Guidebook of South Main
Sightseeing
Queen Elizabeth Park, with its quarry gardens and beautiful city views.
Situated on Little Mountain - the highest point in Vancouver proper - this former rock quarry has been converted into a beautiful city park with flower gardens, public art, grassy knolls, and panoramic views over the city.
830 locals recommend
Queen Elizabeth Park
4600 Cambie StQueen Elizabeth Park, with its quarry gardens and beautiful city views.
Situated on Little Mountain - the highest point in Vancouver proper - this former rock quarry has been converted into a beautiful city park with flower gardens, public art, grassy knolls, and panoramic views over the city.
An old-fashion 1950s ballpark which home to the minor league Vancouver Canadians baseball team.
83 locals recommend
Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club
4601 Ontario StAn old-fashion 1950s ballpark which home to the minor league Vancouver Canadians baseball team.
Find some family-friendly fun at Science World, which is beside the Main St and has interactive exhibits and theaters to educate and delight kids of all ages. Science World also hosts After Dark, a monthly after-hours event for adults that includes special exhibits and shows (as well as a bar).
837 locals recommend
Science World at TELUS World of Science
1455 Quebec StFind some family-friendly fun at Science World, which is beside the Main St and has interactive exhibits and theaters to educate and delight kids of all ages. Science World also hosts After Dark, a monthly after-hours event for adults that includes special exhibits and shows (as well as a bar).
Neighborhoods
Vancouver’s South of Main, more often referred to as ‘SoMa’, is a trendy neighborhood which is a Canadian version of London’s Soho and San Francisco’s SoMa (South of Market). You will fall in love with this neighborhood if you enjoy multicultural dining, cocktails or beer, nightlife, local art,designed clothing and vinyl records.
6 locals recommend
South Main
Vancouver’s South of Main, more often referred to as ‘SoMa’, is a trendy neighborhood which is a Canadian version of London’s Soho and San Francisco’s SoMa (South of Market). You will fall in love with this neighborhood if you enjoy multicultural dining, cocktails or beer, nightlife, local art,designed clothing and vinyl records.
Food scene
True to its roots, you’ll find a lot of great cheap eats along Main Street, as well as a few excellent high-end options. From Lebanese to Malaysian, South Indian to Peruvian, it’s on Main Street, and someone is doing it well. Some of the city’s best Chinese food is found here, especially high-end dim sum. A number of Vancouver’s renowned coffee roasters and cafes have outlets along and around Main Street, so be prepared for a case of the caffeine jitters. But for many people, what sets South Main apart from other neighbourhoods is the sheer number of craft breweries that have popped up over the past few years. If you start at East 2nd Avenue and walk up to East 8th Avenue, you’ll pass within two blocks of five different brewery tasting rooms.
A highlight of Vancouver’s rich Chinese history and culture, Sun Sui Wah is an award-winning Chinese restaurant. It specializes in Cantonese-style dishes on the base of the local seafood. What is especially worth tasting are: the Alaskan king crab, whole fried fish dishes, and the traditional dim sum. For desert, you should try the mango pancakes.
51 locals recommend
Sun Sui Wah
3888 Main StA highlight of Vancouver’s rich Chinese history and culture, Sun Sui Wah is an award-winning Chinese restaurant. It specializes in Cantonese-style dishes on the base of the local seafood. What is especially worth tasting are: the Alaskan king crab, whole fried fish dishes, and the traditional dim sum. For desert, you should try the mango pancakes.
Anh and Chi is a highly acclaimed and award winning restaurant that offers a contemporary take on traditional Vietnamese cuisine
132 locals recommend
Anh And Chi
3388 Main StAnh and Chi is a highly acclaimed and award winning restaurant that offers a contemporary take on traditional Vietnamese cuisine
Little place great for take away. Very few places to eat there but it’s worth the wait for a seat if you don’t have a place to go. Best fish and chips ever.
84 locals recommend
The Fish Counter
3825 Main StLittle place great for take away. Very few places to eat there but it’s worth the wait for a seat if you don’t have a place to go. Best fish and chips ever.
Innovative vegan & vegetarian dishes are the draw at this vibrant, simply appointed bistro.
120 locals recommend
MeeT on Main
4288 Main StreetInnovative vegan & vegetarian dishes are the draw at this vibrant, simply appointed bistro.
The cuisine is inspired by the opulent flavors and meticulous cooking processes of Eastern cultures found along the ancient Silk Route - which includes the flavors in India, Afghanistan and Persia.
224 locals recommend
East Is East
3035 W BroadwayThe cuisine is inspired by the opulent flavors and meticulous cooking processes of Eastern cultures found along the ancient Silk Route - which includes the flavors in India, Afghanistan and Persia.
Modern Japanese fare with French-inspired preparation & ingredients with airy wood interior details.
Restaurant Yugo
4265 Main StModern Japanese fare with French-inspired preparation & ingredients with airy wood interior details.
Relaxed, elegant European cafe with items ranging from cakes & croissants to soups & sandwiches.
Great place, great cake, great coffee. We always come here for coffee ,breakfast ,Apple turnovers, cookies. There were amazing French food. Everything the taste were so good. Not too sweet.
57 locals recommend
Trafiq
4216 Main StRelaxed, elegant European cafe with items ranging from cakes & croissants to soups & sandwiches.
Great place, great cake, great coffee. We always come here for coffee ,breakfast ,Apple turnovers, cookies. There were amazing French food. Everything the taste were so good. Not too sweet.
It’s a great coffee shop to grab some coffee, tea and something sweet. I enjoyed their matcha tea latte with a croissant.
57 locals recommend
Continental Coffee
1806 Commercial DrIt’s a great coffee shop to grab some coffee, tea and something sweet. I enjoyed their matcha tea latte with a croissant.
Drinks & Nightlife
Brassneck Brewery
2148 Main StCool bar with a tropical vibe offering Polynesian eats, exotic cocktails & live music.Awesome atmosphere. It feels like you're in Hawaii. And they have the most delicious Tiki drinks!
98 locals recommend
The Shameful Tiki Room
4362 Main StCool bar with a tropical vibe offering Polynesian eats, exotic cocktails & live music.Awesome atmosphere. It feels like you're in Hawaii. And they have the most delicious Tiki drinks!
Live Music & Comedy
One of North America’s last remaining porn cinemas has been transformed (and fully pressure-washed) into a brilliantly eclectic independent nightlife venue, ditching the dodgy flicks in favour of live bands, rib-tickling comedy and Saturday night dance fests with disco or ’90s themes. Check the online calendar; there's always something different on stage in this narrow, high-ceilinged venue.
66 locals recommend
Fox Cabaret
2321 Main StOne of North America’s last remaining porn cinemas has been transformed (and fully pressure-washed) into a brilliantly eclectic independent nightlife venue, ditching the dodgy flicks in favour of live bands, rib-tickling comedy and Saturday night dance fests with disco or ’90s themes. Check the online calendar; there's always something different on stage in this narrow, high-ceilinged venue.
One of Vancouver's favorite alt venues, the intimate Biltmore is a firm fixture on the local indie scene. A low-ceilinged, good-vibe spot to mosh to local and touring musicians, it also has regular event nights; check the online calendar for upcoming happenings, including trivia nights and stand-up comedy shows.
67 locals recommend
Biltmore Cabaret
2755 Prince Edward StOne of Vancouver's favorite alt venues, the intimate Biltmore is a firm fixture on the local indie scene. A low-ceilinged, good-vibe spot to mosh to local and touring musicians, it also has regular event nights; check the online calendar for upcoming happenings, including trivia nights and stand-up comedy shows.
Non-profit, live comedy with nightly shows & a full bar with dim lighting & dark wood details.
14 locals recommend
Little Mountain Comedy Community Centre
195 E 26th AveNon-profit, live comedy with nightly shows & a full bar with dim lighting & dark wood details.
Shopping
This ironic antidote to the digital age lures ink-stained locals with its journals, handmade pencil boxes and T-shirts printed with typewriter motifs. Check out the tiny under-the-stairs gallery showcasing global zines and don't miss the monthly Letter Writing Club (7pm, first Thursday of every month), where you can hammer on vintage typewriters, crafting erudite missives to far-away loved ones.
12 locals recommend
The Regional Assembly of Text
3934 Main StThis ironic antidote to the digital age lures ink-stained locals with its journals, handmade pencil boxes and T-shirts printed with typewriter motifs. Check out the tiny under-the-stairs gallery showcasing global zines and don't miss the monthly Letter Writing Club (7pm, first Thursday of every month), where you can hammer on vintage typewriters, crafting erudite missives to far-away loved ones.
Arguably Vancouver's coolest record store and certainly the only one named after a much-missed cat… There's a brilliantly curated collection of new and used vinyl and CDs, and it's co-owned by musicians; ask them for tips on where to see great local acts such as Loscil and Nick Krgovich or peruse the huge list of shows in the window.
16 locals recommend
Red Cat Records
4386 Main StArguably Vancouver's coolest record store and certainly the only one named after a much-missed cat… There's a brilliantly curated collection of new and used vinyl and CDs, and it's co-owned by musicians; ask them for tips on where to see great local acts such as Loscil and Nick Krgovich or peruse the huge list of shows in the window.
Art-school cool rules at this mostly womens wear boutique, with skirts, belts and halter-tops whimsically accented with prints of rabbits, narwhals and the periodic table. Anatomically correct heart motifs are also popular, appearing on shirts, jewelry and cushion covers. And there's a great array of accessories, including quirky purses and shoulder bags beloved of the local pale-and-interesting set.
8 locals recommend
Smoking Lily Vancouver Boutique
Art-school cool rules at this mostly womens wear boutique, with skirts, belts and halter-tops whimsically accented with prints of rabbits, narwhals and the periodic table. Anatomically correct heart motifs are also popular, appearing on shirts, jewelry and cushion covers. And there's a great array of accessories, including quirky purses and shoulder bags beloved of the local pale-and-interesting set.
Essentials
A medium-sized locally owned grocery store with a very good selection of deli, produce, juices, household goods, etc. Well laid-out; service is helpful and efficient. Almost everything that you can't find at large, chain grocers, you can find here
55 locals recommend
East West Market
4169 Main StA medium-sized locally owned grocery store with a very good selection of deli, produce, juices, household goods, etc. Well laid-out; service is helpful and efficient. Almost everything that you can't find at large, chain grocers, you can find here
Nesters Market
333 Abbott StBC Liquor Stores
4423 Main StWine?or beer ?