Vancouver Dining

My Favourite Place…

The Teahouse

It is perfect for a cake and coffee in the afternoon, brunch (the waffles and lobster eggs benedict are really tasty) or a drink at sunset. The place is quite busy, so I would recommend to book in advance or if you prepare to walk-in, I would go in the afternoon. (@ Stanley Park, 7501 Stanley Park Dr)

Opposite of the restaurant there is a great spot for taking pictures of the beaches with the mountains and Western Vancouver in the back.

Dinner & Drinks in Downtown

Coast

Really cool place for after work-drinks or dinner. The Sushi Platter for 2 was amazing, so were their drinks, especially the cocktails. (1054 Alberni St)

Brunch

Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House

Come here for a late brunch on weekends or for lunch and try the Crisp Calamari with chilli and sun-dried tomato aioli or the fish and chips. (I loooved the chips!) (777 Thurlow St)

International Cuisine

Cazba Restaurant

Best Persian Food in town. I highly recommend the Chelo Kebab Koobideh. Their portions are huge, so make sure you are very hungry or share. (1103 Davie St (at Thurlow))

Guu Garden

Really nice little Izakaya in Downtown with a roof terrace. Try the Tempura Prawns and Miso Calamari. (M101-888 Nelson Street)

Cafés & Patisseries

The Gallery Café

I love this place. During my stay in Vancouver I came by nearly every day. It’s a great place to chill out on the terrace and do some people watching or read a book. The coffee is good and also the food is is supposed to be amazing – they have a big selection of salads, sandwiches and quiches and other weekly specials. But every time I went there, I only focused on the pastries 🙂 (e.g. the gluten free brownie). (@ Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby St) 

Thierry Chocolaterie Patisserie Cafe

Amazing coffee! Amazing pastries and pralines! Their pain au chocolat is the best in town. I also fell in love with their framboise-pralinés. If you need a little gift for someone, they have very nice praline-boxes or specials such as madelaines in chocalte-cover. (1059 Alberni St)

Bel Café

Inside the famous Hotel Georgia, there is a cute little coffee place with one of the best coffees and pastries in town: try the strawberry and lime dessert! It’s quite popular especially during lunchtime, so it’s better to go a bit later in the afternoon. Check out the reception hall of the Hotel Georgia (to read more about this, read my post ‘Vancouver Art Walk’). (Rosewood Hotel Georgia, 801 W Georgia St)

Stuart’s Bakery

It’s worth going to the Granville Island Public Market just for Stuart’s Bakery. The Double Chocolate Cooke and Apple Hamantaschen blew my mind – and that being said by an Austrian! Also, they have Austrian ‘Linz Cookies’! (1689 Johnston St (Granville Island Public Market))

Ice Cream

Bella Gelateria

Be prepared for a long queue, but it’s definitely worth it. Bella Gelateria’s owner won gelato competitions in Italy against the best gelato makers – for a reason. This is one of the best chocolate ice creams I’ve ever had. (1001 W Cordova St)

Casa Dolce Gelato

Another great ice cream shop – I recommend bounty or strawberry flavour – and nice view of Coal Harbour. (510 Nicola St)

Food Trucks

Vancouver is well-known for its great variety of food trucks. The locals exactly know the schedule of their favourite trucks coming near their office. Here are the ones I enjoyed most:

Japadog

(Source: Japadog Food Truck @ Burrard St)

Vancouverites say if you’ve haven’t had a Japadog while you’re in Vancouver, you haven’t been to Vancouver. Japadog is a hot dog with Japanese toppings, such as seaweed and special sauces. You can choose from a selection of sausages. The founder of Japadog invented his special hot dogs because when he started the business, the city of Vancouver only gave licenses for food trucks selling a certain type of food. As his plan of starting a crepes food truck didn’t work out, he came up with this innovative idea. Japadog is world famous and there are times when people line up for 3 hours to have their Japadog. The original one is at the crossing of Burrard and Smithe Street and ususally there is no or only a short queue.

Soho Road Naan Kebap

One of the best food trucks in Vancouver. Their butter chicken is amazing and they make fresh naan bread inside their truck.

Tacofina

Delicious tacos and burritos – I highly recommend the fish taco. Try their chocolate diablo cookies!