+1 for alibi room.
If you like beer also check out St Augustines on commercial drive. It has over 60 taps of craft beer that are always changing.
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Vacation in Vancouver, BC GAF advice/tips.
- Thread starter BloodMoney
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If you like beer also check out St Augustines on commercial drive. It has over 60 taps of craft beer that are always changing.
I remember the time I was offered a speedball while walking through the DTES. That was fun.
You don't know what you're talking about
Puppet Shadow
Member
East side of Vancouver is fine (south and central), it's the downtown east side that's horrible.
Granville Island
Walking/biking around the seawall that goes around Stanley Park
Richmond Night Market
Sunset Beach
Lots of potential shopping on Robson St/Granville downtown.
lots of places in North/West Vancouver for some light hiking.
Food
Gyu Kaku or Shabusen in downtown are good japanese food choices
American Cheesesteak
Japadog
Italian Kitchen
Granville Island... again
Walking/biking around the seawall that goes around Stanley Park
Richmond Night Market
Sunset Beach
Lots of potential shopping on Robson St/Granville downtown.
lots of places in North/West Vancouver for some light hiking.
Food
Gyu Kaku or Shabusen in downtown are good japanese food choices
American Cheesesteak
Japadog
Italian Kitchen
Granville Island... again
That's better
Stumpokapow
listen to the mad man
The Japanese garden at UBC is really quite beautiful.
Puppet Shadow
Member
An awesome community is the East Indian area on south Fraser. We had a wedding to go to, and my wife needed a saree, so we shopped around the area till she found one she liked, but it needed altering. So the women who sold us the saree locked up the store, and walked us a block or two to her friends home, where down in the basement was 4 or five ladies with sewing machines. So while my wife got properly fitted by these ladies, one of the husbands made me tea and we chatted about the Canucks. Probably my most memorable shopping day, beats the hell out of going to a mall.
I think some Vancouverites use the term 'east side' when they are actually just referring to the downtown east side, which would be pretty annoying if you lived in Mt Pleasant, Commercial Drive, or Little India.
May aswell stay away from the north, west and south side!!
That is so awesome!
A lot of the obvious ones have been pointed out already (ie. Granville Island, Stanley Park), although I'd also recommend dropping by UBC for some nice scenery and the Japanese Gardens.
Just a small warning, September is when this place starts slowly transitioning into Raincouver so apologies if you happen get here on a really gross day.
Just a small warning, September is when this place starts slowly transitioning into Raincouver so apologies if you happen get here on a really gross day.
quantumnerd
Member
In terms of scenery, UBC is beautiful in general, so are the west end beaches, and Queen Eliabeth Park. I recommend checking out the mountains. You can do the Grouse Grind to say you did it, since it's an easy one hour hike (that you should still take at least 1L each of water for!), but I prefer the BCMC trail that runs slighty to its east (windier, less tourists). The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a bit of a tourist trap, but is still a good thing to do once.
In terms of shopping and food, there's Aberdeen mall, Metrotown, and Pacific Center. The shopping on west 10th has a lot of character and restaurants. West Broadway has less character but is fine too. Richmond has tons of legendary Chinese restaurants.
As far as the DTES goes, stay out. As far as Mt. Pleasant and Commercial&Broadway and Kingsway go, stay out of those places at night. You won't get stabbed very often, but it's still seedy.
In terms of shopping and food, there's Aberdeen mall, Metrotown, and Pacific Center. The shopping on west 10th has a lot of character and restaurants. West Broadway has less character but is fine too. Richmond has tons of legendary Chinese restaurants.
As far as the DTES goes, stay out. As far as Mt. Pleasant and Commercial&Broadway and Kingsway go, stay out of those places at night. You won't get stabbed very often, but it's still seedy.
BloodMoney
Banned
Thanks for the additional excellent replies. I'm in bed now but will pull a detailed response together with some additional questions in the morning.
To those mentioning squamish, I remember the drive from Vancouver to whistler/blackcomb being amazing. I made that drive for the first time when I visited with my parents back in the days of yesteryear. My entire family has memories of seeing the hale-bopp comet that night (most amazing sight of their lives)... Unfortunately I was just a kid exhausted from a day of skiing and refused to wake up from the back seat of the car to take in the sight.
To those mentioning squamish, I remember the drive from Vancouver to whistler/blackcomb being amazing. I made that drive for the first time when I visited with my parents back in the days of yesteryear. My entire family has memories of seeing the hale-bopp comet that night (most amazing sight of their lives)... Unfortunately I was just a kid exhausted from a day of skiing and refused to wake up from the back seat of the car to take in the sight.
BloodMoney
Banned
Thread revival. The trip approaches, 3 weeks out. Keep the recommendations coming.
Food!
Go for supper at Vij's, order the lamb popsicles. The highest rated dish at one of the most highly rated Indian restaurants in the world. Prices aren't crazy (dinner for two with drinks and desert will barely break $100). They don't take reservations, so show up early and don't fret if it's an hours wait for a table. They'll serve drinks and (free!) appetizers while you wait. If you're going to splurge on one meal, that's where I'd go.
If you want something quieter and more romantic, Seasons in the Park has one of the best views of the city and is absolutely fantastic later in the evening.
The best lunch: Finch's, in Gastown. Order anything. It's all fantastic. I'm partial to the Applewood Smoked Cheddar Baguette.
Granville Island is also a great place to be around lunch. The market has a lot of good options.
(Forgot to add: +1 for Alibi Room. Best beer selection in the city and pretty much asshole-free. Plan to get a little tipsy.)
Go for supper at Vij's, order the lamb popsicles. The highest rated dish at one of the most highly rated Indian restaurants in the world. Prices aren't crazy (dinner for two with drinks and desert will barely break $100). They don't take reservations, so show up early and don't fret if it's an hours wait for a table. They'll serve drinks and (free!) appetizers while you wait. If you're going to splurge on one meal, that's where I'd go.
If you want something quieter and more romantic, Seasons in the Park has one of the best views of the city and is absolutely fantastic later in the evening.
The best lunch: Finch's, in Gastown. Order anything. It's all fantastic. I'm partial to the Applewood Smoked Cheddar Baguette.
Granville Island is also a great place to be around lunch. The market has a lot of good options.
(Forgot to add: +1 for Alibi Room. Best beer selection in the city and pretty much asshole-free. Plan to get a little tipsy.)
BloodMoney
Banned
As a homebrewer, I'm quite looking forward to Alibi Room.
BloodMoney
Banned
So, we've booked accommodations in the coal harbor area. I am still trying to get my bearing for the various regions of the city. I know that gastown is to the west of where we will be located. Gastown is restaurant/bar/nightlife area right?
JumpJeff84
Member
For my money, the best view of the city is on Broadway, looking towards downtown across the Cambie bridge.
Make sure you drive towards the downtown core across the Cambie Bridge at least once, that shit is beautiful.
If you're interested in stand up comedy at all, I can hook that shit up
Make sure you drive towards the downtown core across the Cambie Bridge at least once, that shit is beautiful.
If you're interested in stand up comedy at all, I can hook that shit up
JumpJeff84
Member
Yeah Gastown is tourist central. Right in the heart of downtown
JumpJeff84
Member
I don't know if I agree that Mount Pleasant is seedy at night. I've lived in the area for like a decade
Gastown is ok, but it's more touristy...
Head south towards Robson/Granville.
I think the restaurant/bar/nightlife is much better there.
It's only a few blocks away too.
Oh and for food, I really like Commercial.
That's a bit east though.
Use the Skytrain and you'll be there in like 10 mins.
BloodMoney
Banned
We are fans of 'off the beaten path' traveling. I figure we will go to gastown one night, and venture elsewhere (places less touristy) the other two night.
Yea, Robson isn't far from the place we are staying at all.
So far i've got the following on the itinerary:
Stanley Park
Roller blade/bike seawall
Dinner at Shizen Ya
Beers at Alibi Room
Brunch at Le Petit Belge
Lunch at Japadog
Japanese Gardens
Any high end cocktail bar recommendations?
Are there any highrise bar/restaurants with killer views?
Modern art museum?
Is there a fresh off the boat seafood market in town... we've got a full kitchen in the condo, and I'd like to cook dinner one night.
Lone_Prodigy
Member
In terms of art, there's the Vancouver Art Gallery. If you go on Tuesday evening it's by donation. There's also the Museum of Vancouver and UBC has a Museum of Anthropology.
For fresh seafood, try Steveston (south Richmond) or Granville Island (close to downtown).
For fresh seafood, try Steveston (south Richmond) or Granville Island (close to downtown).
Steveston, YES.
Fresh off the boat seafood.
Pretty much get there and every other food joint is a Fish n' Chips place.
I love that place, the most common place to go there is Pajo's.
It's like a 30 - 45 mins drive from downtown.
Warm Machine
Member
To walk end to end of the Granville strip, is about 25 minutes. If you walk the entire outer edge of Stanley Park from Coal harbour to Yaletown it will take around 4, maybe 5 hours.
Also, United Front Games, Relic, Klei, Black Tusk, Microsoft, Rovio, Sony Pictures Imageworks, all have offices in the Yaletown area.
If you want coffee we have a few awesome places.
JJ Bean: - MISC Locations - For whatever reason their espresso drinks are now excellent as so are their baked good. Croissants are great.
Café Artigiano - MISC Locations - Almost equally good as JJ Bean. Can get table service. One by art gallery is really busy.
Fabourg - 1 Downtown location by Art Gallery. Excellent croissants. Good espresso
Milano - 2 Downtown locations. Denman and in Gastown. Very good espresso. Not a fan of anything else.
Revolver - Gastown. People rave like they are the kings of espresso. They are good but not above the others.
JavaCat - 1 downtown location near gastown. Surprisingly good.
We have Waves, Blenz, Starbucks, Trees, Ethical Bean. Basically all have the same mix of blah.
High end cocktail bar, you are looking at George in Yaletown. Yew at the 4 Seasons might fit the bill too. Grain at the Hilton is a good try as well.
BloodMoney
Banned
^ awesome map, thanks
Nero?
As someone who's only been here a year, I can say the "touristy" highlights for me have been Granville Island, Bella Gelateria ("best gelato in the world"), and the seawall/Stanley Park. I'm pretty sure they've all been mentioned already, but I'm adding my vote to those.
edit: And the Chinese garden on that map is lame. Don't bother going there, and if you do then don't spend money to see the "extra" section.
If you want some really good neo Japanese cuisine and drinking.
Hapa Izakaya.
Come from a Japanese background, and they have the flavour down
You don't have to go there for a meal, just get some appetizers and some drinks and move on.
There's a few locations, and a couple near you.
One near the Waterfront the other on Robson.
Hapa Izakaya.
Come from a Japanese background, and they have the flavour down
You don't have to go there for a meal, just get some appetizers and some drinks and move on.
There's a few locations, and a couple near you.
One near the Waterfront the other on Robson.
BloodMoney
Banned
place looks awesome.
nice sake menu, and i've never seen Asahi Black beer on the east coast.
Are there any sake bars in Vancouver worth visiting?
BloodMoney
Banned
So, Chinatown. Is the one in Vancouver comparable to NYC/San Fran?
Lone_Prodigy
Member
Vancouver's Chinatown has seen better days. Richmond has all but replaced it as the go-to place for Chinese food/shopping/activities. You should check out the Night Market for interesting food. There are two and you can't go wrong with either.
The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a tourist trap. Go a bit further to the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge: the views are arguably better, it's less busy, and it's free.
AmuroChan
Member
If you like good Chinese good, go to Richmond, which is a short drive from Vancouver. It's basically like a mini-HK. Vancouver is also great for outdoor activities. Victoria Island and Stanley Park I really enjoyed last time I was there. UBC is also a nice place to visit. Beautiful campus with nice gardens and museums.
Not at all. Chinatown in Vancouver is TERRIBLE. I was there in May and it was basically a ghost town. Go to Richmond. That's where all the best Chinese restaurants and shopping are.
Not at all. Chinatown in Vancouver is TERRIBLE. I was there in May and it was basically a ghost town. Go to Richmond. That's where all the best Chinese restaurants and shopping are.
Hapa Izakaya is the only one I've really been to.
There's others, but not sure of the quality.
If you go there, try the BBQ beef short ribs...
Richmond.
If you head that way, maybe go to Steveston for lunch, (It's close, really good seafood)
Then for the evening, head to the Night Market.
There's one of those rotating top-floor restaurants with an amazing 360 view. Cloud 9 I believe it was called.
The wife and I went last summer for the first time and it was great. We also were only there for a couple days, so we tried to pack in as much as we could. Skipped the Grouse Mtn stuff and anything that was too far away because we were worried it would take too much time from a day and we preferred to see as much of the other stuff as we could.
I recommend Granville Island. We toured the brewery there and it was fun. Good restaurants as well. We did the Cloud 9 thing as well, and walk/shopped along Robson St. and went to Robson Square, across from which is the art gallery.
Also rented bikes and went around Stanley Park, which I highly recommend. And we walked through Gas Town a couple times. Really pretty area, though we walked a block away in the wrong direction and ended up in a pretty seedy area. But we came back and had some coffee in an outdoor patio. Had the best Japanese food I've had since I lived in Japan at a place called Zakkushi, nearish to Stanley Park. And stopped at a Japanese grocer which had loads of stuff I haven't seen since I was in Japan as well. It was called Konbiniya if you're interested in that.
BloodMoney
Banned
So Chinatown is off the list, and Richmond has been added. I looked up the night market which seems like our kind of thing.
I noticed that the Vancouver Whitecaps are Playing DC United on the 6th (the day we arrive). I'm a huge soccer fan. What is the Vancouver stadium/fans like? Do you think it would be a packed stadium for a game like that?
I noticed that the Vancouver Whitecaps are Playing DC United on the 6th (the day we arrive). I'm a huge soccer fan. What is the Vancouver stadium/fans like? Do you think it would be a packed stadium for a game like that?
Sounds good. The sake selection where I live on the east coast is abysmal. Perhaps Konbiniya would be a good place to buy a few bottles?
I've only gone to a Whitecaps game once against Dallas FC. The stadium was pretty packed and it was good fun.
Warm Machine
Member
The painting on the massive cement silos on Granville Island should be completed when you arrive. Really impressive work.
http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2014/08/public-art-not-free-granville-island-silo-mural-needs-money/
BTW The stadium that the Whitecaps play in has gone through an impressive renovation and is a fantastic venue for Soccer and CFL.
http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2014/08/public-art-not-free-granville-island-silo-mural-needs-money/
BTW The stadium that the Whitecaps play in has gone through an impressive renovation and is a fantastic venue for Soccer and CFL.
Here are the things that I recommend. These are more casual / chinese 
Sightseeing:
Granville Island
Steveston Village in Richmond
Bike around stanley park
UBC & area looks really nice
Go on a mountain for the view. I’ve never been but I heard capilano suspension bridge is a bit expensive.
Vancouver Art Gallery - Douglas Coupland exhibit is running until September 1 (you’ll probably miss it)
Richmond Night Market – it’s near Bridgeport and Number 3 road. Opens on weekends.
Kitsilano/West 4th – it’s just like one of those SF shopping neighborhoods. Kinda meh – depends if you’re into that sort of thing.
Gastown – touristy, I find it kinda meh
Casual Eats:
Grab a bubble tea. Pearl Castle and Bubble World have multiple locations, and they’re not bad.
Try the Whiskey Hazelnut at Earnest Ice Cream, which is at Fraser and King Edward. They’re only open from Thursday to Sunday.
Try the Toasted Pecan or Earl Grey ice cream at Bella Gelateria.
Izakaya: West End/Robson has a number of them. Guu, Kingyo, Hapa, Gyoza King. Zakkushi has more skewers but it’s also good.
Ramen: also West End/Robson. The spicy miso ramen at Santouka is pretty good.
Sushi: I don’t know which one is best, but there’s a lottttttt of them. They range from huge baseball-sized raw fish rolls to dainty and beautiful quiet affairs. Check Yelp.
Chinese dim sum: I like Dragonview but there’s a lot of them in Richmond. Most people go on a weekend at brunch hours.
Phnom Penh near Chinatown: amazing butter beef (raw), fried chicken wings
Japadog is a curiosity but not really worth a dedicated trip.
There’s so much more to eat. Pho, Korean barbecue, congee, HK café style, Chinese/Japanese hot pot, hipster brunch places, Taiwanese food…
What kind of experiences are you looking for?
I’ll leave serious dining and bar-hopping to other people, since I don’t really know about that stuff.
Huh? I don't know if it's changed this year, but the one near the casino was bigger and had been better run.
Sightseeing:
Granville Island
Steveston Village in Richmond
Bike around stanley park
UBC & area looks really nice
Go on a mountain for the view. I’ve never been but I heard capilano suspension bridge is a bit expensive.
Vancouver Art Gallery - Douglas Coupland exhibit is running until September 1 (you’ll probably miss it)
Richmond Night Market – it’s near Bridgeport and Number 3 road. Opens on weekends.
Kitsilano/West 4th – it’s just like one of those SF shopping neighborhoods. Kinda meh – depends if you’re into that sort of thing.
Gastown – touristy, I find it kinda meh
Casual Eats:
Grab a bubble tea. Pearl Castle and Bubble World have multiple locations, and they’re not bad.
Try the Whiskey Hazelnut at Earnest Ice Cream, which is at Fraser and King Edward. They’re only open from Thursday to Sunday.
Try the Toasted Pecan or Earl Grey ice cream at Bella Gelateria.
Izakaya: West End/Robson has a number of them. Guu, Kingyo, Hapa, Gyoza King. Zakkushi has more skewers but it’s also good.
Ramen: also West End/Robson. The spicy miso ramen at Santouka is pretty good.
Sushi: I don’t know which one is best, but there’s a lottttttt of them. They range from huge baseball-sized raw fish rolls to dainty and beautiful quiet affairs. Check Yelp.
Chinese dim sum: I like Dragonview but there’s a lot of them in Richmond. Most people go on a weekend at brunch hours.
Phnom Penh near Chinatown: amazing butter beef (raw), fried chicken wings
Japadog is a curiosity but not really worth a dedicated trip.
There’s so much more to eat. Pho, Korean barbecue, congee, HK café style, Chinese/Japanese hot pot, hipster brunch places, Taiwanese food…
What kind of experiences are you looking for?
I’ll leave serious dining and bar-hopping to other people, since I don’t really know about that stuff.
Huh? I don't know if it's changed this year, but the one near the casino was bigger and had been better run.
More recommendations for ramen!! My fav is Motomachi on Denman & Robson, and there's Kintaro right nearby which is also good but super busy (stepho's of ramen). There's also Santouka up the street which is well liked by my friends from Japan but I find their portions a tiny bit too small.
Also no recommendations for Guu? Robson is probably my fav but the gastown one is good too (and more emphasis on drinks there). I would recommend Guu over Hapa especially the business-lunch-on-the-company / super pricey Hapa across from Canada place. Hapa on Robson or kits is better but then you're near gyoza king which is also good but much lower end. There's also an all you can eat chocolate fondue / bubble tea place on robson which is great.
You should check out the new convention center and take a picture of yourself holding the floating globe, plus the olympic flame is there and if you're lucky some rich person will have it lit to show off or order the fireworks package the convention center does.
Edit: Oh yeah, japadog is a snack not really a lunch place. Also try hamburger 285 on granville & pender
Sushi - don't go to Shabusen unless you want all you can eat and sub-par sushi served slowly. Tons of better places to go. Fav hole in the wall downtown is Yamato on davie near Granville, and octopus garden just across the Burrard street bridge in kits (it makes a great walk if you do the seawall route)
Lots of tourist spots have been mentioned already by others, but if you're feeling lazy you could always take in a lot of sights by doing a loop on the skytrain to see all the suburbs of Vancouver. At waterfront station grab a VCC-Clark train and it'll take you all the way to commercial in a loop, then you can get off and walk down the drive and try some good places for food (or just go to uncle fatih's or megabyte for good cheap pizza)
Also no recommendations for Guu? Robson is probably my fav but the gastown one is good too (and more emphasis on drinks there). I would recommend Guu over Hapa especially the business-lunch-on-the-company / super pricey Hapa across from Canada place. Hapa on Robson or kits is better but then you're near gyoza king which is also good but much lower end. There's also an all you can eat chocolate fondue / bubble tea place on robson which is great.
You should check out the new convention center and take a picture of yourself holding the floating globe, plus the olympic flame is there and if you're lucky some rich person will have it lit to show off or order the fireworks package the convention center does.
Edit: Oh yeah, japadog is a snack not really a lunch place. Also try hamburger 285 on granville & pender
Sushi - don't go to Shabusen unless you want all you can eat and sub-par sushi served slowly. Tons of better places to go. Fav hole in the wall downtown is Yamato on davie near Granville, and octopus garden just across the Burrard street bridge in kits (it makes a great walk if you do the seawall route)
Lots of tourist spots have been mentioned already by others, but if you're feeling lazy you could always take in a lot of sights by doing a loop on the skytrain to see all the suburbs of Vancouver. At waterfront station grab a VCC-Clark train and it'll take you all the way to commercial in a loop, then you can get off and walk down the drive and try some good places for food (or just go to uncle fatih's or megabyte for good cheap pizza)
Warm Machine
Member
Were you here this last weekend?
If you go to the Cambie and don't want to wait in line there's 2 surefire ways to get in: (1) go before and get stamped and (2) go to the hostel entrance and do your greatest fucking accent and walk by all confident and when the dude asks if you're staying in the hostel just nod and pretend your English sucks.
Works all the time.
I second Uncle Fatih's Pizza. get a slice of potato pizza.
To walk end to end of the Granville strip, is about 25 minutes. If you walk the entire outer edge of Stanley Park from Coal harbour to Yaletown it will take around 4, maybe 5 hours.
Thanks for this map....looks like I might take a spur of the moment trip up there tomorrow for a few nights and will be staying near the Listel. I should be able to walk around to most places if I can handle the rain I assume.
bonesmccoy
Banned
Go to a Canucks game.
Check out Stanley park.
Shop on Robson.
Climb the Grouse Grind.
Have breakfast at Sophie's Cosmic Cafe.
Buy an 8th in Gastown.
Take the Seabus to Lonsdale Quay and get some soup.
Vancouver is a great city to visit in that you can pretty much experience all it has to offer in a handful of days.
Check out Stanley park.
Shop on Robson.
Climb the Grouse Grind.
Have breakfast at Sophie's Cosmic Cafe.
Buy an 8th in Gastown.
Take the Seabus to Lonsdale Quay and get some soup.
Vancouver is a great city to visit in that you can pretty much experience all it has to offer in a handful of days.
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