This is not intended as an exhaustive list. It is indented as simple guide for those visiting or new to Vancouver. If you love a well-curated, edited, interior design-focus lifestyle, you might love these places too. These are all shops and restaurants that my husband and I frequent regularly and get a warm and fuzzy feeling every time we dine there or make a purchase. I hope you enjoy them too!
Where to Shop - Home
We are located in a leafy neighbourhood on Vancouver's westside. Not many hotels in the area but there are some fabulous beaches, Pacific Spirit Park and the University of British Columbia.
This stop is a must visit for the gardener. It might be torture if you're travelling and can't bring lots of plants home with you, but it is still worth a visit. It is a gardeners paradise filled with plants and greenhouses, intermixed with gorgeous antique garden decor. In the summer months there are cut flowers from one of the owner's garden. Around the holidays in December it is also worth a visit for gifts and seasonal decor. A Vancouver gem that's been in business for decades.
Gorgeous collection of Japanese goods and crafts focusing on three core elements: 衣(dress), 食(eat), 住(dwell).
European and Japanese brands. Handmade crafts, pottery, clothing, books and more.
A lifestyle brand, blending an array of home accessories from around the globe. An unexpected yet thoughtful selection of products. Colour lovers rejoice!
While this was originally a cafe with tasty eats, it is now a lifestyle shop with one of the nicest curated collection of smaller homewares in Vancouver, like pottery from local artisans and more. A two-stop shop!
A small shop located in east Vancouver, born from a love of interior decor, environmental awareness, and promotion of predominantly female-led small businesses across the globe.
Others to note: Provide, Bacci's, Cadine, The Cross, Davinci's (West Van), At Home (North Van), The Stylewell (North Van)
Where to Shop - Fashion
Shopping at its most stylish. A small boutique on the Westside stocked with fashion-forward brands & friendly and helpful staff.
Luxury boutique carrying an exquisite collection of women’s clothing and accessories. Established in 1985 and situated in the South Granville neighbourhood.
A charming boutique in the stylish South Granville neighbourhood. Designer brands with a causal vibe.
Bacci's sells the latest in designer women's clothing, accessories and handmade homewares. Located in the South Granville neighbourhood.
A women's fashion boutique offering a curated selection of clothing, accessories and jewellery. Located in Kitsilano.
Best shoe store in town. Their clothing shop is right next door. Located in Kitsilano.
An clean, conscious, independent beauty shop filled with like-minded brands. Located on Vancouver's East Side on Main Street.
Where to Dine
If you are visiting Vancouver and staying at a hotel, I am sorry to say that the best restaurants are mostly out of the downtown core. Worth the $20-$30 cab ride for better flavour and wines.
Brunch / Lunch
Cafe Medina - Downtown, gets very busy
Jam Cafe - Kits, a brunch institution, gets very busy, huge portions
Sophie's Cosmic Cafe - Kits, a Vancouver brunch classic
Aphrodite's Cafe - West Side/Kits
Homer Street Cafe -Downtown
Aphrodite's Cafe - West Side/Kits, great for brunch too
Tacofino - Various locations, fast lunch
Batard Bakery - East Side/Fraser Street
Mon Pitou - West Side/South Granville, great for brunch or coffee stop too
Dinner
Vancouver is full of fabulous eateries, here are some of our favourites. Most are Italian, French or seafood focus as that is what we like! However, I must mention that Vancouver has an exceptional worldly food scene with tons of cuisines.
Pepinos & La Tana - East Side/Commercial Dr
Le Faux Bourgeois - East Side/Fraser St
Oddfish - Kits
Chambar - Downtown
Nook - Various locations
L'ufficio - West Side/Kits
Grapes & Soda - South Granville
The Stable House - South Granville
Blue Water Cafe - Downtown
Home Street Cafe - Downtown
Savio Volpe - East Side/Fraser St
Drinks
Coffee & Lunch
There are so many amazing coffee shops in Vancouver it will not be hard to find a great one in almost any neighbourhood in town. My favourites are usually smaller independents that put a lot of love and soul into their craft. The ones listed here are only a few and conveniently not too far from us!
Little Umbrella - West Side/Point Grey
Bigsby - West Side/Dunbar, check hours before going, they often sell out of bread, great for lunch too
Buttery Bakery - West Side, very pretty with lots of decadent sweets
Livia - East Side/Commercial Drive, great for brunch or dinner too
Le Marche St George - East Side
Prado Cafe - various locations areound town
Where to Stay
I'm still looking for a boutique hotel that I would want to stay at in my home town so if you stay anywhere that really impressed you, let me know! Nearly all hotels are downtown. Some boutique hotels to note are The Wedgewood Hotel, The Opus Hotel and L'Hermitage.
Where to Spa
Bioetheque - Kits, very small, chemical-free products
Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Pacific Rim - Downtown, big hotel
Where to Buy Flowers
Where to Buy Groceries
We cook a lot at home (and I should say Marc cooks at lot at home) and these are our favourites on the Westside for fresh, tasty food to prepare/eat at home. If you are fortunate enough to be visiting Vancouver and get time to cook at home. Here are some wonderful food suppliers.
Located in Point Grey Village, this is our favourite fishmonger in town; however, you can find excellent fresh fish at Granville Island Market - we specifically like Longliner.
Quality fine meats. Located on Granville Island. The lamb popsicles and skewers make excellent easy meals. Located in the market on Granville Island.
Creating fresh sausages and pates, cured salamis and hams for people who understand that food does not need to be complicated. There are many great things to note from Oyama, including breakfast sausages, turkey breast for sandwiches, sausage verde and cheeses. Located in the market on Granville Island.
Fresh pasta, olives, and other Italian favourites. They also make a really good taziki dip. Located in the market on Granville Island.
Best cheese shops in town. Two locations. One in Kitsilano and the other in East Vancouver.
This is a restaurant that I love and recommend for a cozy old world Italian atmosphere with excellent pastas, but there also is a small deli section with fresh pastas, etc. to go. Not a big selection but very tasty.
The name says it all, a family owned and operated cheese shop, located in the market on Granville Island.
Produce
Top Ten Produce: Nothing fancy, just a year round place for fresh fruit and veg. Located in Kitsilano and Point Grey.
VanMarkets: Vancouver's farmer's markets. Most are seasonal but some are year round. Check the website for schedule and locations.
Bread
Fife Bakery - East Side/Main St
Bigsby the Bakehouse - West Side/Dunbar
Beyond Bread - West Side/Kits
Batard - East Side/Fraser St
Doughgirls - UBC
What to do by Season
Winter
Wine Festival - we like the smaller events and various participating restaurants, book tickets in advance
The Wedgewood Hotel - visit their piano bar for live jazz and mini burgers, especially lovely during the holiday season
Spring
Cherry Blossoms - various locations around the city, like Cypress & W 2nd Ave in Kitsilano. Check out Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival's for official events and @cherryblossommadness for un-official laughs.
Summer
Dinner en Blanc
Sunsets at Kits beach
Fall
VIFF
North Shore Cultural Crawl
AD Film Festival
Home for the Holidays
Eastside Cultural Crawl
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