EAT
Autostrada Osteria: A neighbourhood gem of a place. Some of the best pasta in Vancouver. (Riley Park, Vancouver House)
Caffe La Tana: Small, quaint and fabulous. Not many wine bars in Vancouver let alone great ones. They have clearly put fine attention to the food and wine. (Commercial)
Elisa Steak: Vancouver's finest steakhouse with a diverse and creative menu. I especially love the tartare selections...yes, those are NHL players at the corner table. (Yaletown)
Tacofino: Casual fare. They do Taco's right. Several locations around the city
L’Abattoir: Creative dishes. A nice option in Gastown. I prefer dining at the bar. (Gastown)
Coast: Great circle bar to have oysters, sushi and other seafood. (Alberni Street)
Rodney’s Oyster House: Wine and oysters and great tunes and always packed. (Yaletown)
Giardino: Really is one of the best in Vancouver. I have never had a bad meal at this place. Stellar service with an experienced team. Lively room and a great patio in the summer. (Downtown)
Blue Water: The “go to” place for seafood in Vancouver. One of my favorite things to do is sit at the sushi bar. (Yaletown)
Le Crocodile: Outstanding French food. A Vancouver institution. Effective April 30th Chef Michel will no longer be at the helm. Instead Rob Fennie makes a return to the Vancouver dining scene.(Downtown)
Le Faux Bourgeoise: Brilliant neighborhood French spot. A hidden jewel. (East Van)
Hawksworth: Been on many 'Top Restaurant" list over the years. A little dated now in my opinion but still a worthwhile option in Vancouver's fine dining scene. The Lounge does serve the best burger in town.(Downtown)
Minami: Best Yaletown sushi (Yaletown)
Maenam: Best Thai in Vancouver (West 4th)
Vij’s: Globally acclaimed Indian fusion food. (Cambie Village)
Pepino's Spaghetti House: Modern yet Old School. Bustling 7 days a week. Simple and perfect italian dishes. (East Van)
Nightingale: Well worth the accolades with an excellent and diverse menu. (Coal Harbour)
Fable: Every city has that Farm to Table place and this is Vancouver's best. The kitchen always does a great job.(Kits)
Vancouver Art Gallery: Hidden gem of a café. Their patio is excellent. Great for lunch (Downtown)
Loula's: Very exciting new Greek restaurant with an innovative menu (Commercial Drive)
Alimentaria Mexicana: A great patio for some fantastic Mexican food and margs! Best restaurant on G.I. (Granville Island)
The Parlor: Great for groups. A fun place that has pretty good as well.(Yaletown)
Di Beppe: Italian in Gastown. Perfect for a casual stop over. By the way, their all day cafe is dynamite. (Gastown).
Savio Volpe: Eventhough it’s not downtown – I recommend you take the 10 minute cab ride. Its fantastic. (East Van)
Anna Lena: One of my faves. Can't miss, don't miss. Love it here. In my opinion the best restaurant in Vancouver. It has a Michelin Star. Sit back, relax and enjoy the Chef's menu. It's an expensive bill but well worth the treat. (Kits)
Nook: Three locations and both are great spots for a fun evening. Excellent Pizza and Pasta. (Kits, West End, Olympic Village, Lonsdale)
Toshi Sushi: No Vancouver list is complete without a sushi favourite. Toshi is mine. This crazy waits to get a table are surreal. They have a take out option as well. (Main Street)
Giovane Bacaro: A recent opening at the Fairmont Pacific RIm. A great place to stop for a drink, lunch or dinner. Great service and menu. Have dinner and then head across the hall to the hotel lounge. There you go, your evening is planned. (Downtown)
Hundy: Grab a mouth watering burger, fries and a glass of wine. Same owners as Anna Lena (Kitsilano)
Hello Nori: Robson Street is not really known for its dining but this is a great sushi spot that opened up in 2021. (Downtown).
Published on Main: Was a hidden gem until it got selected Best Restaurant in Canada by En Route. Along with a Michelin Star. Plan ahead, it's a tough rest to get. (Main St)
Dovetail: Looking for a cool spot to go for dinner in Yaletown? This is one of them. (Yaletown)
BRUNCH
Chambar: I'll have the granola/yogurt/fruit, waffles and a lavender latte. Thank me later. (Crosstown)
Jam Cafe: Every city has that spot with the massive line up – this is it. (Kits).
Au Comptoir: France in Vancouver. Merci! (Kitsilano)
Bacchus: No better place to enjoy your breakfast at a window seat in the summer. (Downtown)
Botanist: Great room, food, and people but its not cheap. I guess being located at the best hotel in Vancouver comes along with a price tag. (Downtown)
Nemesis Coffee: Three locations across the city but the one to visit is on Great Northern Way (GNW). Unique structure and the menu is fantastic from their Avo Toast, Breakfast Sandwich to their coffee and backed goods. My favourite is the pistachio roll. A super brunch option.
Marche Mon Pitou: A small intimate place worth the wait. Just trust me. (South Granville)
Elio Volpe: One of the best places to brunch in the city. A fantastic menu, great room and a welcome new addition in the Spring of 2024. (Cambie Village)
STAY
Fairmont Pacific Rim: Fantastic rooms, lounge and great views. A stylish hotel and modern decor. (Coal Harbour)
Shangri La: Prime downtown location, excellent luxury (Alberni Street)
Loden: Boutique in a downtown location, best value (Coal Harbour)
Opus: For you Yaletown party types or simply for those that want to blend into one of Vancouver's coolest neighborhoods. (Yaletown)
Rosewood Hotel Georgia: Splendid and a prime Vancouver location. (Downtown)
Executive Hotel Le Soleil: A boutique hotel In the heart of downtown Vancouver, this Four-diamond property (AAA) is known for its luxury boutique experience and exceptional service, having been recognized as one of the top 25 luxury hotels in Canada. (Downtown)
Wedgewood Hotel: Best boutique hotel in Vancouver. (Downtown)
EXchange Hotel: Who doesn't like a brand new hotel...this one is worth a stay. Renowned as Canada’s first LEED Platinum rated hotel, experience history re-imagined within this intersection of culture, hospitality and style in the heart of downtown Vancouver (Downtown)
JW Marriott Parq: Coming to watch a hockey game or concert - this is your spot. Vibrant restaurant and bars scattered throughout.
DRINK
Reflections: At the Hotel Georgia – nicest patio in Vancouver. (Downtown)
Keg Rooftop: Yes it’s a Keg but they did an awesome job with the patio. Only rooftop patio in Yaletown. (Yaletown)
Pacific Rim Lobby Lounge: Get your people watching in at the Fairmont. The best of all the hotels in Vancouver. Great live music as well. Grab a table, order some sushi and wine. Perfect! (Coal Harbour)
Banter Room: Young, busy, noisy in Yaletown. (Yaletown)
Bacchus: Classic Vancouver lounge. Any city guide will direct you here. Get a window seat in the summer and Fireplace seat in the winter. You’ll love this room. Piano player and stiff cocktails. (Downtown)
Meo: They are serious about their cocktails. A very nice accompanying menu of small plates as well. Located below the critically acclaimed Kissa Tanto. Drinks below and dinner upstairs? (Chinatown)
Ama Raw Bar: Japanese inspired cocktails and sushi. Is there a better combo? Sleek and intimate. (Fraser)
Dear Gus: Neighborhood wine bars are all the rage now and for a reason thanks to this place. It's a tough seat to get but worth the effort. To add to the mystique "gus's carrot cake" is a fantastic way to cap off a night of nice wine and fabulous small plates. (Mt Pleasant).
COFFEE, JUICES, BAKERIES
COFFEE:
Thierry: A bit of Paris in Vancouver. The best patio a cafe in Vancouver can offer. (Alberni Street, Main Street, West Van)
Bel Café: Good for a quick lunch at the Hotel Georgia. Great shopping pit stop (Downtown)
49th Parallel: Fantastic place for a coffee and a doughnut. (Main Street, 4th Ave and Downtown)
Matchstick: Excellent coffee I believe its Stumptown and really good baked goods as well. (Several Locations)
Faubourg: The pistachio croissant is worth the visit. Nice patio to people watch on Hornby Street. (Downtown, Kerrisdale)
Turf: Really is a hybrid of a cafe. So unique in its concept and a favourite of mine for healthy snacks, meals and drinks. You can also take a workout class in the same place! (Kits)
Nemesis Coffee: Three locations across the city but the one to visit is on Great Northern Way (GNW). Unique structure and the menu is fantastic from their Avo Toast, Breakfast Sandwich to their coffee and backed goods. My favourite is the pistachio roll.
Caffe Super Veloce: Located at the Shaw Tower (next to the Fairmont Pacific Rim). Really cool spot with something for everyone. High quality coffee, smoothies, salads, donuts and so much more. Perfect place to take a break from that seawall bike or run.
Their There: Coffee, Breakfast Sandwiches, Donuts, wine, and a favorite spot of mine to venture and savour (Kits)
Small Victory: One of my go-to places. I really enjoy the selection of accompanying baked goods and food. Their croissant is one of my favorites in the city. (Several Locations).
JUICE BARS:
Glory Juice: Cold Pressed Juices, Smoothies and healthy snacks. (Kits)
Juice Truck: Look up a location and go for some of the healthiest eats in Vancouver. I in particular love their Granola.(Several Locations)
BAKERIES:
Thomas Haas: Worth the trip to Kitsilano. Best Lemon Tart in town. (Kitsilano)
Pure Bread: Jaw dropping baked goods in Vancouver (Gastown, Mt Pleasant, YVR)
Lemonade Bakery: Simply put my favourite bakery evahhhh. (Cambie Village)
Small Victory: A great addition to the Vancouver baked good scene. Lineup, great bread, baked goods and coffee. (Yaletown, South Granville)
Merci Boulangerie: Find them at the local Farmer's Markets and some of the best croissants in the city. They have now opened a storefront location on Commercial Street.
Federal Store: Hidden little gem that makes baked good worth the visit alone. Their cookies box makes a great gift.
HANG
Grouse Grind: Nature's stair climber, not a hike, but an intense workout
Stanley Park: Best to bike around it, but I prefer to run it. There is no better 10km route anywhere!
Granville Island: Fresh food market in the midst of the cosmopolitan hubbub.I Especially enjoy my Sunday mornings there.
Suspension Bridge: Is a remarkable walking bridge suspended over the forest and river.
Kits Beach: Busiest beach in Vancouver. The setting and locale is stunning.
Rent a Bike: You can cruise along the water from UBC to Convention center.
Vancouver Art Gallery: A pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
Kits Pool: Breath taking views with a remarkable setting.
Victoria: You can take a ferry or a 25 minute float plane that lands in downtown Victoria.
Nat Bailey Stadium: Catch a nooner ball game in the sunshine to watch the Vancouver Canadians baseball minor league team.
West 4th Ave: You can spend your day, eating, exercising, shopping all within a few blocks.
Vancouver Running Co.: Want to run with a cool group of people while at the same time see the great sites of Vancouver. Run with the "Flight Crew" for a free drop in run. There is a 10km or 5km option. Run from the store every Thursday at 6:15pm