Guidebook for Vancouver
Food Scene
Burdock & Co
2702 Main StDelicious locally-sourced food, great atmosphere
The Acorn Restaurant
3995 Main StHigher end vegetarian; great cocktails
MeeT on Main
4288 Main StreetGreat vegetarian; cheap eats
JJ Bean Coffee Roasters
3010 Main StDelicious coffee, locally roasted
Coco et Olive
3707 Main StGreat coffee and lunches, French bisto style
The Acorn Restaurant
3995 Main StGo for the artichoke sandwich. Best patio in the city.
Great Japanese restaurant; cheap and cheerful. Try their ramen Wednesdays.
16 locals recommend
Zipang Provisions
3068 Main StGreat Japanese restaurant; cheap and cheerful. Try their ramen Wednesdays.
Don't Argue! Pizzeria
3240 Main StTerrific Napoli style pizza
Anh And Chi
3388 Main StFunky, modern Vietnamese. Good cocktails
Delicious homemade pasta from the folks who run Cinara
18 locals recommend
Autostrada Osteria Main Street
4811 Main StDelicious homemade pasta from the folks who run Cinara
Buckets Ice Cream
3330 Main StIce cream made on the spot using liquid nitrogen. Delicious!
Sweet Revenge
4160 Main StAmazing homemade desserts in a funky setting
Batard Bakery
3958 Fraser StYou must try their sourdough bread - the best!
Osteria Savio Volpe
615 KingswayFabulsous Italian restaurant - modern, fun, close by ...
Not necessarily traditional Japanese ramen, but our favourite
28 locals recommend
Harvest Community Foods
243 Union StNot necessarily traditional Japanese ramen, but our favourite
If I had to choose one place in Vancouver to eat, this would be it. Order the chef's tasting menu and wine pairing.
66 locals recommend
Maenam
1938 W 4th AveIf I had to choose one place in Vancouver to eat, this would be it. Order the chef's tasting menu and wine pairing.
Delicious Lebanese food. Lots of vegan and gluten free options. Good cocktails. Inexpensive.
57 locals recommend
Jamjar Canteen
2290 Commercial DrDelicious Lebanese food. Lots of vegan and gluten free options. Good cocktails. Inexpensive.
La Taqueria Pinche Taco Shop
2450 Yukon StTerrific tacos!
This is one our favourite places for modern Indian. Vij has a bunch of restaurants in town, this one is more casual and affordable.
264 locals recommend
Vij's
3106 Cambie StreetThis is one our favourite places for modern Indian. Vij has a bunch of restaurants in town, this one is more casual and affordable.
Terrific modern "hole-in-the-wall" Italian. No reservations, so put your name on the list and then head to the Keefer or Cuchillo for a cocktail while you wait.
172 locals recommend
Ask For Luigi Restaurant
305 Alexander StTerrific modern "hole-in-the-wall" Italian. No reservations, so put your name on the list and then head to the Keefer or Cuchillo for a cocktail while you wait.
Essentials
Organic Acres Market
3603 Main StOrganic produce
The August Market
3958 Main StGroceries, they have just about everything!
This little neighbourhood grocery store has just about everything you might need
55 locals recommend
East West Market
4169 Main StThis little neighbourhood grocery store has just about everything you might need
Windsor Quality Meats
4110 Main StTerrific neighbourhood butcher shop
Shoppers Drug Mart
1006 Homer StPharmacy with beauty products and some groceries
Lemonade Gluten Free Bakery
3385 Cambie StTerrific gluten-free bakery
Balance Acupuncture & Massage
4338 Main StReally great spot for massage and acupuncture
Open Door Yoga (Main & 14th Studio)
200-2940 Main StGreat neighbourhood yoga studio with 2 locations on Main Street.
Just Yoga Vancouver
2240 West BroadwayBest small neighbourhood yoga studio. Plus I teach here!
QE Park Medical Clinic
4060 Cambie StGreat walk-in medical clinic, no appointments needed
This emergency room is open from 8 am - 8 pm 7 days a week.
Mount Saint Joseph Hospital: Emergency Department
3080 Prince Edward StThis emergency room is open from 8 am - 8 pm 7 days a week.
This large hospital's ER is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
61 locals recommend
Vancouver General Hospital
899 W 12th AveThis large hospital's ER is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Save-On-Foods
2949 Main StThis large chain grocery store has everything you need.
Shopping
Book Warehouse Main St.
4118 Main StLovely book store for new books
Boutique filled with locally-made pretty things: clothing, art, woodwork, etc
29 locals recommend
Much & Little
2543 Main StBoutique filled with locally-made pretty things: clothing, art, woodwork, etc
You really just need to go here. It is like an old school general store, but with a modern twist. Great for essentials, even gardening, cards, gifts...
42 locals recommend
Welk's
3511 Main StYou really just need to go here. It is like an old school general store, but with a modern twist. Great for essentials, even gardening, cards, gifts...
Front & Company
3772 Main StConsignment and new, also gifts, cards, and much more
Flower Factory
4285 Main StHands down Vancouver's best florist
Vancouver Special
3612 Main StArchitecture books, Scandinavian furniture, iconic design
Maternity and so much more. Find lots of interesting women's clothing brands, even Blundstones...
Hazel & Jools
4280 Main StMaternity and so much more. Find lots of interesting women's clothing brands, even Blundstones...
Y's Books
4307 Main StMy favourite used book store
Drinks & Nightlife
The Shameful Tiki Room
4362 Main StJust go...
The Narrow Lounge
1898 Main StGreat cocktails, look for the red light...
33 Acres Brewing Company
15 W 8th AveTerrific craft beers - try their "33 Acres of Sunshine"
Main Street Brewery
261 E 7th AveLocally-brewed craft beer
Brassneck Brewery
2148 Main StAlways packed - go early!
Our favourite spot for well-mixed cocktails. Interesting interior. Go early for a spot at the bar.
250 locals recommend
The Keefer Bar
135 Keefer StOur favourite spot for well-mixed cocktails. Interesting interior. Go early for a spot at the bar.
Parks & Nature
Queen Elizabeth Park
4600 Cambie StBeautiful views, gorgeous gardens, pitch'n'putt
Outdoor swimming pool in Stanley Park. This is a Vancouver institution and a must see!
102 locals recommend
Second Beach Swimming Pool
735 Stanley Park DrOutdoor swimming pool in Stanley Park. This is a Vancouver institution and a must see!
This beach stretches from Spanish Banks in the west ,all the way to Jericho to the east. Find beach volleyball, hamburgers at the beach concessions, and the best view of the city from the west side.
44 locals recommend
Locarno Beach
This beach stretches from Spanish Banks in the west ,all the way to Jericho to the east. Find beach volleyball, hamburgers at the beach concessions, and the best view of the city from the west side.
There are miles of walking trails through the Endowment Lands. Our favourite starts on West 16th, just past Blanca. You can walk north towards the water and end up at the beach. Accessible by bus.
20 locals recommend
University Endowment Lands
There are miles of walking trails through the Endowment Lands. Our favourite starts on West 16th, just past Blanca. You can walk north towards the water and end up at the beach. Accessible by bus.
Getting Around
Canada Line - King Edward Station - runs from the airport to downtown
88 locals recommend
King Edward Station
Canada Line - King Edward Station - runs from the airport to downtown
Canada Line Skytrain station - runs from the airport to downtown
81 locals recommend
Broadway-City Hall station
496 W BroadwayCanada Line Skytrain station - runs from the airport to downtown
Entertainment & Activities
Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club
4601 Ontario StSmall, super fun local baseball stadium
Local community centre; has a library, swimming pool, curling rink
32 locals recommend
Hillcrest Community Centre
4575 Clancy Loranger WayLocal community centre; has a library, swimming pool, curling rink
The Park Theatre
3440 Cambie StGreat local movie theatre within walking distance
Iconic locally-owned theatre showing new releases as well as older movies. Check their website for singalongs, burlesque shows, late night Rocky Horror showings, etc. Have dinner first at nearby Jam Jar or Mezcaleria.
100 locals recommend
Rio Theatre
1660 E BroadwayIconic locally-owned theatre showing new releases as well as older movies. Check their website for singalongs, burlesque shows, late night Rocky Horror showings, etc. Have dinner first at nearby Jam Jar or Mezcaleria.