Guidebook for Vancouver

Bee
Guidebook for Vancouver

Food Scene

Voted Canada's Best Restaurant this year. This spot is just a couple shops down from my building and has an epic Italian/Japanese fusion menu. Definitely make reservations or go right when it opens to put your name down for a table later in the evening!
63 locals recommend
Kissa Tanto
263 E Pender St
63 locals recommend
Voted Canada's Best Restaurant this year. This spot is just a couple shops down from my building and has an epic Italian/Japanese fusion menu. Definitely make reservations or go right when it opens to put your name down for a table later in the evening!
Their croissants are just ridiculous. Must try!
94 locals recommend
Matchstick Chinatown
213 E Georgia St
94 locals recommend
Their croissants are just ridiculous. Must try!
Delicious asian fusion cuisine with a laid-back, downtime vibe. The crispy tofu appetizer is heavenly.
101 locals recommend
The Union
219 Union St
101 locals recommend
Delicious asian fusion cuisine with a laid-back, downtime vibe. The crispy tofu appetizer is heavenly.
Amazing West Coast/Japanese fusion food. The drinks are unique, food is unlike anything else you'll get in Vancouver, and the serving staff also make great recommendations. Make a reservation, if possible.
31 locals recommend
Torafuku
958 Main St
31 locals recommend
Amazing West Coast/Japanese fusion food. The drinks are unique, food is unlike anything else you'll get in Vancouver, and the serving staff also make great recommendations. Make a reservation, if possible.
Upscale, modern dim sum. This is a favourite of Blake Lively, when she is in Vancouver.
250 locals recommend
Bao Bei
163 Keefer St
250 locals recommend
Upscale, modern dim sum. This is a favourite of Blake Lively, when she is in Vancouver.
Great food but also has a great bar, if you are looking for after-dinner drinks somewhere. The atmosphere is effortless.
29 locals recommend
Juniper Restaurant & Bar
185 Keefer St
29 locals recommend
Great food but also has a great bar, if you are looking for after-dinner drinks somewhere. The atmosphere is effortless.
If you want to eat an incredible salad, come here! They don't have it on the menu anymore but you can still request it: The Caprese Salad. I like to substitute the croutons for squash chips and add either crispy bacon or chicken breast (sometimes both).
32 locals recommend
Railtown Cafe
397 Railway St
32 locals recommend
If you want to eat an incredible salad, come here! They don't have it on the menu anymore but you can still request it: The Caprese Salad. I like to substitute the croutons for squash chips and add either crispy bacon or chicken breast (sometimes both).
This place has the world's best avocado toast on homemade sourdough bread; don't forget to get poached eggs on top. The street it's on seems sketchier than it is, I would suggest walking down Pender and turning right on Carrall to get there. Vancouverites know to avoid Hastings Street, not because its dangerous but just because the degree of homelessness makes people uncomfortable.
65 locals recommend
Nelson the Seagull
315 Carrall St
65 locals recommend
This place has the world's best avocado toast on homemade sourdough bread; don't forget to get poached eggs on top. The street it's on seems sketchier than it is, I would suggest walking down Pender and turning right on Carrall to get there. Vancouverites know to avoid Hastings Street, not because its dangerous but just because the degree of homelessness makes people uncomfortable.
Right across the street from Nelson the Seagull, this is my absolute favourite restaurant in Vancouver. Make a reservation if you can but it's not necessary on weeknights. If you like duck, the portion is huge, reasonably priced, and so delicious. The pork belly bowl is also a must. And I love the shishito peppers appetizer. All cocktails are delicious too.
46 locals recommend
Pidgin Restaurant
350 Carrall St
46 locals recommend
Right across the street from Nelson the Seagull, this is my absolute favourite restaurant in Vancouver. Make a reservation if you can but it's not necessary on weeknights. If you like duck, the portion is huge, reasonably priced, and so delicious. The pork belly bowl is also a must. And I love the shishito peppers appetizer. All cocktails are delicious too.
Vancouverites love ice cream anytime of the year. Seriously, you will find a line here even in the middle of December. Their flavours use all natural ingredients and are adjusted seasonally. The Matcha Green Tea, Whisky Hazelnut, and Cookies & Cream are serious winners.
353 locals recommend
Earnest Ice Cream
3992 Fraser St
353 locals recommend
Vancouverites love ice cream anytime of the year. Seriously, you will find a line here even in the middle of December. Their flavours use all natural ingredients and are adjusted seasonally. The Matcha Green Tea, Whisky Hazelnut, and Cookies & Cream are serious winners.
Soft serve in interesting Asian-inspired flavours, made natural ingredients and healthy toppings. Always a light, enjoyable after-dinner treat.
6 locals recommend
UYU Ice Cream
433 Abbott St
6 locals recommend
Soft serve in interesting Asian-inspired flavours, made natural ingredients and healthy toppings. Always a light, enjoyable after-dinner treat.
Dessert only restaurant. Order champagne or a delicious cocktail for something special, but really you just need to share 2-3 desserts and you'll be in heaven.
11 locals recommend
Mosquito
32 Water St
11 locals recommend
Dessert only restaurant. Order champagne or a delicious cocktail for something special, but really you just need to share 2-3 desserts and you'll be in heaven.
Favourite brunch spot, especially because you can make reservations. Make sure to save room for a Belgian waffle with toppings as a dessert, it's small but oh-so-sweet.
371 locals recommend
Chambar Restaurant
568 Beatty Street
371 locals recommend
Favourite brunch spot, especially because you can make reservations. Make sure to save room for a Belgian waffle with toppings as a dessert, it's small but oh-so-sweet.
Fast-casual, delicious sushi-bowl style food that marries Hawaiian poke with West Coast Canadian cuisine. It's new too!
22 locals recommend
Pacific Poke
625 Main St
22 locals recommend
Fast-casual, delicious sushi-bowl style food that marries Hawaiian poke with West Coast Canadian cuisine. It's new too!
Vegan gelato that tastes like the real thing and made from coconut, hemp, and cashew butter. They have so many interesting flavours: drunken cherry, black sesame, lemongrass kafir, saffron orange, dark chocolate truffle, and salted caramel- to name a few.
13 locals recommend
Umaluma
235 E Pender St
13 locals recommend
Vegan gelato that tastes like the real thing and made from coconut, hemp, and cashew butter. They have so many interesting flavours: drunken cherry, black sesame, lemongrass kafir, saffron orange, dark chocolate truffle, and salted caramel- to name a few.

Drinks & Nightlife

Probably Vancouver's best cocktails are served here. Upscale, cool environment and the building above it is often used in movies shot in Vancouver.
250 locals recommend
The Keefer Bar
135 Keefer St
250 locals recommend
Probably Vancouver's best cocktails are served here. Upscale, cool environment and the building above it is often used in movies shot in Vancouver.

Entertainment & Activities

Cool exhibits and after-dark adult only nights one a month.
837 locals recommend
Science World at TELUS World of Science
1455 Quebec St
837 locals recommend
Cool exhibits and after-dark adult only nights one a month.
Catch a movie on the top floor of this mall.
113 locals recommend
Cineplex Odeon- International Village Cinemas
88 W Pender St
113 locals recommend
Catch a movie on the top floor of this mall.
I love coming to Improv nights here. They're always fun and tickets include a drink from the bar.
25 locals recommend
Vancouver TheatreSports™
1502 Duranleau St
25 locals recommend
I love coming to Improv nights here. They're always fun and tickets include a drink from the bar.

Parks & Nature

Big, beautiful park in the middle of Downtown Vancouver. Rent a bike or rollerblades and tour the perimeter using the Seawall, which follows the water. Breathtaking views.
2658 locals recommend
Stanley Park
610 Pipeline Rd
2658 locals recommend
Big, beautiful park in the middle of Downtown Vancouver. Rent a bike or rollerblades and tour the perimeter using the Seawall, which follows the water. Breathtaking views.
If you want a great workout. Try doing doing this uphill climb up Grouse Mountain. It essentially follows the path (and trajectory) of the gondola. If you can do it under an hour, you're in good shape!
233 locals recommend
Grouse Grind Trail
6400 Nancy Greene Way
233 locals recommend
If you want a great workout. Try doing doing this uphill climb up Grouse Mountain. It essentially follows the path (and trajectory) of the gondola. If you can do it under an hour, you're in good shape!

Essentials

Great, authentic Chinatown boxing classes. Think proper gloves, wraps, bags, and lots of sweat.
Eastside Boxing Club
238 Keefer St
Great, authentic Chinatown boxing classes. Think proper gloves, wraps, bags, and lots of sweat.
Favourite indoor spin studio in Vancouver. Try Ashley or Julie if you're looking for a challenging ride.
10 locals recommend
Ride Cycle Club
881 Hamilton St
10 locals recommend
Favourite indoor spin studio in Vancouver. Try Ashley or Julie if you're looking for a challenging ride.
Great group fitness classes, also outdoor run club and other cool fitness-related events that they host here.
6 locals recommend
Tight Club Athletics
261 Union St
6 locals recommend
Great group fitness classes, also outdoor run club and other cool fitness-related events that they host here.