Guidebook for Vancouver
Food Scene
This Vietnamese eatery is the local's best-kept secret... lineups @ 2 p.m. on a week day. 'Nuff said. (open 11AM-7PM, closed Wed.)
24 locals recommend
Au Petit Cafe
This Vietnamese eatery is the local's best-kept secret... lineups @ 2 p.m. on a week day. 'Nuff said. (open 11AM-7PM, closed Wed.)
If you're big on taste but not on fancy decor and settings, definitely come try their authentic Southeast Asian street food! Popular among Asians and non-Asians alike. Loved their laksa. (closed Sun.)
40 locals recommend
Hawkers Delight Deli
4127 Main StIf you're big on taste but not on fancy decor and settings, definitely come try their authentic Southeast Asian street food! Popular among Asians and non-Asians alike. Loved their laksa. (closed Sun.)
Rocky Mountain Flatbread, Main Street
4186 Main StWood oven pizza
MeeT on Main
4288 Main StreetNice vegetarian/vegan dishes
Church's Chicken
Slocan StreetOpen 24-hours, for that sudden craving
One-of-a-kind Afghani/Persian/Tibetan fusion cuisine, unique atmosphere, hip and funky but friendly for all ages, live music, and just a 3-minute walk! Never had any guests said they didn't enjoy it. Highly recommended!
224 locals recommend
East Is East
3035 W BroadwayOne-of-a-kind Afghani/Persian/Tibetan fusion cuisine, unique atmosphere, hip and funky but friendly for all ages, live music, and just a 3-minute walk! Never had any guests said they didn't enjoy it. Highly recommended!
High-end restaurant, yet still casual and relaxed (this is Vancouver after all). Great view of the city. 15-minute brisk hike or 5-minute drive (valet parking)
112 locals recommend
Seasons in the Park
West 33rd AvenueHigh-end restaurant, yet still casual and relaxed (this is Vancouver after all). Great view of the city. 15-minute brisk hike or 5-minute drive (valet parking)
Solly's Up Main
4071 Main StJewish deli at its best... famous bagels and cinnamon buns
24-hour bakery for your late-night craving for cheesecakes, tiramisu, etc.
44 locals recommend
Breka Bakery & Cafe
6533 Fraser St24-hour bakery for your late-night craving for cheesecakes, tiramisu, etc.
Dream Sushi
4401 Main StreetGreat sushi
Unassuming storefront but authentic Shanghaiist cuisine (coming from yours truly who grew up eating Xiaolongbao and Kaofu) Could get really busy. (closed Tue.)
21 locals recommend
Long's Noodle House
4853 Main StUnassuming storefront but authentic Shanghaiist cuisine (coming from yours truly who grew up eating Xiaolongbao and Kaofu) Could get really busy. (closed Tue.)
Contemporary and hip coffee shop... literally a one-minute walk!
37 locals recommend
Matchstick Riley Park
4807 Main StContemporary and hip coffee shop... literally a one-minute walk!
Chaise
4444 Main StPopular eatery, west coast cuisine
Daily dim sum, good quality for the price, clean setting, decent service. Early bird discounts on weekdays (leave by 11:30).
Haiyi Seafood Restaurant (海逸海鲜酒家)
4818 Main StDaily dim sum, good quality for the price, clean setting, decent service. Early bird discounts on weekdays (leave by 11:30).
Nomad Restaurant
3950 Main StContemporary eatery
Trafiq
4216 Main StPopular breakfast/brunch place
The Acorn Restaurant
3995 Main StVoted one of the best vegetarian/vegan restaurants in town
Summer market (June to September) and winter market(November to April). Saturdays 10AM to 2PM, rain or shine. Local produce, souvenirs, food trucks.
33 locals recommend
Riley Park Farmers Market - Winter
50 Ontario StSummer market (June to September) and winter market(November to April). Saturdays 10AM to 2PM, rain or shine. Local produce, souvenirs, food trucks.
The Reef Caribbean Restaurants
4172 Main StPopular Caribbean restaurant, lively atmosphere
Pizza Garden
675 Smithe StBest pizza within the 2km radius
Trilussa Pizza & Pane
4363 Main StYet another great pizza joint...
Finally... A delicious three-course meal at a French restaurant that won't cost you an arm and a leg. Reservations required.
203 locals recommend
Les Faux Bourgeois
663 E 15th AveFinally... A delicious three-course meal at a French restaurant that won't cost you an arm and a leg. Reservations required.
Award-winning higher-end Chinese restaurant. Good for groups... can get quite busy and noisy
51 locals recommend
Sun Sui Wah
3888 Main StAward-winning higher-end Chinese restaurant. Good for groups... can get quite busy and noisy
McDonald's
2909 Grandview HwyNot that there's anything wrong with it
Quite literary, I can see it from my house. Decent food, quick service.
10 locals recommend
Pho Cilantro Restaurant
4197 Fraser StQuite literary, I can see it from my house. Decent food, quick service.
Quesava
4129 Main StGluten-free Brazilian cheese buns... Toast it and spread some butter on it... mmm
One-of-a-kind 24-hour doughnut shop. Also sells fried chicken, tamale, Vietnamese sandwich, burgers, etc
23 locals recommend
Duffin's Donuts
1391 E 41st AveOne-of-a-kind 24-hour doughnut shop. Also sells fried chicken, tamale, Vietnamese sandwich, burgers, etc
Even non-vegetarians rave about it.... Good vegetarian/vegan food and an energetic vibe... Being within a 10-minute walk from the Chestnut doesn't hurt, either
51 locals recommend
Chickpea Restaurant
4298 Main StEven non-vegetarians rave about it.... Good vegetarian/vegan food and an energetic vibe... Being within a 10-minute walk from the Chestnut doesn't hurt, either
Probably the best reviewed Vietnamese restaurant in town... family owned, traditional as well as creative dishes , modern interior.
132 locals recommend
Anh And Chi
3388 Main StProbably the best reviewed Vietnamese restaurant in town... family owned, traditional as well as creative dishes , modern interior.
Latest addition to Riley Park's hidden gems. Received good reviews for its creative Italian dishes and only 2 minutes walk!
18 locals recommend
Autostrada Osteria Main Street
4811 Main StLatest addition to Riley Park's hidden gems. Received good reviews for its creative Italian dishes and only 2 minutes walk!
If you love fusion Indian food, this one is a must! Run by celebrity chef Vikram Vij (TV's Chopped Canada, Top Chef Canada, Dragon's Den, etc), this place has fantastic food, ambiance and service. I recommend it to all of my friends from out of town!!
264 locals recommend
Vij's
3106 Cambie StreetIf you love fusion Indian food, this one is a must! Run by celebrity chef Vikram Vij (TV's Chopped Canada, Top Chef Canada, Dragon's Den, etc), this place has fantastic food, ambiance and service. I recommend it to all of my friends from out of town!!
Ever had a pizza with toppings such as tiger prawns, whole lobster tail, Alaskan king crab, Osetra caviar?.... If seafood pizza is your thing, this is a must try! "The Serpent" is my favourite. Take out only (has a eating area but no table service. )
35 locals recommend
Steveston Pizza Company
3400 Moncton StEver had a pizza with toppings such as tiger prawns, whole lobster tail, Alaskan king crab, Osetra caviar?.... If seafood pizza is your thing, this is a must try! "The Serpent" is my favourite. Take out only (has a eating area but no table service. )
Love Japanese food but tired of the usual California rolls and teriyaki chicken? Try poke: a Japanese Hawaiian rice bowl dish you'll grow to love!
22 locals recommend
Pacific Poke
625 Main StLove Japanese food but tired of the usual California rolls and teriyaki chicken? Try poke: a Japanese Hawaiian rice bowl dish you'll grow to love!
Drinks & Nightlife
Cottage Bistro
Decent pub food, live music (mostly blues, jazz, folk) nightly
33 Acres Brewing Company
15 W 8th AveGreat beer
Tiki-theme night lounge, with food and occasional live music
98 locals recommend
The Shameful Tiki Room
4362 Main StTiki-theme night lounge, with food and occasional live music
Brewery Creek Cold Beer & Wine
3045 Main StA must for beer lovers!
Parks & Nature
A 15-minute brisk hike takes you to the highest point within the city limit. Check out the panoramic city views, as well as the Sunken Gardens (all season), rose garden (summer), Bloedel Floral Conservatory (admissions), early morning tai chi (spring to fall), cherry blossoms festival (April)... While you're there, stop by Seasons restaurant for a nice meal.
830 locals recommend
Queen Elizabeth Park
4600 Cambie StA 15-minute brisk hike takes you to the highest point within the city limit. Check out the panoramic city views, as well as the Sunken Gardens (all season), rose garden (summer), Bloedel Floral Conservatory (admissions), early morning tai chi (spring to fall), cherry blossoms festival (April)... While you're there, stop by Seasons restaurant for a nice meal.
A perennial favourite among locals and tourists alike! Beaches, cycling/walking/driving around the seawall, summer festivals/free movies, fireworks, Halloween ghost train... pay parking throughout the park
2658 locals recommend
Stanley Park
610 Pipeline RdA perennial favourite among locals and tourists alike! Beaches, cycling/walking/driving around the seawall, summer festivals/free movies, fireworks, Halloween ghost train... pay parking throughout the park
Touristy but still worth a visit (for a budget-friendly alternative, check out Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge)
1150 locals recommend
Capilano Suspension Bridge
3735 Capilano RdTouristy but still worth a visit (for a budget-friendly alternative, check out Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge)
A beautiful little village, great for kayaking, canoeing or just lounging
337 locals recommend
Deep Cove
4322 Gallant AveA beautiful little village, great for kayaking, canoeing or just lounging
Hiking in the summer (take the very steep and grueling "Grouse Grind"), skiing in the winter. Stunning city view from over 1,200m (4,000 ft) above Vancouver (restaurants and viewing deck open year round)
1038 locals recommend
Grouse Mountain
6400 Nancy Greene WayHiking in the summer (take the very steep and grueling "Grouse Grind"), skiing in the winter. Stunning city view from over 1,200m (4,000 ft) above Vancouver (restaurants and viewing deck open year round)
Vancouver's famous (or infamous, depending on your propensity) clothing-optional beach.
197 locals recommend
Pacific Spirit Hostel
1935 Lower MallVancouver's famous (or infamous, depending on your propensity) clothing-optional beach.
Probably the most iconic beach in Vancouver. This is where pride parade and the fireworks festival are held during the BC Day long weekend.
537 locals recommend
English Bay Beach
Beach AvenueProbably the most iconic beach in Vancouver. This is where pride parade and the fireworks festival are held during the BC Day long weekend.
The never-ending beach... connecting with Locarno Beach, Acadia Bech and Wreck Beach to the west and stretching 5+ km long. It also extends out almost 100m into the bay during low tide. Walking, cycling, picnicking, people watching.
337 locals recommend
Jericho Beach Park
3941 Point Grey RdThe never-ending beach... connecting with Locarno Beach, Acadia Bech and Wreck Beach to the west and stretching 5+ km long. It also extends out almost 100m into the bay during low tide. Walking, cycling, picnicking, people watching.
Strolling on the beach, people watching, free live music at the Kitsilano Showboat (summer), swimming at the public pool....
847 locals recommend
Kitsilano Beach Park
1499 Arbutus StStrolling on the beach, people watching, free live music at the Kitsilano Showboat (summer), swimming at the public pool....
Shopping
Oakridge
Nearest shopping mall for all of your essentials
Clothing & more! New and consigned items. There are also a few independent designer clothing stores between 19th and 22th Avenue on Main Street.
88 locals recommend
Front & Company
3772 Main StClothing & more! New and consigned items. There are also a few independent designer clothing stores between 19th and 22th Avenue on Main Street.
Essentials
3-minute walk... this place has everything you need in the kitchen and beyond. Offering a good selection of deli items as well.
366 locals recommend
Nesters Market
333 Abbott St3-minute walk... this place has everything you need in the kitchen and beyond. Offering a good selection of deli items as well.
Shoppers Drug Mart
1006 Homer StNearest 24-hour pharmacy
For your liquor essentials. Open every day until 7pm (later on weekends)
256 locals recommend
BC Liquor Stores
4423 Main StFor your liquor essentials. Open every day until 7pm (later on weekends)
Hopefully you'll never need it, but emergency room entrance is at 10th and Laurel
61 locals recommend
Vancouver General Hospital
899 W 12th AveHopefully you'll never need it, but emergency room entrance is at 10th and Laurel
Jasmine Halal Meats & Mediterranean Foods (Retail)
4323 Main StSpecialty meat products, etc.
CIBC Branch with ATM
1096 Homer StNearest bank and ATM
Pharmasave Main & 30th
4628 Main StNearest pharmacy, literally just around the corner
Nearest 24-hour convenient store. 10-minute walk. Friendly staff.
7 locals recommend
Main Convenience Store
4195 Main StNearest 24-hour convenient store. 10-minute walk. Friendly staff.
Getting Around
Nearest Skytrain station, northbound to downtown/waterfront, southbound to YVR airport/Richmond
88 locals recommend
King Edward Station
Nearest Skytrain station, northbound to downtown/waterfront, southbound to YVR airport/Richmond
4600 Main St
Bus to downtown, Chinatown, Gastown (#3 northbound)
159 E 33rd Ave
159 East 33rd AvenueBus to UBC (#33 Westbound)
Sightseeing
You could spend an entire day here! Check out the public market, food court, countless artist studios and boutiques, live theatre... taking the aquabus is fun.
1659 locals recommend
Granville Island
You could spend an entire day here! Check out the public market, food court, countless artist studios and boutiques, live theatre... taking the aquabus is fun.