Guidebook for Vancouver

Tami
Guidebook for Vancouver

Food Scene

This little spot holds the well-earned #1 restaurant in Vancouver on Tripadvisor and it's just three short blocks from our house. Make a reservation, it's tiny and very popular.
26 locals recommend
Absinthe Bistro
952 Commercial Dr
26 locals recommend
This little spot holds the well-earned #1 restaurant in Vancouver on Tripadvisor and it's just three short blocks from our house. Make a reservation, it's tiny and very popular.
Creative mezcal cocktails, tasty taco selections and molten queso fundido. Also very busy, no reservation so expect a bit of a wait.
155 locals recommend
La Mezcaleria
1622 Commercial Dr
155 locals recommend
Creative mezcal cocktails, tasty taco selections and molten queso fundido. Also very busy, no reservation so expect a bit of a wait.
Authentic Italian bakery. Need I say more?
33 locals recommend
Fratelli Authentic Italian Baking
1795 Commercial Dr
33 locals recommend
Authentic Italian bakery. Need I say more?
A little further away than Tatsu, but serves some of the freshest sushi in town. Often has a line up, no reservations.
95 locals recommend
Kishimoto Japanese Restaurant
2054 Commercial Dr
95 locals recommend
A little further away than Tatsu, but serves some of the freshest sushi in town. Often has a line up, no reservations.
Tasty Lebanese fare and hummus to go.
57 locals recommend
Jamjar Canteen
2290 Commercial Dr
57 locals recommend
Tasty Lebanese fare and hummus to go.
Authentic Neopolitan pizza. Check out the wood fired pizza oven imported from Naples. There is a line up every night, no reservations, no delivery. Worth the wait.
159 locals recommend
Via Tevere Pizzeria
1190 Victoria Dr
159 locals recommend
Authentic Neopolitan pizza. Check out the wood fired pizza oven imported from Naples. There is a line up every night, no reservations, no delivery. Worth the wait.
Local coffee roasters, try a mocha with their signature chocolate whipped cream.
57 locals recommend
Continental Coffee
1806 Commercial Dr
57 locals recommend
Local coffee roasters, try a mocha with their signature chocolate whipped cream.
In true Italian style, Calabria will serve you the best cappuccino in town.
25 locals recommend
Cafè Calabria
1745 Commercial Dr
25 locals recommend
In true Italian style, Calabria will serve you the best cappuccino in town.
Because pulled pork pancakes.
166 locals recommend
The Red Wagon
2128 E Hastings St
166 locals recommend
Because pulled pork pancakes.
218 flavours, including originals like beer, wasabi or blue cheese flavoured ice cream. and check out the pop up vintage arcade right around the corner!
66 locals recommend
La Casa Gelato
1033 Venables St
66 locals recommend
218 flavours, including originals like beer, wasabi or blue cheese flavoured ice cream. and check out the pop up vintage arcade right around the corner!
Don't miss Wing Night on Tuesday! Also a good spot for weekend brunch.
50 locals recommend
The Charlatan
1447 Commercial Dr
50 locals recommend
Don't miss Wing Night on Tuesday! Also a good spot for weekend brunch.

Entertainment & Activities

The last video store in Vancouver! It's full of unexpected surprises and the best curated collection of films you can imagine.
8 locals recommend
Black Dog Video
1470 Commercial Dr
8 locals recommend
The last video store in Vancouver! It's full of unexpected surprises and the best curated collection of films you can imagine.
Local movie house showing first run and repertory films. Also hosts live events and music. Licensed.
100 locals recommend
Rio Theatre
1660 E Broadway
100 locals recommend
Local movie house showing first run and repertory films. Also hosts live events and music. Licensed.
Pop up vintage arcade! So fun and right next to the biggest best ice cream shop ever!
Landyachtz Factory Store
1146 Union St
Pop up vintage arcade! So fun and right next to the biggest best ice cream shop ever!
Long-time music venue, recently updated, now includes theatre and musical performances and other events.
23 locals recommend
York Theatre, The Cultch
639 Commercial Dr
23 locals recommend
Long-time music venue, recently updated, now includes theatre and musical performances and other events.

Parks & Nature

Home to the East Vancouver Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings. Also makes for a lovely walk around the lake.
192 locals recommend
Trout Lake Beach
192 locals recommend
Home to the East Vancouver Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings. Also makes for a lovely walk around the lake.
It's the nearest off leash dog park.
11 locals recommend
McSpadden Park
2125 Victoria Dr
11 locals recommend
It's the nearest off leash dog park.
Water park in the summer for kids, playground, bicycle polo court and general fun place where musicians play impromptu concerts and vendors set up random markets.
32 locals recommend
Grandview Park
1657 Charles St
32 locals recommend
Water park in the summer for kids, playground, bicycle polo court and general fun place where musicians play impromptu concerts and vendors set up random markets.

Drinks & Nightlife

Another nearby brewery and tasting room. They also have a small art gallery featuring local artists.
107 locals recommend
Strange Fellows Brewing Company
1345 Clark Dr
107 locals recommend
Another nearby brewery and tasting room. They also have a small art gallery featuring local artists.
Another favourite brewery in the Hop Circle!
62 locals recommend
Powell Brewery
1357 Powell St
62 locals recommend
Another favourite brewery in the Hop Circle!
Recently voted the "Nerdiest bar in Canada", the Storm Crow will impress sci-fi nerds, board game fanatics and just regular folks. It's fun, inexpensive and a great experience.
59 locals recommend
Storm Crow Tavern
1305 Commercial Dr
59 locals recommend
Recently voted the "Nerdiest bar in Canada", the Storm Crow will impress sci-fi nerds, board game fanatics and just regular folks. It's fun, inexpensive and a great experience.
Great space, good beer. The have pinball machines to keep the kids occupied.
28 locals recommend
East Vancouver Brewing Company
1675 Venables St
28 locals recommend
Great space, good beer. The have pinball machines to keep the kids occupied.

Essentials

One week pass for $20 or $10 drop-in fee.
8 locals recommend
Spartacus Gym
1522 Commercial Dr
8 locals recommend
One week pass for $20 or $10 drop-in fee.
Chain supermarket. Nothing special but it is open 24 hrs.
48 locals recommend
Super Valu
1645 E 1st Ave
48 locals recommend
Chain supermarket. Nothing special but it is open 24 hrs.
Good produce, busy deli.
59 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Market
1322 1322 Commercial Dr
59 locals recommend
Good produce, busy deli.
Good selection of organic and conventional produce.
6 locals recommend
Triple A Market
1626 Commercial Dr
6 locals recommend
Good selection of organic and conventional produce.
Great for produce, dry goods and other food items.
8 locals recommend
Norman's Fruit & Salad
1604 Commercial Dr
8 locals recommend
Great for produce, dry goods and other food items.
Sells only Oceanwise certified sustainable seafood.
16 locals recommend
The Daily Catch 100% Sustainable Seafood Market - Commercial Drive
1418 Commercial Dr
16 locals recommend
Sells only Oceanwise certified sustainable seafood.
Organic meats.
12 locals recommend
Pasture To Plate Natural Products Ltd
1420 Commercial Dr
12 locals recommend
Organic meats.
Drop in medical clinic.
Care Point Medical
1623 Commercial Dr
Drop in medical clinic.
Friendly family run pharmacy, incredibly helpful.
Pharmasave Commercial Drive
1308 Commercial Dr
Friendly family run pharmacy, incredibly helpful.
Long standing organic and natural food shop. Grab a couple of tasty inexpensive samosas to go.
41 locals recommend
Sweet Cherubim
1105 Commercial Dr
41 locals recommend
Long standing organic and natural food shop. Grab a couple of tasty inexpensive samosas to go.
For any kind of cheese you need. They also do inexpensive deli sandwiches to go.
52 locals recommend
La Grotta Del Formaggio
1791 Commercial Dr
52 locals recommend
For any kind of cheese you need. They also do inexpensive deli sandwiches to go.

Arts & Culture

Dance, music and live theatre in an historic building. Also houses an art gallery featuring local artists.
71 locals recommend
Historic Theatre, The Cultch
1895 Venables St
71 locals recommend
Dance, music and live theatre in an historic building. Also houses an art gallery featuring local artists.
Performing arts, music, dance venue. Cool lounge downstairs with a definite locals-only feel.
20 locals recommend
The Wise
1882 Adanac St
20 locals recommend
Performing arts, music, dance venue. Cool lounge downstairs with a definite locals-only feel.

Getting Around

15 minute walk from our house.
98 locals recommend
Commercial Platform 3 station
98 locals recommend
15 minute walk from our house.
#20 bus heading north (toward the mountains) will take you to Historic Chinatown (15 mins), Gastown (20 mins) or downtown (30 mins). #20 bus heading south will bring you to the Skytrain.
296 locals recommend
Commercial Drive
Commercial Drive
296 locals recommend
#20 bus heading north (toward the mountains) will take you to Historic Chinatown (15 mins), Gastown (20 mins) or downtown (30 mins). #20 bus heading south will bring you to the Skytrain.