Guidebook for Vancouver
Essentials
Safeway Robson
1766 Robson StGreat affordable groceries.
Eco-minded chain with natural & organic grocery items, housewares & other products
726 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
510 W 8th AveEco-minded chain with natural & organic grocery items, housewares & other products
Urban Fare
177 Davie StGreat!
Shoppers Drug Mart is the leader in Canada's retail drug store marketplace and is the number one provider of pharmacy products & services.
692 locals recommend
Shoppers Drug Mart
1006 Homer StShoppers Drug Mart is the leader in Canada's retail drug store marketplace and is the number one provider of pharmacy products & services.
100% Canadian owned and is focused on local customers' satisfaction. The dedicated staff provides superior shopping experience.
285 locals recommend
London Drugs
2696 E Hastings St100% Canadian owned and is focused on local customers' satisfaction. The dedicated staff provides superior shopping experience.
Food Scene
Starbucks
1752 Commercial DrMinutes walk!
Starbucks
1752 Commercial DrMinutes walk!
Best macarons in town!! Soirette’s macarons are wonderful bites of airiness and flavour, and lovingly handcrafted from the finest ingredients.
120 locals recommend
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
1690 Robson StBest macarons in town!! Soirette’s macarons are wonderful bites of airiness and flavour, and lovingly handcrafted from the finest ingredients.
Compare to pub or bar, the food is more substantial and accompany to drinks. Ask Leon for must try dishes
54 locals recommend
Guu Original Thurlow
838 Thurlow StCompare to pub or bar, the food is more substantial and accompany to drinks. Ask Leon for must try dishes
Mink Chocolates has won the award for best chocolate bar in the world for the production of its line of “Mermaid’s Choice” chocolate bar!
Mink Chocolates Cafe
863 W Hastings StMink Chocolates has won the award for best chocolate bar in the world for the production of its line of “Mermaid’s Choice” chocolate bar!
Upbeat izakaya with inspired decor, offering inventive Japanese small plates & bento boxes. Ask Shan for hidden surprise!
68 locals recommend
Kingyo
871 Denman StUpbeat izakaya with inspired decor, offering inventive Japanese small plates & bento boxes. Ask Shan for hidden surprise!
The best Gelato in town!! Pecan and Canadian Maple Syrup flavour awarded first prize in the Firenze Gelato Festival 2012 in Florence, Italy. Black Sesame, Matcha are top selling flavours too!
77 locals recommend
Bella Gelateria
1752 W Cordova StThe best Gelato in town!! Pecan and Canadian Maple Syrup flavour awarded first prize in the Firenze Gelato Festival 2012 in Florence, Italy. Black Sesame, Matcha are top selling flavours too!
With only chicken broth on their menu, Marutama is really all about the toppings, with everything from perfectly soft-boiled Tamago (egg), Ebi and Tan Men available for you to choose from.
29 locals recommend
Marutama Ra-men Canada / Westend
780 Bidwell StWith only chicken broth on their menu, Marutama is really all about the toppings, with everything from perfectly soft-boiled Tamago (egg), Ebi and Tan Men available for you to choose from.
Celebrated Hong Kong-inspired cooking & dim sum using BC ingredients in a ritzy environment.
62 locals recommend
Kirin Restaurant
1172 Alberni StCelebrated Hong Kong-inspired cooking & dim sum using BC ingredients in a ritzy environment.
Long-standing destination for Michel Jacob's traditional French cooking in an elegant space. Ask Shan for her favourite dish on the menu.
50 locals recommend
Le Crocodile
909 Burrard StLong-standing destination for Michel Jacob's traditional French cooking in an elegant space. Ask Shan for her favourite dish on the menu.
The magic of a classic steakhouse, but with a decidedly contemporary twist. A littile pricey but the quality of the steak is amazing! Ask Shan for the best time to dine there.
139 locals recommend
Black+Blue
1032 Alberni StThe magic of a classic steakhouse, but with a decidedly contemporary twist. A littile pricey but the quality of the steak is amazing! Ask Shan for the best time to dine there.
Voted “Best Desserts” and “Best Pastries” in Vancouver, Thierry offers a contemporary approach to the finest handcrafted chocolates, macarons, pastries, and desserts.
94 locals recommend
Thierry Alberni
1059 Alberni StVoted “Best Desserts” and “Best Pastries” in Vancouver, Thierry offers a contemporary approach to the finest handcrafted chocolates, macarons, pastries, and desserts.
Much better than Starbucks!! Artigiano, an Italian-themed Coffeehouse, is dedicated to crafting the perfect cup of coffee. Ask Shan for her favourite items from here.
18 locals recommend
Caffe Artigiano
925 Main StMuch better than Starbucks!! Artigiano, an Italian-themed Coffeehouse, is dedicated to crafting the perfect cup of coffee. Ask Shan for her favourite items from here.
Amazing authentic italian food - the burrata was delicious, the pasta cooked to perfection and fantastically flavoured. It also has some heaven-tasting desserts! Ask Shan for her favourite one.
74 locals recommend
Italian Kitchen
860 Burrard StAmazing authentic italian food - the burrata was delicious, the pasta cooked to perfection and fantastically flavoured. It also has some heaven-tasting desserts! Ask Shan for her favourite one.
Drinks & Nightlife
The first and only Japanese Restaurant Lounge featuring some of the best deals for food - drinks in town! Ask Shan for her favourite drink on the menu.
22 locals recommend
Ebisu On Robson
827 Bute StThe first and only Japanese Restaurant Lounge featuring some of the best deals for food - drinks in town! Ask Shan for her favourite drink on the menu.
Everything Else
The Vancouver Convention Centre is home to over 500 events a year – conventions, trade shows and other events of all shapes and sizes that connect people and ideas.
204 locals recommend
Vancouver Convention Centre West
1055 Canada PlaceThe Vancouver Convention Centre is home to over 500 events a year – conventions, trade shows and other events of all shapes and sizes that connect people and ideas.
Overlooking Vancouver Harbour, this high-end hotel is 1.5 km from the Vancouver Convention Centre and 1.9 km from the Vancouver Aquarium.
There's an upscale restaurant with water views, a bar and grill with a patio, and a Starbucks coffee shop. Free WiFi is available in public spaces. Other amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, an exercise room and a spa. There's also more than 70,000 sq ft of meeting space.
10 locals recommend
The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver
1601 Bayshore DriveOverlooking Vancouver Harbour, this high-end hotel is 1.5 km from the Vancouver Convention Centre and 1.9 km from the Vancouver Aquarium.
There's an upscale restaurant with water views, a bar and grill with a patio, and a Starbucks coffee shop. Free WiFi is available in public spaces. Other amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, an exercise room and a spa. There's also more than 70,000 sq ft of meeting space.
Shopping
Showcasing world class wines, hard to find wines and cult wines, and a huge selection of premium spirits from around the world.
19 locals recommend
Coal Harbour Liquor Store
1218 W Pender StShowcasing world class wines, hard to find wines and cult wines, and a huge selection of premium spirits from around the world.
Embrace Vancouver's Yoga vibe with its very own own Yoga-inspired athletic apparel brand!
1148 Robson St
1148 Robson StreetEmbrace Vancouver's Yoga vibe with its very own own Yoga-inspired athletic apparel brand!
Sightseeing
Canada Place is the home of the Convention Centre, Vancouver's World Trade Centre and Flyover Canada. Flyover Canada is a breathtaking, family-friendly, flight simulation ride like no other!
433 locals recommend
Canada Place
999 Canada PlCanada Place is the home of the Convention Centre, Vancouver's World Trade Centre and Flyover Canada. Flyover Canada is a breathtaking, family-friendly, flight simulation ride like no other!
Stanley Park is a world renowned park. Explore the 400-hectare natural West Coast rainforest and enjoy scenic views of water, mountains, sky, and majestic trees along Stanley Park's famous Seawall.
2658 locals recommend
Stanley Park
610 Pipeline RdStanley Park is a world renowned park. Explore the 400-hectare natural West Coast rainforest and enjoy scenic views of water, mountains, sky, and majestic trees along Stanley Park's famous Seawall.
English Bay Beach is the most populated beach area in Vancouver and is host to a numerous events. The Stanley Park Seawall, a popular running and biking route, runs along the east side of the beach.
158 locals recommend
English Bay
English Bay Beach is the most populated beach area in Vancouver and is host to a numerous events. The Stanley Park Seawall, a popular running and biking route, runs along the east side of the beach.
The ferries offer a unique ride with beautiful views of local scenery. After dinner watch the sun set over English Bay and see the lights from shore reflecting on False Creek.
26 locals recommend
Aquatic Centre Ferry Dock station
The ferries offer a unique ride with beautiful views of local scenery. After dinner watch the sun set over English Bay and see the lights from shore reflecting on False Creek.
If you want to explore outside of Downtown Vancouver, drive 50 minutes to Pitt-Addington Mash for adventurous canoeing, hiking and camping experiences. Ask Shan for details.
Pitt-Addington Marsh
If you want to explore outside of Downtown Vancouver, drive 50 minutes to Pitt-Addington Mash for adventurous canoeing, hiking and camping experiences. Ask Shan for details.
Sightseers ascend this tower in a glass elevator to an observation deck with 360° views of the city.
78 locals recommend
Vancouver Lookout
555 W Hastings StSightseers ascend this tower in a glass elevator to an observation deck with 360° views of the city.
Arts & Culture
This is one of the many bike stores at the entrance to the world famous Stanley Park! Rent a bike at any bikeshop and enjoy the wildlife, scenery, and totem poles along Stanley Park Seawall.
61 locals recommend
Spokes Bicycle Rentals
1798 W Georgia StThis is one of the many bike stores at the entrance to the world famous Stanley Park! Rent a bike at any bikeshop and enjoy the wildlife, scenery, and totem poles along Stanley Park Seawall.
The Gallery Cafe, the architecture, the rallies, this place is really a charm. Ask Shan for special deals on the admission tickets.
1154 locals recommend
Vancouver Art Gallery
750 Hornby StThe Gallery Cafe, the architecture, the rallies, this place is really a charm. Ask Shan for special deals on the admission tickets.
The Grouse Grind® is a 2.9-kilometre trail up the face of Grouse Mountain, commonly referred to as “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster.”
This trail is very challenging. Keep in mind that there is a wide range of mountaintop trails that might better suit the average hiker.
233 locals recommend
Grouse Grind Trail
6400 Nancy Greene WayThe Grouse Grind® is a 2.9-kilometre trail up the face of Grouse Mountain, commonly referred to as “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster.”
This trail is very challenging. Keep in mind that there is a wide range of mountaintop trails that might better suit the average hiker.