Guidebook for Vancouver
Food Scene
Can't say enough about the owners Grace & Eric or their little restaurant! They welcome you like it is their home and you are their honored guest. Loving and personable service, detailed and elaborate presentation, fresh ingredients, and a cozy ambience are coupled with shockingly low prices (for the quality of the food!). Needless to say, it is a must go if you are in the area.
7 locals recommend
Ginger Sushi
1437 Commercial DrCan't say enough about the owners Grace & Eric or their little restaurant! They welcome you like it is their home and you are their honored guest. Loving and personable service, detailed and elaborate presentation, fresh ingredients, and a cozy ambience are coupled with shockingly low prices (for the quality of the food!). Needless to say, it is a must go if you are in the area.
This has to be one of the best coffee shops in all of Vancouver. Try any of their coffees (which they roast in house) or, my personal favorite, their Chai Latte and you will not be disappointed. Don't forget to pair that with a flaky chocolate croissant, which they are also famous for.
62 locals recommend
Moja Coffee
1102 Commercial DrThis has to be one of the best coffee shops in all of Vancouver. Try any of their coffees (which they roast in house) or, my personal favorite, their Chai Latte and you will not be disappointed. Don't forget to pair that with a flaky chocolate croissant, which they are also famous for.
Also known as simply Mezcal, this place is always buzzing with locals looking for great Mexican food or a cold beverage. For brunch, I recommend their eggs benedict (around $13). If you are only looking for a snack, try their chips and salsa (which is made fresh in-house daily) for only $5. Pair that with a mojito and watch the bartender work his magic!
155 locals recommend
La Mezcaleria
1622 Commercial DrAlso known as simply Mezcal, this place is always buzzing with locals looking for great Mexican food or a cold beverage. For brunch, I recommend their eggs benedict (around $13). If you are only looking for a snack, try their chips and salsa (which is made fresh in-house daily) for only $5. Pair that with a mojito and watch the bartender work his magic!
Arguably the best budget pizza (mainly takeout, $2.50/slice) on Commercial Drive, their crust is incredibly thin.
52 locals recommend
Pizza Garden
675 Smithe StArguably the best budget pizza (mainly takeout, $2.50/slice) on Commercial Drive, their crust is incredibly thin.
Voted the best pizza restaurant (mainly sit down, pizza not available by the slice) for many years in a row by many leading publications, this lovely little place actually happens to be the nearest restaurant to our home.
159 locals recommend
Via Tevere Pizzeria
1190 Victoria DrVoted the best pizza restaurant (mainly sit down, pizza not available by the slice) for many years in a row by many leading publications, this lovely little place actually happens to be the nearest restaurant to our home.
Kin Kao Thai Kitchen
903 Commercial DrGreat Thai food in a modern ambience.
Another budget pizza place (mainly takeout, $2.50/slice) on Commercial Drive, but with very interesting toppings. Depending on the time of day, they even offer interesting options such as a smoked salmon pizza, masala chicken pizza, stir fry pizza and my personal the spinach and feta pizza.
20 locals recommend
Fire Pizza
1918 Commercial DrAnother budget pizza place (mainly takeout, $2.50/slice) on Commercial Drive, but with very interesting toppings. Depending on the time of day, they even offer interesting options such as a smoked salmon pizza, masala chicken pizza, stir fry pizza and my personal the spinach and feta pizza.
Prado Cafe
1938 Commercial DrAnother good coffee shop.
The Red Wagon
2128 E Hastings StGreat brunch place, even on weekdays.
Tacofino Commissary
2327 E Hastings StFamous for their fish tacos.
Tatsu Japanese Bistro
1441 Commercial DrAnother good sushi restaurant.
Sula Indian Restaurant
1128 Commercial DrVery good Indian food.
Ice cream shop with 200+ flavors, ranging from classics (chocolate, vanilla) to modern creations (garlic, curry, wasabi).
66 locals recommend
La Casa Gelato
1033 Venables StIce cream shop with 200+ flavors, ranging from classics (chocolate, vanilla) to modern creations (garlic, curry, wasabi).
Some people say this is the best sushi in Vancouver. Others say it's the best sushi they've ever had. Closed in the afternoons and expect a lineup every night starting at 5pm.
95 locals recommend
Kishimoto Japanese Restaurant
2054 Commercial DrSome people say this is the best sushi in Vancouver. Others say it's the best sushi they've ever had. Closed in the afternoons and expect a lineup every night starting at 5pm.
Essentials
Super Valu
1645 E 1st Ave24h grocery store within walking distance of our home.
Best dollar store in the area with surprisingly good quality merchandise all priced at $1.25 or lower.
12 locals recommend
Dollar Tree
2606 Commercial DrBest dollar store in the area with surprisingly good quality merchandise all priced at $1.25 or lower.
Safeway Broadway & Commercial
1780 E BroadwayClosest big-chain grocery store.
Shopping
Mintage
1714 Commercial DrVintage store which captures the feel of Commercial Drive.
Shopping area
Best shopping street in all of Vancouver.
Tiffany & Co.
723 Burrard StUltra high-end shopping district of Vancouver.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great craft beer selection. Also, try their veggie burger if you're hungry.
76 locals recommend
BierCraft Tap and Tapas
1191 Commercial DrGreat craft beer selection. Also, try their veggie burger if you're hungry.
There are many micro-breweries in the area, but this one is consistently voted one the best. Great tasting room, reasonable prices, tasty beer.
289 locals recommend
Brassneck Brewery
2148 Main StThere are many micro-breweries in the area, but this one is consistently voted one the best. Great tasting room, reasonable prices, tasty beer.
Parks & Nature
Grandview Park
1657 Charles StPark overlooking downtown Vancouver.
Stanley Park
610 Pipeline RdWorld famous park.
Victoria Park
650 Lonsdale AveAnother park close to our home.
Kitsilano Beach Park
1499 Arbutus StFamous beach in Vancouver.
Getting Around
Nearest SkyTrain station to our home. You can either walk 20-25 minutes or taxi (~$8) to/from our home.
98 locals recommend
Commercial Platform 3 station
Nearest SkyTrain station to our home. You can either walk 20-25 minutes or taxi (~$8) to/from our home.
Vancouver International Airport
3211 Grant McConachie WayVancouver International Airport (YVR)
Main Street-Science World Station
Closest SkyTrain station to Science World.
"Canada Line" SkyTrain from YVR airport ends here. Change to either "Expo Line" or "Millennium Line" SkyTrain from here to get to "Commercial - Broadway Station" SkyTrain station, which is the closest SkyTrain station to our home. You can either walk 20-25 minutes or taxi from there (~$8) to our home.
158 locals recommend
Waterfront Station
601 West Cordova Street"Canada Line" SkyTrain from YVR airport ends here. Change to either "Expo Line" or "Millennium Line" SkyTrain from here to get to "Commercial - Broadway Station" SkyTrain station, which is the closest SkyTrain station to our home. You can either walk 20-25 minutes or taxi from there (~$8) to our home.
It is a 5 minute walk to this bus stop from our home to catch the direct bus (#7 Dunbar) to Vancouver Downtown (26 minute ride). Please check Google Maps for the most accurate information before you ride.
NB Nanaimo St FS Charles St
It is a 5 minute walk to this bus stop from our home to catch the direct bus (#7 Dunbar) to Vancouver Downtown (26 minute ride). Please check Google Maps for the most accurate information before you ride.
It is a 7 minute walk to this bus stop from our home to catch the direct bus (#20 Downtown) to Vancouver Downtown (24 minute ride). Please check Google Maps for the most accurate information before you ride.
NB Commercial Dr FS Charles St
It is a 7 minute walk to this bus stop from our home to catch the direct bus (#20 Downtown) to Vancouver Downtown (24 minute ride). Please check Google Maps for the most accurate information before you ride.
Arts & Culture
Science World at TELUS World of Science
1455 Quebec StGreat place to take the kids.
Largest art gallery in Western Canada. Over 11,000 pieces of art, including over 200 major works. Live music on the weekends. The gallery cafe is located upstairs and you don't need a ticket to have lunch there. Good value for money.
1154 locals recommend
Vancouver Art Gallery
750 Hornby StLargest art gallery in Western Canada. Over 11,000 pieces of art, including over 200 major works. Live music on the weekends. The gallery cafe is located upstairs and you don't need a ticket to have lunch there. Good value for money.