Guidebook for Vancouver
Food Scene
Weekend brunch is particularly good and also good as a happening evening spot with a solid tap selection.
77 locals recommend
Great Wall Mongolian BBQ Restaurant
717 Denman StWeekend brunch is particularly good and also good as a happening evening spot with a solid tap selection.
Dark, urban and lounge-like, the Cascade Room bar and restaurant brings a downtown ambiance to the heart of Mount Pleasant's SoMa (South Main) district. Can have a line at peak times.
102 locals recommend
The Cascade Room
2616 Main StDark, urban and lounge-like, the Cascade Room bar and restaurant brings a downtown ambiance to the heart of Mount Pleasant's SoMa (South Main) district. Can have a line at peak times.
Located at the farthest edges of SoMa--past Broadway on Main and 6th Ave--lives The Foundation, one of Vancouver's best vegetarian and vegan restaurants. One of the city's best cheap eats.
86 locals recommend
The Foundation
2301 Main StreetLocated at the farthest edges of SoMa--past Broadway on Main and 6th Ave--lives The Foundation, one of Vancouver's best vegetarian and vegan restaurants. One of the city's best cheap eats.
This is our local fave. It’s a casual place with a good burger and a great selection of beers. The little patio provides the best people watching around.
21 locals recommend
Caffe Barney
2526 Main StThis is our local fave. It’s a casual place with a good burger and a great selection of beers. The little patio provides the best people watching around.
So popular for its inexpensive, tasty sushi that there are often hour-long lines just to get in, Toshi Sushi has become a local legend. Sushi lovers can get their fix of traditional favourites as well
131 locals recommend
Toshi Sushi
181 E 16th AveSo popular for its inexpensive, tasty sushi that there are often hour-long lines just to get in, Toshi Sushi has become a local legend. Sushi lovers can get their fix of traditional favourites as well
This place is not your traditional sushi restaurant. It boasts bizarre décor including masks with antler heads and giant stuffed animals. With more of a night time vibe than other sushi joints.
53 locals recommend
The General Public Sushi Lodge
3289 Main StThis place is not your traditional sushi restaurant. It boasts bizarre décor including masks with antler heads and giant stuffed animals. With more of a night time vibe than other sushi joints.
Superb little bakery, more on the sweet side than the bread side.
6 locals recommend
French Made Baking
81 KingswaySuperb little bakery, more on the sweet side than the bread side.
Awesome noodles, made fresh on-site. And you must try the beef roll.
66 locals recommend
Peaceful Restaurant
43 E 5th AveAwesome noodles, made fresh on-site. And you must try the beef roll.
Don't Argue! Pizzeria
3240 Main StExcellent pizza. Enough said.
A diverse crowd and a “rustic” vibe with great coffee and awesome muffins, soup/stew and sandwiches. The also often have live music at night.
Unfortunately, temporarily closed for renovation.
48 locals recommend
Our Town Cafe
255 E BroadwayA diverse crowd and a “rustic” vibe with great coffee and awesome muffins, soup/stew and sandwiches. The also often have live music at night.
Unfortunately, temporarily closed for renovation.
In our opinion, the best coffee in our 'hood, nice patio, and naughty doughnuts.
122 locals recommend
49th Parallel Café & Lucky's Doughnuts - MAIN
2902 Main StIn our opinion, the best coffee in our 'hood, nice patio, and naughty doughnuts.
Cartems Donuts
2190 Main StIf you're into doughnuts, this is where to go. You may not leave.
Great patio for the summer time, neat central fireplace seating for the chilly days. And, of course, excellent coffee.
490 locals recommend
JJ Bean Coffee Roasters
3010 Main StGreat patio for the summer time, neat central fireplace seating for the chilly days. And, of course, excellent coffee.
Excellent artisan bread, great coffee, and walking there will give you an intro to the light industrial area between our place and the Olympic Village/Creekside that’s an interesting mix of businesses
124 locals recommend
Terra Breads
1605 Manitoba StExcellent artisan bread, great coffee, and walking there will give you an intro to the light industrial area between our place and the Olympic Village/Creekside that’s an interesting mix of businesses
A real deal butcher, with high quality products and knowledgable staff.
24 locals recommend
Windsor Quality Meats
4110 Main StA real deal butcher, with high quality products and knowledgable staff.
Very kid-friendly restaurant specializing in flatbread with high quality ingredients.
45 locals recommend
Rocky Mountain Flatbread, Main Street
4186 Main StVery kid-friendly restaurant specializing in flatbread with high quality ingredients.
Chicha
136 E BroadwayFunky Peruvian inspired restaurant/bar with must-try cocktails.
Super-popular diner, particularly for brunch. Expect a significant wait.
57 locals recommend
Slickity Jim's Chat 'n' Chew
3475 Main StSuper-popular diner, particularly for brunch. Expect a significant wait.
Probably the best (relatively high-end) restaurant nearby, serving small plates using high quality ingredients.
56 locals recommend
Burdock & Co
2702 Main StProbably the best (relatively high-end) restaurant nearby, serving small plates using high quality ingredients.
You'd never guess it, but Sunny Spot is a little gem. Authentic home-made noodles and dumplings and friendly service, in an Asian back-street cafe setting.
Sunny Spot Cafe 张记凉皮肉夹馍
2543 Main StYou'd never guess it, but Sunny Spot is a little gem. Authentic home-made noodles and dumplings and friendly service, in an Asian back-street cafe setting.
Excellent counter-service vegetarian Mexican, cheap beer, and a funky space downstairs.
66 locals recommend
Budgies Burritos
44 KingswayExcellent counter-service vegetarian Mexican, cheap beer, and a funky space downstairs.
If you've had your fill of beer and dougnuts, drop in to The Juice Truck and indulge the other side of hipster heaven.
27 locals recommend
The Juice Truck 5th Ave
28 W 5th AveIf you've had your fill of beer and dougnuts, drop in to The Juice Truck and indulge the other side of hipster heaven.
Milano Coffee Roasters
156 W 8th AveGreat coffee brewed on-site, and an awesome view.
Lucy's Eastside Diner
2708 Main StreetDiner-styles open 24 hours. That should be enough.
Winter Farmer's Market, open Saturday mornings.
33 locals recommend
Riley Park Farmers Market - Winter
50 Ontario StWinter Farmer's Market, open Saturday mornings.
Matchstick Fraser St.
639 E 15th AveHip cafe with great coffee and delicious baked goods.
Who isn't fascinated by Japanese and Caribbean inspired food in the same funky little hole in the wall?
21 locals recommend
The Lion's Den Cafe
651 E 15th AveWho isn't fascinated by Japanese and Caribbean inspired food in the same funky little hole in the wall?
Les Faux Bourgeois
663 E 15th AveApproachable French cuisine within walking distance.
Sushiyama
371 E BroadwayCheap and plentiful sushi.
Funky little neighbourhood cafe and store with stuff you'd probably never buy.
116 locals recommend
Le Marché St. George
4393 St George StFunky little neighbourhood cafe and store with stuff you'd probably never buy.
Yet another great spot for coffee (and tea), in a calm and airy space. Add it to you "cafe crawl" for sure.
57 locals recommend
Kafka's Coffee and Tea
2525 Main StYet another great spot for coffee (and tea), in a calm and airy space. Add it to you "cafe crawl" for sure.
Quirky, Dock Lunch is like being invited over for lunch by a new friend. Don't understand? Try it and see.
8 locals recommend
Dock Lunch
152 E 11th AveQuirky, Dock Lunch is like being invited over for lunch by a new friend. Don't understand? Try it and see.
Scrumptious middle-eastern vegetarian, cool cocktails, and child friendly while still being great for adults (with or without children). The hummus is delicious.
51 locals recommend
Chickpea Restaurant
4298 Main StScrumptious middle-eastern vegetarian, cool cocktails, and child friendly while still being great for adults (with or without children). The hummus is delicious.
Chic Vietnamese with a modern twist - not your standard Pho joint. The Om Bowl is highly recommended.
132 locals recommend
Anh And Chi
3388 Main StChic Vietnamese with a modern twist - not your standard Pho joint. The Om Bowl is highly recommended.
Drinks & Nightlife
The original, and some would say the best, of the micro-brewery/tasting rooms that opened up in the Brewery Creek district over the last 5 years. Great standards and seasonals.
289 locals recommend
Brassneck Brewery
2148 Main StThe original, and some would say the best, of the micro-brewery/tasting rooms that opened up in the Brewery Creek district over the last 5 years. Great standards and seasonals.
Super-popular, clean decor, great beer AND coffee. Popular with young parents earlier in the day, after work crowd (Hootsuite is basically next door) later on.
307 locals recommend
33 Acres Brewing Company
15 W 8th AveSuper-popular, clean decor, great beer AND coffee. Popular with young parents earlier in the day, after work crowd (Hootsuite is basically next door) later on.
Situated in one of the few remaining industrial heritage building in Vancouver (appropriately the "Vancouver Breweries Garage"), a fine tasting room, this time with a small in-house food selection.
134 locals recommend
Main Street Brewery
261 E 7th Ave Situated in one of the few remaining industrial heritage building in Vancouver (appropriately the "Vancouver Breweries Garage"), a fine tasting room, this time with a small in-house food selection.
Great branding, sunny patio, and very cool bathrooms. As a side-trip, walk east along Great Northern Way and check out some pretty cool modern architecture.
60 locals recommend
Red Truck Beer Company
295 E 1st AveGreat branding, sunny patio, and very cool bathrooms. As a side-trip, walk east along Great Northern Way and check out some pretty cool modern architecture.
The Fox Cabaret has a seedy past (before changing ownership and being converted into a live music venue, it was the last standing adult movie theatre in Vancouver), but a funky present.
66 locals recommend
Fox Cabaret
2321 Main StThe Fox Cabaret has a seedy past (before changing ownership and being converted into a live music venue, it was the last standing adult movie theatre in Vancouver), but a funky present.
The Biltmore also has an interesting past and present. It used to be below low-end hotel, now above is social housing. The venue is as happening as it ever was, and there’s a handy brewpub attached
67 locals recommend
Biltmore Cabaret
2755 Prince Edward StThe Biltmore also has an interesting past and present. It used to be below low-end hotel, now above is social housing. The venue is as happening as it ever was, and there’s a handy brewpub attached
The oldest craft brewery in Mt Pleasant / Brewery Creek has opened up a tasting room and it's fantastic - it feels like it's been here forever, the beer is excellent, and the pizza scrumptious.
53 locals recommend
R&B Ale & Pizza House
1-54 E 4th AveThe oldest craft brewery in Mt Pleasant / Brewery Creek has opened up a tasting room and it's fantastic - it feels like it's been here forever, the beer is excellent, and the pizza scrumptious.
Essentials
One of the best beer selections in Vancouver, an excellent wine selection, and a helpful and knowledgable staff.
51 locals recommend
Brewery Creek Cold Beer & Wine
3045 Main StOne of the best beer selections in Vancouver, an excellent wine selection, and a helpful and knowledgable staff.
This little Korean market has everything from apples to (raw) octopus, as well as ready-to-eat Korean meals. Try the baked yams.
15 locals recommend
Kim’s Mart
519 E BroadwayThis little Korean market has everything from apples to (raw) octopus, as well as ready-to-eat Korean meals. Try the baked yams.
A small independent grocery that's super-close, with bulk containers (get only as much rice as you want, for example).
Kea Foods
2600 Main StA small independent grocery that's super-close, with bulk containers (get only as much rice as you want, for example).
The closest laundry - it's just across the alley (there's even rear access).
7 locals recommend
Launder All Coin Laundry
2706 Main StThe closest laundry - it's just across the alley (there's even rear access).
Canada Post
2949 Main StClosest post office (inside the mall).
Shoppers Drug Mart
1006 Homer StPharmacy, plus pretty much everything else.
Mount St. Joseph's Hospital
3080 Prince Edward StClosest emergency room.
The main Vancouver hospital - with 24 hour emergency room (one for adults, another for children).
61 locals recommend
Vancouver General Hospital
899 W 12th AveThe main Vancouver hospital - with 24 hour emergency room (one for adults, another for children).
Cross Roads Walk-in Clinic
507 W BroadwayProbably the closest walk-in clinic.
Recently converted to a Save On Foods, this is the closest supermarket. The loyalty card can be picked up immediately at the register so you can get the cardholder deals.
35 locals recommend
Marketplace IGA
2949 Main StreetRecently converted to a Save On Foods, this is the closest supermarket. The loyalty card can be picked up immediately at the register so you can get the cardholder deals.
Shopping
Woo To See You™
3671 Main StI'll need Lauren to fill this out.
Smoking Lily Vancouver Boutique
I'll need Lauren to fill this out.
Barefoot Contessa
3715 Main StI'll need Lauren to fill this out.
Kali Boutique
If earthy colours are your thing, this is the place for you.
Front & Company
3772 Main StI'll need Lauren to fill this out.
Umeboshi
3638 Main StreetI'll need Lauren to fill this out. I know nothing about shoes.
If you're just in need of, well, almost anything, Welk's is the place to go.
42 locals recommend
Welk's
3511 Main StIf you're just in need of, well, almost anything, Welk's is the place to go.
Huge outdoor gear store - Canada's version of REI. This is their largest store, and has everything you couldn't possibly want. Nearby are a bunch of more specialist outdoor stores.
51 locals recommend
MEC Vancouver
111 E 2nd AveHuge outdoor gear store - Canada's version of REI. This is their largest store, and has everything you couldn't possibly want. Nearby are a bunch of more specialist outdoor stores.
Baker's Dozen Antiques
1505 56 StreetCrazy antiques store, worth a visit for the entertainment factor alone.
Closest government liquor store (cheaper than the private stores). Inside the throwback Kingsgate Mall.
256 locals recommend
BC Liquor Stores
4423 Main StClosest government liquor store (cheaper than the private stores). Inside the throwback Kingsgate Mall.
Parks & Nature
Beautiful park, lots of facilities you might not expect to find (tennis courts, frisbee golf, pitch-n-putt golf, lawn bowls, tropical conservatory, zip-line), and one of the best views in Vancouver.
830 locals recommend
Queen Elizabeth Park
4600 Cambie StBeautiful park, lots of facilities you might not expect to find (tennis courts, frisbee golf, pitch-n-putt golf, lawn bowls, tropical conservatory, zip-line), and one of the best views in Vancouver.
Two playgrounds, a nice grassy field, community garden, basketball court, and a skate park. Perfect for a picnic with the kids, or without.
21 locals recommend
Mount Pleasant Park
3161 Ontario StTwo playgrounds, a nice grassy field, community garden, basketball court, and a skate park. Perfect for a picnic with the kids, or without.
Everything Else
10th Avenue is one of the busiest bikeways in Vancouver, running from Victoria Drive to Trafalgar St. Walk it between Quebec St and Yukon St to have a look at some beautifully restored houses.
10th Avenue Bikeway
10th Avenue Bikeway10th Avenue is one of the busiest bikeways in Vancouver, running from Victoria Drive to Trafalgar St. Walk it between Quebec St and Yukon St to have a look at some beautifully restored houses.
Arts & Culture
Public library, plus a full gym if you need to work off your trips to the local breweries.
48 locals recommend
Mount Pleasant Community Centre
1 KingswayPublic library, plus a full gym if you need to work off your trips to the local breweries.
Frequent venue for arts and crafts events (plus weddings and receptions). Funky building too.
Heritage Hall
3102 Main StFrequent venue for arts and crafts events (plus weddings and receptions). Funky building too.
Western Front Society
303 E 8th AveVenue for all kinds of artistic and cultural exhibitions.
Hot Art Wet City
2206 Main StreetHip scene for local artists.