Guidebook for Vancouver
Food Scene
Nuba in Gastown
207 W Hastings StLebanese/Mediterranean - great place
Calabash Bistro
428 Carrall StCaribbean cuisine and nice cocktails with cool vibe
Pourhouse Restaurant
162 Water StOne of Gastown's best locations for food and drinks
Chill Winston
3 Alexander StreetFun food spot and good place for drinks. Gastown's best patio.
Can either grab a great burrito to go, or dine in for some Mexican-fusion cuisine
207 locals recommend
Tacofino Taco Bar
15 W Cordova StCan either grab a great burrito to go, or dine in for some Mexican-fusion cuisine
MeeT in Gastown
12 Water StVegan!
Revolver
325 Cambie StDowntown's best coffee shop
Closest independent coffee shop w/ good pastries, breakfast and lunch plates
168 locals recommend
Prado Cafe
1938 Commercial DrClosest independent coffee shop w/ good pastries, breakfast and lunch plates
Noodlebox
1867 W 4th AveGood noodle shop
Good brunch spot, particularly if you're renting bikes at Reckless
98 locals recommend
Provence Marinaside
1177 Marinaside CrescentGood brunch spot, particularly if you're renting bikes at Reckless
Best gelato in the city. Recommend anytime, or particularly after you've finished (or during) your bike tour along with Seawall.
28 locals recommend
Baggio Gelateria & pizzeria
1089 Marinaside CrescentBest gelato in the city. Recommend anytime, or particularly after you've finished (or during) your bike tour along with Seawall.
Bao Down - Gastown
12 Powell StVietnamese-fusion sandwiches. You need to try them!
The Sardine Can
26 Powell StSpanish tapas. Very yummy and intimate setting (hence the name)
Rodney's Oyster House
1228 Hamilton StOyster and seafood spot. Lots of fun.
Oyster Express
296 Keefer StYou're going here because you love oysters.
Bao Bei
163 Keefer StChinese-fusion. Very good.
My favourite sushi place in Vancouver. Make a reservation, as it's a popular spot.
169 locals recommend
Miku Vancouver
200 Granville StMy favourite sushi place in Vancouver. Make a reservation, as it's a popular spot.
Banana Leaf on Davie
1043 Davie StGreat Malaysian food - lots of vegetarian dishes.
Banana Leaf Malaysian Cafe
1779 Robson StGreat Malaysian food - lots of vegetarian dishes.
Banana Leaf on Denman
1096 Denman StGreat Malaysian food - lots of vegetarian dishes.
Coast
1054 Alberni StOne of Vancouver's best restaurants, particularly for seafood.
Italian Kitchen
860 Burrard StGreat Italian restaurant.
Thierry Alberni
1059 Alberni StNice coffee and patisseries
Iconic restaurant for seafood and steak. Amazing patio.
178 locals recommend
Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House
777 Thurlow StIconic restaurant for seafood and steak. Amazing patio.
Cardero's Restaurant
1583 Coal Harbour QuayNice restaurant and great patio in Coal Harbour
Adesso
1906 Haro StreetVery good Italian restaurant with one of the city's best garden patios.
Cartems Donuts
2190 Main StCity's best donuts by far
Meat & Bread
370 Cambie StFantastic meat-based sandwiches for lunch
Nelson the Seagull
315 Carrall StGreat independent coffee and pastry shop
Tsuki Sushi Bar
509 Abbott StClosest good sushi joint
Congee Noodle Delight
88 W Pender StChinese restaurant across the street.
Mamie Taylor's
251 E Georgia StVery good restaurant in Chinatown.
Great dinner and brunch spot located very close by. Will likely need reservations during prime dining hours.
371 locals recommend
Chambar Restaurant
568 Beatty StreetGreat dinner and brunch spot located very close by. Will likely need reservations during prime dining hours.
Araxi Restaurant & Oyster Bar
4222 Village SquareOne of Whistler's best restaurants
Acme Cafe
51 W Hastings StGreat breakfast spot 3 mins away.
Sightseeing
Beautiful sanctuary in heart of Chinatown
221 locals recommend
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
578 Carrall StBeautiful sanctuary in heart of Chinatown
Gastown Vancouver Steam Clock
305 Water StHistoric steam clock in Gastown
If you can stomach it, this is quite the suspension bridge over the Capilano River.
1150 locals recommend
Capilano Suspension Bridge
3735 Capilano RdIf you can stomach it, this is quite the suspension bridge over the Capilano River.
If you have access to a car, it's definitely worth the day trip to go to Whistler and drive the Sea-to-Sky highway to get there.
409 locals recommend
Whistler
If you have access to a car, it's definitely worth the day trip to go to Whistler and drive the Sea-to-Sky highway to get there.
Getting Around
Reckless the Bike Store
110 Davie StClosest ferry taxi station to go to Olympic Village, Granville Island, Yaletown, Kitsilano, West End
24 locals recommend
Plaza of Nations Ferry Dock station
Closest ferry taxi station to go to Olympic Village, Granville Island, Yaletown, Kitsilano, West End
Seabus South Lot - Lot #1390
601 W Waterfront RdSeaBus to go to North Shore
Harbour Air
1055 Canada PlWater airport to catch float planes to Victoria and other locations
Closest train station. If you're going to the Airport, take the train to Waterfront Station, and then switch lines to the Canada Line and take the train to the Airport. Give yourself one (1) hour from the time you leave the loft.
119 locals recommend
Stadium-Chinatown station
Closest train station. If you're going to the Airport, take the train to Waterfront Station, and then switch lines to the Canada Line and take the train to the Airport. Give yourself one (1) hour from the time you leave the loft.
Drinks & Nightlife
Guilt & Co
Cool spot, and there's often 'improv' music.
The Keefer Bar
135 Keefer StCocktail lounge with nice small plates
Alibi Room
157 Alexander StGood pub with good food and great selection of beers
Steamworks
375 Water StGastown's brewery.
33 Acres Brewing Company
15 W 8th AveGood brewery located in Mount Pleasant area.
My favourite brewery. Take the growlers in the Loft and get them filled up for your stay!
289 locals recommend
Brassneck Brewery
2148 Main StMy favourite brewery. Take the growlers in the Loft and get them filled up for your stay!
Great cocktail lounge. High end, so dress (and play) the part.
56 locals recommend
Hotel Fairmont Pacific Rim
1038 Canada PlGreat cocktail lounge. High end, so dress (and play) the part.
CRAFT Beer Market False Creek
85 West 1st AvenueMassive beer selection, and good pub food too.
Tap & Barrel • Olympic Village
75 Athletes WayGood patio for drinks and food.
The Irish Heather
248 E Georgia StFun spot for drinks in Gastown
Howe Sound Brewing
37801 Cleveland AveReward yourself after hiking the Chief with a local beer.
Essentials
London Drugs
351 Abbott StExtensive pharmacy
Nesters Market
333 Abbott StGrocery store with everything you'll need
Parks & Nature
This is where the locals go. Accessible from the Seawall, whether walking or riding a bike.
192 locals recommend
Third Beach
This is where the locals go. Accessible from the Seawall, whether walking or riding a bike.
Lost Lagoon
Beautiful lagoon located on the edge of Stanley Park.
Beaver Lake
Hidden lake in Stanley Park. Follow the trails to get there.
North America's largest urban park - yeah, that's right, it's bigger than Central Park in NYC! There are many trails in the park, and then there's the Seawall running around the outside. The Aquarium is also located in the Park.
2658 locals recommend
Stanley Park
610 Pipeline RdNorth America's largest urban park - yeah, that's right, it's bigger than Central Park in NYC! There are many trails in the park, and then there's the Seawall running around the outside. The Aquarium is also located in the Park.
It's a trek to get there, but it's worth it for the view of the North Shore and the City skyline
337 locals recommend
Jericho Beach Park
3941 Point Grey RdIt's a trek to get there, but it's worth it for the view of the North Shore and the City skyline
Iconic "Kits Beach". I've been sunburned playing beach volleyball there more times than I care to remember.
847 locals recommend
Kitsilano Beach Park
1499 Arbutus StIconic "Kits Beach". I've been sunburned playing beach volleyball there more times than I care to remember.
Entertainment & Activities
Vancouver Aquarium
845 Avison WayPretty spectacular aquarium
Science World at TELUS World of Science
1455 Quebec StGreat place with kids or without.
Kitsilano Pool
2305 Cornwall AveOne of the longest, outdoor saltwater pools in the world.
Second Beach Swimming Pool
735 Stanley Park DrBeautiful setting for an outdoor pool
Cypress Mountain Ski Area
6000 Cypress Bowl RdBest local mountain for skiing
You can either take the gondola up to see the view from the top, or... try the Grouse Grind for your daily (weekly?) dose of exercise. Will take you an hour if you're relatively in shape. And it's straight up the mountain!
249 locals recommend
Grouse Mountain @ Skyride station
You can either take the gondola up to see the view from the top, or... try the Grouse Grind for your daily (weekly?) dose of exercise. Will take you an hour if you're relatively in shape. And it's straight up the mountain!
Scandinave Spa Whistler
8010 Mons RdIf you like spas, you'll love this one.
Hike the Chief near Squamish. On par with the Grouse Grind, and with the view of the Howe Sound.
132 locals recommend
Stawamus Chief
Hike the Chief near Squamish. On par with the Grouse Grind, and with the view of the Howe Sound.