Guidebook for Vancouver
Arts & Culture
aka the CAG. Worth checking out in addition to (or in place of) the more well-known, historic VAG (Vancouver Art Gallery).
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Contemporary Art Gallery
555 Nelson Staka the CAG. Worth checking out in addition to (or in place of) the more well-known, historic VAG (Vancouver Art Gallery).
Historic and always worth checking out. Local tip: Enjoy lunch on the roof for a reasonable price!
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I-Vancouver Art Gallery
750 Hornby StHistoric and always worth checking out. Local tip: Enjoy lunch on the roof for a reasonable price!
Awesome contemporary art gallery with a great bookstore in the front. Check out their website for current exhibitions and don't miss their semi-permanent installation around the corner by Ken Lum!
221A
221a E Georgia StAwesome contemporary art gallery with a great bookstore in the front. Check out their website for current exhibitions and don't miss their semi-permanent installation around the corner by Ken Lum!
Small local gallery with amazing programming. Check out their website for current exhibitions.
UNIT/PITT Society for Art & Critical Awareness
Small local gallery with amazing programming. Check out their website for current exhibitions.
Drinks & Nightlife
Alibi Room
157 Alexander StThe best local bar for craft beer on tap in the city.
Six Acres
203 Carrall StA cozy local favourite for drinks and/or dinner.
New bar uniquely situated between the historic, much larger Cobalt bar and Pizzeria Farina. Huge selection of great local and international beer on tap.
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Boxcar
917 Main StNew bar uniquely situated between the historic, much larger Cobalt bar and Pizzeria Farina. Huge selection of great local and international beer on tap.
Food Scene
My favourite, most uniquely authentic Japanese tapas & drinks in the city.
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Guu with Otokomae
375 Water StMy favourite, most uniquely authentic Japanese tapas & drinks in the city.
The Brixton
212 E Georgia StA great local hangout for beer, brunch, and coffee.
One of Medina's closest runner's up in the area's hotly-contested brunch debate.
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Acme Cafe
51 W Hastings StOne of Medina's closest runner's up in the area's hotly-contested brunch debate.
A bit more expensive than some of its competitors, but widely regarded as Vancouver's best brunch.
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Cafe Medina
780 Richards StA bit more expensive than some of its competitors, but widely regarded as Vancouver's best brunch.
Quite possibly the best doughnuts in Vancouver (coffee also available).
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Cartems Donuts
2190 Main StQuite possibly the best doughnuts in Vancouver (coffee also available).
Revolver
325 Cambie StMy personal favourite of the area's many cafes.
One of Vancouver's most historicly-significant restaurants. Offers classic, affordable meat-based fare, including one of Vancouver's best burgers.
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Save On Meats
43 W Hastings StOne of Vancouver's most historicly-significant restaurants. Offers classic, affordable meat-based fare, including one of Vancouver's best burgers.
Originally opened in Nanaimo, this is the newest of 2 Vancouver locations and home to some of the best tacos, nachos, drinks, and ambiance in the lower mainland.
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Tacofino Taco Bar
15 W Cordova StOriginally opened in Nanaimo, this is the newest of 2 Vancouver locations and home to some of the best tacos, nachos, drinks, and ambiance in the lower mainland.
Bao Bei
163 Keefer StHigh end modern Chinese cuisine and drinks.
Modern German comfort food (Bratwurst) with a great vibe and good beer.
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Bestie
105 E Pender StModern German comfort food (Bratwurst) with a great vibe and good beer.
Best pizza within walking distance. Be sure to also check out the brand-new Boxcar bar next door.
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Pizzeria Farina
915 Main StBest pizza within walking distance. Be sure to also check out the brand-new Boxcar bar next door.
Great coffee spot with a unique selection of gifts, records, and items for the house.
Lukes General Store
49 W Hastings StGreat coffee spot with a unique selection of gifts, records, and items for the house.
My personal favourite of Vancouver's many affordable Vietnamese restaurants. Traditional but still accessible.
Golden Garden Vietnamese Cuisine
509 Main StMy personal favourite of Vancouver's many affordable Vietnamese restaurants. Traditional but still accessible.
One of Vancouver's most popular sandwich shops. As the name suggests it is quite simple, but very tasty.
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Meat & Bread
370 Cambie StOne of Vancouver's most popular sandwich shops. As the name suggests it is quite simple, but very tasty.
A cozy local spot that is just as famous for French-style baguette sandwiches as it is coffee. I recommend the Pear (with walnuts, prosciutto, and baked brie!)
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Finch's
353 W Pender StA cozy local spot that is just as famous for French-style baguette sandwiches as it is coffee. I recommend the Pear (with walnuts, prosciutto, and baked brie!)
Honeycomb tile, high ceilings, and great "coffee and bread" for those who want to relax, read, study, or work on their laptops.
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Nelson the Seagull
315 Carrall StHoneycomb tile, high ceilings, and great "coffee and bread" for those who want to relax, read, study, or work on their laptops.
One of Vancouver's oldest restaurants, this "greasy spoon" diner also has one of the city's only original neon signs.
Ovaltine Cafe
251 E Hastings StOne of Vancouver's oldest restaurants, this "greasy spoon" diner also has one of the city's only original neon signs.
Vancouver's best and most popular traditional Chinese restaurant. It is always busy but always worth the wait, and close to lots of other options if you're in a rush.
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Phnom Penh Restaurant
244 E Georgia StVancouver's best and most popular traditional Chinese restaurant. It is always busy but always worth the wait, and close to lots of other options if you're in a rush.
Sightseeing
Recently named the number 1 city garden in the world by National Geographic.
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I-Garden yase-China ye-Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical
578 Carrall StRecently named the number 1 city garden in the world by National Geographic.
Aside from the various spots around the nearby seawall (Olympic Village, etc), this is the closest, best place to hangout by the ocean.
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Crab Park
101 E Waterfront RdAside from the various spots around the nearby seawall (Olympic Village, etc), this is the closest, best place to hangout by the ocean.
A good excuse to walk around the seawall, whether you go inside the dome or not.
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Science World kwiTELUS World of Science
1455 Quebec StA good excuse to walk around the seawall, whether you go inside the dome or not.
A must see if you have the time & energy. The views and expansive green space found here are truly what set Vancouver apart.
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Iparke ye-Stanley
610 Pipeline RdA must see if you have the time & energy. The views and expansive green space found here are truly what set Vancouver apart.
The best transit-accessible hiking trail in the area. It is a less busy, more local alternative to the overpriced neighbouring Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
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I-Centre ye-Ecology ye-Lynn Canyon
3663 Park RdThe best transit-accessible hiking trail in the area. It is a less busy, more local alternative to the overpriced neighbouring Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
A great tourist destination for a bike or walk along the seawall, or a water taxi through False Creek. Home to several gift shops, artist studios, a brewery, Emily Carr University, and a huge market.
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I-Granville Island
A great tourist destination for a bike or walk along the seawall, or a water taxi through False Creek. Home to several gift shops, artist studios, a brewery, Emily Carr University, and a huge market.
Shopping
My favourite of Gastown's many menswear shops (see also Haven, Inventory). They recently openend a women's store at 45 Powell Street as well.
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NEIGHBOUR
12 Water StMy favourite of Gastown's many menswear shops (see also Haven, Inventory). They recently openend a women's store at 45 Powell Street as well.
Livestock
141 E Pender StIf you're after sneakers, this is the place to get them.
A carefully curated selection of unique home decor, furnishings, gifts, and grooming items.
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Old Faithful Shop
320 W Cordova StA carefully curated selection of unique home decor, furnishings, gifts, and grooming items.
Essentials
In the historic Woodward's building across the indoor public basketball court from London Drugs.
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Nesters Market
333 Abbott StIn the historic Woodward's building across the indoor public basketball court from London Drugs.
Huge Asian supermarket with a great selection of pre-made dishes to go.
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T&T Supermarket
179 Keefer PlHuge Asian supermarket with a great selection of pre-made dishes to go.
Everything Else
Famous for its Roman Colliseum-inspired architecture, and, of course, its books.
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I-Vancouver Public Library (Central Library Branch)
350 W Georgia StFamous for its Roman Colliseum-inspired architecture, and, of course, its books.