Vancouver Guidebook
Food scene - Commerical Drive
Areas near the house on the Drive!
Best pasta in Vancouver! They have a tasting menu which is a must-do.
They don’t take reservations. Head there to put your name on the list and head back to the house for a drink,
10 locals recommend
Oca Pastificio
1260 Commercial DriveBest pasta in Vancouver! They have a tasting menu which is a must-do.
They don’t take reservations. Head there to put your name on the list and head back to the house for a drink,
La Mezcaleria, near 1st, is arguably Vancouver’s best spot for modern Mexican eats, like scrumptious ceviche and roast chicken in mole sauce, along with more than 30 varieties of mezcal—and fragrant cocktails made the agave-based spirit, too.
155 locals recommend
La Mezcaleria
1622 Commercial DrLa Mezcaleria, near 1st, is arguably Vancouver’s best spot for modern Mexican eats, like scrumptious ceviche and roast chicken in mole sauce, along with more than 30 varieties of mezcal—and fragrant cocktails made the agave-based spirit, too.
For incredible “folk Lebanese” fare—think mezzes (small bites) like lamb sausage in red wine and deep-fried cauliflower with pomegranate molasses—there’s Jamjar at 7th Avenue.
57 locals recommend
Jamjar Canteen
2290 Commercial DrFor incredible “folk Lebanese” fare—think mezzes (small bites) like lamb sausage in red wine and deep-fried cauliflower with pomegranate molasses—there’s Jamjar at 7th Avenue.
Just looking for an easy-going lunch? Try one of the legendary, loaded-up deli sandwiches from La Grotta Del Formaggio, a Commercial Drive institution for more than two decades.
52 locals recommend
La Grotta Del Formaggio
1791 Commercial DrJust looking for an easy-going lunch? Try one of the legendary, loaded-up deli sandwiches from La Grotta Del Formaggio, a Commercial Drive institution for more than two decades.
Punk-themed Cannibal Café between 2nd and 3rd is the place to go for overstuffed burgers and fry plates, plus rotating craft-beer taps.
18 locals recommend
The Cannibal Cafe
1818 Commercial DrPunk-themed Cannibal Café between 2nd and 3rd is the place to go for overstuffed burgers and fry plates, plus rotating craft-beer taps.
The eatery is currently operating under soft opening hours, but it is open and serving up “grappa, cocktails, and food in Vancouver’s Little Italy.”
7 locals recommend
Bar Corso
1566 Commercial DriveThe eatery is currently operating under soft opening hours, but it is open and serving up “grappa, cocktails, and food in Vancouver’s Little Italy.”
While growing up, The Drive was a gathering point for local Italians to socialize over coffee; eating was either done at home or at Nonna’s house. As our city has grown towards a culture where we don’t always have time to cook a homemade meal, we find ourselves looking outward for tastes of authenticity that bring us back to the Italian dinner table that we know and love.
As luck would have it, while on The Drive we were introduced to our incredible head chef, Enrico Fratoni, who brings that perfect balance of tradition and contempo that only a true Italian can. Thus, we began Sopra Sotto. The restaurant is our tribute to both the neighbourhood that helped raise us and the simple, yet natural food that nourished us at home.
26 locals recommend
Sopra Sotto Pizzeria
4022 Hastings StWhile growing up, The Drive was a gathering point for local Italians to socialize over coffee; eating was either done at home or at Nonna’s house. As our city has grown towards a culture where we don’t always have time to cook a homemade meal, we find ourselves looking outward for tastes of authenticity that bring us back to the Italian dinner table that we know and love.
As luck would have it, while on The Drive we were introduced to our incredible head chef, Enrico Fratoni, who brings that perfect balance of tradition and contempo that only a true Italian can. Thus, we began Sopra Sotto. The restaurant is our tribute to both the neighbourhood that helped raise us and the simple, yet natural food that nourished us at home.
Sightseeing
Stanley Park
610 Pipeline RdNeighbourhoods
Main Street
Main StreetDog Friendly Places
If the sun is out, a jaunt south to 27-hectare John Hendry Park may be in order, to sit alongside green-swathed Trout Lake or shop for heirloom tomatoes at the Trout Lake Farmer’s Market (Saturdays in summer and fall). There is an off-leash dog park near the market.
Trout Lake Farmers Market takes place each Saturday, 9am-2pm. The Farmers Market does not allow dogs at the moment. Please check their website for up-to-date information.
7 locals recommend
John Hendry (Trout Lake) Park
3300 Victoria DrIf the sun is out, a jaunt south to 27-hectare John Hendry Park may be in order, to sit alongside green-swathed Trout Lake or shop for heirloom tomatoes at the Trout Lake Farmer’s Market (Saturdays in summer and fall). There is an off-leash dog park near the market.
Trout Lake Farmers Market takes place each Saturday, 9am-2pm. The Farmers Market does not allow dogs at the moment. Please check their website for up-to-date information.
Food Scene - Downtown
Cioppino’s is pleased to give you a fresh perspective on Mediterranean cooking with chef/owner Giuseppe “Pino” Posteraro. Widely acknowledged as the best expression of Mediterranean cooking in British Columbia, Cioppino's offers a large patio, open show kitchen and a full-service dining room as well as several private rooms for corporate and special functions. Both meet the high expectations of thousands of diners every week.
46 locals recommend
Cioppino's Mediterranean Grill
1133 Hamilton StCioppino’s is pleased to give you a fresh perspective on Mediterranean cooking with chef/owner Giuseppe “Pino” Posteraro. Widely acknowledged as the best expression of Mediterranean cooking in British Columbia, Cioppino's offers a large patio, open show kitchen and a full-service dining room as well as several private rooms for corporate and special functions. Both meet the high expectations of thousands of diners every week.
A steakhouse reimagined. Meet Elisa, located in the heart of Vancouver’s Yaletown — a unique and feminine take on the signature steakhouse experience featuring a Grillworks Infierno wood-fired grill.
34 locals recommend
Elisa Steakhouse
1109 Hamilton StA steakhouse reimagined. Meet Elisa, located in the heart of Vancouver’s Yaletown — a unique and feminine take on the signature steakhouse experience featuring a Grillworks Infierno wood-fired grill.
Le Crocodile
909 Burrard StThis is one of the top Italian restaurants in Vancouver. The pasta is fresh and tasty, and the service and atmosphere are exceptional.
23 locals recommend
Giardino Restaurant
1328 Hornby StThis is one of the top Italian restaurants in Vancouver. The pasta is fresh and tasty, and the service and atmosphere are exceptional.
Forage is a restaurant located on Robson Street in Downtown Vancouver, BC. The restaurant specializes in locally grown, sustainable cuisine.
44 locals recommend
Forage
1300 Robson StForage is a restaurant located on Robson Street in Downtown Vancouver, BC. The restaurant specializes in locally grown, sustainable cuisine.
As Vancouver's leading Italian restaurant, CinCin is your destination for authentic Italian flavours in the heart of downtown.
30 locals recommend
CinCin Ristorante + Bar
1154 Robson StAs Vancouver's leading Italian restaurant, CinCin is your destination for authentic Italian flavours in the heart of downtown.
You may have stepped off the tourist path and found a little hole-in-the-wall where only the locals ate and you were welcomed in like one of the family.
It was probably one of the best meals you’ve ever had. You can relive that experience every time you come to Robba Da Matti.
We specialize in fresh homemade pastas. They are family recipes passed down from generation to generation & classic internationally known dishes.
18 locals recommend
Robba da Matti
1127 Mainland StYou may have stepped off the tourist path and found a little hole-in-the-wall where only the locals ate and you were welcomed in like one of the family.
It was probably one of the best meals you’ve ever had. You can relive that experience every time you come to Robba Da Matti.
We specialize in fresh homemade pastas. They are family recipes passed down from generation to generation & classic internationally known dishes.
L’Abattoir is located in the heart of Gastown between historic Gaoler’s Mews and Blood Alley in Vancouver.
Chef & Owner Lee Cooper and his team are dedicated to highlighting the finer points of dining in a comfortable, yet refined setting. French influenced West Coast fare is paired with an award-winning wine program and inspired cocktail list to offer an unforgettable dining experience.
158 locals recommend
L'Abattoir
217 Carrall StL’Abattoir is located in the heart of Gastown between historic Gaoler’s Mews and Blood Alley in Vancouver.
Chef & Owner Lee Cooper and his team are dedicated to highlighting the finer points of dining in a comfortable, yet refined setting. French influenced West Coast fare is paired with an award-winning wine program and inspired cocktail list to offer an unforgettable dining experience.
A heartfelt homage to Chef/Owner Jean-Christophe (J-C) Poirier’s heritage, formative years in Quebec and early experience in renowned Montréal restaurants, St. Lawrence offers a marriage of classic French cuisine and the gastronomic identity and culture of Les Québécois.
French spirits serve as the backbone of classic and signature cocktails, while the exclusively French wine list offers the perfect complement to Chef Poirier’s rustic, signature haute country cooking and underscores the fact that at St. Lawrence, simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication.
31 locals recommend
St Lawrence Restaurant
269 Powell StreetA heartfelt homage to Chef/Owner Jean-Christophe (J-C) Poirier’s heritage, formative years in Quebec and early experience in renowned Montréal restaurants, St. Lawrence offers a marriage of classic French cuisine and the gastronomic identity and culture of Les Québécois.
French spirits serve as the backbone of classic and signature cocktails, while the exclusively French wine list offers the perfect complement to Chef Poirier’s rustic, signature haute country cooking and underscores the fact that at St. Lawrence, simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication.
The Diamond
6 Powell StA specialy craft cocktail lounge in the heart of Gastown, Vancouver.
Barbara
305 East Pender Street