Guidebook for Vancouver
Food Scene
East Café
2401 E Hastings StYummy Croissants, Coffee, Breakfast Sammies. Try the Lychee Ice Tea.
Excellent Coffee, crazy Buntzen Burner brewing, Cold Brew, yummy local baked goods.
79 locals recommend
Platform 7 Coffee
2331 E Hastings StExcellent Coffee, crazy Buntzen Burner brewing, Cold Brew, yummy local baked goods.
So good, clean eating. The Pho is healing. Our Faves are the Saigon Roll, minced pork and beef skewers. An institution.
17 locals recommend
Le Petit Saigon
2783 E Hastings StSo good, clean eating. The Pho is healing. Our Faves are the Saigon Roll, minced pork and beef skewers. An institution.
Another yummy Vietnamese restaurant. Different than Le Petit Saigon. Grilled Lemongrass Pork, crispy wontons are our faves.
11 locals recommend
Le Pho Vietnamese Restaurant
2503 E Hastings StAnother yummy Vietnamese restaurant. Different than Le Petit Saigon. Grilled Lemongrass Pork, crispy wontons are our faves.
Check out the schedule on EatLocal.org
Kits Market on Sunday has a playground and a water park in summer so the kiddies can play while you shop. Lots of goodies for picnics on the spot.
33 locals recommend
Vancouver Farmers Markets
1991 Grant StCheck out the schedule on EatLocal.org
Kits Market on Sunday has a playground and a water park in summer so the kiddies can play while you shop. Lots of goodies for picnics on the spot.
So good. A big hit with all out of town guests. They have another location in Gastown. They have a Gastown location with take out or a fancier space in back. Go early to beat the line up.
147 locals recommend
Tacofino Commissary
2327 E Hastings StSo good. A big hit with all out of town guests. They have another location in Gastown. They have a Gastown location with take out or a fancier space in back. Go early to beat the line up.
Mr Red Cafe
2131 E Hastings StVietnamese
Food and Arts, Kids Only Market, Bread Affair Bakery, Buskers, Playgrounds, Water Park.
470 locals recommend
Granville Island Public Market
1689 Johnston StFood and Arts, Kids Only Market, Bread Affair Bakery, Buskers, Playgrounds, Water Park.
The Red Wagon
2128 E Hastings StGreat Breakfasts. Go early to beat the line up.
Crowded and busy like Donald's Market. The best prices on cheese and deli goods in town. On Commercial Dr. You can make a picnic on the spot and eat it at Trout Lake or across the street in Grandview Park.
59 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Market
1322 1322 Commercial DrCrowded and busy like Donald's Market. The best prices on cheese and deli goods in town. On Commercial Dr. You can make a picnic on the spot and eat it at Trout Lake or across the street in Grandview Park.
Jam Cafe
556 Beatty StSo yummy, you will find another location in Victoria on Herald St.
Delicious Lebanese Food. Several locations, Gastown, Kitsilano, Yaletown. Najib's Special keeps me coming back (deepfried cauliflower with spices and lemon and a tahini sauce) I can also reccommend, Jam Jar on Commericial Drive at E 7th ave. Tamaam on East Hastings and Penticton.
73 locals recommend
Nuba Café in Mount Pleasant
146 E 3rd AveDelicious Lebanese Food. Several locations, Gastown, Kitsilano, Yaletown. Najib's Special keeps me coming back (deepfried cauliflower with spices and lemon and a tahini sauce) I can also reccommend, Jam Jar on Commericial Drive at E 7th ave. Tamaam on East Hastings and Penticton.
My 2nd favourite Ramen Shop, the Chashu is not as good as Ramengers but the soups and noodles and gyoza are really tasty. My favourite is the Tori Shio (beautiful chicken breast with a bit of spinach, green onion, corn, bamboo shoots) or the Aka Oni very spicy with minced pork. They have minced garlic to add as a condiment.
12 locals recommend
Benkei Ramen Noodle Shop
545 W BroadwayMy 2nd favourite Ramen Shop, the Chashu is not as good as Ramengers but the soups and noodles and gyoza are really tasty. My favourite is the Tori Shio (beautiful chicken breast with a bit of spinach, green onion, corn, bamboo shoots) or the Aka Oni very spicy with minced pork. They have minced garlic to add as a condiment.
If you love seafood they are wonderful people and feature sustainable seafood here. Shrimps on the Barby.
11 locals recommend
Wheelhouse Seafoods
2632 E Hastings StIf you love seafood they are wonderful people and feature sustainable seafood here. Shrimps on the Barby.
So popular you need a reservation. Go on opentable.com to reserve. Great for birthday parties, they have a dress up trunk for the little ones, their own blends of teas. There are some other places for afternoon tea in town this is my favourite.
15 locals recommend
Neverland Tea Salon
3066 W BroadwaySo popular you need a reservation. Go on opentable.com to reserve. Great for birthday parties, they have a dress up trunk for the little ones, their own blends of teas. There are some other places for afternoon tea in town this is my favourite.
Their morning buns and khoun amann, breakfast sandwiches, excellent coffee, ambience, baked bread and take out items and retail items to take home.
91 locals recommend
Batard Bakery
3958 Fraser StTheir morning buns and khoun amann, breakfast sandwiches, excellent coffee, ambience, baked bread and take out items and retail items to take home.
Absolutely lovely place, beautiful people and food. Make a Reservation or get in line early.
25 locals recommend
Pepino's Spaghetti House
631 Commercial DrAbsolutely lovely place, beautiful people and food. Make a Reservation or get in line early.
Next door to Peppino's. You can enjoy your pasta to take home or sit in this lovely cafe for a coffee and a pastry. This is where I go for my cheat day.
13 locals recommend
Caffé La Tana
635 Commercial DrNext door to Peppino's. You can enjoy your pasta to take home or sit in this lovely cafe for a coffee and a pastry. This is where I go for my cheat day.
Essentials
As good as whole foods, they also carry our favourite Farmer's Market Vendors, local goods. Produce is cheap and there is a great little pop up Tea Shop and chinese take out.
153 locals recommend
Donald's Market
2342 E Hastings StAs good as whole foods, they also carry our favourite Farmer's Market Vendors, local goods. Produce is cheap and there is a great little pop up Tea Shop and chinese take out.
Drug store, electronics, photo finishing, food, magazines, household appliances etc. On Hastings near Pentiction Street.
285 locals recommend
London Drugs
2696 E Hastings StDrug store, electronics, photo finishing, food, magazines, household appliances etc. On Hastings near Pentiction Street.
Similar to London Drugs. 24 Hours. Groceries, Postal Outlet, Essentials.
692 locals recommend
Shoppers Drug Mart
1006 Homer StSimilar to London Drugs. 24 Hours. Groceries, Postal Outlet, Essentials.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Slocan Restaurant
2715 E Hastings StBeers and Burgers
Parks & Nature
New Brighton Pool
3201 New Brighton RdBeautiful views, out door pool
Gorgeous park on a gorgeous beach. Playground right there. Great concession stand Wally's Burgers.
75 locals recommend
Cates Park
4141 Dollarton HwyGorgeous park on a gorgeous beach. Playground right there. Great concession stand Wally's Burgers.
Sweet little spot, shopping and cafe's. A beach, hiking. Arms Reach Bistro has a great view. Honey's Donuts are famous.
337 locals recommend
Deep Cove
4322 Gallant AveSweet little spot, shopping and cafe's. A beach, hiking. Arms Reach Bistro has a great view. Honey's Donuts are famous.
Pacific Spirit Regional Park
5495 W 16th AveLots of Trails, dog friendly too.
The tree walk is great!. Recommended for older kids. 6+
UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research
The tree walk is great!. Recommended for older kids. 6+
Voted one of the best parks in the world. The Aquarium is there, great to bike around the seawall. (Very Touristy and very busy on weekends) There are lots of playgrounds around the park and an awesome water park in the summer. 2nd beach pool right on the beach is one of the most beautiful spots. Good for beaches, playgrounds, swimming, aquarium, outdoor pool.
2658 locals recommend
Stanley Park
610 Pipeline RdVoted one of the best parks in the world. The Aquarium is there, great to bike around the seawall. (Very Touristy and very busy on weekends) There are lots of playgrounds around the park and an awesome water park in the summer. 2nd beach pool right on the beach is one of the most beautiful spots. Good for beaches, playgrounds, swimming, aquarium, outdoor pool.
Our favourite park in the hood. Swings and slides and the usual playground fare. Tennis Courts you could also let kids ride or scoot in. The view is breathtaking. Also a Dog Park attached.
7 locals recommend
Burrard View Park
North Penticton StreetOur favourite park in the hood. Swings and slides and the usual playground fare. Tennis Courts you could also let kids ride or scoot in. The view is breathtaking. Also a Dog Park attached.
Callister Park
2875 Oxford StJust a close park with a small playground.
Recently redone with a great water park. Parents can find lots of shade and keep a watchful eye without hovering.
7 locals recommend
Pandora Park
2325 Franklin StRecently redone with a great water park. Parents can find lots of shade and keep a watchful eye without hovering.
Just stunning scenery all around. Near Horseshoe Bay Terminal.
236 locals recommend
Lighthouse Park | West Vancouver
4902 Beacon LnJust stunning scenery all around. Near Horseshoe Bay Terminal.
Absolutely magical. If you are a garden enthusiast I highly recommend this. Hard to believe it is in the middle of a city. A day here will cleanse your soul. Bring your camera. Truffles Cafe is really good, very busy and there is another restaurant Seasons at the Park for fancier experiences.
321 locals recommend
VanDusen Botanical Garden
5251 Oak StAbsolutely magical. If you are a garden enthusiast I highly recommend this. Hard to believe it is in the middle of a city. A day here will cleanse your soul. Bring your camera. Truffles Cafe is really good, very busy and there is another restaurant Seasons at the Park for fancier experiences.
Shopping
Provide
1805 Fir StBeautifully edited housewares. Featured in Elle Decor many times. Bring all your money.
Home Depot for Cooks. Spendy but fun. Tools, condiments, Cookware, snacks, chocolate I could go on.
21 locals recommend
The Gourmet Warehouse
1340 E Hastings StHome Depot for Cooks. Spendy but fun. Tools, condiments, Cookware, snacks, chocolate I could go on.
One of THE best kid's toy stores ever. Cards, games, vintage, art stuff, it's all there.
13 locals recommend
Dilly Dally Toy Store
1161 Commercial DrOne of THE best kid's toy stores ever. Cards, games, vintage, art stuff, it's all there.
Mid Century Mod, if you have a van to take it home with you. I'm sure she will ship to you.
10 locals recommend
Attic Treasures
944 Commercial DrMid Century Mod, if you have a van to take it home with you. I'm sure she will ship to you.
Burcu's Angels
617 KingswayBurcu is a real character. Beautifully curated Vintage. Free Box.
Getting Around
This will take you up to the sky train station or get off at 13th and you can walk into the park and Trout Lake. The opposite will take you downtown and along 4th ave in Kitsilano.
7 Nanaimo St
7 Nanaimo StreetThis will take you up to the sky train station or get off at 13th and you can walk into the park and Trout Lake. The opposite will take you downtown and along 4th ave in Kitsilano.
#4 Alma St - This bus will take you through to Downtown and all the way to the best beaches, Jericho, Locarno & Spanish Banks.
Alma Street
Alma Street#4 Alma St - This bus will take you through to Downtown and all the way to the best beaches, Jericho, Locarno & Spanish Banks.
On the corner of East Hastings and Nanaimo. A large double long express bus to the heart of downtown.
94 locals recommend
Burrard
On the corner of East Hastings and Nanaimo. A large double long express bus to the heart of downtown.
Everything Else
Gastown
Shopping, People Watching, Dining, Drinking.