Things to do in Vancouver
-
A
Eatery
Wooden booths, lava lamps and a neon ‘miso horny’ sign are all part of the ambience at this pop-culture reinvention of the traditional sushi joint. Bring your manga comic and dip into the giant, well-priced menu of soba bowls, curry-rice and several sushi combos, all washed down with a good selection of Japanese and Canadian bottled beers. There are plenty of vegetarian options, including some shareable platters for all those veggies who travel in packs.
reviewed
-
B
Naam
A rare and evocative relic of Kitsilano's hippie past, this vegetarian restaurant has the feel of a comfy, highly chatty farmhouse. It's not unusual to have to wait for a table here at peak times, but it's worth it for the hearty stir-fries, Mexican platters and sesame-fried potatoes with miso gravy. This is the kind of veggie spot where carnivores are also happy to dine. There's nightly live music, an array of great organic beers and a popular patio – it's covered, so you can cozy up here with a bowl of broth and still enjoy the rain.
reviewed
-
C
Bridges
You'll easily spot this bright yellow bistro as you pass over the Granville Bridge on your way here. In summer it offers one of the best sunset patios in town from which to enjoy well-executed classics like seafood chowder, halibut and chips and thin-crust pizzas – the smoked-salmon variety is recommended. Also consider a pitcher of Granville Island Iced Tea (if you have enough friends to finish it). Diners can escape the patio clamor at the quieter, more upscale upstairs dining room (dinner only).
reviewed
-
D
Capilano Suspension Bridge
As you walk gingerly out onto one of the world's longest (140m) and highest (70m) suspension bridges, swaying gently over the roiling waters of tree-lined Capilano Canyon, remember that the thick steel cables you are gripping are safely embedded in huge concrete blocks on either side. That should steady your feet – unless there are teenagers stamping across to scare the oldsters. It's the region's most popular attraction – hence the summertime crowds and relentless tour buses. The grounds here include rainforest walks, totem poles and a network of smaller bridges strung between the trees, called Treetops Adventure. Drop by the souvenir shop, one of BC's biggest, for…
reviewed
-
E
Vancouver Aquarium
Stanley Park's biggest draw, the aquarium is home to 9000 water-loving critters – including sharks, wolf eels, beluga whales and a somewhat shy octopus. There's also a small, walk-through rainforest area of birds, turtles and a statue-still sloth. Check out the mesmerizing iridescent jellyfish tanks and the portly sea otter who eats the way everyone should: lying on its back using its chest as a plate (trust us: it's not as easy as it looks). Check the schedule for feeding times and consider booking an Animal Encounter tour (from $24), where you'll learn how to be a trainer. The attraction's newest draw is its 4-D Experience: a 3-D movie theater with added wind, mist and…
reviewed
-
F
BC Sports Hall of Fame & Museum
Located inside BC Place Stadium, the small but perfectly formed Sports Hall of Fame showcases top BC athletes, both amateur and professional, with special galleries devoted to each decade in sports. There’s a wealth of medals, trophies and sporting memorabilia on display (judging by the size of their shirts, hockey players were much smaller in the old days) and there are tons of hands-on activities to tire the kids out. Check out the stirring exhibits on Terry Fox and his ‘Marathon of Hope’ run across Canada, plus Rick Hanson and his ‘Man-in-Motion’ worldwide wheelchair journey.
reviewed
-
G
Go Fish
A two-minute walk west along the seawall from the Granville Island entrance, this wildly popular seafood shack is one of the city's best fish-and-chip joints, offering a choice of halibut, salmon or cod encased in crispy golden batter. The smashing (and lighter) fish tacos are also highly recommended, while the ever-changing daily specials – brought in by the nearby fishing boats – often include praiseworthy scallop burgers or ahi tuna sandwiches. There's not much of a seating area, so pack your grub and continue along the seawall to Vanier Park for a picnic with the ever-watchful seagulls.
reviewed
-
H
Dave’s Fish & Chips
Join the throngs of locals strolling the boardwalks in the old fishing village of Steveston on the southern border of Richmond – a great sunset spot – then head a couple of blocks inland to this unassuming old-school fish-and-chippery. With a simple brown-wood and wobbly-table interior that hasn’t changed in decades, Dave’s puts all its effort into what goes on the plate. All the traditional dishes are here, but for something different try the oysters and chips or the velvet-soft battered salmon and chips. Great value.
reviewed
-
I
Elbow Room
Expect some verbal sparring at this local hangout where the jokily abusive servers will greet you with the line ‘Move your ass to the table, ’ then shimmy over to demand ‘Are you ready to order, or what?’ It’s all meant warmly – if they don’t insult you, they really don’t like you – so make sure you give as good as you get. Breakfasts (including omelets, eggs Benny and ‘big-ass pancakes’) are legendary here, but the bulging burgers are excellent, too.
reviewed
-
J
Fish House in Stanley Park
The park's fanciest dine-out, the double-patioed Fish House serves some of the city's best seafood. The menu changes based on seasonal availability but typical favorites include chili sablefish and cedar-planked char, while the fresh oyster bar is ever-popular with visiting shuckers. Weekend brunch is a highlight – salmon bagel Benedict is recommended – and if you haven't eaten enough already the desserts are also surprisingly creative: save room for chocolate lava cake, then run around the park four times to work it off.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Lennox Pub
This narrow Granville St drinkery never seems to have enough tables to go around at the weekend, when the noise levels prevent all but the most rudimentary of conversations. It's a different story during the week, when calm is restored and you can savor a good roster of 15 drafts from Belgium and beyond – try the Leffe or Big Rock Grasshopper. The decor is reproduction old-school and the upstairs seating area is a popular couples' nook.
reviewed
-
L
University of British Columbia
The giant University of British Columbia is more than just your average college campus. Its 402-hectare grounds are part of an area called the University Endowment Lands and are set amid rugged forest. Three of the city’s most treasured and wild beaches – Locarno, Spanish Banks and Wreck – are located around this area. The tranquil Nitobe Memorial Garden and sweeping UBC Botanical Garden flourish nearby. And one of the world’s foremost First Nations museums nestles along the clifftop: the Museum of Anthropology, with its amazing indigenous artifacts and wealth of totem poles. There’s also a modern art gallery and a brand new natural history museum. As if that wasn’t…
reviewed
-
M
BC Place Stadium
Site of the 2010 Winter Olympic opening and closing ceremonies, the city's main sports arena was having its dodgy old Teflon roof replaced with a new retractable lid during research for this book, at a cost of around $500 million. On completion (scheduled for summer 2011), it will be the home of both the BC Lions Canadian Football League team and the Vancouver Whitecaps soccer team. Also used for major rock shows, the stadium was expected to resume its popular behind-the-scenes tours once its shiny new hat is in place. Also keep your eyes peeled for the re-opening of the BC Sports Hall of Fame & Museum. Closed during the refurb, it's a family-friendly celebration of the…
reviewed
-
N
Museum of Anthropology
Recently renovated and expanded, Vancouver's best museum houses northwest coast aboriginal artifacts, including Haida houses and totem poles, plus non–First Nations exhibits like European ceramics and Cantonese opera costumes. The free guided tours are highly recommended, as is the excellent artsy gift shop. Give yourself a couple of hours at this museum.
reviewed
-
O
Vij's
Just off S Granville St, ever-popular Vij's is the high-water mark of contemporary East Indian cuisine, fusing regional ingredients, subtle global flourishes and classic ethnic dishes to produce an array of innovative flavors. The unique results range from signature wine-marinated 'lamb popsicles' to savor-worthy dishes like halibut, mussels and crab in a tomato-ginger curry. The adventurous should also try the paranta: flat breads made with roasted ground crickets. Reservations are not accepted: avoid the queues by hitting Rangoli, the adjoining take-out cafe. Plans were afoot at the time of writing to move to a new Cambie St location, so call ahead.
reviewed
-
P
Bishop's
A pioneer of superb West Coast cuisine long before the 'locavore' fashion took hold, modest but legendary chef-owner John Bishop – he'll almost certainly drop by your table to say hi – is still at the top of his game in this charming, art-lined little restaurant. Served in an elegant, white- tablecloth room, the weekly-changing menu can include stuffed rabbit loin, steamed smoked sablefish and the kind of crisp, seasonal veggies that taste like they've just been plucked from the ground. The service here is pitch-perfect, so stay a little longer and indulge in dessert: if you're lucky, it'll be sweet fried fig empanada with brown sugar ice-cream.
reviewed
-
Q
Sura Korean Cuisine
From the 1400-block of Robson St and around onto Denman and Davie Sts, you'll suddenly find yourself among a finger-licking smorgasbord of popular Korean and Japanese casual eateries. Originally catering to the homesick ESL students who still call the area home, Vancouverites have embraced this area as a great way to indulge in authentic Asian dining. A cut above its student-luring siblings, Sura offers awesome Korean comfort dishes in a white-walled, bistro-like setting. Try the spicy beef soup, kimchee pancakes and excellent dolsot bibimbap (beef, veggies and a still-cooking egg in a hot stone bowl).
reviewed
-
R
Vancouver Lookout
Expect your lurching stomach to make a bid for freedom as one of the two glass elevators here whisks you 169m to the apex of this needle-like viewing tower. Once up top, there's not much to do but wander around and check out the truly awesome 360-degree vistas of city, sea and mountains unfurling around you. If you want to know what you're looking at, join one of the free tours or just peruse the historic photo panels showing just how much the landscape around here has changed. Tickets are pricey but are valid all day – return for a soaring sunset view of the city to get your money's worth.
reviewed
-
S
Granville Island Brewing
Canada's oldest microbrewery offers half-hour tours where the smiling guides will walk you through the tiny brewing nook (production has mostly shifted to larger premises) before depositing you in the Taproom for four generous samples, often including the summer-favorite Hefeweizen, mildly-hopped Brockton IPA or the recommended Kitsilano Maple Cream Ale. You'll spot many of these brews in bars and restaurants around the city. You can also buy some takeout in the adjoining store – look out for any seasonal or special-batch tipples that might be worth a try (the Ginger Ale is a winner).
reviewed
-
T
Nuba
Tucked under the landmark Dominion Building, this hopping subterranean Lebanese restaurant attracts budget noshers and cool hipsters in equal measure. If you're not sure what to go for, have the good-value falafel plate ($9), heaped with hummus, taboulleh, salad, pita and brown rice. It'll make you realize what wholesome, made-from-scratch food is supposed to taste like. More substantial fare – grilled lamb, Cornish hen etc – has been added to the menu since the eatery moved from its hole-in-the-wall site across the street, and there's also regular live music. Excellent service.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
U
Sophie's Cosmic Café
With its museum of garage-sale kitsch lining the walls, local legend Sophie's – the place with the giant chrome cutlery either side of the entrance – is a cheery diner with burgers, club sandwiches and big-ass milkshakes dominating the menu. There are also a few off-message gems such as BC oyster burgers. A highly popular breakfast and brunch spot – expect to queue on weekends – it's also worth dropping by mid-afternoon for some truck-stop coffee and a slice of pyramid-sized apple pie (you can jog up and down the hill to and from the beach to work it off).
reviewed
-
V
Granville Island Public Market
Granville Island's highlight is the covered Public Market, a multisensory smorgasbord of fish, cheese, fruit and bakery treats. Pick up some fixings for a picnic at nearby Vanier Park or hit the international food court (dine off-peak and you're more likely to snag a table). Edible BC offers excellent market tours for the foodie-inclined.
reviewed
-
W
Paul's Place Omelettery
You'll be jostling for space with strollers and chatty moms at this unassuming breakfast joint near the south side of Granville Bridge, but it's worth it: this cozy place is far superior to most city bacon-and-egg spots. The menu is short and sweet, but it's grounded on 12 signature omelets, including a chockablock vegetarian option that will make carnivores eye you jealously. It's a great place to start the day before a wander down to Granville Island, but there's also a lunch menu of house-made burgers and sandwiches.
reviewed
-
X
Dockside Brewing Company
Dockside has been self-brewing treats such as Alder Bay Honey Lager and fruity, hibiscus-toned Jamaican Lager for more than 30 years. Take your drinks outside to the recently upgraded patio for tranquil, awe-inspiring views of False Creek’s boat traffic and the mountain-backed downtown skyline – this is what supping in Vancouver is all about. If it’s raining, stay indoors by the fireplace and sink into a leather couch. If you’re not sure which beer to have, try a six-sample tasting flight for $14.
reviewed
-
Y
Cambie
While this increasingly gentrified area still has plenty of dodgy dive bars that are best avoided, the Cambie is a local legend that most Vancouverites love, even if they haven't been here for years. Summer nights on the raucous patio are grungy fun, but perching at a sticky bench table inside with the boozy-but-friendly regulars is a blast. You'll be treated to some of the cheapest suds – go for a Cambie Pale Ale – in town plus a $7.50 burger and beer deal that's seriously good value.
reviewed