Zoe’s guidebook
Local dining scene
All restaurants included are within a short (less than 15 minutes), flat walk from our house, unless otherwise noted.
Irori Sushi
3692 W 4th AveOur favourite. Closed Tuesdays!
Two blocks away, across the street from the IGA grocery store. Family owned and run... classic greek-italian and pizza. They deliver too!
20 locals recommend
Double DD Pizza
3510 W 4th AveTwo blocks away, across the street from the IGA grocery store. Family owned and run... classic greek-italian and pizza. They deliver too!
About a 25 minute walk. Great good, lovely ambience, nice patio seating available.
7 locals recommend
Fiore Famiglia
2603 W 16th AveAbout a 25 minute walk. Great good, lovely ambience, nice patio seating available.
Fantastic for takeout. You can dine in as well but there’s a better Indian dining experience just two blocks further away (Karma).
16 locals recommend
Jolly's Indian Bistro
2928 West 4th AvenueFantastic for takeout. You can dine in as well but there’s a better Indian dining experience just two blocks further away (Karma).
Iconic exclusively Vegetarian restaurant serving Vancouver for decades! Expect a line up, it’s worth the wait!
228 locals recommend
The Naam
2724 W 4th AveIconic exclusively Vegetarian restaurant serving Vancouver for decades! Expect a line up, it’s worth the wait!
A 20 minute walk from our house. Great seafood and stunning views.
75 locals recommend
The Boathouse Restaurant
1305 Arbutus StA 20 minute walk from our house. Great seafood and stunning views.
Lovely 1 hour walk along the sea wall will land you at this waterside gem at Stamp’s Landing. From here you can take the Aquabus to many different stops along False Creek.
36 locals recommend
Mahony & Sons
601 Stamps LandingLovely 1 hour walk along the sea wall will land you at this waterside gem at Stamp’s Landing. From here you can take the Aquabus to many different stops along False Creek.
Make a reservation. They got a Michelin Bib Gourmand rating in 2023. Weeknights are often OK to walk in, but on the weekends we recommend a reservation. All of the good is fantastic. Extensive menu. Crappy wines though, so we suggest you bring your own bottle if you want nice wine. The corkage fee to bring your own wine is around $25.
Karma Indian Bistro
Make a reservation. They got a Michelin Bib Gourmand rating in 2023. Weeknights are often OK to walk in, but on the weekends we recommend a reservation. All of the good is fantastic. Extensive menu. Crappy wines though, so we suggest you bring your own bottle if you want nice wine. The corkage fee to bring your own wine is around $25.
Neighbourhood Services
Need groceries? Dry cleaning? Nail salon? These are some common services all within an easy walk from our house.
IGA
2286 W BroadwayClosest grocery store to our house
Need toiletries or first aid supplies, prescriptions or free Covid-19 rapid tests? Here is a great place with everything you need, including a small selection of groceries!
692 locals recommend
Shoppers Drug Mart
1006 Homer StNeed toiletries or first aid supplies, prescriptions or free Covid-19 rapid tests? Here is a great place with everything you need, including a small selection of groceries!
Aquabus Ferry Ltd.
1587 Johnston StreetFalse Creek Ferries
1804 Boatlift LnOcean Dry Cleaners
2962 West 4th AvenueLe Petit Spa
3080 West BroadwayLovely little place for professional, quiet, relaxed mani-pedi or personal services.
Cheap and cheerful mani-pedi. Massage chairs, nail designs, walk ins are usually ok but it doesn’t hurt to call first.
My Favorite Nails Spa
3650 W 4th AveCheap and cheerful mani-pedi. Massage chairs, nail designs, walk ins are usually ok but it doesn’t hurt to call first.
Sightseeing
Just a 15 minute walk from our place, this is an amazing place to spend a whole day!
337 locals recommend
Jericho Beach Park
3941 Point Grey RdJust a 15 minute walk from our place, this is an amazing place to spend a whole day!
Just a 20 minute walk away! Fabulous beach with great pubs and a variety of restaurants within a few steps!
847 locals recommend
Kitsilano Beach Park
1499 Arbutus StJust a 20 minute walk away! Fabulous beach with great pubs and a variety of restaurants within a few steps!
Walk along the sea wall from Jericho to Locarno in less than 10 minutes.
44 locals recommend
Locarno Beach
Walk along the sea wall from Jericho to Locarno in less than 10 minutes.
Less crowded, mostly rocky shoreline with a few logs to sit on. The far end of the beach is home to an off-leash area for dogs. Get your puppy fix, or avoid the area if that’s not your jam.
264 locals recommend
Spanish Banks
Less crowded, mostly rocky shoreline with a few logs to sit on. The far end of the beach is home to an off-leash area for dogs. Get your puppy fix, or avoid the area if that’s not your jam.
Nitobe Memorial Garden
1895 Lower MallUBC Botanical Garden
6804 SW Marine DrMuseum of Anthropology
6393 NW Marine DrScience World at TELUS World of Science
1455 Quebec StAllow 3-6 hours. Going later in the day might feel a bit rushed, but it will be less busy, and if you’re lucky you might see one of the two resident sloths in the Amazon atrium.
663 locals recommend
Vancouver Aquarium
845 Avison WayAllow 3-6 hours. Going later in the day might feel a bit rushed, but it will be less busy, and if you’re lucky you might see one of the two resident sloths in the Amazon atrium.
It’s called sunset beach for a reason! A great place to wind down the day after exploring Stanley Park or shopping on Robson Street. Street eats and loads of seated dining options nearby.
537 locals recommend
English Bay Beach
Beach AvenueIt’s called sunset beach for a reason! A great place to wind down the day after exploring Stanley Park or shopping on Robson Street. Street eats and loads of seated dining options nearby.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
3735 Capilano RdRichmond Night Market
8351 River RdStanley Park
610 Pipeline RdThere’s a nice casual licensed bistro here. Great patio dining downtown in the warmer months.
1154 locals recommend
Vancouver Art Gallery
750 Hornby StThere’s a nice casual licensed bistro here. Great patio dining downtown in the warmer months.
Granville Island
Active vacation ideas
Here are some fun, active ways to spend your time nearby.
Rent kayaks or SUPs and enjoy a burger and beer at the restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
43 locals recommend
Jericho Sailing Centre
1300 Discovery StRent kayaks or SUPs and enjoy a burger and beer at the restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
This enormous pool gets very busy in the Summer months. You can buy tickets online to skip the line.
847 locals recommend
Kitsilano Beach Park
1499 Arbutus StThis enormous pool gets very busy in the Summer months. You can buy tickets online to skip the line.
The endless trails through here are part of the University Endowment Lands at UBC. Add a stop at the Nitobe or Botanical gardens nearby, or take a break from the weather at the Museum of Anthropology!
254 locals recommend
Pacific Spirit Regional Park
5495 W 16th AveThe endless trails through here are part of the University Endowment Lands at UBC. Add a stop at the Nitobe or Botanical gardens nearby, or take a break from the weather at the Museum of Anthropology!
If you’re up for a challenge, the Grouse Grind is a gruelling uphill hike on an uneven but well maintained trail. You aren’t allowed to hike down, so bring enough money to have a cold beer and lunch at the top. Visit the bear rescue before taking the gondola back down.
233 locals recommend
Grouse Grind Trail
6400 Nancy Greene WayIf you’re up for a challenge, the Grouse Grind is a gruelling uphill hike on an uneven but well maintained trail. You aren’t allowed to hike down, so bring enough money to have a cold beer and lunch at the top. Visit the bear rescue before taking the gondola back down.
Other cool neighborhoods
Here are some other very cool neighborhoods to check out while you’re in Vancouver. Different vibes, all with great dining options!
This gritty neighborhood offers great dining options and lots of people watching! Check out Havana’s for Cuban fare, or try one of the hundreds of whiskeys available at Fet’s Whiskey Kitchen. Too many great restaurants to name them all.
296 locals recommend
Commercial Drive
Commercial DriveThis gritty neighborhood offers great dining options and lots of people watching! Check out Havana’s for Cuban fare, or try one of the hundreds of whiskeys available at Fet’s Whiskey Kitchen. Too many great restaurants to name them all.
West End
Home to Vancouver’s vibrant 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ scene. Walkable (hilly).
Upscale hip vibrant scene with tons of restaurants and bars. If you want a big city vibe in our little city, this is it!
483 locals recommend
Yaletown
Upscale hip vibrant scene with tons of restaurants and bars. If you want a big city vibe in our little city, this is it!
City advice
Getting around
Bike friendly city.
If you have a little bit of energy to spare, riding around the city is amazing. There are bike maps available online that are updated regularly. Separated bike lanes and designated bike routes connect most areas of the city safely.
Getting around
The Aqua ferries are a great way to zip across False Creek.
There are two different companies that run water taxi services linking top destinations along False Creek. Links to their websites are in the guide under local services.