Guidebook for Vancouver
Food Scene
Tacofino Commissary
2327 E Hastings StNice space, casual, affordable, good food!
Fun diner for brunch (also open for dinner some nights). Best pancakes in the city! But there is always a line up on the weekend...best to go on a weekday if you can, or right at opening, pancakes for dinner, or plan to hang out for a bit and wait!
166 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Red Wagon
2128 E Hastings StFun diner for brunch (also open for dinner some nights). Best pancakes in the city! But there is always a line up on the weekend...best to go on a weekday if you can, or right at opening, pancakes for dinner, or plan to hang out for a bit and wait!
Amazing pizza, nice space! Can have big line ups but if it't not raining you can put your name down and go for a stroll through the neighbourhood or down to Commercial Dr!
159 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Via Tevere Pizzeria
1190 Victoria DrAmazing pizza, nice space! Can have big line ups but if it't not raining you can put your name down and go for a stroll through the neighbourhood or down to Commercial Dr!
Sweet little Japanese cafe with specialty desserts and small selection delicious rice bowls for lunch (I always get the tuna tataki). It is a calm and lovely spot for lunch and one of my go-tos for take-out lunch.
Yama Cafe
2007 E Hastings StSweet little Japanese cafe with specialty desserts and small selection delicious rice bowls for lunch (I always get the tuna tataki). It is a calm and lovely spot for lunch and one of my go-tos for take-out lunch.
One of my favourite places for coffee! Decent selection of treats and lots of seating.
79 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Platform 7 Coffee
2331 E Hastings StOne of my favourite places for coffee! Decent selection of treats and lots of seating.
Runner up for best coffee in this hood! Cozy spot and good peeps.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
East Café
2401 E Hastings StRunner up for best coffee in this hood! Cozy spot and good peeps.
A Vancouver staple...has been around a long time and you can count on great cocktails and amazing food with an elegant/hip but relaxed atmosphere.
371 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Chambar Restaurant
568 Beatty StreetA Vancouver staple...has been around a long time and you can count on great cocktails and amazing food with an elegant/hip but relaxed atmosphere.
Parks & Nature
If you are only in Vancouver for one day I would recommend renting bikes in the morning and cruising through Stanley Park and around the seawall all day long. You will get trees, beaches, cheeky squirrels, beautiful totem poles, amazing views and you can stay on the seawall through several different neighbourhoods past the park...
2658 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Iparke ye-Stanley
610 Pipeline RdIf you are only in Vancouver for one day I would recommend renting bikes in the morning and cruising through Stanley Park and around the seawall all day long. You will get trees, beaches, cheeky squirrels, beautiful totem poles, amazing views and you can stay on the seawall through several different neighbourhoods past the park...
Great hiking trail...though it seems to be getting busier and busier each year (read avoid the weekends if you can). Still quite beautiful, well maintained and as a bonus the village at Deep Cove has cute shops and the amazing Hunni's Doughnuts (seriously don't miss it...just get the basic)
158 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Quarry Rock
Baden Powell TrailGreat hiking trail...though it seems to be getting busier and busier each year (read avoid the weekends if you can). Still quite beautiful, well maintained and as a bonus the village at Deep Cove has cute shops and the amazing Hunni's Doughnuts (seriously don't miss it...just get the basic)
Variety of trails...Lynn Loop is quick and easy!
63 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lynn Headwaters Regional Park
4900 Lynn Valley RdVariety of trails...Lynn Loop is quick and easy!
Jump on the Grouse Gondola and be prepared for stunning views and the freshest of air! Up top there area a bunch of seasonal activities and a restaurant to stop in at. You will also get to see all of the hikers arrive after doing the intense 'Grouse Grind'
249 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Grouse Mountain @ Skyride station
Jump on the Grouse Gondola and be prepared for stunning views and the freshest of air! Up top there area a bunch of seasonal activities and a restaurant to stop in at. You will also get to see all of the hikers arrive after doing the intense 'Grouse Grind'
Essentials
One of the best neighbourhood grocery stores around...lots of organic and natural while still being affordable. Can pretty much find everything you need but a bit smaller/crowded compared to your bigger box stores...and the meat selection isn't great (there are a couple of great butchers on Hastings that make up for it) Either way it is still my top choice for grocery shopping!
153 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Donald's Market
2342 E Hastings StOne of the best neighbourhood grocery stores around...lots of organic and natural while still being affordable. Can pretty much find everything you need but a bit smaller/crowded compared to your bigger box stores...and the meat selection isn't great (there are a couple of great butchers on Hastings that make up for it) Either way it is still my top choice for grocery shopping!
Pretty much a grocery store + health food store...lots of good stuff but you will pay $$....and the produce selection is often weak...but geez if you are looking for a great selection of dairy free, gluten free, organic, vegan, supplements, etc you won't be disappointed!
398 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Choices Markets
1202 Richards StPretty much a grocery store + health food store...lots of good stuff but you will pay $$....and the produce selection is often weak...but geez if you are looking for a great selection of dairy free, gluten free, organic, vegan, supplements, etc you won't be disappointed!
Drinks & Nightlife
Great little place for a drink and a snack in ...pretty good dinner too! Cozy and intimate spot in Gastown...great place to start (or finish) your night!
66 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Six Acres
203 Carrall StGreat little place for a drink and a snack in ...pretty good dinner too! Cozy and intimate spot in Gastown...great place to start (or finish) your night!
Arts & Culture
Just a few blocks away and always stacked with good shows!
71 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Historic Theatre, The Cultch
1895 Venables StJust a few blocks away and always stacked with good shows!
I-Vancouver Art Gallery
750 Hornby StWorth the trip out to UBC! Combine it with a visit to the beach (Wreck Beach if you don't like tan lines), a hike in Pacific Spirit Park and you won't regret it.
502 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Iziko leAnthropology
6393 NW Marine DrWorth the trip out to UBC! Combine it with a visit to the beach (Wreck Beach if you don't like tan lines), a hike in Pacific Spirit Park and you won't regret it.