Kelsey’s guidebook
Food scene
Vancouver's culinary scene showcases incredible international cuisine at every price level. Can't find the type of food you're looking for? Just ask us!
A tiny family-owned Thai restaurant that does eat-in and takeout. The food is great and the owners are absolutely lovely!
It's good for small groups too: https://bangkokcitycafe.com/
15 locals recommend
Bangkok City Cafe
2953 W 4th AveA tiny family-owned Thai restaurant that does eat-in and takeout. The food is great and the owners are absolutely lovely!
It's good for small groups too: https://bangkokcitycafe.com/
One of the best restaurants in the city is just a few minutes away by car.
Reservations are hard to get though so book ahead: http://www.annalena.ca/
62 locals recommend
AnnaLena
1809 W 1st AveOne of the best restaurants in the city is just a few minutes away by car.
Reservations are hard to get though so book ahead: http://www.annalena.ca/
Some of the best fine-dining Thai food in the city, just happens to be in Kitsilano: http://maenam.ca/
66 locals recommend
Maenam
1938 W 4th AveSome of the best fine-dining Thai food in the city, just happens to be in Kitsilano: http://maenam.ca/
It looks like a hole in the wall, but their aburi is exceptional: https://www.yelp.ca/biz/green-leaf-sushi-vancouver
42 locals recommend
Green Leaf Sushi
3416 W BroadwayIt looks like a hole in the wall, but their aburi is exceptional: https://www.yelp.ca/biz/green-leaf-sushi-vancouver
Grab a cone or a pint -- Rain or Shine Homemade Ice Cream is delicous: http://rainorshineicecream.com/
130 locals recommend
Rain or Shine Ice Cream
1926 W 4th AveGrab a cone or a pint -- Rain or Shine Homemade Ice Cream is delicous: http://rainorshineicecream.com/
Just around the corner on Fourth and Macdonald, Darby's has a cold beer and wine store as well as an often-busy pub: https://www.darbys.pub/
54 locals recommend
Darby's Public House
2001 Macdonald StJust around the corner on Fourth and Macdonald, Darby's has a cold beer and wine store as well as an often-busy pub: https://www.darbys.pub/
Almost always packed, Linh Cafe is a unique fusion of Vietnamese and French fare.
40 locals recommend
Linh Café
1428 Granville StreetAlmost always packed, Linh Cafe is a unique fusion of Vietnamese and French fare.
Every single time we went to Whistler we'd stop into Purebread for their incredible baked goods so we were thrilled when they opened a location so close to our home.
88 locals recommend
Purebread
159 W Hastings StEvery single time we went to Whistler we'd stop into Purebread for their incredible baked goods so we were thrilled when they opened a location so close to our home.
Parthenon Market
3089 W BroadwayA legendary deli filled with Mediterranean favourites.
Often lined up out the door, The Naam has been a vegetarian and vegan staple in Kitsilano for decades. Their Miso Gravy is bottled and sold in many local grocery stores.
228 locals recommend
The Naam
2724 W 4th AveOften lined up out the door, The Naam has been a vegetarian and vegan staple in Kitsilano for decades. Their Miso Gravy is bottled and sold in many local grocery stores.
A trendy restaurant serving Italian-Japanese fusion and great cocktails.
63 locals recommend
Kissa Tanto
263 E Pender StA trendy restaurant serving Italian-Japanese fusion and great cocktails.
Considered by many to be the best fine-dining restaurant in the city.
85 locals recommend
Hawksworth Restaurant
801 W Georgia StConsidered by many to be the best fine-dining restaurant in the city.
From David Hawksworth, the chef behind Hawksworth Restaurant, Nightingale is the younger, trendier version that also serves exceptional food.
51 locals recommend
Nightingale
1017 W Hastings StFrom David Hawksworth, the chef behind Hawksworth Restaurant, Nightingale is the younger, trendier version that also serves exceptional food.
Rumour has it, Oprah and Stedman bought out Savio Volpe for a date night when they were in town. We love it because the food's great and the space is beautifully designed.
It's a bit of a trek from our place, but it's not far from Main Street if you happen to visit that neighbourhood.
180 locals recommend
Osteria Savio Volpe
615 KingswayRumour has it, Oprah and Stedman bought out Savio Volpe for a date night when they were in town. We love it because the food's great and the space is beautifully designed.
It's a bit of a trek from our place, but it's not far from Main Street if you happen to visit that neighbourhood.
Neighborhoods
Kitsilano is a beachside neighbourhood that's famous for its oceanside pool and beautiful city beach.
190 locals recommend
Kitsilano
Kitsilano is a beachside neighbourhood that's famous for its oceanside pool and beautiful city beach.
Sightseeing
One of the most beautiful beaches in Vancouver, Jericho is just a 15-minute walk from our home. It also has a unique playground, concession stand, picturesque pond and more.
337 locals recommend
Jericho Beach Park
3941 Point Grey RdOne of the most beautiful beaches in Vancouver, Jericho is just a 15-minute walk from our home. It also has a unique playground, concession stand, picturesque pond and more.
Located between the Point Grey neighbourhood and the University of British Columbia, Pacific Spirit Park offers countless walking, running, biking -- and some equestrian -- trails through the forest.
254 locals recommend
Pacific Spirit Regional Park
5495 W 16th AveLocated between the Point Grey neighbourhood and the University of British Columbia, Pacific Spirit Park offers countless walking, running, biking -- and some equestrian -- trails through the forest.
Stanley Park
610 Pipeline RdLegendary, really!
Granville Island
As beloved by locals as it is by visitors!
Locals love Grouse Mountain as much as visitors! Take the tram and experience beautiful views.
Or, if you're in great shape and want to challenge yourself, the Grouse Grind is a gruelling vertical hike that will take you to the top in the summer (not recommended for kids): https://www.grousemountain.com/
1038 locals recommend
Grouse Mountain
6400 Nancy Greene WayLocals love Grouse Mountain as much as visitors! Take the tram and experience beautiful views.
Or, if you're in great shape and want to challenge yourself, the Grouse Grind is a gruelling vertical hike that will take you to the top in the summer (not recommended for kids): https://www.grousemountain.com/
A beloved aquarium in Stanley Park with special programming: https://www.vanaqua.org/
663 locals recommend
Vancouver Aquarium
845 Avison WayA beloved aquarium in Stanley Park with special programming: https://www.vanaqua.org/
Along Point Grey Road you'll find several spots that allow you to access the public beaches (all beaches in Vancouver are public). Volunteer Park is one such access point.
11 locals recommend
Volunteer Park
2855 Point Grey RdAlong Point Grey Road you'll find several spots that allow you to access the public beaches (all beaches in Vancouver are public). Volunteer Park is one such access point.
One of the biggest waterfront saltwater pools in the world, Kitsilano Pool is a summertime favourite. It's great for swimming (long!) laps or for splashing with the family. Bring your own towels. It can get windy so we recommend you bring warm clothes if you're taking kids: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/kitsilano-pool-location-contact.aspx
145 locals recommend
Kitsilano Pool
2305 Cornwall AveOne of the biggest waterfront saltwater pools in the world, Kitsilano Pool is a summertime favourite. It's great for swimming (long!) laps or for splashing with the family. Bring your own towels. It can get windy so we recommend you bring warm clothes if you're taking kids: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/kitsilano-pool-location-contact.aspx
Essentials
A great selection of local, organic groceries and produce: https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/kits
726 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
510 W 8th AveA great selection of local, organic groceries and produce: https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/kits
Affordable groceries in a no-frills setting. Bring cash -- credit cards are not accepted here: https://www.nofrills.ca//store-locator/Jason%27s+NOFRILLS+Vancouver/3427?storeId=3427
29 locals recommend
Jason's No Frills
2083 Alma StAffordable groceries in a no-frills setting. Bring cash -- credit cards are not accepted here: https://www.nofrills.ca//store-locator/Jason%27s+NOFRILLS+Vancouver/3427?storeId=3427
A large grocery store with a pharmacy: https://www.safeway.ca/find-a-store/store/4942-safeway-west-fourth--vine
42 locals recommend
Safeway 4th & Vine
2315 W 4th AveA large grocery store with a pharmacy: https://www.safeway.ca/find-a-store/store/4942-safeway-west-fourth--vine
Entertainment
A Kitsilano cinema showcasing art-house favourites alongside blockbusters: https://www.cineplex.com/Showtimes/any-movie/fifth-avenue-cinemas-age-restricted-19?Date=7/8/2019
87 locals recommend
Fifth Avenue Cinemas
2110 Burrard StA Kitsilano cinema showcasing art-house favourites alongside blockbusters: https://www.cineplex.com/Showtimes/any-movie/fifth-avenue-cinemas-age-restricted-19?Date=7/8/2019
For more than 80 years, the Kitsilano Showboat has been showcasing a variety of live music and performances throughout the summer. It's right beside Kitsilano pool: https://kitsilanoshowboat.com/
7 locals recommend
Kitsilano Showboat
2300 Cornwall AveFor more than 80 years, the Kitsilano Showboat has been showcasing a variety of live music and performances throughout the summer. It's right beside Kitsilano pool: https://kitsilanoshowboat.com/
With public tennis courts, a playground, beautiful greenery and access to the beach, Tatlow is one of our family's favourite local spots.
11 locals recommend
Tatlow Park
2845 W 3rd AveWith public tennis courts, a playground, beautiful greenery and access to the beach, Tatlow is one of our family's favourite local spots.
Kids and Families
One of our favourite places to take our kids, Science World is fun for the whole family: https://www.scienceworld.ca/
837 locals recommend
Science World at TELUS World of Science
1455 Quebec StOne of our favourite places to take our kids, Science World is fun for the whole family: https://www.scienceworld.ca/