Guidebook for Vancouver
Food Scene
Serves the best Spanish coffee - it's a must try! Located in Gastown, a historic neighbourhood in Downtown Vancouver that's a must see on its own
24 locals recommend
The Coffee Bar
10 Water StServes the best Spanish coffee - it's a must try! Located in Gastown, a historic neighbourhood in Downtown Vancouver that's a must see on its own
They say there's a Japanese restaurant for every 100 people in Vancouver... ridiculous! But this is the best Japanese Ramen place in town. Long waits but the line goes fast so you won't have to wait too long.
120 locals recommend
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
1690 Robson StThey say there's a Japanese restaurant for every 100 people in Vancouver... ridiculous! But this is the best Japanese Ramen place in town. Long waits but the line goes fast so you won't have to wait too long.
Best steak and seafood institution in the city, hands down. Order fresh shucked oysters from the oyster bar, enjoy a glass of cognac, and listen to the ever-so-talented pianist play your favorite tunes (every night starting at 6). We run into celebrities here sometimes. The vibe is just amazing!
178 locals recommend
Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House
777 Thurlow StBest steak and seafood institution in the city, hands down. Order fresh shucked oysters from the oyster bar, enjoy a glass of cognac, and listen to the ever-so-talented pianist play your favorite tunes (every night starting at 6). We run into celebrities here sometimes. The vibe is just amazing!
Zefferelli's
1136 Robson StNo fuss, family friendly, budget friendly Italian restaurant.
There is no need to go to the fancy Chinese restaurants for "Xiao Long Bao" (Shanghai dumplings with the soup inside). Try this place instead! The restaurant is small but don't let the size of the place fool you, the flavors pack a huge punch.
21 locals recommend
Long's Noodle House
4853 Main StThere is no need to go to the fancy Chinese restaurants for "Xiao Long Bao" (Shanghai dumplings with the soup inside). Try this place instead! The restaurant is small but don't let the size of the place fool you, the flavors pack a huge punch.
Feeling adventurous? Try the Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup; you won't regret it! Don't leave without ordering a bubble tea; an iconic drink of the Taiwanese.
9 locals recommend
No. 1 Beef Noodle
4741 Willingdon AveFeeling adventurous? Try the Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup; you won't regret it! Don't leave without ordering a bubble tea; an iconic drink of the Taiwanese.
A little on the pricey side but the views, the delicious sushi, and the ambiance more than make up for it. The Salmon Oshi Sushi is a must try: pressed BC wild sockeye salmon, seared lightly to perfection!
169 locals recommend
Miku Vancouver
200 Granville StA little on the pricey side but the views, the delicious sushi, and the ambiance more than make up for it. The Salmon Oshi Sushi is a must try: pressed BC wild sockeye salmon, seared lightly to perfection!
The best taco shop in town! Our favorites: Carnitas, El Pastor, Pescado, and the Raja Con Crema.
96 locals recommend
La Taqueria Pinche Taco Shop
2450 Yukon StThe best taco shop in town! Our favorites: Carnitas, El Pastor, Pescado, and the Raja Con Crema.
No one else makes a porchetta sandwich quite like these guys... we think the secret is in the salsa verde. But try it out and let us know what you think!
132 locals recommend
Meat & Bread
370 Cambie StNo one else makes a porchetta sandwich quite like these guys... we think the secret is in the salsa verde. But try it out and let us know what you think!
Malaysian cuisine so close to home you could walk there in 15 minutes. Try the mango fish and the satay skewers.
14 locals recommend
Penang Delight Cafe Express
3885 Rupert StMalaysian cuisine so close to home you could walk there in 15 minutes. Try the mango fish and the satay skewers.
We grew up on Vietnamese cuisine and this man does it just right. The beef noodle soup is perfect in every way. The restaurant is small but these are the best places, aren't they?
Pho Nhuan
2989 Rupert StWe grew up on Vietnamese cuisine and this man does it just right. The beef noodle soup is perfect in every way. The restaurant is small but these are the best places, aren't they?
If you're at Lonsdale Quay...wait a minute! We would drive across the bridge just to get the Apricot Almandine Tart just because it's that good! If you've got a sweet tooth, this is the place to go. Small bakery on Lonsdale Avenue; worth a visit everytime.
Sweet Art Bakery Ltd. Wholesale
1648 Langan AvenueIf you're at Lonsdale Quay...wait a minute! We would drive across the bridge just to get the Apricot Almandine Tart just because it's that good! If you've got a sweet tooth, this is the place to go. Small bakery on Lonsdale Avenue; worth a visit everytime.
The closest Starbucks to our home for your morning, afternoon, evening coffee fix.
323 locals recommend
Starbucks
1752 Commercial DrThe closest Starbucks to our home for your morning, afternoon, evening coffee fix.
This place serves up the best breakfast/brunch items in the city, hands down. Portion sizes are huge and the flavours are always on point. It's a long wait - they don't take reservations - but a group of 2 can usually get in in under an hour on the weekend. Weekdays are a lot better if you've got 4 or more people. There's always a lineup though, so come prepared to wait in line. We usually grab a coffee at Starbucks for the wait.
117 locals recommend
Jam Cafe
556 Beatty StThis place serves up the best breakfast/brunch items in the city, hands down. Portion sizes are huge and the flavours are always on point. It's a long wait - they don't take reservations - but a group of 2 can usually get in in under an hour on the weekend. Weekdays are a lot better if you've got 4 or more people. There's always a lineup though, so come prepared to wait in line. We usually grab a coffee at Starbucks for the wait.
Our new favourite ramen place in the city. Arrive early (before 11:30am) or later (after 2:00pm) for lunch service and before 5:00pm for dinner service - it's a wait during peak meal times. Specialty meat is chicken karaage. So yummy!
8 locals recommend
Ramen Gojiro
501 Dunsmuir StOur new favourite ramen place in the city. Arrive early (before 11:30am) or later (after 2:00pm) for lunch service and before 5:00pm for dinner service - it's a wait during peak meal times. Specialty meat is chicken karaage. So yummy!
Fine dining-quality food in a hip, casual setting -- one of our favourite places for a date night. Make a reservation if you plan to go. This place books up fast!
371 locals recommend
Chambar Restaurant
568 Beatty StreetFine dining-quality food in a hip, casual setting -- one of our favourite places for a date night. Make a reservation if you plan to go. This place books up fast!
Essentials
Everyday essentials, groceries, a selection of organic foods as well as an aisle of imported foods.
125 locals recommend
Real Canadian Superstore
3185 Grandview HwyEveryday essentials, groceries, a selection of organic foods as well as an aisle of imported foods.
Health foods, organic foods, and everything you need to live a healthy lifestyle!
53 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
4420 Lougheed Hwy.Health foods, organic foods, and everything you need to live a healthy lifestyle!
Bentall Street
Bentall StreetPriceSmart Foods is another grocery store for everyday essentials and food
Shopping
Largest shopping mall in BC with over 450 shops and stores; shop to your heart's content!
290 locals recommend
Metropolis At Metrotown
4700 KingswayLargest shopping mall in BC with over 450 shops and stores; shop to your heart's content!
Quieter shopping mall. Large department stores include Hudson's Bay Company and Crate and Barrel.
200 locals recommend
Oakridge Centre
650 W 41st AveQuieter shopping mall. Large department stores include Hudson's Bay Company and Crate and Barrel.
If you're downtown and want to be indoors for a shopping experience, visit Pacific Centre and stop in at Nordstrom.
571 locals recommend
CF Pacific Centre
701 W Georgia StIf you're downtown and want to be indoors for a shopping experience, visit Pacific Centre and stop in at Nordstrom.
Iconic street to shop at your favorite stores. Home to many flagship stores. Don't forget to grab a coffee and a crepe as you walk; it's all part of the experience!
789 locals recommend
Robson Street
1155 Robson StIconic street to shop at your favorite stores. Home to many flagship stores. Don't forget to grab a coffee and a crepe as you walk; it's all part of the experience!
Arts & Culture
Home to the Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Check out the art galleries and pick up local artisan designs.
470 locals recommend
Granville Island Public Market
1689 Johnston StHome to the Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Check out the art galleries and pick up local artisan designs.
Parks & Nature
Take a romantic stroll around Deer Lake. There are trails all around. The trail around the lake is nice and easy, perfect for all ages.
130 locals recommend
Deer Lake
Take a romantic stroll around Deer Lake. There are trails all around. The trail around the lake is nice and easy, perfect for all ages.
Walk, run, bike; whatever your preference, do it here! The air is fresh and the scenery is next to none. Driving through the park just doesn't do it justice.
2658 locals recommend
Stanley Park
610 Pipeline RdWalk, run, bike; whatever your preference, do it here! The air is fresh and the scenery is next to none. Driving through the park just doesn't do it justice.
Ski and snowboard in the winter, hike in the summer. There are perks to visiting a city so close to the mountains! The view of the city is spectacular when you get to the top.
1038 locals recommend
Grouse Mountain
6400 Nancy Greene WaySki and snowboard in the winter, hike in the summer. There are perks to visiting a city so close to the mountains! The view of the city is spectacular when you get to the top.
Plan a romantic getaway here. Take the trail out to the lighthouse and watch the sunset.
236 locals recommend
Lighthouse Park | West Vancouver
4902 Beacon LnPlan a romantic getaway here. Take the trail out to the lighthouse and watch the sunset.
Sightseeing
A lovely way to spend the afternoon with your family. Lots of walking/hiking trails in the area. Also recommended is the Treetops Adventures: seven footbridges suspended between Douglas Fir trees, forming a walkway up to 30 metres (98 feet) above the forest floor.
1150 locals recommend
Capilano Suspension Bridge
3735 Capilano RdA lovely way to spend the afternoon with your family. Lots of walking/hiking trails in the area. Also recommended is the Treetops Adventures: seven footbridges suspended between Douglas Fir trees, forming a walkway up to 30 metres (98 feet) above the forest floor.
A place to just wander - lots of unique shops, eateries, and galleries.
1659 locals recommend
Granville Island
A place to just wander - lots of unique shops, eateries, and galleries.
Entertainment & Activities
Vancouver Aquarium
845 Avison WayA great way to spend the day with your kids.
Teach your kids about the world of science. They'll be occupied and happy for hours. Don't forget to visit OMNIMAX, a 5-storey high theatre screen with wrap-around surround sound.
837 locals recommend
Science World at TELUS World of Science
1455 Quebec StTeach your kids about the world of science. They'll be occupied and happy for hours. Don't forget to visit OMNIMAX, a 5-storey high theatre screen with wrap-around surround sound.