your sports match? Whatever team you follow, you will likely be able to find the game being played here. They have some good local cask beers available and the food is pretty good.
31 locals recommend
London Pub
700 Main StNeed to catch your sports match? Whatever team you follow, you will likely be able to find the game being played here. They have some good local cask beers available and the food is pretty good.
Granville Street is known for the bar scene, although you will find some interesting stores and restaurants along the way as well.
172 locals recommend
Granville Street
Granville StreetGranville Street is known for the bar scene, although you will find some interesting stores and restaurants along the way as well.
Shopping
Custom made pies that are delicious! stop in for a coffee and slice or pie or take a pie home to enjoy later!
24 locals recommend
The Bubble Tea Shop
1680 Robson StCustom made pies that are delicious! stop in for a coffee and slice or pie or take a pie home to enjoy later!
Shopping, shopping and more shopping. This is also an iconic Vancouver street and very well known for the shopping and restaurant scene.
789 locals recommend
Robson Street
1155 Robson StShopping, shopping and more shopping. This is also an iconic Vancouver street and very well known for the shopping and restaurant scene.
Inside shopping mall, this is the main shopping mall in downtown Vancouver.
571 locals recommend
CF Pacific Centre
701 W Georgia StInside shopping mall, this is the main shopping mall in downtown Vancouver.
Spend the day shopping in West Vancouver and walking the West Van Seawall.
71 locals recommend
Park Royal
Spend the day shopping in West Vancouver and walking the West Van Seawall.
Looking for some fine wines or beers? FireFly has a nice selection and some great help to assist you in finding just the right bottle.
16 locals recommend
Firefly Fine Wines & Ales
2809 Cambie StLooking for some fine wines or beers? FireFly has a nice selection and some great help to assist you in finding just the right bottle.
Sightseeing
This is a must if you're new to Vancouver. Take the Aqua bus over or walk along the seawall. A 45-60 minute walk from home. Visit galleries of local artists, eat out or grab artisan groceries for home
1659 locals recommend
Granville Island
This is a must if you're new to Vancouver. Take the Aqua bus over or walk along the seawall. A 45-60 minute walk from home. Visit galleries of local artists, eat out or grab artisan groceries for home
For a great view of the city, take a drive up the road to Cypress Mountain. There is a spectacular look out near the top where you can get out and take some pictures.
370 locals recommend
Cypress Mountain Ski Area
6000 Cypress Bowl RdFor a great view of the city, take a drive up the road to Cypress Mountain. There is a spectacular look out near the top where you can get out and take some pictures.
Want to go for a local hike? Put on your hiking shoes and get yourself to the top of Grouse Mountain by hiking the very popular Grind. You can take the skyride down, after you enjoy a beer at the top.
249 locals recommend
Grouse Mountain @ Skyride station
Want to go for a local hike? Put on your hiking shoes and get yourself to the top of Grouse Mountain by hiking the very popular Grind. You can take the skyride down, after you enjoy a beer at the top.
There is a seawall which will take you pretty much all around the city. Take a stroll from the house or rent some bikes along the seawall and you will get some really nice views along the way.
118 locals recommend
Seawall
SeawallThere is a seawall which will take you pretty much all around the city. Take a stroll from the house or rent some bikes along the seawall and you will get some really nice views along the way.
Want to hit the beach, check out some beach volleyball and get active? This is just one of the places to go!
337 locals recommend
Jericho Beach Park
3941 Point Grey RdWant to hit the beach, check out some beach volleyball and get active? This is just one of the places to go!
Want to hit the beach, check out some beach volleyball and get active? This is just one of the places to go!
847 locals recommend
Kitsilano Beach Park
1499 Arbutus StWant to hit the beach, check out some beach volleyball and get active? This is just one of the places to go!
Want to hit the beach, check out some beach volleyball and get active? This is just one of the places to go!
537 locals recommend
English Bay Beach
Beach AvenueWant to hit the beach, check out some beach volleyball and get active? This is just one of the places to go!
Check out the new convention centre which was built for the 2010 Olympics. This is a completely green building, it even has it's own bees on the roof!
204 locals recommend
Vancouver Convention Centre West
1055 Canada PlaceCheck out the new convention centre which was built for the 2010 Olympics. This is a completely green building, it even has it's own bees on the roof!
Cobblestone streets, underground tunnels, this is the original downtown of Vancouver. Now home to many restaurants and shops, it's also a must see while you're in the city.
1068 locals recommend
Gastown
Cobblestone streets, underground tunnels, this is the original downtown of Vancouver. Now home to many restaurants and shops, it's also a must see while you're in the city.
Science Centre and Omnimax movie theatre. This building was build for the 1986 Vancouver Expo.
837 locals recommend
Science World at TELUS World of Science
1455 Quebec StScience Centre and Omnimax movie theatre. This building was build for the 1986 Vancouver Expo.
A great place to check out if you're into art. See what's on exhibit. There is also a really nice patio for lunch.
1154 locals recommend
Vancouver Art Gallery
750 Hornby StA great place to check out if you're into art. See what's on exhibit. There is also a really nice patio for lunch.
A nice walk out of the city, this is not a difficult one, but is rewarded with a great view. Get out on the rocks and you'll be able to see the city with Mt. Baker overlooking it.
236 locals recommend
Lighthouse Park | West Vancouver
4902 Beacon LnA nice walk out of the city, this is not a difficult one, but is rewarded with a great view. Get out on the rocks and you'll be able to see the city with Mt. Baker overlooking it.
Commercial Drive
Commercial DriveA great street to check out in the city.
Everything Else
Want to take a local cooking class? This is the place! If not, check it out for lunch. The baguette sandwiches are top notch.
38 locals recommend
The Dirty Apron Cooking School, Delicatessen & Catering
540 Beatty StWant to take a local cooking class? This is the place! If not, check it out for lunch. The baguette sandwiches are top notch.
The University of British Columbia is the biggest university in Western Canada and one of the most beautiful places in Vancouver. Definitely worth the trip to check out the campus and walk around.
185 locals recommend
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is the biggest university in Western Canada and one of the most beautiful places in Vancouver. Definitely worth the trip to check out the campus and walk around.
Hop onto the Aquabus from one of the many locations and take a tour through the Vancouver harbour. This is a great, affordable way to get onto the water and see what the city looks like from there.
54 locals recommend
Aquabus Ferry Ltd.
1587 Johnston StreetHop onto the Aquabus from one of the many locations and take a tour through the Vancouver harbour. This is a great, affordable way to get onto the water and see what the city looks like from there.
This is the closest skytrain station. It will take you to the Waterfront station to hop onto the sea bus or the Canada Line.
117 locals recommend
Main Street-Science World Station
This is the closest skytrain station. It will take you to the Waterfront station to hop onto the sea bus or the Canada Line.
UBC College for Interdisciplinary Studies
1855 West MallA must if you're interested in the history of BC.
Kitsilano Pool
2305 Cornwall AveKits Pool is a salt water pool right on the ocean.