Guidebook for Vancouver
Food Scene
Voted Canada's Best Restaurant this year. This spot is just a couple shops down from my building and has an epic Italian/Japanese fusion menu. Definitely make reservations or go right when it opens to put your name down for a table later in the evening!
63 residents recomanen
Kissa Tanto
263 E Pender StVoted Canada's Best Restaurant this year. This spot is just a couple shops down from my building and has an epic Italian/Japanese fusion menu. Definitely make reservations or go right when it opens to put your name down for a table later in the evening!
Matchstick Chinatown
213 E Georgia StTheir croissants are just ridiculous. Must try!
Delicious asian fusion cuisine with a laid-back, downtime vibe. The crispy tofu appetizer is heavenly.
101 residents recomanen
The Union
219 Union StDelicious asian fusion cuisine with a laid-back, downtime vibe. The crispy tofu appetizer is heavenly.
Amazing West Coast/Japanese fusion food. The drinks are unique, food is unlike anything else you'll get in Vancouver, and the serving staff also make great recommendations. Make a reservation, if possible.
31 residents recomanen
Torafuku
958 Main StAmazing West Coast/Japanese fusion food. The drinks are unique, food is unlike anything else you'll get in Vancouver, and the serving staff also make great recommendations. Make a reservation, if possible.
Upscale, modern dim sum. This is a favourite of Blake Lively, when she is in Vancouver.
250 residents recomanen
Bao Bei
163 Keefer StUpscale, modern dim sum. This is a favourite of Blake Lively, when she is in Vancouver.
Great food but also has a great bar, if you are looking for after-dinner drinks somewhere. The atmosphere is effortless.
29 residents recomanen
Juniper Restaurant & Bar
185 Keefer StGreat food but also has a great bar, if you are looking for after-dinner drinks somewhere. The atmosphere is effortless.
If you want to eat an incredible salad, come here! They don't have it on the menu anymore but you can still request it: The Caprese Salad. I like to substitute the croutons for squash chips and add either crispy bacon or chicken breast (sometimes both).
32 residents recomanen
Railtown Cafe
397 Railway StIf you want to eat an incredible salad, come here! They don't have it on the menu anymore but you can still request it: The Caprese Salad. I like to substitute the croutons for squash chips and add either crispy bacon or chicken breast (sometimes both).
This place has the world's best avocado toast on homemade sourdough bread; don't forget to get poached eggs on top. The street it's on seems sketchier than it is, I would suggest walking down Pender and turning right on Carrall to get there. Vancouverites know to avoid Hastings Street, not because its dangerous but just because the degree of homelessness makes people uncomfortable.
65 residents recomanen
Nelson the Seagull
315 Carrall StThis place has the world's best avocado toast on homemade sourdough bread; don't forget to get poached eggs on top. The street it's on seems sketchier than it is, I would suggest walking down Pender and turning right on Carrall to get there. Vancouverites know to avoid Hastings Street, not because its dangerous but just because the degree of homelessness makes people uncomfortable.
Right across the street from Nelson the Seagull, this is my absolute favourite restaurant in Vancouver. Make a reservation if you can but it's not necessary on weeknights. If you like duck, the portion is huge, reasonably priced, and so delicious. The pork belly bowl is also a must. And I love the shishito peppers appetizer. All cocktails are delicious too.
46 residents recomanen
Pidgin Restaurant
350 Carrall StRight across the street from Nelson the Seagull, this is my absolute favourite restaurant in Vancouver. Make a reservation if you can but it's not necessary on weeknights. If you like duck, the portion is huge, reasonably priced, and so delicious. The pork belly bowl is also a must. And I love the shishito peppers appetizer. All cocktails are delicious too.
Vancouverites love ice cream anytime of the year. Seriously, you will find a line here even in the middle of December. Their flavours use all natural ingredients and are adjusted seasonally. The Matcha Green Tea, Whisky Hazelnut, and Cookies & Cream are serious winners.
353 residents recomanen
Earnest Ice Cream
3992 Fraser StVancouverites love ice cream anytime of the year. Seriously, you will find a line here even in the middle of December. Their flavours use all natural ingredients and are adjusted seasonally. The Matcha Green Tea, Whisky Hazelnut, and Cookies & Cream are serious winners.
Soft serve in interesting Asian-inspired flavours, made natural ingredients and healthy toppings. Always a light, enjoyable after-dinner treat.
6 residents recomanen
UYU Ice Cream
433 Abbott StSoft serve in interesting Asian-inspired flavours, made natural ingredients and healthy toppings. Always a light, enjoyable after-dinner treat.
Dessert only restaurant. Order champagne or a delicious cocktail for something special, but really you just need to share 2-3 desserts and you'll be in heaven.
11 residents recomanen
Mosquito
32 Water StDessert only restaurant. Order champagne or a delicious cocktail for something special, but really you just need to share 2-3 desserts and you'll be in heaven.
Favourite brunch spot, especially because you can make reservations. Make sure to save room for a Belgian waffle with toppings as a dessert, it's small but oh-so-sweet.
371 residents recomanen
Chambar Restaurant
568 Beatty StreetFavourite brunch spot, especially because you can make reservations. Make sure to save room for a Belgian waffle with toppings as a dessert, it's small but oh-so-sweet.
Fast-casual, delicious sushi-bowl style food that marries Hawaiian poke with West Coast Canadian cuisine. It's new too!
22 residents recomanen
Pacific Poke
625 Main StFast-casual, delicious sushi-bowl style food that marries Hawaiian poke with West Coast Canadian cuisine. It's new too!
Vegan gelato that tastes like the real thing and made from coconut, hemp, and cashew butter. They have so many interesting flavours: drunken cherry, black sesame, lemongrass kafir, saffron orange, dark chocolate truffle, and salted caramel- to name a few.
13 residents recomanen
Umaluma
235 E Pender StVegan gelato that tastes like the real thing and made from coconut, hemp, and cashew butter. They have so many interesting flavours: drunken cherry, black sesame, lemongrass kafir, saffron orange, dark chocolate truffle, and salted caramel- to name a few.
Drinks & Nightlife
Probably Vancouver's best cocktails are served here. Upscale, cool environment and the building above it is often used in movies shot in Vancouver.
250 residents recomanen
The Keefer Bar
135 Keefer StProbably Vancouver's best cocktails are served here. Upscale, cool environment and the building above it is often used in movies shot in Vancouver.
Entertainment & Activities
Cool exhibits and after-dark adult only nights one a month.
837 residents recomanen
Science World a TELUS World of Science
1455 Quebec StCool exhibits and after-dark adult only nights one a month.
Catch a movie on the top floor of this mall.
113 residents recomanen
Cineplex Odeon- International Village Cinemas
88 W Pender StCatch a movie on the top floor of this mall.
I love coming to Improv nights here. They're always fun and tickets include a drink from the bar.
25 residents recomanen
Vancouver TheatreSports™
1502 Duranleau StI love coming to Improv nights here. They're always fun and tickets include a drink from the bar.
Parks & Nature
Big, beautiful park in the middle of Downtown Vancouver. Rent a bike or rollerblades and tour the perimeter using the Seawall, which follows the water. Breathtaking views.
2658 residents recomanen
Parc Stanley
610 Pipeline RdBig, beautiful park in the middle of Downtown Vancouver. Rent a bike or rollerblades and tour the perimeter using the Seawall, which follows the water. Breathtaking views.
If you want a great workout. Try doing doing this uphill climb up Grouse Mountain. It essentially follows the path (and trajectory) of the gondola. If you can do it under an hour, you're in good shape!
233 residents recomanen
Camí Grouse Grind
6400 Nancy Greene WayIf you want a great workout. Try doing doing this uphill climb up Grouse Mountain. It essentially follows the path (and trajectory) of the gondola. If you can do it under an hour, you're in good shape!
Essentials
Great, authentic Chinatown boxing classes. Think proper gloves, wraps, bags, and lots of sweat.
Eastside Boxing Club
238 Keefer StGreat, authentic Chinatown boxing classes. Think proper gloves, wraps, bags, and lots of sweat.
Favourite indoor spin studio in Vancouver. Try Ashley or Julie if you're looking for a challenging ride.
10 residents recomanen
Ride Cycle Club
881 Hamilton StFavourite indoor spin studio in Vancouver. Try Ashley or Julie if you're looking for a challenging ride.
Great group fitness classes, also outdoor run club and other cool fitness-related events that they host here.
6 residents recomanen
Tight Club Athletics
261 Union StGreat group fitness classes, also outdoor run club and other cool fitness-related events that they host here.