Guidebook for Vancouver
Food Scene
Great atmosphere, west coast-ethnic fusion food, great drink selection, live jazz on Sunday nights, great brunch and patio.
12 locals recommend
Central Bistro
1072 Denman StGreat atmosphere, west coast-ethnic fusion food, great drink selection, live jazz on Sunday nights, great brunch and patio.
Cute little hole in the wall noodle joint. They make the noodles from scratch there and you can watch while you wait with their open kitchen. Large portions and the best joint on a rainy day!
13 locals recommend
Legendary Noodle
1074 Denman StCute little hole in the wall noodle joint. They make the noodles from scratch there and you can watch while you wait with their open kitchen. Large portions and the best joint on a rainy day!
BEST ambiance, fresh seafood, various beers & wine - views of the mountains and ocean, jutting out over the water. Go between 3-6pm Mon-Fri for $10 beer & mussel combo! Make reservations!
145 locals recommend
Cardero's Restaurant
1583 Coal Harbour QuayBEST ambiance, fresh seafood, various beers & wine - views of the mountains and ocean, jutting out over the water. Go between 3-6pm Mon-Fri for $10 beer & mussel combo! Make reservations!
Great atmosphere. A local's favourite. Friendly staff, with great coffee and lots of sitting room inside and out.
63 locals recommend
Delany's Coffee House
1105 Denman StGreat atmosphere. A local's favourite. Friendly staff, with great coffee and lots of sitting room inside and out.
AMAZING and cheap brunch! One of our favs with sautéed yams and potatoes instead of greasy hash browns and healthy (er) yogurt sauce on their bennies. Great little joint!
11 locals recommend
Acacia Fillo Bar
1103 Denman StAMAZING and cheap brunch! One of our favs with sautéed yams and potatoes instead of greasy hash browns and healthy (er) yogurt sauce on their bennies. Great little joint!
Amazing Italian - pizza, pasta, amazing wine, drinks and appies. Great atmosphere and normally always a line...but has a great sister restaurant just around the corner on Robson Street!
209 locals recommend
Nook
1525 Yew StAmazing Italian - pizza, pasta, amazing wine, drinks and appies. Great atmosphere and normally always a line...but has a great sister restaurant just around the corner on Robson Street!
Amazing and famous vegetarian joint in the heart of kitsilano open 24/7. There's live music at times, a patio and normally a line up out the door...but well worth the wait!
228 locals recommend
The Naam
2724 W 4th AveAmazing and famous vegetarian joint in the heart of kitsilano open 24/7. There's live music at times, a patio and normally a line up out the door...but well worth the wait!
AMAZING vegetarian and vegan restaurant in the trendy Main street area. Large spot with an eclectic diner decor. HUGE portions for cheap. Commonly has a line up out the door and for good reason!
86 locals recommend
The Foundation
2301 Main StreetAMAZING vegetarian and vegan restaurant in the trendy Main street area. Large spot with an eclectic diner decor. HUGE portions for cheap. Commonly has a line up out the door and for good reason!
Hands down, Tara's favourite "nice night out" restaurant. With loads of belgium beers, amazing mussels, fresh local dishes, huge wine list and incredible atmosphere with a large bar and exposed brick
371 locals recommend
Chambar Restaurant
568 Beatty StreetHands down, Tara's favourite "nice night out" restaurant. With loads of belgium beers, amazing mussels, fresh local dishes, huge wine list and incredible atmosphere with a large bar and exposed brick
One of the most unique dining experiences in the city- a famous sushi and curry joint with that has house rolls as crazy as their decor. Paper mache octopuses, neon lights and bustling atmosphere.
490 locals recommend
JJ Bean Coffee Roasters
3010 Main StOne of the most unique dining experiences in the city- a famous sushi and curry joint with that has house rolls as crazy as their decor. Paper mache octopuses, neon lights and bustling atmosphere.
The newest busiest bar in the heart of Kitsilano directly across from Kits Beach. There's always a line and is always packed with locals (shocking). Great drinks and food, although pub style.
191 locals recommend
Local Kitsilano
2210 Cornwall AveThe newest busiest bar in the heart of Kitsilano directly across from Kits Beach. There's always a line and is always packed with locals (shocking). Great drinks and food, although pub style.
The BEST fine Indian cuisine in the city. Situated in the heart of South Granville, it's famous amongst locals and tourists alike. Rangoli, it's casual sister restaurant is right next door.
264 locals recommend
Vij's
3106 Cambie StreetThe BEST fine Indian cuisine in the city. Situated in the heart of South Granville, it's famous amongst locals and tourists alike. Rangoli, it's casual sister restaurant is right next door.
The cutest little tea house you will ever go to. Tara worked here for years and loves the huge variety of fine teas, amazing brunch and equisite traditional HIGH TEA all made in house on a 3-tier tray
13 locals recommend
Secret Garden Tea Company
2138 W 40th AveThe cutest little tea house you will ever go to. Tara worked here for years and loves the huge variety of fine teas, amazing brunch and equisite traditional HIGH TEA all made in house on a 3-tier tray
Great brunch spot on "The Drive" with a huge patio. Serves great brunch, but also a good option for dinner, drinks and the infamous people watching the drive provides.
153 locals recommend
Havana Vancouver
1212 Commercial DrGreat brunch spot on "The Drive" with a huge patio. Serves great brunch, but also a good option for dinner, drinks and the infamous people watching the drive provides.
Awesome breakfast joint just east of Main Street. Loads of healthy options and have bread to serve with breakfast or purchase entire loaves made in house. SO yummy!
25 locals recommend
Loku Japanese Cuisine
2280 Commercial DrAwesome breakfast joint just east of Main Street. Loads of healthy options and have bread to serve with breakfast or purchase entire loaves made in house. SO yummy!
In the swanky area of town, it's a twist on dining-The front is a restaurant mainly serving meat & cheese spreads, with loads of drink options- the back is an arts studio. Buy a canvas and paint!!
8 locals recommend
Raw Canvas
In the swanky area of town, it's a twist on dining-The front is a restaurant mainly serving meat & cheese spreads, with loads of drink options- the back is an arts studio. Buy a canvas and paint!!
A great bar/dinner spot in the heart of Gastown. It's one of the biggest joints but is always packed with great drinks, food and people. Good spot to go before heading out dancing.
109 locals recommend
Chill Winston
3 Alexander StreetA great bar/dinner spot in the heart of Gastown. It's one of the biggest joints but is always packed with great drinks, food and people. Good spot to go before heading out dancing.
Awesome restaurant above it's sister restaurant East is East. Great organic and veggie options with carpets on the floors and natural wood. Amazing buffet with live eastern music on Wednesday nights!
224 locals recommend
East Is East
3035 W BroadwayAwesome restaurant above it's sister restaurant East is East. Great organic and veggie options with carpets on the floors and natural wood. Amazing buffet with live eastern music on Wednesday nights!
Momo Sushi House
833 Bidwell StreetCheap sushi on Bidwell Street. You can get full for $5-8!
Our new favourite hot spot in the neighbourhood. Great atmosphere, hip crowd and amazing coffee. Enjoy lunch, baked goods, waffles and a full brunch/lunch in this industrial gem.
93 locals recommend
Greenhorn
994 Nicola StOur new favourite hot spot in the neighbourhood. Great atmosphere, hip crowd and amazing coffee. Enjoy lunch, baked goods, waffles and a full brunch/lunch in this industrial gem.
Amazing coffee - to go and beans. We recommend the Eastside blend for French Press :) Amazing muffins made in house as well.
490 locals recommend
JJ Bean Coffee Roasters
3010 Main StAmazing coffee - to go and beans. We recommend the Eastside blend for French Press :) Amazing muffins made in house as well.
Essentials
Tara's FAVORITE grocery store.Amazing shopping experience with mainly organics, a salad bar, tasty prepped food section, burrito bar, fresh bakery and specialty items to suit all dietary restrictions!
726 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
510 W 8th AveTara's FAVORITE grocery store.Amazing shopping experience with mainly organics, a salad bar, tasty prepped food section, burrito bar, fresh bakery and specialty items to suit all dietary restrictions!
Safeway Robson
1766 Robson StNice, large, standard grocery store. Open late!
Shopping
Free guided runs on Wednesday nights at 6:00pm and Sundays at 8:30am- run in the park, along the seawall, coal harbour or English Bay with the locals! Varying distance runs offered.
Running Room
1514 Denman StFree guided runs on Wednesday nights at 6:00pm and Sundays at 8:30am- run in the park, along the seawall, coal harbour or English Bay with the locals! Varying distance runs offered.
D'oro Gelato & Caffè
1094 Denman StAmazing gelato and sorbets…our fav treat spot on a hot day.
Sightseeing
See live dolphin and beluga shows, explore the tropic zone, shark tank...indoors and out in the heart of Stanley Park.
663 locals recommend
Vancouver Aquarium
845 Avison WaySee live dolphin and beluga shows, explore the tropic zone, shark tank...indoors and out in the heart of Stanley Park.
Beautiful 9 hole pitch n' putt course adjacent to gorgeous gardens, paths, the lagoon and Fish House restaurant! If Nate's clubs are available, we'd be happy to loan them to you! Just ask.
24 locals recommend
Stanley Park Pitch & Putt
2099 Beach AveBeautiful 9 hole pitch n' putt course adjacent to gorgeous gardens, paths, the lagoon and Fish House restaurant! If Nate's clubs are available, we'd be happy to loan them to you! Just ask.
At the base of Denman Street you will find a gorgeous relaxing getaway where a bustling path of runners and walkers separates the sandy beaches to the beautiful green hills for a picnic...
158 locals recommend
English Bay
At the base of Denman Street you will find a gorgeous relaxing getaway where a bustling path of runners and walkers separates the sandy beaches to the beautiful green hills for a picnic...
You can't miss a trip to Granville Island! It's filled with unique local art stores, parks, marinas, restaurants, entertainers and large indoor food market filled with endless choices!!
1659 locals recommend
Granville Island
You can't miss a trip to Granville Island! It's filled with unique local art stores, parks, marinas, restaurants, entertainers and large indoor food market filled with endless choices!!
Located in North Vancouver, Grouse Mountain is 1 of the 3 local mountains surrounding the city. If you like activity- challenge the infamous "Grouse Grind" hike and take the sky ride down!
249 locals recommend
Grouse Mountain @ Skyride station
Located in North Vancouver, Grouse Mountain is 1 of the 3 local mountains surrounding the city. If you like activity- challenge the infamous "Grouse Grind" hike and take the sky ride down!
Take a 15 minutes walk or a 5-10 minute cycle to the see the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch next to the Vancouver Convention Center in Coal Harbour
204 locals recommend
Vancouver Convention Centre West
1055 Canada PlaceTake a 15 minutes walk or a 5-10 minute cycle to the see the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch next to the Vancouver Convention Center in Coal Harbour
With cobble stone streets, ornate buildings, old steam clock, amazing restaurants, bars and tourist shops....a MUST see in our books as well.
1068 locals recommend
Gastown
With cobble stone streets, ornate buildings, old steam clock, amazing restaurants, bars and tourist shops....a MUST see in our books as well.
Salt water, 100M outdoor swimming pool situated right on the beach. Cheap admission in the summertime!
145 locals recommend
Kitsilano Pool
2305 Cornwall AveSalt water, 100M outdoor swimming pool situated right on the beach. Cheap admission in the summertime!
Salt water outdoor swimming pool sandwiched between the seawall and the beaches of Stanley park!
31 locals recommend
Second Beach Pool
Salt water outdoor swimming pool sandwiched between the seawall and the beaches of Stanley park!
The only nude beach in Vancouver...attracts anyone from young college students to hippies to CEOs. Watch people play volley ball, buy beers off vendors or howl along with the others at sunset
197 locals recommend
Pacific Spirit Hostel
1935 Lower MallThe only nude beach in Vancouver...attracts anyone from young college students to hippies to CEOs. Watch people play volley ball, buy beers off vendors or howl along with the others at sunset
The longest beach in Vancouver, always filled with skim boarders, family picnics, sailboats, weddings, beach volleyball tournaments and swimming!
264 locals recommend
Spanish Banks
The longest beach in Vancouver, always filled with skim boarders, family picnics, sailboats, weddings, beach volleyball tournaments and swimming!
A great neighbourhood in Vancouver filled with hipster bars, restaurants, shops and cafes. A desirable neighbourhood for young families these days and some of the best people watching in the city.
Laurier Du Vallon North Shore
1512 Marine DrA great neighbourhood in Vancouver filled with hipster bars, restaurants, shops and cafes. A desirable neighbourhood for young families these days and some of the best people watching in the city.
Arts & Culture
Interesting exhibits displayed in one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. It's the site of many protests including the infamous "Occupy Vancouver" in 2011
1154 locals recommend
Vancouver Art Gallery
750 Hornby StInteresting exhibits displayed in one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. It's the site of many protests including the infamous "Occupy Vancouver" in 2011
Wanna shop? Robson street is the hub of downtown shopping. Explore the bustling street, commonly filled with tourists and entertainers- take you directly through the heart of Vancouver.
789 locals recommend
Robson Street
1155 Robson StWanna shop? Robson street is the hub of downtown shopping. Explore the bustling street, commonly filled with tourists and entertainers- take you directly through the heart of Vancouver.
The Media Club is a live intimate venue hosting up and coming local musicians in a quaint little joint in downtown Vancouver. Yet to have a bad night there...although commonly leads to bad mornings!
The Media Club
695 Cambie StreetThe Media Club is a live intimate venue hosting up and coming local musicians in a quaint little joint in downtown Vancouver. Yet to have a bad night there...although commonly leads to bad mornings!
The ULTIMATE live venue location in the heart of the Granville Street bar scene. We are spoiled and now only go to concerts at the Commodore- doesn't even matter who's playing! Look up who's playing!
79 locals recommend
Commodore Ballroom
868 Granville StThe ULTIMATE live venue location in the heart of the Granville Street bar scene. We are spoiled and now only go to concerts at the Commodore- doesn't even matter who's playing! Look up who's playing!
Drinks & Nightlife
A new and swanky neighbourhood filled with some of the best bars, pubs, restaurants and nightlife. Kinda expensive and yuppy, so if you're not into that, Gastown would be the way to go.
483 locals recommend
Yaletown
A new and swanky neighbourhood filled with some of the best bars, pubs, restaurants and nightlife. Kinda expensive and yuppy, so if you're not into that, Gastown would be the way to go.
HIDDEN GEM of Vancouver. You could walk right past it and never notice. Off set from the street, enter through an unmarked door, down a tiny stair case...open to an awesome and narrow bustling bar
94 locals recommend
The Narrow Lounge
1898 Main StHIDDEN GEM of Vancouver. You could walk right past it and never notice. Off set from the street, enter through an unmarked door, down a tiny stair case...open to an awesome and narrow bustling bar
One of our favourite bars to meet for drinks or to dance till 2 am. In the heart of Gastown, there are endless bar hopping options in the area. Normally a line, so best to get there early.
52 locals recommend
The Lamplighter Public House
92 Water StOne of our favourite bars to meet for drinks or to dance till 2 am. In the heart of Gastown, there are endless bar hopping options in the area. Normally a line, so best to get there early.
Another Gastown Gem- great spot to meet friends for drinks on the 2nd floor overlooking the main intersection of gas town. Great find.
189 locals recommend
The Diamond
6 Powell StAnother Gastown Gem- great spot to meet friends for drinks on the 2nd floor overlooking the main intersection of gas town. Great find.
Everything Else
Our favourite yoga studio. There are many Semperviva's around the city, but once you go to the one on Granville Island, it's hard to settle for the others. Around $20 drop in fee.
12 locals recommend
Semperviva Yoga - Sea Centre
1333 Johnston StOur favourite yoga studio. There are many Semperviva's around the city, but once you go to the one on Granville Island, it's hard to settle for the others. Around $20 drop in fee.