Guidebook for Vancouver
Food Scene
This restaurant excels at table-top meat BBQ with several delicious sides. If you don't want to head all the way down to the West End for Korean food, this place is your best bet.
Extremely busy from Friday to Sunday.
10 locals recommend
Chosun Korean BBQ
3486 KingswayThis restaurant excels at table-top meat BBQ with several delicious sides. If you don't want to head all the way down to the West End for Korean food, this place is your best bet.
Extremely busy from Friday to Sunday.
This restaurant provides amazing and authentic Japanese cuisine. Best I've ever had.
6 locals recommend
Hyoga Japanese Cuisine
3343 KingswayThis restaurant provides amazing and authentic Japanese cuisine. Best I've ever had.
Lotus Seed Vegetarian Restaurant
736 West BroadwayFor folks looking for healthy vegetarian options nearby.
Known as a destination restaurant in Vancouver, this restaurant offers Indian/African fusion food.
7 locals recommend
Jambo Grill Tandoor & Paan House
3219 KingswayKnown as a destination restaurant in Vancouver, this restaurant offers Indian/African fusion food.
Penang Delight Cafe Express
3885 Rupert StBest Malaysian food in the city, in my opinion.
If you are lucky enough to get a patio seat, this place is great for their various large pitchers of sangria and optimal people watching location.
153 locals recommend
Havana Vancouver
1212 Commercial DrIf you are lucky enough to get a patio seat, this place is great for their various large pitchers of sangria and optimal people watching location.
My favourite restaurant in Vancouver. A great place to eat if you are visiting Granville Island and looking for an alternative to the expensive and copious white people food options they solely serve there.
14 locals recommend
Afghan Horsemen Restaurant
1833 Anderson StMy favourite restaurant in Vancouver. A great place to eat if you are visiting Granville Island and looking for an alternative to the expensive and copious white people food options they solely serve there.
Earnest Ice Cream
3992 Fraser StEarnest Ice Cream
3992 Fraser StEarnest Ice Cream
3992 Fraser StDrinks & Nightlife
This place offers a ton of beers on tap and is right on the skytrain line, with a small patio outside. Perfect spot any time of the year, but very busy on Friday and weekend nights.
77 locals recommend
St. Augustine's
2360 Commercial DrThis place offers a ton of beers on tap and is right on the skytrain line, with a small patio outside. Perfect spot any time of the year, but very busy on Friday and weekend nights.
33 Acres Brewing Company
15 W 8th AveAndina Brewing Company
1507 Powell StA-FRAME Brewing Co.
38927 Queens WayBackcountry Brewing
405-1201 Commercial WayBig Rock Brewery
310 W 4th AveBomber Brewing
1488 Adanac StBrassneck Brewery
2148 Main StCallister Brewing Co
1338 Franklin StCoal Harbour Brewing Company
1967 Triumph StDoan’s Craft Brewing Company
1830 Powell StFaculty Brewing Co.
1830 Ontario StMain Street Brewery
261 E 7th AveOff the Rail Brewing
1351 Adanac StPowell Brewery
1357 Powell StParallel 49 Brewing Company
1950 Triumph StR&B Ale & Pizza House
1-54 E 4th AveRed Truck Beer Company
295 E 1st AveStrathcona Brewing Company
895 E Hastings StStorm Brewing LTD.
310 Commercial DriveStrange Fellows Brewing Company
1345 Clark DrArts & Culture
For live theatre, improv, live music, local painting, woodcraft, sculptures, pottery, and more, Graville Island is our local art and artist destination.
Lots of little shops to browse through here.
I also recommend a visit to the sake store, where you can taste the sake made right on site.
1659 locals recommend
Granville Island
For live theatre, improv, live music, local painting, woodcraft, sculptures, pottery, and more, Graville Island is our local art and artist destination.
Lots of little shops to browse through here.
I also recommend a visit to the sake store, where you can taste the sake made right on site.
To learn more about the land we're living on, this gorgeous building is a must-visit.
502 locals recommend
Museum of Anthropology
6393 NW Marine DrTo learn more about the land we're living on, this gorgeous building is a must-visit.
Museum of Vancouver
1100 Chestnut StThis place is just really cool.
Parks & Nature
Central Park
3883 Imperial StreetIt's so close to the house and has a bunch of walking trails.
This place has a better, less touristy suspension bridge than the one they charge an arm and a leg for at Capilano, with a variety of hiking trails to choose from.
352 locals recommend
Lynn Canyon Park
3663 Park RdThis place has a better, less touristy suspension bridge than the one they charge an arm and a leg for at Capilano, with a variety of hiking trails to choose from.
This is one of my hiking trails of choice, not too difficult, 3.8km round trip that takes aprox 1.5 hours to do. It ends atop a rock that overlooks the water. So pretty.
158 locals recommend
Quarry Rock
Baden Powell TrailThis is one of my hiking trails of choice, not too difficult, 3.8km round trip that takes aprox 1.5 hours to do. It ends atop a rock that overlooks the water. So pretty.
A more intermediate hike, this one is steep but so rewarding. 3 peaks to choose from, depending on how far you want to hike, you'll get stunning views no matter which one you choose. Expect to be greeted by overly friendly chipmunks at the top.
132 locals recommend
Stawamus Chief
A more intermediate hike, this one is steep but so rewarding. 3 peaks to choose from, depending on how far you want to hike, you'll get stunning views no matter which one you choose. Expect to be greeted by overly friendly chipmunks at the top.
Not for everyone, this is Vancouver's most popular nude beach, with several food vendors located right on the beach.
You'll need to walk down a steep set of stairs but once you do, you'll be surrounded by only ocean and a hill of green trees.
If you don't want to carry anything down the stairs, you can purchase a blanket to lie on, water and food to eat, and even rent an umbrella for shade from the local vendors.
You can even find beer, cider, pot, and mushrooms from folks as they walk around selling. These vendors aren't as legal as the first ones I mentioned, but very friendly.
197 locals recommend
Pacific Spirit Hostel
1935 Lower MallNot for everyone, this is Vancouver's most popular nude beach, with several food vendors located right on the beach.
You'll need to walk down a steep set of stairs but once you do, you'll be surrounded by only ocean and a hill of green trees.
If you don't want to carry anything down the stairs, you can purchase a blanket to lie on, water and food to eat, and even rent an umbrella for shade from the local vendors.
You can even find beer, cider, pot, and mushrooms from folks as they walk around selling. These vendors aren't as legal as the first ones I mentioned, but very friendly.
This beach is iconic to Vancouver. Spend some time down by the water, eat at the beach concession, that I believe has alcoholic drink options, and when you're done resting there, stroll up and down Denman St for some touristy shopping and lots of food choices.
537 locals recommend
English Bay Beach
Beach AvenueThis beach is iconic to Vancouver. Spend some time down by the water, eat at the beach concession, that I believe has alcoholic drink options, and when you're done resting there, stroll up and down Denman St for some touristy shopping and lots of food choices.
Essentials
Safeway Collingwood
3410 KingswayClosest large market near the house.
BC Liquor Stores
4423 Main StFor your liquor grocery needs.
Shopping
I actually hate it here, but if you need clothing, this is the closest place to the house with the most options.
306 locals recommend
Metrotown
I actually hate it here, but if you need clothing, this is the closest place to the house with the most options.
Lots of little shops to walk by down Main St, mostly concentrated between 7th and 16th Ave and then again from 19th Ave to 29th Ave.
205 locals recommend
Main Street
Main StreetLots of little shops to walk by down Main St, mostly concentrated between 7th and 16th Ave and then again from 19th Ave to 29th Ave.
A good street to walk up and down on a nice day, especially between Venables and Broadway.
296 locals recommend
Commercial Drive
Commercial DriveA good street to walk up and down on a nice day, especially between Venables and Broadway.
Entertainment & Activities
You can rent kayaks here if you have a roof rack, for about $35/day. Take that kayak anywhere along our coast and enjoy.
51 locals recommend
MEC Vancouver
111 E 2nd AveYou can rent kayaks here if you have a roof rack, for about $35/day. Take that kayak anywhere along our coast and enjoy.
Take your bike or rent one from a shop on Denman, this 10km route is so beautiful and will take you anywhere between 2 and 3 hours to complete leisurely.
2658 locals recommend
Stanley Park
610 Pipeline RdTake your bike or rent one from a shop on Denman, this 10km route is so beautiful and will take you anywhere between 2 and 3 hours to complete leisurely.
Fun for kids. Not so much for me. Except when there are live music shows on site. Check their website.
174 locals recommend
Playland at the PNE
2901 E Hastings StFun for kids. Not so much for me. Except when there are live music shows on site. Check their website.
Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club
4601 Ontario StBaseball!
British Ex Servicemens
1143 KingswayBest and weirdest karaoke nights every Thursday and Friday.