Mullaly, Iva Zima
Angus An, Maenam; Patrick Barron, Telus; Victoria Emslie, Nicola Wealth; Peter Jackman, Terminal City Club; Carol Lee, Vancouver Chinatown Foundation; Carol Liao, UBC Peter Allard School of Law; Matt McClenaghan, Edgar Developments; Jennifer Murtagh, Maturn; Gary Pooni, Pooni Group; Greg Zayadi, Rennie Group
Conroy Ing, CPA,
Sonia Roxburgh, CPA, CGA Terri Mason, Eileen Gajowski
OUT TO BRUNCH
Find your best-bet bennies and waffles at these hot spots.
CAFFEINATION STATIONS
The cutest cafés for sourcing your morning caffeine fix.
10 DISHES TO TRY NEXT
Seek out these special dishes and drinks from Vancouver hot spots.
WINNING ROOMS
These winning rooms are regulars on Vanmag’s annual Restaurant Awards list.
EAT LIKE A CHEF
We asked Vancouver’s top chefs and restaurateurs to share where they love to grab a bite after work.
GRUB GOALS FOR GAME DAY
The best sports bars for catching the game on the big screen.
OH, OMAKASE
An omakase boom has hit Vancouver—here’s where to let the chefs take the wheel.
RAISE YOUR GLASS
Feeling thirsty? We’ve got you covered with a list of hot spots for cocktails, beers, wine and mocktails, too.
THE SHOPPING BUCKET LIST
Vancouver’s best shopping spots, ’hood by ’hood
MEET YOUR MAKERS
The folks crafting and creating special pieces right here in the city.
SOUVENIRS THEY’LL ACTUALLY LOVE
Made-in-Vancouver goods that bring the flavour of the city home.
THE KICK-OFF
When the world arrives in Vancouver, this is your guide to experiencing everything, from match day to city play.
THE ULTIMATE VANCOUVER TO-DO LIST
Dozens of experiences that go beyond the Grouse Grind.
BEST DAY EVER
A trio of Vancouverites share their itineraries for the perfect day.
SPA DAY!
Serenity is just a spa treatment away: these are your best bets.
LET’S GO OUT
Ready to hit the town? Comedy, karaoke, drag shows and more.
READY, SET, GOAL
A team-by-team local sports breakdown by stadium, rival, top snacks and crowd chants.
DAY TRIPPIN’
Ready to get out of town? These local getaways are the ideal escape.
One Last Thing
BOTTLE SERVICE
Toast your time in Vancouver with a glass of world-class B.C. wine.
World Cup is here! Fütball fever has officially taken over the city, and this edition of CityGuide, too: see page 67 for our official Host City World Cup guide, as well as nods to the beautiful game throughout the issue. I’m not going to be too offended that I haven’t been invited to play in the tournament myself, despite the fact that I’ve been the proud captain of a co-ed beer-league soccer team with a record-breaking number of goals-against for more than a decade. Instead, I’m going to be grateful to have that extra time for a different sport: bon vivant-ing.
To be a bon vivant is to be someone who embraces the good things in life. As editor-in-chief of Vancouver magazine, I know that our fine city is the perfect place to do just that. Our editorial team makes it a mission year-round to seek out delicious meals, inspiring shopping, interesting people and essential events, and so my schedule is jam-packed with fun, whether the World Cup is on or not. What I’m saying is: Team Canada, I’m actually too busy to sub in for Alphonso Davies, anyway.
One thing I can always make time for, however, is sharing our finds and faves with our readers. Whether you’ve got tickets to the games or not, whether you live here or are just in town for the trip of a lifetime, CityGuide is your playbook to making the most of every minute of your time in Vancouver. Want to start the day with a coffee? We’ll point you to the city’s coolest cafés on page 16. Ready to bop around and shop? Our favourite design and fashion destinations start on page 50. Hungry? Find all-star rooms from our annual Restaurant Awards on page 22. Looking for the perfect spot to watch the big game? Page 39 is where you’ll find the best sports bars for World Cup watch parties. While elite soccer players have their schedules packed with match after match this summer, you’re free to eat, drink and play, guided by insider recommendations from the editors of Vanmag every step of the way—the MVP treatment you deserve. Score.
STACEY MCLACHLAN
editor - in - chief smclachlan
@ canadawide com | @ stacey mclachlan
j
Kits Beach
A former seaside concession stand has been converted into Kitsilano’s buzziest outdoor bar. There’s usually live music, too, to accompany the ocean views and ice-cold craft beers. batchvancouver.com
306 W Cordova St.
The Vancouver-based company started off making bathing suits to flatter a wide range of sizes and shapes, but now stocks all sorts of hip, locally crafted apparel: super-soft A-line dresses, baggy overalls, colourful chore coats and more. nettlestale.com
j
1596 Johnston St.
There are tons of spots to grab a coffee on Granville Island, but my fave is El Cafecito, the colourful Latin café attached to Alimentaria Mexicana (which is also worth a visit if you’re in more of a margarita mood). The horchatte is my go-to-treat, made with espresso and cinnamon-y horchata. Get a bean-and-cheese breakfast burrito with spicy salsa while you’re at it. alimentariamexicana.com
For best results on a big day of Vancouver exploration, it’s important to get the lay of the land. Map out your dream day, neighbourhood by neighbourhood. illustration by edward fu-chen juan
MEMORABLE MEALS
Hungry? Good. We’re overflowing with recommendations for breakfast, lunch, dinner and beyond—hip coffee shops, must-try cocktail bars and dishes to track down as you’re exploring the city’s best neighbourhoods. Eating your way through a city has never been easier (or more fun).
ESSENTIAL EATS, ACCLAIMED RESTAURANTS, BEST BARS & MORE
STACKS ON STACKS
Whatever flavour pancakes are available at Hunnybee Bruncheonette, get ‘em: it’s a surefire way to start your day off right.
Sweet or savoury? These five Vancouver brunch spots are ready to serve.
By Alyssa Hirose
780 Richards St.
Brunch Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In the heart of downtown is the buzzy, eclectic Medina, where the waffles are thick and brunch is the single focus. Unique menu standouts include breakfast paella, fricassée (a French stew), smoked salmon and the “Wolves Breakfast” (six meats, including flatiron steak, make this a true carnivore’s feast). Yes, you can get a salted caramel-topped Liègestyle waffle to share, but order it quick—they make a limited quantity each day. medinacafe.com
789 Gore Ave.
Brunch Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
This Chinatown restaurant’s menu is small (only eight items) but mighty. The ricotta pancakes topped with blueberry jam and cultured cream are the perfect syrupy start to a morning. The hash benedict has a spicy curried ketchup that adds a kick to the classic poached eggs and hollandaise. And psst: Wednesday to Saturday, you can come back for more—this same spot transforms into no-frills Italian restaurant
Thank You Pizza at 5 p.m. hunnybee.ca
1177 Marinaside Cres.
Brunch Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
For a more upscale brunch experience, there’s Yaletown’s Provence Marinaside. This gorgeous French spot has a patio that faces False Creek, so you can soak up the sun while soaking up a champagne mimosa flight (choose your own juices to pair with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot). The menu is a mix of indulgent breakfasts like lobster omelettes and Belgian waffles as well as lunch-leaning dishes like linguini Bolognese. provencemarinaside.ca
2649 W Broadway
Brunch Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Inside and out, this restaurant is all nostalgia: life-sized statues of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis greet diners at the door, and the interior is splashed with vintage decor like old VWs, jukeboxes and Coca-Cola ads. The TV sets have Looney Tunes on repeat. Sunshine Diner is known for eggs benny (there’s smoked salmon, crispy chicken and a variety of veggie options) but the most ravenous brunchers know to get the pulled pork mac and cheese—it’s topped with poached
eggs so it totally counts as breakfast. @sunshinedinervan
3888 Main St.
Brunch Hours: Monday to Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. If How do I feed a hungry, hungover crowd? is the question, Sun Sui Wah is the answer. This local favourite has been around for nearly 40 years (it was one of the first Cantonese spots in the city).
Tables seat 10 easily, and speedy, no-fuss servers roll out piles of shrimp dumplings, pork wontons, hot and sour soup, egg tarts, noodles and more. It’s all about variety, family-style dining and trying not to knock things over with the lazy Susan. sunsuiwahvancouver.ca
Start your day with a kick at one of Vancouver’s many (many) top-notch coffee shops. By Alyssa Hirose and Katie Nanton
311 W Cordova St. and 551 McLean Dr.
Both locations of Timbertrain are a unique aesthetic experience: the Gastown café is in a gorgeous heritage building with seats made from a train carriage; the east side depot is all industrial and offers tours and classes along with excellent brews. The fruit-forward Caliber and dark chocolatey Hazelnut are bestselling beans. timbertraincoffeeroasters.com
2296 W 4th Ave.
This Kitsilano spot is almost always busy: count on morning commuters grabbing their daily Americanos, cute coffee dates splitting apple cruffins and usually a couple of long-haired wiener dogs begging for crumbs on the patio. It’s open all day, serving full lunch and dinner (double cheeseburger, anyone?) in addition to the coffee bar offerings. provisionscafe.com
2565 Alma St. and 2088 Commercial Dr.
City bylaws state that it is illegal to go to Grounds without ordering a cinnamon bun (don’t fact-check that). Their soft, gooey and raisinfree fresh-baked sweet treats are a Vancouver favourite, and pair excellently with a cinnamon latte, cappuccino or caramel apple cider. Bring your own reusable cup for a discount. groundsforcoffee.ca
4 MAH MILK BAR
1502 Victoria Dr.
Tucked away just east of buzzy
Commercial Drive is Mah Milk Bar, a cozy café that doubles as a neighbourhood grocery store. It offers all the coffee classics (espresso, piccolo, cortado) as well as matcha and hojicha lattes, which are just as delicious as they are photogenic. Stop for your morning beverage and grab some sourdough, chili oils or specialty chocolate for later. mahmilkbar.com
5 HONOLULU COFFEE
Various locations
The aloha spirit, right here in Van. Honolulu Coffee’s beans come from their own Kona coffee farm, which is nestled on the lush Big Island of Hawaii next to the Mauna Loa volcano—so if you’re looking for a sip that transports you to
sunnier skies, this is it. Their cafés embrace an aloha aesthetic and menus include bright acai bowls and hefty focaccia sandwiches. honolulucoffeeyvr.com
ARTIGIANO
Various locations
The coffee at this homegrown chain may be roasted locally with organic beans, but the vibe is pure European café culture—it’s a linger-all-day kinda spot, with emphasis on slowing down to savour both the drinks and the conversation. Leaning into the Italian spirit, Artigiano is even screening World Cup games and selling merch to support local Canadian Premier League soccer clubs. caffeartigiano.com
3485 Fraser St.
Take a seat in Mishmish’s light, airy Fraserhood space with hanging greenery overhead to sip a nutty, foamy sesame-vanilla halva latte crafted with beans from local micro-roaster Modus. mishmish.ca
1508 Nanaimo St.
All espresso-based drinks at this hip vegan café are served with plant-based soy, almond or oat milk (at no extra cost, of course) and the café is kid-friendly with a toddler play area, complete with books and tiny chairs, and a playground two blocks away to run off the sugar rush. tolivefor.ca
325 Cambie St.
This shoebox-sized café serves up both traditional and ultra-experimental coffee (espresso tonic, anyone?) from world-class roasters near and far, across North America, Europe and Japan. revolvercoffee.ca
3720 Oak St. and 1927 W 4th Ave.
Go for a strawberry matcha, cardamom bun or seasonal delight like the matcha-hojicha affogato with locally made Rain or Shine roasted strawberry ice cream. cowdog.coffee
555 Great Northern Way
Though Nemesis also has a location in Gastown (and others in North Van and Surrey), you can’t miss this cafe’s architecturally stunning GNW location beside Emily Carr University of Art and Design: it looks like a huge, red-tiled flower and is even more striking once you step inside. nemesis.coffee
ELEM, 2110 Main St.
Adorned with crispy puffed buckwheat and pickled radishes hand cut into flowers, the marbled lamb skewers ($38) at Elem are too pretty to eat— almost. Created with cured lamb belly, they are confit for 16 hours before being pressed overnight and subtly lacquered with a sticky sweet medjool date glaze. There’s a good reason that chef Vish Mayekar’s inspired dish, served atop a bed of zesty ginger labneh, has become a must-try at the award-winning eatery. elemvancouver.com
2. 4. 3. 5.
ODDFISH, 1889 W 1st Ave.
Any seafood resto’s going to have a ceviche somewhere on the menu—but none quite like Oddfish’s snapper ceviche ($26). Some sort of magic is at play with the Peruvian-inspired marinade (leche de tigre): somehow bright, spicy and creamy and infusing fresh snapper and side-stripe shrimp (and sweet potatoes—gotta get that veg) with a citrusy heat that’s second to none. oddfishrestaurant.com
PASTA FOR RACHEL
JUNE, 3305 Cambie St.
It’s viral for a reason. Not only does June’s signature rectangular ravioli sheet—Pasta for Rachel ($40), named after chef Connor Sperling’s wife—beg for Instagram documentation, it also hits all the carb-tastic comfort-food notes you crave from a pasta dish. Each little pocket is packed with Comté cheese and black pepper; the pasta perfectly tender, the dollop of Normandy butter on top the indulgent finishing touch. juneoncambie.com
MERCATO DI LUIGI, 580 E 12th Ave.
From the powerhouse behind Italian restaurant Ask for Luigi comes Mercato di Luigi—and the Carolina Street location serves up coffee, fresh pasta and a breakfast sandwich ($10)—the last a balance of buttery and crunchy, containing fluffy scrambled eggs, fresh prosciutto cotto, caciocavallo cheese, arugula, pesto and mayo, all stacked between a crispy cornetto (or croissant, if you’re French). Bring out the napkins because you’ll be licking your fingers when you’re done with this one. mercatodiluigi.com
6.
SEARED CABBAGE
PIZZA COMING SOON, 179 E Pender St.
We’re not afraid to admit that we love all things cabbage, but it’s not often the star of the show at our local restaurants. But at Pizza Coming Soon, the seared cabbage ($17) gets its rightful due. The lacto-fermented cruciferous beauty is perfectly seared and plated with a miso cashew crema so excellently umami you’ll want it on all the things, while the bright yuzu kosho vinaigrette keeps it all from feeling too rich or heavy. It’s a dish even the cabbage-averse set would be hard pressed to turn down. pizzacomingsoon.com
8.
MANTU DUMPLINGS
ZARAK, 2102 Main St.
Zarak’s hand-wrapped mantu dumplings ($22) have become a favourite comfort food. Stuffed with cumin-spiced beef, they’re served with lentils, Afghan char masala (the signature spice blend of owner Hassib Sarwari’s mom) and homemade chaka, a garlic-infused yogurt. Sarwari promises they pass the “Afghan Test” with his mom and grandmother, with guests (like us) raving that they are the best dumplings they’ve ever had. zarakvancouver.com
RAIN OR SHINE, multiple locations
Rain or Shine is an ice cream institution in Vancouver at this point—and one that never fails to churn out unique, flavourful scoops. But we can’t deny that the classic malted milk chocolate ($4.50 for a single), packed with homemade honeycomb, has a soft spot in our hearts. (It’s indeed a “keeper,” as the menu says.) With a sweet milk-chocolatey base, just the right amount of honey drizzle and a satisfying malt crunch, this iconic ice cream is an absolute crowd pleaser. rainorshineicecream.com
7. 9.
MUSSELS AND NDUJA
DEAR GUS, 2040 Quebec St.
Mount Pleasant’s 513-square-foot snack bar Dear Gus is proof that good things come in small packages. Plus, if you cozy up to the marble bar, you can watch (or stare longingly) as the best plate of mussels ($30) in the city is prepared by chef Jorge Tuane. The bivalves arrive suspended in a hearty tomato-saffron broth enriched with spicy nduja that makes the dish more than just snackable; hell, when scooped up with the made-daily bread, it’s last-meal-level good. deargus.com
It’s hard to go wrong in a city with hundreds of incredible restaurants to choose from, but if you’re looking for some recommendations, we’re happy to mine our annual Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards (37 years and counting!) for a few standouts.
By the Editors
3475 Main St.
Suyo isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a celebration. Maybe it’s the buzzing energy, the wildly inventive drinks or that first bite of arroz con pato (we swear it’s the best duck in the city). Whatever it is, stepping inside feels like an event, which is why it earned gold this year in its category. It’s the ideal mix of modernity and class, with the neighbourhood vibe of Main Street, and chef Ricardo Valverde’s modern Peruvian menu delivers knockout flavours, from citrus-forward ceviches and delicate tiraditos to a beef tartare–lomo saltado hybrid that just works. And the drinks? These are some of the city’s best cocktails— often with elaborate backstories (and the occasional chicken heart garnish). suyo.ca
FOR GLOBALLY INSPIRED GOURMET DINING
2110 Main St.
Our 2026 Best New Restaurant winner continues to dazzle with a globally inspired menu crafted by chef Vish Mayekar’s penchant for South Asian flavours as well as the team’s cultures and travels. Inspired, skilful cooking is exemplified with dishes like wagyu bavette and a whole grilled fish with adobo and green coconut. Pastas are always unique and delicious—no surprise, given Mayekar’s past experience in the Caffè La Tana kitchen. The design of the restaurant is as meticulous as the food, segmented into areas aesthetically influenced by wood, water and wind. Though bar manager Winnie Sun has recently departed, her impact will no doubt continue to be felt in the innovative cocktail program she spearheaded: the compelling mango rasmalai, for instance, features saffron clarified milk. elemvancouver.com
4298 Fraser St.
The buzzy Céline is sister restaurant to the also-excellent Quebecois room St. Lawrence, and took home gold for Best French at our 2026 Restaurant Awards. The polished-yet-relaxed atmosphere is equally suited to date nights and lingering dinners with friends, and standout dishes include a killer beef tartare. It’s warm, welcoming, generous in flavour and service and features crave-worthy dishes, like the croque monsieur croquettes and a beautiful pork chop. chezcelinerestaurant.com FOR DYNAMIC DIM SUM
108–777 W Broadway
Perennial Restaurant Award
winner Dynasty continues to be a reliable (and extremely delicious)
choice for impressing guests; the grand dining room comfortably hosts family celebrations, business dinners, groups lingering over wine or whisky tastings and joyful dim sum feasts alike. Regulars all have their favourite dishes—some hype up the order-in-advance smoked shredded chicken with sugarcane; others laud the king crab with Yang Zhou fried rice or the black pepper pork pastries—but they all agree that executive chef Cao Can Hui and dim sum head chef Garley Leung are both at the top of their games. dynasty-restaurant.ca
Multiple locations Nook, technically speaking, is a chain, with four locations in
Vancouver proper—but its ability to retain that neighbourhood-favourite feeling even as it executes at scale makes it all the more impressive. The comforting rooms nail rustic Italian in a way many one-off Italian spots struggle to achieve, and perfect cacio e pepe and simply elegant margherita pizza speak to the chain’s ability to consistently deliver excellence. Its housemade pasta is perhaps best spotlighted in the orecchiette with spicy fennel
j GREEK SELENE
360 Penticton St.
The low-lit room with its white-washed walls transports diners to the Mediterranean; the lime leaf chicken and hot-honey-drizzled saganaki delight. seleneagn.com
j SPANISH COMO
201 E 7th Ave.
The octopus is always perfectly tender, the rosemary eggplant is downright addictive and the vermouth menu is unparalleled. comotaperia.com
j KOREAN ZOOMAK
52 Alexander St.
Pair the seafood soup and pork belly ssam with some soju and let the good times roll at this award-winning Gastown spot. zoomakyvr.com
j INDIAN KAVITA
250 W 3rd Ave.
The food here is sublime—fresh whole spices, bright, lively flavours and the use of foraged and hyper-local ingredients give the dishes a profound sense of place. restaurantkavita.com
j MIDDLE EASTERN DELARA
2272 W 4th Ave.
Go for brunch: the Persian breakfast is a delight with fresh carrot jam, crusty sesame bread and a perfectly jammy egg. delararestaurant.ca
j THAI MAENAM
1938 W 4th Ave.
Chef Angus An won Vanmag’s 2025 Chef of the Year award; this elevated Thai spot will show you why, with rich massaman lamb shank curry, crispy rice salad and more. maenam.ca
j FINE DINING
HAWKSWORTH
801 W Georgia St.
High-end ingredients get the star treatment under celebrated chef David Hawksworth’s knife. Hot tip: early-bird diners can score a deal on a three-course meal. hawksworthrestaurant.com
Experience classic French and heartful Québécois cuisine at Michelin-starred St. Lawrence in Vancouver’s historic Gastown, or visit our sister bistro Chez Céline nestled in the heart of Fraserhood for Montréal charm and lively casse-croûte fare.
us
sausage and chili, but you can’t go wrong with anything on this tight-yet-crowd-pleasing menu. nookrestaurants.com
615 Kingsway
It’s always a good time at Savio Volpe, where the warm service and ambiance delights just as much as the housemade pasta dishes or rich bagna cauda. The menu changes with the season, but the retro garlic knots, a kale salad invigorated with pangrattato
longtime pho spot a decade back, they brought a fresh perspective to both the menu and the space, with a modern-jungle-cool design and outrageously flavourful dishes that honour their immigrant parents’ legacy with every bite. The sticky fish sauce chicken wings are legendary; the crispy prawn cakes, irresistible. Grab award-winning cocktails at sister spot Good Thief next door afterward. anhandchi.com
On the hunt for a great steakhouse? We’ve got you covered.
j ELISA
1109 Hamilton St.
Pristine cuts meet glossy Yaletown glamour and a wine cellar built to impress your most discerning friend. elisasteak.com
j THE KEG
Various locations
The city’s most reliable redmeat ritual: dim lights, prime rib and that signature Billy Miner pie closing the deal every time. thekeg.com
j RILEY’S
200 Burrard St.
and pecorino and a simple but succulent roast chicken cooked in a wood-fired oven have been standouts. The cocktail list is small and on-point, and the well-curated wine list keeps markups reasonable. Ten years in, the room is still packed nightly—reservations highly recommended. saviovolpe.com
3330 Main St.
3388 Main St.
When siblings Amelie and Vincent Nguyen took over their parents’
Chef Hilary Nguy’s expert execution on sushi and sashimi earned his Main Street boîte, Sushi Hil, gold for Best Japanese this year, with delightful takes like Hokkaido scallop steamed in sake butter. But he’s no slouch when it comes to the cornerstones of the cuisine: beautifully selected and cut sashimi embellished with just the right lifts of spiced vinegars and fresh herbs that highlight the inherent sweet cleanness of top-notch seafood. No wonder it’s a favourite spot for fellow chefs. sushihil.com
A downtown power-dining perch that pairs classic chops with West Coast polish—think business by day, martinis and oysters by night. rileysrestaurant.ca
j BLACK AND BLUE
1032 Alberni St.
Alberni’s see-and-be-seen steakhouse spectacle; here, dry-aged beef, rooftop cocktails and serious swagger share equal billing. blackandbluesteakhouse.ca
j HY’S
637 Hornby St.
This is old-school decadence done right, with the kind of clubby warmth that never goes out of style. Caesar salads and cheese toast on the side, please. hyssteakhouse.com
1809 W 1st Ave.
Chef Mike Robbins creates unique tasting menus seasonally, so the only real constant (beside the resto’s iconic torn bread) is AnnaLena’s adherence to local fare plus the occasional curveball ingredient—bagel butter being a recent sly addition. But despite it all, this never feels like a “tasting menu” spot. There’s a warmness to the entire operation, and a sense of joy pervades the space. It’s proof that fun and fine dining don’t have to be mutually exclusive. annalena.ca
velvet accents and Moroccan music permeate the environment. Secondary only to the food is the theatrics and entertainment you’ll find at the African restaurant: with live flambéed dishes brought straight to your table and belly dancing on the weekends. moltaqarestaurant.ca
1002 Mainland St.
From the Moroccan classic chicken pastilla that features a “crackling crisp house-made phyllo pastry” to the slow-cooked lamb tagine enhanced with stickysweet apricots to the made-inhouse merguez braised in an electric harissa, each dish here is an exercise in both complexity and restraint. The restaurant’s decor and ambiance greatly reflect Moroccan culture—silver and brassware with the flame of tealights flicking out; patterned, geometric Moroccan rugs;
217 Carrall St.
The Gastown institution takes French elegance to a new level with West Coast ingredients, continuing to impress with refined, technique-driven dishes in an effortlessly cool setting. Under new executive chef Jasper Cruickshank’s watch, L’Abattoir remains sharply focused on local flavours, brought forward with unerring European technique. The deftly grilled saddle of lamb is richly gamey, and the nuoc cham pork jowl confit has a clean sharpness of herbal heat, balanced against the sweet char of the meat. labattoir.ca
Is a special seafood spot more your speed? Embrace the ocean here.
j COAST
1054 Alberni St.
At Glowbal’s glossy seafood stage on Alberni, towering shellfish platters and buzzyroom energy make every night feel like an occasion. glowbalgroup.com
j OSETRA
410 W Georgia St.
A downtown ode to old-world indulgence, specializing in pristine seafood and caviar service that leans unapologetically luxe. osetravancouver.com
j BLUE WATER CAFE
1095 Hamilton St.
Yaletown’s grande dame of sustainable seafood pairs encyclopedic oyster lists and flawless fish cookery with a wine program that means business. bluewatercafe.ca
j ODDFISH
1889 W 1st Ave.
Kitsilano’s perpetually packed neighbourhood charmer is where small plates and just-off-the-boat seafood keep things delightfully unfussy. oddfishrestaurant.com
j BOULEVARD
845 Burrard St.
The signature dish here is certainly the seafood tower: a gleaming, multi-tiered showcase of impeccably sourced oysters, crab, prawns and more treats from the sea. boulevardvancouver.ca
Want to know where Vancouver restaurateurs dine? Just ask. The city’s culinary insiders are always happy to share their after-shift go-tos, under-the-radar noodle joints and the dishes they can’t live without. By
Katie Nanton
Coffee may well be running through Jess Reno’s veins. The founder and CEO was in his early 20s when he opened up the first Nemesis in Gastown and, since then, he’s grown the beloved brand with the upside-down-heart logo to four locations, and opened a bustling chicken-and-doughnut spot called Bam Bam downtown. When he’s not tackling the intricacies of pastry research, you’re likely to find Reno eating at these YVR spots.
experimental—very gastronomic, Blumenthal-era.” elemvancouver.com
Zarak Afghan Kitchen
2102 Main St.
“The owner’s mom makes this cake that’s a take on tres leches and it’s spectacular. It made me so happy. I wanted to eat, like, 10 of them. I’ve got a massive sweet tooth.” Hot tip: that delicacy, called Mum’s Secret Cake, can also be ordered by the tray for large gatherings. zarakvancouver.com
Elem
2110 Main St.
“I’m a classic negroni guy, and they have this smoked chef’s negroni. When they serve it, they lift a lid up and the smell reminds me of midnight mass in a cathedral,” he says of former beverage director Winnie Sun’s elixir of dark chocolate gin, spent mulberry campari and tomato vine vermouth with applewood and cedar smoke. Reno also loved the inspirational quotes playing over the speakers in Elem’s washroom. “I was like, this is so motivating! It felt
Magari by Oca
1260 Commercial Dr.
“It reminds me of walking around Europe and stumbling into a place. Such a great, intimate room. Every dish, and the team, it’s all so good.” @magari_by_oca
Flourist
3433 Commercial St.
“I always go in for one thing, leave with seven or eight.” Here, Reno’s ordering coffee (“drip or espresso— black, to taste the nuance and complexity”) and a pastry, like the chocolate chip cookie, dusted with salt and made with Valrhona. “The way they’ve set up their retail is so interesting: from dried apricots to cookbooks and salts. Their flour is phenomenal, and they’re doing pizza nights as well.” flourist.com
AnnaLena
1809 W 1st Ave.
“I’m sure everyone says this but, wow, the bread! It’s torn and torched, kind of charcoal-esque, and
served with this whipped, cultured butter. And the team there... Jeff Parr and Mike Robbins. Dynamic duo. Crushing it.” annalena.ca
Earnest Ice Cream Various locations
For a late-night sweet treat, Earnest is his go-to. “I always love their rotating flavours... they had spruce tips once, and that was delicious. And owners Erica and Ben are such awesome humans.” earnesticecream.com
Tom Sushi
1175 Davie St.
Chef Tom Jeon’s West End sushi spot is Reno’s top pick. “I really love the aburi torched stuff, but when it comes to sushi I’m an everything kind of eater—give me all of it.” tomsushi.ca
Sumibiyaki Arashi
363 E Broadway
Chef Pete Ho’s 18-seat omakase experience resto specializing in charcoal-grilled yakitori opens
up resos on the first of each month and is booked up... well, for months. “It’s so good! Pete is one of the greatest people in our food scene. He spent time in Japan doing yakitori and his dream of opening up his own spot has been years in the making,” says Reno. sumibiyakiarashi.com
Wild Blue
4005 Whistler Way
“When I get out of town and want something a little fancy, I go here. Alex Chen and his team are just phenomenal. I still remember the panzanella with fresh tomatoes and focaccia croutons from the first time I ate there.” wildblue restaurant.com
AMELIE THUY NGUYEN
Co-founder, Anh and Chi and Good Thief
Creating connection— that’s what Amelie Thuy Nguyen is all about. The communitybuilding queen is also pretty busy these days running Good Thief, a cocktail-forward Vietnamese concept sharing the block with Anh and Chi, as well as acting as creative director for both restos and championing give-back initiatives whenever she can (Anh and Chi’s “reservation by donation” program has raised $500,000 in the past few years for local charities). Where does she recharge and feast? Read on.
The Juice Truck
Various locations
“When I’m feeling like I need a quick health kick, I’ll go down and grab a Bestie bowl at Juice Truck’s 5th Avenue location. It has coconut, peanut butter, strawberries, granola... It’s quick, healthy and I love the family and the team, and what they do for the vegan community.” thejuicetruck.ca
Dynasty Seafood Restaurant
108–777 W Broadway
“If I have lunch, it’s usually with my mom, and she always loves something Asian—Dynasty is one of our dim sum staples. So consistent, so classic.
They have great har gow and their squid tentacles are nice and crispy. They also have a clam congee that my kids and I like, and we always order the pea-tip stir fry with garlic.” dynasty-restaurant.ca
Nammos Estiatorio
3980 Fraser St. For fam-friendly neighbourhood eats, it’s Nammos for Nguyen, all the way. “This is my order: lamb pops, chicken skewers, Greek salad and lemony fish roe dip [taramosalata]. All of it. The owner, Petros, is really nice, the crew is really hospitable and it’s just great.” nammos.ca
Jo’s Italian Deli
2505 Alma St.
“Most of my meals are with my kids, after all, and we all love Jo’s,” says Nguyen of this west-side Italian joint. “It’s so fresh, they make their own pasta, their sauces are good—the rosé is delicious. Jo’s is actually included in my Munchies to Michelin YouTube series that my
best friend and I got a Telus grant to make.” jositaliandeli.com
Zoomak
52 Alexander St. Nguyen goes to Gastown for the “unreal” seafood soup at this modern Korean resto. “It’s probably the best Korean soup I’ve ever tasted, and I also get the pork belly bossam lettuce wraps. They are like little lettuce parcels built with condiments and pork belly—low-carb and so delicious.” zoomakyvr.com
Livia
1399 Commercial Dr. “The. Best. Bread.”
Nguyen heads to this Commercial Drive bakery specifically for the Italian sourdough: “It’s like a lighter, fluffier version of
sourdough. My kids are also obsessed, and I’ll get a few loaves at a time and hand-deliver them to my friends.” (Um, adorable.) liviasweets.com
Sushi Hil
3330 Main St. Chef Hilary Nguy’s award-winning sashimi/ sushi spot, just down the street from Anh and Chi, makes the cut for a celebratory meal. “It’s where I take myself and my kids for a treat, although I
wish I could eat here all the time. Their sashimi and omakase is so very special. Every time I come I order two of the steak tataki because one of my daughters will eat a whole one.” sushihil.com
Nero Waffles
1703 Robson St. and 1002 Seymour St. With both Brussels waffles (soft, chewy, thick) and Liège (light and crispy) on offer, Nguyen considers Nero the sleeper-hit sweet of the city. “I get the Brésilienne—it’s roasted hazelnuts, whipped cream, ice cream and salted caramel on a crispy waffle. Not too sweet, all the textures. There are two locations but I love the hole-in-the-wall one on Robson—I think they’re a little crispier there.” nerowafflebar.com
Consistently rated as one of the top rooftop patios in Vancouver, spend your summer clinking cocktails, enjoying delicious Keg favourites and gazing out on stunning views of the iconic Vancouver skyline. The Yaletown Keg | 1011 Mainland Street Reserve at thekeg.com
KIM TRAN Owner, DD Mau
Fresh, casual Vietnamese may be the cuisine of choice at Kim Tran’s beloved Chinatown restaurant, DD Mau, but when she’s eating her way around the city it gets wonderfully varied. Add some of her picks to your “must-dine” list, then do yourself a favour and pop DD Mau’s fun and tasty DJ nights on there, too.
Nemesis
Various locations
“I usually hit the Great Northern Way location for a cappuccino and the Queen [a caramelized croissant bundle topped with sea salt flakes]; I get so upset when it’s sold out. I’m looking forward to checking out Dope Bakehouse in North Van, too, and I loved the churro doughnut at the Surrey location.” nemesis.coffee
mazesoba, with konjac and seaweed noodles and a light vinaigrette. aiyaohno.com
Saunter Coffee
321 W Pender St.
Aiyaohno Cafe
425 Carrall St.
“This is my hidden gem—literally! It’s one of those if-you-knowyou-know spots,” says Tran. This all-but-hidden lunch restaurant requires buzz-in access; once in, you’ve got a few tables, the freshest lunch food and “the nicest couple running it.” Tran’s order?
A matcha latte and the sesame chili shirataki
“Recently I had an amazing iced orange coffee latte—they described it to me like a coffee creamsicle, and that’s what sold me on it.” She likes sitting in the quiet back alcove that opens to a little skylit corner. “It feels like you’re in between buildings and not in the city anymore.” sauntercoffee.com
Vallarta’s 2891 E Broadway
Tucked into a strip mall, this is the very definition of a blink-and-you’ll-missit spot. “We love Mexican food! I love anything len-
gua (beef tongue) or tripa (tripe); two of each of those tacos and I’m good.” vallartasmexican restaurant.zomi.menu
Chinatown BBQ
130 E Pender St.
“You always feel like family when you walk in here,” says Tran. It’s virtually across the street from DD Mau, too, so it also happens to be a great spot for staff meals. “We’ll take the whole team there when we finish our meetings on Sunday.” chinatownbbq.com
Meo
265 E Pender St.
“I don’t drink anymore, but I still enjoy being at a cocktail bar—the atmosphere, the vibe.
I love Meo’s non-alcoholic paloma. Don’t be afraid to suggest a cocktail bar to your friends that don’t drink, especially one with accolades. It can be nice to splurge at a place that can do a proper mocktail.” meochinatown.com
Golden Smell Mee and Fat Mao
142 E Pender St. and 217 E Georgia St. Other favourite neighbourhood picks for staff meals or a quick lunch? Tran likes to hit up Golden Smell Mee, a Malaysian-Singaporean spot from the same owners of BKH Jerky, and the much-loved noodle soup house Fat Mao,
where Tran’s getting a bowl of hot and sour pork noodles. goldensmellmee.com; fatmaonoodles.com
88 Supermarket
Various locations
“For Southeast Asian groceries, I love this place. Their meat department has unique items like beef tendon and pork belly already portioned out. They have fresh and frozen free-range chicken, and there’s also a seafood department.”
88supermarket.ca
Niwa
1875 Powell St.
“I was really looking forward to this opening because we love Chef Darren [Gee],” says Tran. “We kind of followed him everywhere after we saw him butcher a whole pig at an Ai and Om Knives event.” The menu changes all the time, but when Tran went the perfectly sticky chicken wings and daikon salad stood out. restaurantniwa.com
Sushi Jin
750 Nelson St.
This intimate, high-end omakase bar is tiny and Michelin-recommended.
“This is our family favourite,” Tran notes. “When we want a real treat, we’ll book out the whole bar.” sushijinvancouver.ca
TARA DAVIES Owner-Operator, Chupito
“Apparently I don’t dine anywhere with more than 30 seats,” realizes Tara Davies with a laugh. We’ve quickly discovered that her go-to list of spots largely taps into the “comfort and service found in the flow of a small room,” and we simply can’t argue with that. Read on to find out where the owner-operator of Michelin-recognized Chupito (which turns five this year), brand director of La Taqueria and our 2025 Bartender of the Year is eating and drinking around town right now.
used to force-carbonate a cocktail in its entirety instead of adding soda water] and if Lucas is feeling extra-nice he’ll make me a mezcal cocktail because we have an equal love for mezcal.” nomonomo.ca
Cindy’s Palace
1796 Nanaimo St.
Gary’s
1485 W 12th Ave.
“Gary’s is a forever favourite. I just went last night. My go-to is always the chicken liver pâté,” says Davies. “The toppings always change but generally it has a compote, and is served on their sourdough. That, paired with a nice white wine as per yesterday, is a really nice time.” garysrestaurant.ca
Nomo Nomo
1268 Commercial Dr.
For cocktails you may well find Davies at this small-room, izakaya-vibe spot with The Keefer alums mixing it up behind the bar. She orders a Tonka, made with vanilla rooibos-infused Suntory Toki whisky. “It’s a forcedcarb highball [a method
“Cindy’s Palace is the elite dumpling maker, honestly. For some reason her steamed shrimp dumplings are so good, the glutinous rice, the calamari. Also she is such a queen—she’s always there. She really runs that room.” It’s also nostalgic for Davies, who grew up going for dim sum with her family every Sunday. They’d then hit Granville Island to buy ingredients for dinner that night. cindyspalace.ca
Nero Tondo
1879 Powell St. Nero Tondo is run by Acorn alums Devon Latte and Lucas Johnston. “Any salad they touch will be gold—they made me fall in love with salads again. They also forage most of their ingredients
and work with local farmers and producers, and that’s a very cool thing, especially in this current climate we are in. It’s also a tiny space, so they cook right in front of you. It’s so personalized.” nerotondo.com
Various locations
“Their frozen matcha with strawberries is just next-level,” says Davies, who also applauds Cowdog’s candidness.
“It’s so refreshing as a small business owner to hear somebody talking about things so openly [like finances, on their Instagram account].
Plus the staff there seem to thoroughly enjoy the model, and their work-
space, which is obviously showing a properly run space.” cowdog.coffee
Mortadella
915 Main St.
“I went for the mortadella sandwich, and it was amazing, but the meatball sandwich really blew me away. They make their focaccia right there too. It’s also intimate, and their branding is so eye-catching.” mortadella915.com
64 E 3rd Ave.
Conveniently nearby Chupito, Fife is her latte go-to and Davies just
started working with the team to reuse their beans, infusing them into one of Chupito’s clarified negronis.
“The bread is also so good, and my PR team likes the matcha.” fifebakery.com
Chupito
2450 Yukon St.
What’s she ordering at her own establishment?
(We had to ask.)
“When I actually stay for dinner and take a seat—which is rare, usually I’m, like, eating a taco over the garbage can—I get the whole fish, six cold oysters and the featured tostado. Right now it’s jaiba, which is like a stewed crab. As for cocktails, we really focus on lowwaste cocktails. So, for example, if our chef used blood orange, we’ll take the rest and make a blood orange cocktail.” Myriad delicious techniques abound behind the bar at Chupito: fat-washing, forced-carbonation, quick-infusions with iSi whips, and sous-pression. Yes, we had to Google a couple of these terms after the interview, and we’re glad we did. Cheers! chupito.ca
If you haven’t scored real-world tickets to the 2026 World Cup in Vancouver, mark these restaurants for a sports bar viewing experience that kicks things up a notch. By Alyssa Hirose
1 BELLS AND WHISTLES
3296 Fraser St.
The wall-to-wall craft beer menu at Bells and Whistles celebrates the best of local brews. For example, there’s Strange Fellows’ hazy IPA, Four Winds’ dry-hopped sour, Strathcona’s lager and Fieldhouse’s rotating seasonal concoctions, not to mention a selection of cocktails, ciders, wines and non-alcoholic beverages. Results may vary for how each pairs with a chili cheese dog or disco fries (stadium eats you don’t have to wait in line—or miss any of the game—for). Grab seats at the bar for top TV views. bellsandwhistles yvr.ca
2 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED CLUBHOUSE
3340 Shrum Ln.
If hi-definition screens aplenty are what you’re after, this pub is a gamechanger. The Sports Illustrated Clubhouse on the University of British Columbia campus has expansive TVs that cover all available square footage over the main bar: there’s no craning your neck to watch the corner kicks. The menu covers basically every way you could eat a chicken (wings, tenders, lettuce wraps, sliders, burgers, even a kung pao bowl) and you’re practically guaranteed the carefree energy of a frat guy on a sports scholarship.
sportsillustratedeats.com
3 THE AMERICAN
926 Main St.
It’s possible that not everyone in your crew is a diehard football fan, but the American is entertainment central regardless of your tastes. Soccer lovers can indulge via both TV screens and pull-down projector screens splashed with the big game; meanwhile, there’s also arcade games, Star Wars pinball, a vintage-
is getting the adrenaline rush of a lifetime. The food menu courtesy of Downlow Burgers is a local fave. theamerican.bar
4 SCORE ON DAVIE
1262 Davie St.
This bar has been a West End staple for nearly 20 years, most famous for its monstrous, meal-worthy caesars: picture the Canadian-born cocktail you know and love topped with a hamburger, pulled pork slider, hot wings, Cornish game hen, onion rings, a hot dog, a pickle and a brownie. That’s called the “Checkmate” and it’s just one of nine food-drink duos on the menu. The towering creations are a true
architectural feat and might just last you the entire 90-minute match plus stoppage time. scoreondavie.com
5 MALONE’S TAPHOUSE
608 W Pender St.
Got a group? Malone’s has enough space to accommodate both your starting lineup and your benchwarmers. It’s a large bar firstly dedicated to sports but also known to have a cheeky Twilight trivia night or music bingo (with prizes) every so often. Food ranges from traditional pub dishes (burgers, beef dip, pizza, tacos) to more formal-leaning items
(king salmon, butternut squash ravioli, ceviche). Order truffle fries for the table to earn MVP status. malones.bc.ca
6 RED CARD SPORTS BAR AND EATERY
560 Smithe St.
If your allegiance runs red and white (or Premier League, La Liga or beyond), this downtown haunt is where global football fandom converges. Red Card leans fully into the beautiful game, with jerseys on the walls, international matches on rotation and a crowd that actually knows the offside rule. The menu plays to the theme with hearty, Euro-leaning pub fare (think schnitzel, currywurst and stacked burgers) alongside local craft taps to keep the table well hydrated through extra time. It’s spirited but not sloppy, competitive but convivial: exactly the kind of place where strangers become teammates by halftime. redcardsportsbar.ca
“Omakase” literally translates to “I’ll leave it up to you”—a Japanese way of dining in which the chef decides what’s served. Typically, it takes the form of several meticulously crafted small plates. This is more than a cooking style: it’s an art, and it’s one of the truest ways to experience the personality of the artist (and the soul of the chef). Here’s where to seek out this special experience in Vancouver.
By Kristi Alexandra, Alyssa Hirose, Lee Man and Dani Wright
775 Denman St.
Sushi Bar Omakase: $240
You might need to double back to find Tetsu Sushi Bar: the tiny restaurant has only 12 seats. But each gives a front-row view of chef Satoshi Makise’s incredible knife skills. The way he carefully serrates flesh, expertly slices away skin and delicately extracts bones is mesmerizing. Behind him, there’s a gorgeous cupboard with a slatted sliding door that leaves intricate, unique ceramics exposed—he’s just as particular about his dishes as he is about his ingredients. Satoshi-san’s omakase starts with a platter of appetizers to be enjoyed in any order (except for the chilled corn soup—that’s last). The sablefish in sweet vinegar sauce is delicious—hearty but refreshing—and the bonito and sea bream are evidence of those stellar knife skills at work. Next, there’s cold and hot: chilled udon noodles (the flat kind) on ikura with egg yolk, then a gorgeous little pot of chawanmushi (steamed egg). Each dish is unique—one is refreshing, the other is steamy—but both walk the same careful line between light and deeply satisfying. tetsusushibar.com
Yuwa Japanese Cuisine 2775 W 16th Ave.
Chef’s Kaiseki: $190
The seasonality in Yuwa’s kaiseki comes through not only in the ingredients, but also in chef Masahiro Omori’s artful presentation: dishes adorned with Japanese maple leaves; tiny leaf-shaped yam chips sprinkled atop marinated tofu. Expert technique is evident everywhere. Sword squid is sliced into refined noodle-like strips, marinated grilled eggplant is robust and smoky, perfectly cooked taro breaks open in a savoury sauce with chanterelle and lobster mushrooms. Sophistication reigns here, but there’s no pretension. The agemono (fried dish), for example, is a spring roll containing wood ear mushroom, Hokkaido scallop and... mozzarella cheese. It’s served with a sweet, jam-like dollop and feels like an elevated take on street food. And the ni-mono (simmered dish) is spectacular: an entire sweet fish bursting with eggs, glazed in a sweet soy and entirely edible. yuwa.ca
3.
Masayoshi
4376 Fraser St.
Sushi Bar Omakase: $260
Stepping into Masayoshi from blustery Fraser Street feels like stepping into another world—the quiet room embraces all the serenity of minimalist Japanese design: it has a calm, noble, spa-like aesthetic. Chef Masayoshi Baba’s machine-like preparation of his dishes is captivating. The way he divides his ingredients among 10 plates, individually positioning each ingredient, feels like a factory—that is, if a factory could also manufacture each dish in its own individual way, taking into account the specific curve of every sliver of preserved lemon, the circumference of each radish circle. Highlights from Masayoshi include kabocha squash soup with big chunks of snow crab, a beautifully smoked skipjack tuna with spicy mustard and green onion paste and a little teapot full of light broth, with lobster, lobster mushroom and lingcod. masayoshi.ca
1133 W Broadway
Yokozuna Omakase: From $330
Legendary chef Hidekazu Tojo (the man allegedly responsible for inventing the California roll) has a story to go with every one of his dishes. He might not be chatty at first, but all it takes are a few questions for the food-centric floodgates to open. There’s Tojo’s tuna, each geometric chunk individually seasoned with soy sauce and wasabi, from way back when the average Vancouver restaurant-goer didn’t know how to use either. There’s the sunomono-style ceviche with apples, his favourite fruit. There’s the roll inspired by the aurora borealis; it’s wrapped in a cucumber sheet that looks the famed natural phenomenon. From a dainty kabocha soup served in a little pumpkin with a fried scallop nestled inside to a casual hand roll stuffed with pineapple, avocado and lobster tempura, Chef Tojo’s food has both history and attitude and is served with a side of special little memories... cut short, often, by the storyteller getting distracted by his regular customers. tojos.com
Sumibiyaki Arashi
363 E Broadway Omakase Dinner: $175
The yakitori-focused restaurant has a small footprint, with only 14 seats. No matter where you dine, you’re close to the action. And here is the action you can expect: chef Pete Ho wielding a fan while flipping yakitori on a scorching charcoal grill throughout the night, turning away from the flame to lacquer plump chicken hearts or to explain that the nikiri soy sauce and ponzu sauce are made in house. While the arresting nature of flame and the decadence of using the whole bird can feel like spectacle, at its heart Sumibiyaki Arashi is an exercise in making expertise look deceptively like simple instinct. sumibiyaki arashi.com
488 Gore Ave. Omakase Experience: $130
The Cofu omakase experience is unique among the city’s other meticulous high-end sushi counters thanks to a commitment to plant-based dining: the menu here is pure vegan gourmet dishes. To start, pieces of stewed sweet potato and daikon, earthy and fermented on the tongue, are tender to the touch. A bright bite of pickled red cabbage and tomato follows, then a silky chawanmushi layered with spinach and mushrooms, and a grilled vegetable yakitori skewer. Next comes the sea kelp nigiri, briny and clean, then a toriko—an elegant plant-based homage to salmon. An avocado and lotus root nigiri arrives topped with a pickled plum—creamy and tart in balance. A ghostly radish coat on top of a colourful potato nigiri is a playful ode to the iconic koi fish. And the plant-based eel, made from eggplant, is seared before our eyes by chef Akiko Gulkison at the counter, its “skin” crisped to mimic traditional unagi while the flesh turns soft and smoky under the flame. It’s an experience that will make you rethink what’s possible with a vegetable. cofu.com
Okeya Kyujiru
1038 Mainland St.
Omakase Dinner: $335
There are restaurants that feed you, and there are restaurants that transport you. Okeya Kyujiro is emphatically the latter. The theatrical service—recalling elements of kabuki—is spectacle enough on its own, but it never upstages the food; if anything, it sets the stage for 25 courses that fully earn the drama. A deep sense of ceremony runs through the entire meal, yet the spirit here is one of joyful celebration rather than hushed reverence. Chef Takuya Matsuda navigates the arc of hot and cold, rich and unadorned with a sure hand, keeping the palate engaged and genuinely curious from start to finish. Lightly scored toro nigiri arrives with sushi rice of remarkable pearlescence; grilled unagi and anago are cooked with the kind of precision that makes simple things feel extraordinary; and a closing sequence of tomato and green tea lingers long after the meal is over. The 25 courses unfold with ease and purpose— each one a product of some of the most precise technique and freshest ingredients you’re likely to encounter anywhere. Magical is the word that comes to mind. okeya.ca
Sushi Hyun
795 Jervis St.
Omakase Dinner: $300
As you enter Sushi Hyun, the first thing that stops you is the room itself: Japanese cypress used throughout lends the space a warmth that feels both refined and alive. Chef Juhyun Lee matches it entirely—his obvious pride in every dish is tempered by a genuine, easy sense of fun that sets this omakase apart from the more austere end of the genre. So many of these meals are technically impeccable but emotionally cool; here, the mood is generous. The flavours, though, are where things get serious. A chawanmushi arrives glazed in a konbu dashi of extraordinary roundness—delicate but deeply resonant. Dressed horsehair crab brings a clean, saline sweetness, and a showstopping filefish nigiri, topped with its own braised liver, is the kind of bite that demands a pause. That pause comes more than once. The meal closes with tamago slow-cooked over three hours, its custard creaminess almost implausible, the sweetness of dashi shimmering quietly underneath. Perfection, earned without pretension. @sushihyun_vancouver
Sobriety may be trending, but there are still plenty of delicious ways to imbibe in this city. By Stacey McLachlan
Snag one of the large wooden tables at The Magnet (309 W Pender St.) and start making your way through their 30 draft lines—including specialized pull taps for beer nerds who like a meringue-like pour—and a “good grub” selection that includes daily hand pies. If those aren’t enough options for you, then head to the Alibi Room (157 Alexander St.), where a rotating list of 50 local and imported craft beers await in the low-ceilinged heritage room—Shaketown Prohibition pilsner and Begbie’s Dark Side of the Stoke nitro stout among them, plus several solid non-alc brews, too. If you’re more interested in shooting hoops than geeking out over hops, The American (926 Main St.) is your spot: Phillips, Strange Fellows and plenty of other B.C. brews dominate the taps, but the lively, usually crowded “barcade” also features a pool table and arcade games (please, don’t spill). Alternatively, you could head right to Vancouver’s east-side taprooms for your craft beer fix: 33 Acres, Electric Bicycle and Faculty in Mount Pleasant are three good spots to start.
The 515 Bar (521 Seymour St.) is the spot to head to if you’re out on the town with a
foursome: it’s a little too cozy for a big gang, but the brickand-neon ambiance is ideal for sipping an Exit Strategy—a bold, coffee-and-tequila-based negroni—and dissecting your larger friend group’s most intimate gossip. Keefer Bar (135 Keefer St.) is the obvious stop if you’re in cocktail-mode for the night: the Chinatown institution landed at number seven on North America’s 50 Best Bars list this year, making it the Best Bar in Canada. Nearby, find Arcana (238 Abbott St.) hidden behind a glowing “Pet Psychic” sign; each of the occult-inspired drinks—like the herbaceous, gin-based Magician or the tart Sun—comes with a tarot card. Or, there’s Pourhouse (162 Water St.), which serves up expertly executed classics (hello, pisco punch!), often alongside live music.
During the summer months, the cool kids at Bar Tartare (54 Alexander St.) spill out onto the streetside patio with their by-the-glass natural wines, but come wintertime, the buzz continues within the bar’s brick walls. Another Gastown option for vino is Is That French (45 Blood Alley Sq.)—slip down the alley and up to the bar to peruse minimal-intervention B.C. wines and oysters aplenty. If your timing is right, you could
catch Vin Van’s lively wineand-disco party Stompin’ Grapes (1024 Main St.), which pops up at the Ellis Building monthly-ish.
These days, almost every bar or restaurant has something delicious and zero-proof on the menu. You can’t go wrong at DD Mau Chinatown (145 E Pender St.), where Friday night DJ sets turn the room into a party—owner Kim Tran doesn’t drink and has made a point of adding interesting non-alc options to the menu, like the passionfruit “nojito.” Also in Chinatown is Meo (265 E Pender St.), designed to
look like a Japanese love motel and dedicated to serving up creative spirit-free drinks alongside their popular cocktails. The mixologists at the moody, speakeasy-inspired Prophecy Bar (801 W Georgia St.) may be reverent about their booze, but just as much love—and showing off—has been put into the “free spirits” selection here: the Amor Fati 12 (a concoction of bergamot, makrut lime, pandan, mint and tonic) is described with a Nietzsche quote.
How “secret” can a speakeasy really be in the age of social media? Still, the fun of walking through a hidden entrance or dropping a special passcode remains at these sneaky Vancouver spots.
By Dani Wright
j Behind the faux bookie’s office is Bagheera
Bet on the right horse to gain access to the Indian train car-inspired cocktail haven, where world-class cocktails are paired with pitch-perfect pakoras. 518 Main St., bagheera.bar
j Behind Blnd Tger dumpling shop is Laowai
Order the “number 7” to be welcomed in to the swanky, Old Shanghai-inspired secret bar with a menu made up of enticing drinks like the Purple Butterfly (it contains buttered popcorn syrup). 251 E Georgia St., laowai.ca
j Behind the dreary accounting office is Key Party
Drinks are adventurous (like the Blood Hound, which includes beet, mezcal and a smoke bubble) and party-worthy (like the Kir Royale Jello shot). 2305 Main St., narrowgroup.ca
j Behind an unmarked door is The Narrow
The dimly lit, easy-to-miss spot has long been a go-to for bargoers looking for a place with both an ice-cold PBR and a perfect Paper Plane. 1898 Main St., narrowgroup.ca
j Behind the telephone booth is Call Me Back
At first glance, Lions Pub is just your classic Irish-ish pub—meat pies, football on the telly, you know the drill. But step into the red phone booth in the back and you’ll discover a velvet-draped speakeasy with a very different vibe. 888 W Cordova St., @callmebacklounge
Experience the authentic traditional flavors of Northern Vietnam.
crabhotlau.ca
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HIT THE STREETS
West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano is a hub of both familiar brands and one-of-a-kind local boutiques (with plenty of coffee and treats to fuel a day of shop-hopping).
Whether you personally identify more as a big spender or a window shopper, you’ll find plenty to delight in Vancouver’s extensive selection of shoppable ’hoods and proudly local brands. Here’s where to find the city’s best buys.
BE MY NEIGHBOUR
Neighbour puts the Canadian “u” in its name; we recommend putting “you” in this chic Gastown shop.
Five neighbourhoods. Fifty-plus stores. Consider this your sign to invest in retail therapy and browse these top picks among all the cool consignment, beautiful boutiques and specialty retailers the city has to offer.
By Alyssa Hirose
The biggest draw to Kits is the beach, but should you need a break from the sand, just trek south. West 4th is a bustling high street peppered with shops and fitness studios; neighbourhoody West Broadway is full of discoveries.
Anián
2149 W 4th Ave.
The “shacket” (shirt/jacket hybrid) is a staple in the unpredictable weather of Vancouver, and this small store is packed with the perfect made-in-Canada wool layers to complete your ’fit. anianmfg.com
Banyen Books and Sound
3608 W 4th Ave.
From witchy books on astrology and tarot to an extensive sex and love section, plus candles, textiles and many, many crystals, this offbeat store has been serving neighbourhood hippies since 1970. banyen.com
Branches and Knots
3128 W Broadway
Kimono dresses, corduroy skirts, leather shoes and more come straight from Japan to this charming spot (there are plenty of Vancouver-made brands, too). branchesandknots.com
The Kitchen Corner 1955 W 4th Ave.
No description would prepare you for the two-level labyrinth that is the Kitchen Corner; its jam-packed aisles hold specialty ice cube trays, birthday party supplies, pots and pans and many secrets. thekitchencorner.ca
Mine and Yours 2061 W 4th Ave.
This luxury consignment store offers brands like Gucci, Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Loewe for a fraction of the designer’s price—they’ve got clutches, purses and luggage in the bag. mineandyours.com
2557 W Broadway
This independent bookstore thrives on imagination and stocks diverse books for all youth: think picture books celebrating chopsticks, robot books for early readers and chapter books about gymnastics and dragons. kidsbooks.ca
Melanie Auld
2077 W 4th Ave.
Vancouver-based artist
Melanie Auld’s brick-and-
like teapots, aprons, pinch bowls and serving spoons. mingwo.ca
Rummage Community
Thrift
1854 W 4th Ave.
mortar shop is your destination for dainty modern jewellery, including custom engravings by appointment. melanieauld.com
Ming Wo
2170 W 4th Ave.
Ming Wo has been a Vancouver home chef staple since the original store opened in Chinatown over a century ago. The Kits outpost offers pretty and functional kitchen staples
This treasure-packed thrift store has cool vintage clothes aplenty and regularly hosts community events like artist pop-ups and craft nights. Get your next so-ugly-its-cute sweater here. rummage communitythrift.com
Makers
1929 W 4th Ave.
Makers embraces “buy local” to the max: 100 percent of the sales of all goods goes directly back to the small business owners that create them. Leather
jewellery, crocheted stuffies, sassy stickers and more live here. shopmakers.ca
Suze
2525 W Broadway
This home goods store is a designer’s dream, with shelves artfully lined with meticulously curated baskets, cheese knives, stationery and pillows; find fresh florals here, too. shoppesuze.com
The Latest Scoop
2242 W 4th Ave.
A women’s clothing store that also has homewares, greeting cards and jewellery, the Latest Scoop is the place to go for gifts for your trendiest friend (especially if she’s you). thelatestscoop.ca
This historic neighbourhood is home to the city’s oldest architecture—and some of its most forward-thinking design shops and cocktail dens. Skip the steam clock and pound the cobblestones for funky finds at local boutiques instead.
Herschel
347 Water St.
This local brand is famous for hardworking duffel bags, backpacks and wallets, but don’t skip the clothing section: Herschel has unsurprisingly mastered the art of downpour-proof rainwear. herschel.ca
50 Water St.
It’s impossible to miss
Inform: the family-owned design shop takes up practically the whole block. A walk through the sweeping, multi-level showroom is like a visit to a design museum—discover global brands like Herman Miller and Vitra alongside local heroes A-N-D lighting and Christian Woo. (A thoughtful selection of books and accessories make it a topnotch gift-sourcing spot, too.) informinteriors.com
John Fluevog Shoes
65 Water St.
Some Fluevog creations you truly have to see to believe, like purple leather Mary Janes with chunky rubber soles or lace-up Derby shoes with orange-trimmed flames. It’s a Vancouver brand that’s all about standing out from the brown-booted crowd. fluevog.com
Le Labo
225 Carrall St.
This is not your department store fragrance experience. Le Labo offers personalized, professional advice for finding your perfect scent, and even customizes the bottle with your name. lelabofragrances.ca
Make Vancouver
170 Water St.
There’s a wide variety of cheeky gifts available at this colourful store, like ketchup chip-printed socks, surfing sloth enamel pins or a translation book of swear words. Custom embroidery, patches and printing is offered on site, too. makegastown.com
Maison Kitsuné
157 Water St. French/Japanese lifestyle brand Maison Kitsune’s Vancouver location is half retailer, half café, serving elegant tees, knits and denim as well as coffee, sandwiches and pastries. maisonkitsune.com
Neighbour Objects
51 Powell St. Sister store to Neighbour and Neighbour/Woman, Neighbour Objects carries the same quiet luxury into the home goods sphere. There are a few pieces of furniture here, but beyond the big bits, you’ll find
everything you need to make a house a home, from coffee-geek-approved Moccamaster brewers to sculptural Nathalee Paolinelli candleholders to confetti-patterned Fredericks and Mae chopping boards. shopneighbour.com
Old Faithful Shop
320 W Cordova St.
Warm and inviting, Old Faithful hosts an assortment of minimalist lighting and Scandinavian accessories from Denmark-based Skagerak, Ferm Living and more. Look for coffee table books, thoughtfully designed home goods and an extensive Japanese craft collection—including Hard Strong glassware. oldfaithfulshop.com
One of a Few
354 Water St.
Local slow fashion brands (like Annie Axtell, Kara Yoo, A Bronze Age, Hijulez and more) can be found at this bijoux clothing store. oneofafew.com
Out and About
321 W Cordova St. The shop may specialize in Japanese fashion, but you’ll find plenty of conversation-starting decor pieces here, too. Case in point: satisfyingly stackable mugs in cheery hues, arresting artworks, sumptuous herringbone twill face towels and quirky dog-shaped vases. outnaboutboutique.com
Sömn Home
28 Water St.
Stocked with bedding, bath and sleepwear, Sömn is a haven for linen lovers. The m.o. here is
luxe fabrics—uber-soft washed linens are a specialty—paired with a stripped-down modern design sense that lets the fibres sing. somnhome.com
Resource Furniture
124 W Hastings St.
Step into the Resource showroom prepared for a magic show. The niche furniture design store specializes in modern, multifunctional and transforming furniture—bookshelves turn into queen-sized beds and compact desks expand into 12-seater dining tables. Condo dwellers, take note. resourcefurniture.com
This listing of stores barely scratches the surface of downtown’s offerings—Robson Street features big brands galore, Alberni Street is a veritable luxury row and Pacific Centre Mall is a handy rainy day hideaway, anchored by high-end Holt Renfrew.
Aburi Market
1112 Mainland St.
Aburi is a Japanese grocery store best known for graband-go eats like onigiri and bento boxes, but it also has a great selection of pantry and fridge staples like ponzu sauces and spicy miso salad dressings. aburimarket.com
Ark Interiors
830 W Pender St.
There’s nowhere else in town you can find a floor lamp shaped like the Eiffel Tower or chandelier hanging from the mouth of a 13-foot-tall giraffe statue: the bold furnishings in this store are truly singular. arkinteriors.ca
Aritzia
1100 Robson St.
Vancouver-founded Aritzia has become a favourite in closets far and wide, but there’s no place like home. The Robson Street location is massive (it takes up three retail units) and includes all of the retailer’s most-loved brands, including Wilfred, Babaton, Sunday Best and Tna. aritzia.com
The Cross Living
1198 Homer St.
Entering The Cross is like stepping into a modern farmhouse Pinterest board. Warm woods and neutral, textured furnishings are the backdrop for pretty
flatware, cozy duvets, cute stationery and locally designed jewellery. thecrossliving.com
Vancouver Art Gallery Store 750 Hornby St. Psst: even if you don’t visit the art gallery (which you definitely should), you can spend an hour or two browsing the gift shop. Get Emily Carr painting tote bags, Vincent van Gogh puzzles and Indigenous artist Morgan Asoyuf travel mugs here. vanartgallery.bc.ca
Indochino
102–1014 Homer St. Custom tailoring can be extraordinarily expensive, but this made-to-measure store specializes in
accessibly priced suits (many start at around $500). Looks range from traditional navies to wild stripes and colourful plaids. indochino.com
Knix
1150 Robson St.
Comfortable, functional and stylish clothing for women is the name of the game for Canadian brand Knix, best known for period-proof underwear and lounge-worthy wireless bras. knix.ca
Plenty
1107 Robson St. Canadian retailer Plenty is one of those stores that seems to always have a
sale going on, and it’s a great place to shop for both special occasions (bookmark this for wedding guest dresses) and days that aren’t special at all (the sweatpants are well-stocked). getplenty.com
Design House
B–851 Homer St.
The Yaletown design shop has a great selection of
Marimekko homeware, clothing and bedding, much of it splashed with the brand’s iconic poppy pattern. designhouse vancouver.com
Muji
1125 Robson St. Muji is the place to go for Japanese fine-liners in every colour, minimalist stationery, kitchen and bath staples and coffee made by a robot (yes, this location has an Artly Barista Bot to make your matcha lattes). muji.ca
Lucifer’s House of Heat
1682 Davie St.
This spicy hot spot is a West End staple. Dried hot peppers, chili oils, curry pastes and many, many hot sauces are ready to challenge your taste buds (you can live your Hot Ones dreams at home). lucifershouseofheat.com
The Drive is the heart of East Van—a dense, delightful neighbourhood packed with indie shops, used bookstores, vintage havens and Italian delis (plus plenty of colourful characters).
Arts Off Main Gallery
1704 Charles St.
Culture vultures will love this tiny but mighty gallery full of art and homewares made by local artists, including original paintings, ceramics and jewellery. artsoffmain.ca
The Coast Goods
1302 Victoria Dr. Venture just off the Drive to spend an afternoon browsing the local and ethically made goods at the Coast (we dare you not to fall in love with the stunning glassware or cozy textiles). thecoastgoods.ca
Dilly Dally
1161 Commercial Dr. Jellycat collectors of all ages will be in their element: there are over 100 of the collectable stuffies available here, from teddy bears to octopi to smiling pickles. dillydallykids.ca
Gatley
1136 Commercial Dr. Gatley’s goods embody a laidback lifestyle, with structured crewnecks,
baggy jeans, street-ready sneakers and more cool clothing from Vancouver and beyond. gatley.ca
Mi Tierra Latina
1034 Commercial Dr.
A local go-to for Latin American goods, Mi Tierra Latina has plenty of edible products (think spices, teas, candies and snacks) and a selection of hard-to-find housewares like a tortilla warmer and press. mitierralatina.ca
My Sister’s Closet
1830 Commercial Dr.
Not only does this long-running secondhand clothing store help divert waste from landfills and give pre-loved clothes a new life, the revenue also helps fund Battered Women’s Support Services. mysistersclosetvancouver.shop
The Only Vintage
1616 Commercial Dr. Not all thrift stores are created equal, and The
Only’s hardworking hunters source the best from thousands of pounds of used clothing. Find denim jackets, unique graphic tees and retro cardigans here. theonlyvintage.com
Pulpfiction Books
1744 Commercial Dr. Pulpfiction has been a neighbourhood mainstay since 2000, with new and used reads up for grabs. Wander the chockablock aisles for stories both true and invented. pulpfiction booksvancouver.com
Vancouver Candle Co.
1543 Venables St.
Hand-poured soy candles named after Vancouver neighbourhoods (Kitsilano is jasmine and sandalwood, Mount Pleasant is cotton and cedarwood, the North Shore is spruce and mandarin) make this little shop a good stop for souvenirs. vancouvercandleco.com
Not only is this neighbourhood rife with charming small businesses and fashion stops, it’s also lousy with coffee shops, craft breweries and Michelin-starred restaurants. Not a bad place to spend an afternoon or three.
8th and Main
2403 Main St.
Minimalists and maximalists alike will find something to love in this clothing store. There are relaxed polo shirts, graphic tees, cocktail dresses, puffer jackets and a section devoted to vintage and secondhand garments. 8main.ca
Front and Company
3772 Main St.
For over 30 years, Front and Company has been the perfect store to get lost in thanks to consignment clothing, pre-loved luxury items and weird and wonderful gift items
(like a Kardashians colouring book). frontandcompany.com
Parliament Interiors
2703 Main St.
Designophiles will love Parliament’s character inside and out: it’s a beautiful modern furniture store on the bottom floor of a century-old low-rise apartment building. parliament interiors.com
Mintage Mall
245 E Broadway
Walking into Mintage Mall feels like being transported to a world where horse girls rule:
a stone staircase leads to rooms upon rooms of vintage clothes and shoes, many cowboy-adjacent. mintagevintage.com
Murata 15 E Broadway
This Japanese home goods store has beautiful collections of tableware, including ceramic plates, rice bowls, chopstick rests and ceramic matcha whisk holders. There are fun patterned socks, too. murata.ca
Olive and Wild
4391 Main St.
Beautifully textured decor is all around at Main Street’s Olive and Wild, from flax linen blankets to handwoven picnic baskets. It’s also a treasure trove of Jewish home goods like challah covers, mezuzahs and kiddush cups. oliveand wild.com
The Storehouse 4332 Main St.
True to its name, The Storehouse is home to goods from over 100 small businesses. Think shampoo bars, tallow cream, tea, hair accessories and other special small gifts. thestore housevancouver.com
Vancouver Special 3612 Main St.
This store is named for the iconic (and square-footage maximizing) architecture of so many local homes, and its eclectic collections of home goods, photo books, textiles and kitchenware from brands like Hay is exceptional. vanspecial.com
Wallace Mercantile Shop
4219 Main St.
The lineup of luxury shoe brands is impressive at men’s apparel mainstay Wallace, including Hereu
(think: loafers handmade in Spain) and Diemme (Italian hiking boots, anyone?). wallacemercantile shop.com
Woo to See You
3671 Main St.
Casual, fun looks rule the room at Woo, like lettuce-hemmed tops, hemp midi dresses and trucker hats made of recycled material. Check their calendar for community events and custom tote bag workshops. wootoseeyou.com
Welk’s
3511 Main St.
This general store really stretches the definition of “general.” There’s candy and deodorant, sure, but also pet accessories, aromatherapy, card games, shoe cleaning kits and more glorious randomness. welks.ca
Vancouver’s creative community is vibrant, varied and terribly talented. Get to know the folks behind your next beloved piece.
By Stacey McLachlan
Some of us cut down on screentime by picking up a book. Tanvi Arora picked up some clay. “I wanted to reconnect with making something physical after years of computer-based design and concept-driven work,” says the Vancou ver-based artist behind Tav Ceramics, who began her career in interior design, where she’d spend hours in front of a computer designing CAD drawings instead of doing the hands-on work she craved. “Clay gave me a slower, more grounded process and I became interested in how small, functional objects shape everyday rituals.” Her pieces are minimal and restrained and have a global influence, thanks to a multicultural upbringing in South Asia and the Middle East. Crackled raku vessels, delicate bronze-black platters and smoke-fired vases have an ancient, earthy energy—these are objets with a calm, grounding presence. tavceramics.com
Designer Heidi Rey was thriving working for furniture brand Article, designing some of their top sellers (like the Quincy kitchen island) and then working in research and system development, but the constraints of being part of a production line were sometimes challenging. To get back to the love of actually making things—getting physical with furniture again—she took a leap out of the corporate world and into her very own Studio Heidle in 2023. What started as select commissions is evolving now into a line of intentional sculptural pieces, including kitchen and servingware, a range of tables and other unique “objects of observation.” studioheidle.com
LOCAL DESIGN CRUSH NOON JEWELLERY
LOCAL DESIGN CRUSH ORIGINS
“Origins’ wood wall sculptures feel architectural and grounding at the same time,” says Arora. “I love how the material is the focus—grain, shadow and form do most of the talking.” origins.work
“Sophia Armstrong is phenomenal,” says Rey. “She and her husband Andrey are both goldsmiths, and she does all the gold work and he lays the stones. She actually made my ring when I got engaged in December, and it was a really beautiful, deeply love-felt experience.” noonjewellery .com
Banquet Workshop’s delightful illustrations and typographic designs adorn everything from greeting cards to comfy tees. That “Chips & Dip” tote you see ev erywhere? That’s Banquet. But if proclaiming your devotion to snack food isn’t your speed, designers Sarah Edmonds and Tammy Lawrence offer plenty of other delightful offerings: cheeky greeting cards, vibrant flower -print tees, hats embroidered with “Read Books” in a charmingly wobbly font and throw pillows decorated with a pattern of royal-blue moths. Though their products have an international audience, everything is made right here in Vancouver with the help of a few team members. “Our cards are our bread and butter, but we get excited about the weird new things,” says Edmonds. The apparel in particular brings moments of joy to the team of friends. Adds Lawrence, “I’ll see someone carrying a tote bag on the Drive, or wearing a hat at the farmer’s market, and it’s so exciting. It’s like we won a prize.” banquetworkshop.com
These local brands and slowfashion stars bring a handmade touch to every piece.
FOR IRRESISTIBLE INTIMATES
Alexa Suter’s intimates brand, Huha has a growing cult following of people who love the all-natural, zinc-oxide-infused undies. Briefs, $29, hu-ha.com
FOR HAUTE COUTURE COMFORT
Cross-cultural fashion brand
LOCAL DESIGN CRUSH SUNJA LINK
“Sunja Link started a house line and it’s got the best smell ever,” says Lawrence of the spa and bodycare shop. “It makes you actually wash your face and follow a routine. Everyone we know that actually uses it looks better.” sunjalink.com
Though she’s been running Lloyd Clothing for more than a decade now (first with business partner Mira Clancy and now solo), Kathy Hamagami doesn’t necessarily think of herself as working in the clothing industry. “I really don’t see myself as a fashion designer,” says Hamagami, whose modesty belies both the keen eye and industrial design experience she brings to the table. “It’s just fun to have an idea and see it go through all the stages.” Lloyd’s signature toque—pleasingly stout and made from deadstock fleece, with a wide, folded brim—continues to be the tentpole piece of the brand, but the collection includes plenty of other extremely wearable, Vancouverite -baiting basics, like cozy crewnecks, hooded scarves and boxy half-zip pullovers. lloydclothing.com
LOCAL DESIGN CRUSH CHRISTIAN WOO
“Christian Woo didn’t study industrial design, and came to what he did naturally,” says Hamagami. “He’s got a range of solid wood tables and other furniture pieces that are really beautiful, very stark and very simple, influenced by brutalism.” inform.ca
Aselectfew merges relaxed, cozy elements with luxury design—like a stylish pullover made from deadstock floral fleece blankets. KMBL pullover, $600, aselectfew.co
FOR ESSENTIAL DENIM
Decade Studio’s 100-percent cotton jeans are designed right here in Vancouver’s Chinatown to fit all shapes and sizes, and they’re made by a family-run production team in Portugal. Kit trouser, $298, decadestudio.com
FOR FUTURISTIC OUTERWEAR
A trinity of sustainability, functionality and aesthetic is a tricky one to balance in a puffer jacket, but former Lululemon designer Alexandra Dean is pulling it off with her solo project, Adhere To Re:Down puffer jacket, $580, adheretostudios.com
FOR GIRLY-GIRL GARMENTS
A Bronze Age produces thoughtful, multi-season garments lovingly adorned with romantic details—think lace, ruffles and puff sleeves, always designed with function and place in mind. The Judy rain jacket, $475, abronzeage.com
Join us to celebrate. From fan activations to exclusive meet-and-greets, TELUS has you covered for the biggest event of the year.
Meet us at Uber Eats Canada Soccer House at the Shipyards, North Vancouver for activities, giveaways and more!
Meet Canadian soccer player Vanessa Gilles and get inspired by her journey: June 24 – 4 to 6 p.m.
TELUS Store – Metropolis at Metrotown, Burnaby.
Catch every match live in high definition on TSN with TELUS Optik TV®.
TELUS is a proud partner of Canada Soccer. Let’s raise the game, together.
telus.com/soccer
A BAG AS SWEET AS CANDY
THE PRETTIEST PRINTS
KARDASHIAN APPROVED
THE PERFECT PATCH
A TASTE OF THE SEA
KEEP THINGS SALTY
Toss out your traditional idea of a souvenir (yes, we’re looking at those fridge magnets) and bring home locally crafted clothing, sips, art and treats your giftees will really, really want. By Katie Nanton
THE COZIEST CAP
Vancouver restaurants and cafés have stepped their merch game way up in recent years. Our favourites include the tomato-sauce-red ball caps from cult-fave Italian restaurant Pepino’s ($34); the multi-pocketed, checkered tote bags from Vietnamese spot Good Thief ($45); and limited-edition apparel drops like a trippy Big Bird shirt ($45) from Japanese snack bar Pizza Coming Soon, designed by co-owner/artist Alex Usow (Rhek). pepinos.ca, goodthief.ca, pizzacomingsoon.com
Grain-to-glass distillery Copperpenny’s No. 006 oyster shell gin (from $36) will shine in your next martini, crafted with B.C.-grown botanicals and grains as well as Fanny Bay oyster shells to finish it with a light, briny minerality. Visit the tasting room to sample and shop the rest of their award-winning bottles, from Lost Horizon rare tea gin to the smoky, coastal Ember B.C. pine-smoked gin. copperpennydistilling.com
These cozy, four-panel toques (a.k.a
With so many soaps on the market, we’re choosy when it comes to suds. Skincare and soap-maker Sarah Craig handcrafts her botanical bounty at Penny Frances in small batches, and the blood orange and tomato seed bar ($24) is our pick of the crop, with a blend that includes tomato seed oil and detox ifying French yellow clay. (Skincare lovers, take note: the geranium serum, $98, is their number-one bestseller.) pennyfrances.com
Take home a scent inspired by your favourite B.C. city, in candle form, from Vancouver to Tofino to Whistler and beyond (from $26). Blended with the likes of smooth sandal wood, bright tree sap and energizing eucalyptus, you simply can’t go wrong. Not a candle fan? Roam re
From White Rabbit candy tote bags ($30) to iconic Canadian photographer Fred Herzog’s archival-image postcards of Chinatown ($3), the Foo Hung Curios gift shop inside the Chinatown Storytelling Centre stocks countless treasures, all an ode to the history and beauty of its surroundfoohungcurios.com
Wearable essentials by family-owned Simply Merino are souvenirs you can use while you’re still on your trip. From fingerless gloves ($10) and neck scarves ($42) to kids’ clothes and layers of every kind, all pieces are locally crafted to last from soft, sustainably sourced Australian merino wool. simplymerino.ca
The bright, bold Land Back Rose hoodie ($115) is the bestseller we’re seeing all over town from Indigenous-owned and operated label Decolonial, where activism meets fashion and designs are fresh. All garments are designed and silkscreened in-house at the label’s Chinatown
This born-in-YVR skincare label counts Hailey Bieber and at least one Kardashian among its fan base, and we understand why. The tantalizing name is inspired by its very first product, a char coal-citrus blend, and its bestselling citrusy Hand Therapy cream ($25) just expanded into a new collection this past spring. midnightpaloma.com
On your way out of the iconic Science World dome, don’t miss the Science Store, where you can scoop up kid-friendly gifts galore as well as locally made bath bombs, stickers and buttons that tuck easily into any suitcase. We love the patches, perfect to stitch onto a jacket or bag ($5). scienceworld.ca
Perfectly packable and foraged straight from the crystalline shores of the Pacific Ocean, nobody does craft salt like Vancouver Island Sea Salt. (Truly—they were the first company in Canada to commercially harvest salt.) Go classic with a pack of the pyramid-shaped signature sea salt ($11), or taste the terroir with maple-smoked ($12) or kelp sea salt flakes ($11). canadianseasalt.com
Recall the wild West Coast every time you glance at your wall with framed art prints from Granville Island’s Banquet Workshop (from $70). From forest floor to mountaintops—even artsy “Vancouver” emblazoned totes—the print selection is ever-changing. banquetworkshop.com
WHERE TO WATCH, WHAT TO EXPLORE AND HOW TO EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF FIFA WORLD CUP 2026™ IN VANCOUVER
YOUR INSIDE GUIDE TO THE MATCHES, THE CELEBRATIONS AND THE CITY
Welcome to Vancouver, a force of nature, where mountains and ocean meet the pitch.
Vancouver is located on the unceded and traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, who have lived on and cared for these lands and waters since time immemorial, and continue to do so today.
Vancouver is deeply shaped by local Indigenous cultures that are reflected in its art, languages, stories and public spaces.
The City of Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada, along with the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations look forward to welcoming soccer fans from around the world.
We recognize the unique opportunity to share our histories and cultures with the world and generate legacies for the next seven generations in our communities, all the while celebrating the spirit of the beautiful game.
Sitting on Canada’s Pacific edge, Vancouver feels like its own little world. Where the mountains, the ocean and a buzzing downtown collide in one walkable heartbeat. Think mornings in Gastown, afternoons on Granville Island, sunsets along the seawall and fans in jerseys weaving through the city like one big parade. On match days, kids fill parks, singing and chanting flood the streets of Commercial Drive, and living rooms turn into mini stadiums.
From our world-class stadium to a purpose-built training centre and a vibrant FIFA Fan Festival™, we are ready to host your FIFA World Cup 2026™ story.
FUNDING PARTNERS:
Vancouver will host seven unforgettable FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches at BC Place Vancouver, bringing the energy of the beautiful game to the Pacific West Coast. Five group-stage showdowns set the stage, followed by two knockout matches where the stakes rise and dreams will advance or be dashed.
With exciting matches, passionate fans, a world-class stadium and a city ready to celebrate the beautiful game, Vancouver will be an unforgettable stop on the road to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ final.
The world is watching. Hosting FIFA World Cup 2026™—the world’s largest single-sport event—is an unprecedented opportunity for British Columbia. The seven matches at BC Place Vancouver are expected to attract more than 350,000 fans and generate over $1 billion in visitor spending for B.C.’s economy between 2026 and 2031.
Beyond the tournament, the event will support local businesses, create jobs for British Columbians and strengthen the province’s place on the global stage.
As a gateway between North America and the Asia-Pacific region, B.C. is ready to welcome the world and build lasting connections through the beautiful game, cementing our place in soccer history.
48 TEAMS from 6 continents
16 HOST CITIES across 3 countries
104 MATCHES 7 in Vancouver JUNE 11 - JULY 19
Matches will take place at BC Place Vancouver. Located in the heart of Vancouver’s business and entertainment district, it is home to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS) and the BC Lions (CFL), and frequent host to Canada’s Men’s National and Women’s National soccer teams and other major musical and cultural events. The 54,400-seat stadium is within walking distance of hotels, shopping areas, restaurants and transit stations, making it easy for fans to explore the city before and after matches. Inside the stadium, spectators will find a wide range of food and beverage options, fan services and amenities designed to enhance the match-day experience.
To ensure a successful world-class event, BC Place Vancouver has undergone major upgrades:
■ new and reimagined hospitality spaces
■ centre-hung video board screens
■ improved stadium-wide WiFi
■ modernized dressing rooms and washrooms
■ sustainability upgrades to meet LEED certification
The stadium is also receiving several important accessibility and inclusivity upgrades, including the addition of three more passenger elevators and gender-neutral washrooms.
FIFA will offer two apps for the tournament: the Official FWC26 App for the overall fan experience and the FWC26 Mobile Tickets App for mobile ticket delivery and transfers. The apps will work seamlessly together, with easy navigation between them to support fans throughout the tournament.
Instructions for entry on match days will be provided to ticket holders, and entry points may vary based on ticket type, accessibility needs and assigned stadium entry zone.
Security screening will be in place at all stadium entrances, and spectators should arrive early to allow time for screening and ticket checks.
The Match Day Spectator Route is a specially planned fan route that begins at Main Street–Science World SkyTrain station and makes its way along the False Creek waterfront to BC Place Vancouver. It transforms the walk to the stadium into a festive, immersive experience for ticket holders, with entertainment, fan activations and a lively atmosphere as supporters make their way together toward kickoff.
Whether you’re headed to BC Place Vancouver, the FIFA Fan Festival™ or exploring the city and the region between matches, public transit, walking and cycling are the most sustainable ways to get to and around Metro Vancouver during FIFA World Cup 2026™.
OPTIONS INCLUDE:
■ SKYTRAIN
Vancouver’s rapid transit system, with stations within walking distance of BC Place Vancouver
■ BUS SERVICE
Extensive routes connecting neighbourhoods throughout Metro Vancouver
■ WATER TAXIS
Passenger ferries and small water taxis connect Downtown Vancouver with North Vancouver and False Creek destinations
Plan your bus, SkyTrain or SeaBus trip ahead with TransLink’s Trip Planner
■ WALKING
Many hotels, restaurants and attractions are located within walking distance of BC Place Vancouver
■ CYCLING
Vancouver has an expansive network of bike routes and cycling path
■ BIKE AND E-SCOOTER SHARE
Public bike and e-scooter programs are available throughout the city
Visitors travelling to Vancouver from other parts of B.C. can also reach
the city by regional ferry services from Vancouver Island, as well as passenger flights and helicopter services connecting coastal communities with Downtown Vancouver. During the tournament, additional transit service will be available to help spectators get around. Plan ahead, allow extra travel time and stay up to date on service changes and road closures.
Check the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Vancouver host site for details.
Destination BC’s Same Day Game Day helps you plan easy, same day trips to and from BC Place Vancouver.
Vancouver is an accessible city, with curb cuts on sidewalks, audible crosswalks and accessible parking options. TransLink offers a variety of accessible features and services for people with disabilities. BC Place Vancouver also offers accessible drop-off and pick-up, accessible seating and facilities, wheelchair assistance and other accommodations.
Vancouver’s Official Host City Poster was created by Jamin Zuroski, an award-winning artist of mixed Ukrainian, Polish and Namgis First Nation ancestry. Throughout a long career, his art has often celebrated the connection between sport, nature and Indigenous culture.
Excitement will be high! Be sure to arrive early on major match days. Capacity is limited to 25,000 guests, and the most anticipated matches are expected to draw large crowds. Early arrival will help secure your spot and give you time to explore the Festival site.
The FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver is a free, vibrant, family-friendly fan event where visitors and locals can experience the excitement of FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Hosted at the historic Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) grounds in Hastings Park between June 11 and July 19, 2026, this is Vancouver’s official Fan Festival.
■ live match broadcasts on giant outdoor screens
■ live music and entertainment
■ interactive fan activations and immersive experiences
■ local and global food and beverage options
With space for up to 25,000 fans, the site will buzz with energy throughout the tournament.
Located on Vancouver’s east side, the PNE grounds are easily reached by dedicated public transit, bike or on foot. There will also be designated pick-up and drop-off areas for rideshare, buses and secure bike valets.
Fans looking for an elevated experience can purchase premium tickets:
■ guaranteed entry
■ in-and-out privileges
■ reserved seating and space in the FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver amphitheatre
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE:
Across 28 days, more than 70 FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches and live entertainment will transform the Festival grounds into a stadium-style celebration where fans can experience every goal and dramatic moment together.
Matches will be shown on 26 days, and the excitement continues long after the final whistle with daily performances across two stages featuring Canadian and international talent. On July 12 and 17 the spotlight shifts as the amphitheatre hosts two premium live concerts.
For the first time in FIFA history, each host city has partnered with a local producer to remix the tournament’s theme and infuse the distinct rhythm, vibe and cultural essence of their location. The Vancouver Sonic ID remix, created by Vancouver DJ and producer Grayson Repp, blends Indigenous vocals and beats with Vancouver soundscapes and local nature sounds.
Beyond the big screens and concert stages, the Festival offers interactive experiences throughout the site.
Guests can explore soccer-themed activities, roaming entertainment, cultural programming, brand activations, photo opportunities and official FIFA World Cup 2026™ merchandise.
Families will find plenty to keep younger fans entertained, including mini soccer games, skillbuilding drills, Skee-Ball, a giant paint-by-number mural, face painting and more.
For the full FIFA Fan Festival™ schedule and daily programming, visit vancouverfwc26.ca/fff
The FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver site offers a global culinary experience with a wide variety of food and drink options that cater to tastes and dietary needs—from local restaurants and food trucks to grab-andgo favourites—so you can stay energized and inspired while enjoying the matches, live performances and activities.
Inspired by B.C.’s wine regions, The Vineyard blends natural textures and greenery with a contemporary dining atmosphere, featuring open-air patio seating and live match viewing. The Vineyard menu includes a wide selection of local and international wines and other drinks, as well as B.C. cheese and charcuterie platters, Vineyard flatbreads and gourmet breakfast sandwiches.
Inspired by Vancouver’s street festivals and night markets, The Neighbourhood offers a diverse mix of local restaurants, food vendors and international cuisine, including:
■ Peacock by Vij
■ NUBA
■ La Taqueria
■ Paella Guys & Co
■ Riz Sushi
■ MunChi German Food
■ Chouchou Crepes
■ Rosie’s Rotisserie
A relaxed, family-friendly spot in the heart of the FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver, The Backyard features open green space, picnic seating and activities for children and parents alike. As you watch the matches on the big screen, enjoy easy favourites like pizza and hot dogs from vendors, including:
■ Pastaria by Pastaggio
■ Japadog
■ Rosie’s BBQ and Smokehouse
■ Berry Sweet
■ Jamaican Mi Juicy
Located near the amphitheatre, The Campground features a relaxed, outdoorsy atmosphere inspired by time spent in B.C.’s parks. Enjoy BBQ favourites and cold beverages in a rustic setting with camp-inspired seating. Offerings include:
■ Truckin’ BBQ
■ Gary’s Kettle Corn
Over 30 vendors from across British Columbia will serve a wide range of crowd favourites, including:
■ Lee’s Donuts
■ Dos Amigos
■ Taco Nori
■ REEL Mac and Cheese
■ Roasted Revolution
■ The Mad Greek
■ Mr. Shawarma
■ Aloha Poke
■ Macondo Colombian Cuisine
■ Mahshiko
■ Turkish Street Kitchen
■ Rumble Fish
■ Tochi Dessert
■ Casereccio Gelato
■ Mom’s Grilled Cheese
Aligning with FIFA’s sustainability mandates, the City of Vancouver’s Greenest City Action Plan and the Province of B.C.’s actions to reduce single-use plastics and build a circular economy, the FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver is taking measures to reduce waste, use greener materials and cut down on emissions. By prioritizing reusables, composting, recycling, sustainable fabrication and eco-friendly transportation, we’re ensuring that worldclass soccer and West Coast sustainability go hand in hand.
Hastings Park will come alive from kick off to final whistle, and every moment in between:
FOOD & BEVERAGE
■ Local and global cuisine, shaded seating, and family-friendly picnic areas
THE FIFA STORE
■ Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ and Host City merchandise for fans who live the game year-round and those seeking memorable keepsakes
PLAYGROUND ACTIVITIES
■ Games, photo opportunities, face painting and skill workshops
PARK STAGE
■ More than 60 free performances at the Park Stage will expand the festival’s music lineup.
THEBAG.CA
Local company thebag.ca will be offering special edition reusable bags as part of their FIFA World Cup 2026™ Official Licensed Product catalogue.
“We are proud Vancouverites and cannot wait to welcome the world to experience what makes Vancouver and Canada so special,” says founder Andrew Murray, whose company launched in 2018 with a mission to create stylish, sustainable everyday bags inspired by the West Coast lifestyle.
Vancouver-founded Mosa will be offering a collection of FIFA World Cup 2026™-branded glassware and soy candles, including steins, mugs and shot glasses, made from upcycled discarded glass bottles.
“FIFA World Cup™ is one of the biggest moments Vancouver has ever seen, and being an official licensed partner for B.C. means Mosa gets a chance to put Vancouver’s sustainability values on a global stage and show the world that the best souvenirs don’t have to cost the Earth,” says Abhi Mishra, co-founder of Mosa.
Step into Home Pitch at FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver and experience the game like never before. Dribble a ball, score a goal, or watch the action unfold around you. Immersive 360-degree screens and spatial sound surround the pitch, transforming mountain peaks, coastal horizons, and ancient forests into a living panorama of British Columbia. Daily activities will keep the energy high and the experience immersive, offering a new way to feel the passion of the game alongside the unforgettable landscapes of B.C. Come play, cheer, explore and feel right at home on the pitch.
Vancouver offers something few major cities can: world-class sport set against an extraordinary natural backdrop.
From the forests of the North Shore mountains to the sparkling waters of the Pacific, nature is never far away. Before matches, visitors can start the day with a walk along the waterfront, explore coastal parks and beaches or take in sweeping mountain views—all within minutes of the city centre.
More than a single destination, Vancouver and its surrounding cities have a diversity of neighbourhoods to explore before, after and between matches. These destinations offer an incredible mix of nature, arts and cultural experiences to engage visitors and residents alike:
■ s cenic waterfront pathways and beaches
■ mountain viewpoints and forested parks
■ vibrant public spaces and outdoor gathering areas
■ cultural landmarks and artistic districts
Consistently ranked among the world’s most liveable cities, Vancouver is the only city to have hosted a World’s Fair, an Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Invictus Games and both the FIFA Men’s World Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup™.
To plan your trip and learn about other local events and celebrations happening around the FIFA World Cup 2026™, check out Destination Vancouver’s website: destinationvancouver.com
While the matches will be the main attraction during FIFA World Cup 2026™, British Columbia offers diverse thrills beyond the stadium. From windswept ridges to rocky shores to quiet old-growth forests, Mother Nature is on full display. Travel on your own or book an authentic tour crafted for FIFA World Cup 2026™ travelers seeking more than gameday excitement.
To learn more, visit the Beautiful Seats FIFA World Cup 2026™ page on SuperNaturalBC.com
The official FIFA World Cup 2026™ poster is a global collaboration with a strong Vancouver connection. Local artist Carson Ting was selected to represent Canada, working alongside international designers from Mexico and the United States to create a bold, unified visual for the tournament. The result is a dynamic piece that captures the spirit of the game—while putting Vancouver’s creative talent in the global spotlight.
Several key gathering spaces will serve as community hubs for fans looking to experience the FIFA World Cup 2026™ together.
Between June 11 and July 20, Granville Street in Downtown Vancouver will transform into a vibrant pedestrian zone, creating a welcoming destination for locals and visitors. The five-block area will feature live music, cultural experiences, vendors, food and more.
Bell Media is constructing a large-scale outdoor set at Vancouver’s Jack Poole Plaza where it will host live coverage of FIFA World Cup 2026™ beginning June 11 on TSN, CTV and Crave.
A visually stunning location overlooking Vancouver Harbour, the set is designed for TSN’s main World Cup panel and will fit into the landscape of Vancouver’s natural beauty.
Through a $1.7-million Community Event Support Fund, the Province of B.C. is helping 32 communities host soccer-themed celebrations, live match viewings and local cultural events during the tournament.
Together, these cities will create a shared, province-wide fan experience—bringing people together through sport, culture and community.
FIFA World Cup celebrations within Metro Vancouver can be found in:
■ Coquitlam
■ Delta
■ Maple Ridge
■ New Westminster
■ Pitt Meadows
■ Port Coquitlam
■ Richmond
■ Surrey
As part of FIFA’s nationwide Canada Celebrates tour, several cities across B.C.—including Fort St. John, Kamloops, Salmon Arm, Revelstoke, Nelson and Cranbrook—will host fan events. Each stop will bring live match viewings, cultural programming, music and food to local communities, extending the FIFA World Cup 2026™ experience beyond host cities.
The Squamish Nation will host several watch parties during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and launch a youth-focused ticketing program to help inspire the next generation through the beautiful game.
The Shipyards in Lower Lonsdale will transform into Canada Soccer House North Vancouver, the official fan home for Canada Soccer. This free waterfront festival will feature live match viewings, food and drinks, entertainment and interactive fan experiences for supporters of all ages.
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Volunteer Program will be the heartbeat of the world’s largest single-sport event. From more than 1 million applicants, 50,000 volunteers have been selected across 16 cities— 2,500 volunteers in Vancouver alone.
The volunteer program brings together people who showcase the pride, diversity and hospitality of Vancouver. Whether directing visitors, supporting pre-match ceremonies or welcoming fans along key routes, volunteers are ambassadors to making this event an unforgettable experience for all.
Born and raised in Vancouver. Worked part-time for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC for over 10 years and with the Vancouver Rise FC during their inaugural season.
“The FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be a signature moment to show how Vancouver can come together and do something this big.”
“I’m hoping to meet a lot of visitors to the city and savour the energy of the FIFA World Cup™ festivities. I was here in 2010 for the Winter Olympics, and I’m hoping to have another experience like that.”
Grew up in the U.K., now proud to call Vancouver home. Involved in a variety of sporting events in the city. Worked at the London 2012 Summer Olympics. Son and daughter both played and coached soccer.
“Being part of an event that brings global fans into our community feels like the perfect blend of my love for the sport and my love for this city.”
“Growing up, football was the heartbeat of my family. Watching matches with my family created some of my favourite childhood memories.”
Born and raised in Vancouver. A retired nurse, youth athlete, lifelong fan, coach and volunteer. Former soccer mom of three now-grown sons, always “equipped with good rain gear and a sunny attitude.”
“I am super excited and thrilled to put on a volunteer uniform and be part of a team helping contribute to an event so big and unique.”
“I’ll be ready with a smile, my team spirit, friendly and proactive attitude and commitment to delivering a world-class event in the city I was born and raised in.”
Mother and son volunteer duo. Sue grew up in Manitoba, where she played soccer at a high level. Riley has played soccer for most of his life, and founded Just For Kicks Soccer, a Vancouver-based after-school soccer program
“The sport had always given me so much, so when my kids started playing, I got involved—volunteered as a team manager, worked with the youth district and helped start a club. Being able to share this experience with my son is very cool.” —Sue
“I’ve played soccer since I was four years old, and I’m still playing now. Being able to work with thousands of volunteers on the biggest event in the world is a really great experience.” —Riley
▲ KHANH BE Grew up in Berlin, Germany, before moving to Ontario and then Vancouver. Senior Manager, Community & Social Impact for Hockey Canada. Served on the Ottawa venue team for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup™.
“Growing up in Berlin in the 90s sparked my deep appreciation for soccer and soccer culture. That passion led me to pursue a career in sports management in adulthood.”
“I’m looking forward to giving my time and energy as part of a team of other volunteers here in Vancouver who will make the FIFA World Cup 2026™ an unforgettable milestone for our city and province.”
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ will bring the world’s biggest sporting event to Vancouver—but its impact will extend long after the final whistle. Ensuring more people can access and experience the beautiful game is a key part of Vancouver and B.C.’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ legacy.
Level the Field is a registered charity that works with sport organizations and community partners to expand access to soccer and other sports for those facing the greatest barriers to participation. Through fundraising, partnerships and community programs, the initiative aims to create more inclusive opportunities for British Columbians to play, grow and lead through sport so that no one is left on the sidelines. Learn more at levelthefield.ca
In celebration of FIFA World Cup 2026™, the Province of B.C. is partnering with Vancouver Whitecaps FC to bring mini soccer pitches to communities throughout British Columbia.
With $13 million in funding, up to 20 mini soccer pitches will be built across the province—creating welcoming spaces where youth and families can learn, practice and play the game in their own neighbourhoods.
The primary Venue Specific Training Site in Vancouver during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be Killarney Park.
This recently upgraded training facility includes a grass soccer pitch, energy-efficient field lights, locker rooms and a press conference room.
After the tournament concludes, the community will benefit from these lasting upgrades to the park, ensuring the site continues to support local athletes and recreation for years to come.
SOCCER & TECHNOLOGY FROM THE FIFA MUSEUM AT SCIENCE WORLD
The Soccer & Technology from the FIFA Museum exhibition is making its North American debut in Vancouver at Science World from May 15 to September 7, 2026. This interactive exhibition explores how science and innovation are transforming the beautiful game. Hands-on displays reveal how technology shapes player performance, equipment design, officiating and the fan experience.
Soccer has deep roots in Vancouver, where passionate supporters, historic clubs and major events have helped shape the city’s identity as a global soccer destination.
The region is home to a thriving professional soccer scene, led by the Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Major League Soccer, along with two clubs competing in the Canadian Premier League—Vancouver FC and Pacific FC.
The growth of the women’s game is also part of this momentum: Vancouver Rise FC recently made history as the first champions of Canada’s new professional women’s league, marking an exciting milestone. The city also played a starring role in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™, hosting nine matches and the championship final at BC Place Vancouver.
Vancouver’s connection to the national team continues today through Alphonso Davies, who began his professional career with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC before joining Bayern Munich in 2019 at just 18. At the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Davies scored Canada’s first-ever men’s FIFA World Cup™ goal.
Hailing from Burnaby, Canadian forward Christine Sinclair is widely regarded as the greatest international goal scorer in soccer history, holding the all-time world record with 190 goals in 331 international matches. A legendary captain, she led Canada to Olympic Gold in 2021 and is a 14-time Canadian Player of the Year. When asked about her continuing legacy, Sinclair notes, “I am proud to be a part of Canadian soccer history, and I hope FIFA World Cup 2026™ will inspire a new generation of Canadian soccer players.”
Some of the greatest moments in Canadian soccer history have links to Vancouver. In 1979, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, then in the North American Soccer League, stunned the heavily favoured New York Cosmos in the semifinals before going on to secure the championship. “After winning the championship in New York, we had 100,000 people in Downtown Vancouver celebrating,” says Vancouver native and Whitecaps club liaison Bob Lenarduzzi.
Another turning point was in 1986, when Canada first qualified for the FIFA World Cup™ finals in Mexico—a milestone marking its 40th anniversary this year. Lenarduzzi played a key role for Canada’s team that year, alongside U.K.-born Carl Valentine, club ambassador for the Whitecaps, and Ontario native Paul Dolan, who at the time, became the youngest goalkeeper to play in a FIFA World Cup™ match.
Dolan highlights the unlikely run: “We had amateur players, like myself, who came together and were able to go on a great qualifying run,” he says. Valentine points out that even though the 1986 World Cup didn’t get as much coverage as it does today, “it was still a massive event and galvanized the sport in Canada… and was inspiration for a lot of families and kids.”
Across Vancouver and B.C., tens of thousands of young players take part in youth soccer programs every year. For many, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be the first chance to see the world’s best teams play in their hometown— an experience expected to inspire the next generation of Canadian players.
Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026™ this year is expected to further accelerate the sport’s growth across British Columbia and Canadian soccer.
While much of the action will take place inside the stadium, the excitement will extend across the country for this one-in-a-lifetime event.
As part of its ongoing legacy of partnership, the Tsleil-Waututh Nation has built its first full-size turf field—creating a space where youth and future generations can fully experience the beautiful game. The project reflects a powerful commitment to community well-being, connection and the joy of sport.
Horses have been featured in Stanley Park for well over a century.
At first, miners and loggers used them for hauling and clearing trails. In fact, some of the park’s existing trails were cleared by logging companies. (Oxen were used, too). Not long after the park was dedicated in 1889, a gentler use for horses began.
A century later, the clip-clop of horses still echoes in the park. Some of these gentle giants stand 2.4 m tall, have feet the size of frying pans, and consume 27 kg of food and 100 L of water a day.
Stanley Park Horse-Drawn Tours has been transporting people around the park in these colourful trams since the early 1980s. The trams today are designed with the comfort of the horses in mind, using a freestanding tongue and aluminum frame.
They have some features the old Tally-Ho drivers would find astonishing, including signal lights and hydraulic brakes.
But one thing hasn’t changed, these are still ‘organically powered’ vehicles, running on hay and oats: a fun, environmentally friendly way to see the jewel of Vancouver.
POPPING OFF
K-Pop Thursdays at Celebrities is just one opportunity for some good times—turn the page for more theme nights and dance parties.
You could easily spend your entire visit to Vancouver hopping from one restaurant to the next, but the city serves up plenty of non-edible fun, too. Work up an appetite with dancing, comedy, biking, hiking, gallery shows, beach adventures and more. Time to explore.
Vin Van’s sporadic pop-up wine bars and laidback Ellis Building wine-and-disco nights always feature fun, curated bottles and cocktails, a cool-kid crowd and a great vinyl soundtrack. Sip your new fave funky French orange blend and rub elbows with the friendliest wine nerds in town. vinvan.ca
Head to the UBC campus and the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, where a staggering collection of preserved specimens—over two million!—awaits to either delight or gross out the kids in your group. The crown jewel of the space, of course, is the massive blue whale skeleton that hangs in the museum’s glass atrium—an awe-inspiring sight at any age. beatymuseum.ubc.ca
Here’s a great problem to struggle with: deciding which drag brunch to feature on this list. Any given weekend will offer a chance to enjoy your eggs benny with a side of world-class drag talent—whether it’s a
Beyoncé x Lady Gaga-themed day party or a death-drop battle royale at Colony. Various venues
Make sure to mark down your parking spot somewhere before you enter the sprawling Pacific Spirit Park . It’s easy to take one too many twists and turns along
trails that crisscross under towering firs... but even if your forest bathing experience takes a little longer than planned, the fresh, earthy air will keep plenty of pep in your step. vancouvertrails.com
Whatever your religious persuasion, Fever’s candlelit concerts
You’ve already got Fly Over Canada and the Capilano Suspension Bridge on your agenda—here are 30-plus other amazing activities to add to the itinerary.
by STACEY McLACHLAN
at Christ Church Cathedral are an otherworldly experience—even when (or especially when?) the music program is a tribute to Coldplay, Queen or video games—experienced in the city’s most unique (or at least moststained-glass heavy) venue. feverup.com
You don't need to know anything about two-steppin’ or promenading to join in the fun at the monthly East Van Square Dance. BYOP (bring your own partner) or find one on the floor as high-spirited callers lead the way for a fun-loving crowd at the Wise Hall. All genders and orientations welcome, but no kids: this Thursday night party is for the 19-plus crowd only. pacificbluegrass.ca
Creative Mornings feeds more than just your mind with its low-barrier, always-inspiring breakfast lecture series: there’s free coffee and snacks, too. Speakers at the monthly event range from mural artists to dance-company creative directors, but the community here provides just as much creative inspo. creativemornings.com
There’s a dance party out there for everyone. You just need to know where to look.
EMO NIGHT AT THE HOLLYWOOD THEATRE
Saves The Day, Taking Back Sunday and all your moody faves. For elder millennials who still have feelings (and are maybe even rocking an extreme side part). 3123 W Broadway, hollywoodtheatre.ca
GOLDEN AT THE FOX CABARET
If you’ve gleaned that the name of this monthly dance party is a nod to Jurassic 5, this series is for you. Spanning hip hop tunes from the eighties to the oughties, series belongs to anyone who’s ever vibed to OutKast, DMX or De La Soul. 2321 Main St., foxcabaret.com
HOMECOMING THURSDAYS AT THE YALE SALOON
Whoever thought that line-dancing would be a thing of the past was definitely wrong. This countryinspired bar serves up line-dancing lessons for (mostly) 20-somethings on Thursdays from 7 to 10 p.m., at
which point the vibe turns decidedly club-like. 1300 Granville St., yalesaloon.com
QUEERS AND BEERS AT THE BIRDHOUSE
This queer- and trans-run arts space gets a banging patio party vibe during Queers and Beers, which is often timed around unofficial—but very celebrated—holidays like Pride. Think DJs, dancing and drafts. 44 W 4th Ave., @birdhouseartspace
THE DARK EIGHTIES AT THE WISE HALL
A cult ’80s dance party that would make Robert Smith blush.
This goth-leaning monthly romp demands that you dig out the lace and leather from your closet, plus a generous helping of eyeliner. 1882 Adanac St., wisehall.ca
HOME BY MIDNIGHT
Mom jeans abound at this club night—both because they’re
to go home until the sun is up. Every Friday and Saturday from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m., the dance party gets bangin’ with a state-of-the-art honeycomb sound system and some of the best DJs in town. Now that downtown Vancouver’s liquor laws allow sales ’til 4 a.m., we think we might see a few more folks rushing through these doors. 695 Smithe St., gorgomish.com
fashionable now (everything truly comes back!) and because plenty of actual moms are busting a move here, too. This dance party started for parents who need both a break and their zzzs, but, really, it’s for any ready-to-boogie folks who want to party and still look fresh for their meetings in the morning. Various venues, homebymidnight.ca
If you haven’t been to Cancun Nites at this downtown spot, you might be... young. The party has been bumpin’ Latin music and Top 40 jams every Friday for nearly two decades—okay, well, pandemic times excluded. Pop over here if you want to get a taste of legacy Vancouver culture. 398 Richards St., redroomvancouver.com
In contrast to those who want to be “home by midnight," Gorg-O-Mish is the spot for those who don’t want
Known to have one of the best sound systems in the city, Chinatown’s Fortune Sound Club is the place to be if you like your music loud and throbbing and your dance floor intimate (tables, bottle service areas and a stage outline the sweaty bods). Bust a move to all decades of music, from ’80s hip hop to the latest dance-y jams with the help of DJ Seko, Clu and The Boy Jesse. 147 E Pender St., fortunesoundclub.com
K-POP THURSDAYS AT CELEBRITIES
Calling all Blinks! Start your weekend early at Vancouver’s only weekly K-pop night. DJs hype up the crowd to K-pop from multiple decades, plus $4 soju shots and $7 soju bombs abound. And if this is the first time you’ve heard the term “Blink,” consider this your required research. 1022 Davie St., celebritiesnightclub.com
This East Coast-inspired seafood eatery turns into a party every Friday and Saturday as the pub converts to club at 10 p.m. under the spell of resident DJs Lupo and Relly Rels. If you don’t find a love connection, you can at least get your next Hinge profile pic here—many a fish-kissing photo is featured on the spot’s Instagram feed. 7 Alexander St., theportsidepub.com
Despite the fact that it’s called Vancouver Whale Watch, this long-running zodiac wildlife tour technically starts in Richmond— but once you're out on the water, searching for spouts and watching orcas play, you'll be too in awe of nature to be pedantic. Sightings guaranteed. vancouverwhalewatch.com
The Hard Rock Miners’ Singalong is the perfect event for both the karaoke enthusiast and the karaoke averse. Wherever you might find them performing (these days, usually Hero's Welcome), the sprawling dad-rock bar band provides lyric books for the whole crowd to encourage a rousing pub-wide singalong. @hrmsingalong
If your knowledge of ballet begins and ends with The Nutcracker, book yourself a seat at Ballet BC’s next show and prepare to have your mind blown.
This is a pure contemporary exploration of the genre—visceral, powerful, innovative shows that are truly on pointe. balletbc.com
Restricted Entertainment has been producing counterculture events since the late ’90s—so you can bet the team knows how to throw a good party. Sin City fetish parties bring out a more leather-clad crowd; Unbelievable at the Waldorf is a dance party that the more inhibited among us can enjoy. @restricted.events
Hop on the SeaBus and cruise to whatever is going on at the Lonsdale Quay Shipyards. The public plaza hosts fun year-round—free outdoor concerts, movies in the summer, night markets in the fall, public firepits in the winter—all backed with a twinkling view of downtown Van. cnv.org
The events calendar at Commercial Drive’s Slice of Life gallery is
enough to fill up your schedule for a month on its own: speed dating, a mini-mart, life drawing classes and more await. (Plus the usual fare, like opening night receptions and talks from up-and-coming visual artists.) slicevancouver.ca
15. RELIVE THE NOT-SO-GLORY
Cringe in community at the long-running Sarah Bynoeproduced Teen Angst night, where comedians and brave over-sharers take the stage to read hilarious excerpts from their adolescent diaries or misguided attempts at poetry. sarabynoe.com
If you’re feeling like a savage beast in need of soothing, the city’s wealth of animal cafés may just be the remedy. Hop over to the Bunny Cafe, or scratch your pet-playtime itch at the kitty-centric Catfe or Catoro in East Van, which recently celebrated 10 years. bunnycafe.ca; catfe.ca; catoropets.com
Dance fitness might be Formation’s main move, but this East Van studio is about more than breaking a sweat. Instructors introduce themselves to every participant, connection cards and table games prompt conversation in the common areas and partnerships with nearby businesses (like sunset classes on Pavilion Cowork’s rooftop) bring the neighbourhood together. theformationstudio.com
Though the minor-league Vancouver Canadians also play at night, a Nooner at the Nat (Nat Bailey Stadium) is an enduring Vancouver tradition. Whenever you go, be warned that the sushi races, three-foot hotdogs and base-dancing might steal more of your attention than the actual game. milb.com
Cult-fave comedy club Little Mountain Gallery showcases the best of alternative comedy. Catch big-shot comics (like Juno winner Ivan Decker) alongside the next big comedy stars; experimental sketch and improv shows from the city’s best fill the rest of the calendar. littlemountaingallery.ca
20. FILL YOUR BELLY
Ostensibly, the Richmond Night Market is a shopping experience (the number of quirky phone cases you’ll find here is downright staggering) but the real draw is the Instagram-bait snacks. Come hungry: crème brûlée crepes, mile-high cup
noodles and butter beer await, April through October. richmondnightmarket.com
Rolla Skate Club rocks out regularly at the PNE’s Rollerland, so get laced up and roll out to one of their Glam-O-Rama roller discos or soul-themed skates. Unsteady on your feet? Classes for adults and youth will get you wheel-y confident. rollaskateclub.com
22. FIND A FRONTROW SEAT
Guilt and Company remains the city’s go-to local music venue: the
For indie-rockers and underground tastemakers, head to Green Auto. Don’t be fooled by the name—this East Van auto-shop-turned-venue hosts intimate, DIY-style shows that have you feeling like you’ve stumbled onto the city’s best-kept musical secret. 1822 Pandora St., @greenautomusic
Eclectic programming—from emo throwbacks to cutting-edge electronic artists—thrives at the Hollywood Theatre. Recently revitalized, this art deco gem feels glamorous yet gritty, exactly as a concert hall should. 3123 W Broadway, hollywoodtheatre.ca
High-energy shows and iconic tours still rule at the Commodore Ballroom, where the sprung dance floor has bounced beneath crowds since the big-band era (the cool-kid ballroom is nearly 100, after all). Drawing big-name acts from around
the globe, it remains the beating heart of Vancouver’s music scene— and it’s probably the setting of all your best cool stories. 868 Granville St., commodoreballroom.com
For alt-rock and indie favourites, the Biltmore Cabaret is your go-to. Low ceilings, red velvet curtains and an iconic photobooth have captured legendary nights (with snapshots to prove it). 2755 Prince Edward St., biltmorecabaret.com
Intimate yet impactful shows spanning folk, indie-pop and alt-country define the Vogue Theatre Beautifully preserved interiors and exceptional acoustics mean you’ll catch every lyric—even with the guy behind you loudly confirming the band “sounds better live.” 918 Granville St., voguetheatre.com
The Pearl offers a refreshing twist on Granville’s usually rowdy club
The Orpheum’s nice and all, but live music is alive and well in plenty of other dark rooms around town.
scene. This newer, uber stylish indie sanctuary hosts gritty-glam bands, comedians and avant-garde noisemakers. Its cozy capacity and wrap-around balcony ensure great views despite every tall guy in town standing directly in front of you. 881 Granville St., thepearlvancouver.com
For jazz lovers (or anyone who saw La La Land and made it their personality), Frankie’s Jazz Club is your downtown staple. Sip cocktails, savour Italian dishes and groove as local legends and touring jazz stars take the stage. 755 Beatty St., frankiesjazzclub.ca
Experimental sounds, indie popups and fresh DIY energy thrive at Red Gate. Community-driven and endlessly creative, it’s where you’ll find the bands your coolest friend already loves. 1965 Main St., redgate.tv
The Grey Lab is the spot for all-ages, indie and underground vibes. Discover your new go-to band before they’re famous—then brag about it forever. It’s your underground band’s favourite underground venue. 438 W Pender St., @greylabyvr
Once a dormant kung-fu cinema, the Rickshaw Theatre was revitalized into a gritty-yet-charming venue in 2009. Since then it has boasted top-notch sound, fiercely loyal crowds and possibly the best sightlines in the city for standing or seated gigs. Its flexible capacity (200 to 600) ensures every show feels intimate. 254 E Hastings St., rickshawtheatre.com
An East Van community staple since 1925, the Wise Hall combines a historic upstairs performance space with a cozy downstairs lounge. Deeply local, nonprofit and filled with character, it hosts emerging artists across genres in a welcoming, wood-panelled setting loved by regulars and those wise to this hall’s indie-cool vibes. 1882 Adanac St., wisehall.ca
All great venues have a past, and this former porno theatre turned vibrant indie hub is no exception. With a two-floor setup hosting touring and local acts, DJ nights and comedy, the Fox Cabaret offers prime balcony vantage points, disco ball dance floors and an arttheatre-meets-nightclub energy for guaranteed good times. 2321 Main St., foxcabaret.com
Explore World Cup-inspired events happening across Metro Vancouver, from watch parties and fan festivals to cultural celebrations, special menus and community gatherings. Find your place to cheer, connect with fellow fans and experience the energy of the World Cup in Vancouver. destinationvancouver.com/world-cup-events
intimate cabaret is one of the rare spots to catch local talent any day of the week. The lineup is delightfully eclectic—psychedelic reggae one day, modern country the next—but it’s always the perfect soundtrack for enjoying a cocktail. guiltandcompany.com
23. SALUTE THE SILVER
Cinema nerds unite at the 153seat Pacific Cinematheque, where screenings celebrate international film all year long and true cinephiles can lose themselves in the extensive Film Reference Library. The Film Club family matinee series is ideal for budding movie lovers (and rainy afternoons). thecinematheque.ca
24. TAKE A MINI CRUISE
Explore the city from the water with a ride on False Creek Ferries. Whether you have a destination in mind or not (the ferry hits nine spots between the Maritime Museum and Yaletown), it’s an idyllic ride for under five bucks. granvilleislandferries.bc.ca
25. EAT POPCORN FOR DINNER
The Rio’s movie offerings are among the best in the city—catch cult fave screenings and indie darlings on the big screen of this retro theatre—but plenty of live thrills happen here, too. From burlesque to the charming Talent Time variety show, it’s the red-velvet heart of Commercial Drive. riotheatre.ca
While you can find pub trivia in any ’hood, on any night, it’s worth seeking out those hosted by IQ 2000. There’s a fine art to crafting Qs that are both
challenging and accessible, and the prolific trivia host knows just how to hit that balance—find him at places like Bomber Brewing and test your mettle. iq2000trivia.com
27. MAKE YOUR MARK AT THE MARKET
Even if you’re not in the market for produce, Vancouver Farmers Markets offer plenty to snack on: whether you’re in Riley Park, False Creek, Kitsilano or Trout Lake, discover live music, artisanal wares and some top-notch people-watching May through October (or year-round if you’re game to bundle up for the Winter Markets). eatlocal.org
28.
Put a few creative types on stage to talk about what inspires them, and you might find it challenging to rein them back in. But more than 50 events and 600-plus presentations later, the folks behind
PechaKucha have the concept of a rapid-paced, tight little dose of creative inspiration down to an art. The evening’s format—each presenter shows 20 images for 20 seconds each, speaking to what’s on screen before it automatically transitions to the next—makes for an energizing night for everyone. pechakuchavancouver.com
29. CELEBRATE
The Sunday Service is Vancouver’s longest-running weekly improv show for a reason—there’s no better way to counteract
the Sunday Scaries than by cry-laughing at the on-stage antics from your cozy balcony seat in the Fox Cabaret. thesundayservice.ca
30. GO TREASURE HUNTING
The Vancouver Flea Market is a sprawling warehouse packed with vintage curios and big-ticket antiques alike. You could spend your whole weekend exploring this treasure trove (and talking to the quirky vendors) and still not truly see it all—good thing it’s a weekly affair, then. vancouverfleamarket.com
Lucky Tile Mahjong Events is introducing (or re-introducing) people to the game in a fun, pressure-free environment, with monthly learn-to-play seminars and practice socials at rotating spots around the city. luckytilemahjong.com
The Arbutus Greenway may only be nine kilometres tip to tail, but we find that you can easily stretch a bike ride into a whole-day affair if you plan it right... like starting at Beaucoup Bakery for a disastrously messy croissant and americano, then using the caffeine and carbs to power yourself up and over the poppy-and-buttercup-lined path (at the southern endpoint of the route, seek out Milltown Bar and Grill to tast your workout). It’s the sort of ride—heart-rate increasing slopes and thrilling downhill stretches—that’ll have you turning to your bike mates to shout “Isn’t this the best?!” vancouver.ca
Ting is one of three artists who contributed to the official World Cup poster design for 2026!
How do you make the most of a day in Vancouver? When in doubt, copy an in-the-know local. We’ve tapped a trio of Vancouverites who are always out and about to share the itineraries for their perfect days—a content creator who specializes in “bopping around,” a rising Whitecaps soccer star with a penchant for Italian food and the local artist (and watch nerd) behind this year’s official World Cup poster. Whose fun-filled schedule will you follow first?
with Carson Ting Artist and illustrator; principal, Chairman Ting Art and Design Studio
7:00 a.m. Jog it out on the seawall. “Enter through the causeway by the rowing club, and follow the path past the lighthouse, Siwash Rock and endless ocean views. It’s a 10-kilometre stretch of pure magic—the perfect distance to wake up the mind.” 450 Stanley Park Dr., vancouver.ca
8:00 a.m. Grab a cortado at Greenhorn Cafe. “I get mine with soy, always paired with one of their awesome peanut butter cookies. They’re perfect for dunking.” 994 Nicola St., greenhorncafe.com
8:30 a.m. Breakfast seaside at the Sylvia Hotel. “I usually go for the Jogger’s Breakfast with sunny-side eggs. It comes with crispy potatoes and rye toast, plus unlimited coffee. Sitting there, watching English Bay, never gets old.” 1154 Gilford St., sylviahotel.com
10:00 a.m. Get back to the beach. “Even after a full seawall run, I love a post-breakfast stroll along English Bay with my wife and kids. Skipping rocks, digging in the sand—it’s our thing. Simple, timeless fun.” Gilford St. and Beach Ave., vancouver.ca
11:00 a.m. Nerd out on luxury watches.
“Alberni Street is a paradise for horology nerds, so I like to do the rounds: Rolex, Tudor, Panerai. Jaeger-LeCoultre is a must-visit, mainly to geek out with Charlie, a walking encyclopedia of watch history. They have an Atmos clock on display—an engineering marvel
that runs indefinitely, powered by slight temperature changes. Google it; it’s wild.” Alberni St., rolex.com; tudor watch.com; panerai .com; jaegerlecoultre .com
12:00 p.m. Order a bento at a secret rooftop resto.
“Eat Bar and Patio Haraheri is a hidden gem, tucked away on the rooftop of RBC and Honolulu Coffee. The vegan bento box is great. Take off your shoes, settle into a window seat and soak in the natural light flooding through the floor-to-ceiling windows. In the summer, the outdoor seating is a dream.” 101–888 Nelson St., haraheri.ca
1:00 p.m. Take in some art at the VAG. “I’ll stroll down Robson and stop by the Vancouver Art Gallery for a dose of inspiration.” 750 Hornby St., vanartgallery.bc.ca
4:00 p.m. Cheer on the ’Caps.
“If there’s a Whitecaps game happening, I grab my jersey, round up the family and head to BC Place. Nothing beats the energy of a last-minute match and cheering like maniacs.” 777 Pacific Blvd. , whitecapsfc.com
8:00 p.m. Break out the chopsticks at Kirin. “The vibe is casual, but the food is topnotch, and we’ve been coming here for 12 years so we know everyone. Both our kids’ 100day celebration dinners were held at Kirin. It’s our special place.” 1172 Alberni St., kirinrestaurants.com
2:00 p.m. Snack on a s’mores bar at Mister. “I make a beeline for Mister on Robson and Bute for a s’mores ice cream bar. They torch the marshmallow right in front of you.” 1193 Robson St., made bymister.com
with Brian White Striker, Vancouver Whitecaps
8:00
a.m.
Dig into a stack of pancakes. “Catherine, my fiancée, and I have been on a big Turf kick recently. They’ve got some really good pancakes there, and they’re certainly healthier than the normal pancakes.” 2041 W 4th Ave., our turf.com
on sandwiches. There’s a lot of nice Italian shops out on Commercial Drive, like La Grotta Del Formaggio and Renzullo Food Market. On the westside, Jo’s Italian Deli is a good lunch spot.” 1791 Commercial Dr., lagrottadelformaggio .com; 1370 Nanaimo St., renzullofoodmar ket.com; 2505 Alma St., jositaliandeli.com
2:30 p.m. Raise a glass on a patio. “The patio at Tap and Barrel on Granville Island is a great place to meet up with friends.” 1696 Duranleau St., tapandbarrel .com
4:00 p.m. Hunt down something sweet.
with @omgheysam
Content creator
7:00 a.m. Work it out at Yard Athletics. “I like to get my sweat in before the day starts, and it’s my go-to. The knowledgeable and encouraging coaches, community and general vibe of the gym is top-notch.” 307 W Pender St., yardathletics.ca
10:00 a.m. Kick it in Kitsilano. “After breakfast, we walk around Kits a little bit—I’m not much of a window shopper, but Reigning Champ on West 4th is a great local brand. Or, I love to go to Indigo on South Granville and walk around there. But mostly, we go down to the beach.” Kitsilano, kitsilano.ca
1:00 p.m. Seek out the city’s best sandwiches. “We like trying new restaurants; that’s been our thing. Italian is usually the way we go—and sandwiches. We’re big
“There are a lot of treats in this town—lots of ice cream, cookies, pastries and doughnuts. I like to dabble. Chez Nous, Angus T, Lee’s Donuts and Purebread are faves.” 1262 Homer St., cheznousbakery.com; 1036 Mainland St., angust.com; 199 Water St., leesdonuts.ca; 159 W Hastings St., purebread.ca
6:00 p.m. Fire up the grill on the high seas. “I love renting a Joe’s BBQ Boat in the summer, especially when people come to visit.” 1820 Mast Tower Ln., joesbbqboat.com
8:00 p.m. Hit the town with the team.
“The team usually ends up in Yaletown for a night out: it’s our post-win area of choice.” Yaletown, yaletowninfo.com
9:00 a.m. Grab a brilliant breakfast sandwich. At the top of my list would be Hunnybee or TV Dinner—both make excellent breakfast sandwiches for around $10.” 789 Gore Ave., hunnybeebrunch.com; 1780 W 3rd Ave., tvdinnershop.ca
10:00 a.m. Stroll the seawall. “I love to walk, so a long walk along the seawall in Kits would be ideal. Even though I was born and raised in Vancouver, the view of the ocean, mountains and city gets me every time.” Vanier Park, vancouver.ca
10:30 a.m. Score a second coffee at Honest to Pete. “Owner Pete roasts his own beans: they’re delicious. The café is located inside an art gallery and community space, Beaumont Studios, which creates a total experience.” 2109 Alberta St., honesttopete.com
11:00 a.m. Shop-hop on Main. “My favourite pocket for shopping at the moment is along Main Street between 19th and 28th. It’s got Nouvelle Nouvelle, the Main Exchange, Hey Jude, Eugene Choo, Welk’s, Vancouver Special, Shop Mercurial... it’s truly so much fun for bopping.” Main Street, mountpleasantbia.com
12:00 p.m. Caffeinate some more at Coco et Olive. “If I’m on Main Street, I’ll definitely get a coffee and treat from Coco et Olive along the way.” 3707 Main St., cocomain.ca
12:30 p.m. Snack on sushi by the sea. “I looove take-out on the beach, so I’d probably get some sushi and enjoy it overlooking the view. Koi Sushi is my fave.” 4532 W 10th Ave., koisushibc.com
1:30 p.m. Explore Granville Island. “I’d start with another coffee at Ellipsis, then walk down into Granville Island and wander through the Net Loft. I always stop into Paper Ya, Nooroongji Books and Circle Craft. I’d head into the Public Market and then spend the rest of the afternoon popping into shops like Upstart and Crow, Banquet Atelier and Allison Wonderland. And if it’s a Saturday, I’d definitely make a stop at Undun Vintage.” Granville Island, granvilleisland.com
4:00 p.m. Soak up some serenity at Circle Wellness. “Cir cle Wellness on Granville Island is the ultimate treat yourself spot. It’s the most gorgeous thermal spa where you get a private cedar tub, open-air rain shower, sauna, cold plunge and heated river stone bed. It’s as magical as it sounds.” 1297 Johnston St., circlewellnessspas.com
7:00 p.m. Partake in a pizza party. “Dinner is Belli on Commercial Drive for sure. Think amazing NY-style pizza in the coolest, chicest setting. And you have to get the caesar salad because it’s topped with a mountain of parm—so delish.” 1733 Commercial Dr., belli.pizza
Between the evening news and the pace of modern life, there are more a few good reasons for us all to feel a titch stressed right now. Luckily, Vancouver is a city where there are equally as many ways to chill back out.
by KERRI DONALDSON, ALYSSA HIROSE, STACEY MCLACHLAN and ANICKA QUIN
1 THE OIL CHANGE
SENSE AT THE ROSEWOOD HOTEL GEORGIA
801 W Georgia St.
If you could start every day with warm oil drizzled down your spine—as it does when you take a Sensory Journey (from $705) at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia’s Sense spa—well, every day would almost certainly be excellent. The “journey” is a half-day session at the spa that covers Sense’s most popular treatments—from massage to facial to mani/pedi—with a recharge of a spa lunch at your midpoint (a mod Cobb salad loaded with healthy chunks of lobster, perfect avocado, eggs... and a blissful moment to dive into a romcom novel, a warmed pillow resting on your once-tense shoulders). What a journey it is. Once your therapist moves from the full-body massage to a double-cleansing facial, her fingers dancing like raindrops across your face, you’ll wonder why all massages and facials don’t come as a duo treatment by default. (Particularly when she revisits that knot behind your scapula as the enzymatic exfoliant does its tingling good work on your face.) By the time you’re tilted back in a zero-gravity chair for your soakless pedi three hours later, you’ll be as zen as a woman who started her
day with warm oil poured down her spine—and ready to float down Georgia Street on your way back home. rosewoodhotels.com
2 THE OLD-SCHOOL INDULGENCE WEDGEWOOD HOTEL AND SPA
845 Hornby St.
Simply walking through the lobby of the Wedgewood Hotel has a soothing effect: something about the old-world charm of the high-end, European-inspired decor makes your brain forget that modern distractions like cell phones even exist. From there, it’s up the elevator to the compact but tastefully appointed spa: wrap yourself in a robe (the first step
in any day of indulgence, natch) and sip tea on the lounge’s tufted sofas or in the slate-clad eucalyptus steam rooms until you’re whisked away for your treatment. Pair a muscle-
melting, deep-tissue Theraputic massage (from $190) with a detoxifying sea salt body scrub ($240) for a true forget-your-problems day off: the post-scrub green tea and ginger root body wrap balances the skin while also invigorating the mind. Then throw that robe back on and continue to not think out on the spa’s sun-dappled secret garden patio. wedgewoodhotel.com
3 THE MAGIC MOMENT MIRAJ HAMMAM 1495 W 6th Ave.
It would be easy to take the magic that is Miraj Hammam for granted: they’ve been quietly brightening up their little corner of south Granville for over 20 years now. And on a rainy Tuesday, there’s nothing better than stepping inside this little jewelbox. The hammam—a steamfilled room, lined with Jerusalem gold marble, that’s inspired by traditional Middle Eastern hammams—is yours and yours alone when you arrive. After your soak in the steam, a spa attendant exfoliates you from stem to stern with black Moroccan soap in mesmerizing movements toward your heart, a combo of both massage and skin-stimulating exfoliation known as gommage. And
do gild the lily with a post-treatment massage ($297, massage with hammam and gommage) in a room lined with arched clerestory windows— you’ll practically melt into the velvet pillows of the lounge room afterward as you sip traditional tea and snack on biscuits. True bliss. mirajhammam.com
4 THE NEEDLE-FREE FACELIFT ENHANCE ARTS AESTHETICS AND SPA
220 Davie St.
“Buccal fat removal” is the latest celeb cosmetic surgery trend, but Enhance Arts Spa advertises similar (non-invasive, non-permanent) results through simple massage ($149). The treatment includes facial cupping, gua sha, face sculpting massage and intraoral massage—yes, that means they massage the inside of your cheeks (wearing gloves, of course). You might not notice a huge change in the way your face looks after your first appointment (likely due to the fact that the practitioner is going easy on you—a less-firm method is used for beginners), but you will find that your jaw feels so much more relaxed. For people who clench or grind their teeth in their sleep, this is a godsend. And the inside-of-the-mouth massage is actually very soothing. Who knew. enhancearts.ca
5 THE UNDERGROUND OASIS
900 W Georgia St.
“Hidden” is usually a word you’d use to describe an after-hours club, but in this case, it’s a newly renovated, luxurious spa. Underneath the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Spa Soleá is an escape in the middle of the city that has everything from massages and facials to hair and nail care. There’s even a meditation room where you lie down on a heated chair with a sound and sensory experience, but if that doesn’t relax you enough, the soothing, hydrating Lavender Cocoon wrap ($219) certainly will. Take your time once you emerge from the proverbial chrysalis—your treatment includes access to their infrared sauna, eucalyptus steam room and a relaxation lounge with snacks and tea. Talk about a peaceful retreat. spasolea.com
What’s hot right now in the spa world? Getting ice-cold. An impressive number of circuit spas that offer sauna-and-cold-plunge experiences, Scandinavian style, have popped up around the city in recent years. Here’s where to get in on this steamy trend.
AETHERHAUS
1768 Davie St.
The West End sauna-spa has roots in the German concept of “aufguss”—a ritual where aromatic steam is circulated through the sauna—and Russian banya, a communal bathhouse tradition known for heat, steam and social connection. aetherhaus.ca
CIRCLE WELLNESS
1297 Johnston St.
Shipping containers have been converted into sumptuous personal spas for a self-guided thermal experience on Granville Island. (The sensory-deprivation salt-sauna portion is downright trippy.) circlewellnessspas.com
THE FINNISH SAUNA
Mobile
Up for an ocean dip? This mobile sauna comes right to you and your buds at the beach. thefinnishsauna.ca
GATHERWELL
316 W 5th Ave.
Gatherwell hosts super-social community sessions, but if you’re not feeling chatty, breathwork is highly encouraged. gatherwell.ca
TALITY
501-107 E 3rd Ave.
The popular North Van secret spa is now in Mount Pleasant. And while they’re not so secret anymore, they’re still offering all-you-can-drink kombucha. talitywellness.ca
KOLM KONTRAST
101–525 W 8th Ave.
The clubbiest sauna spot in town features a 50-person sauna (chatting usually welcome!), slick EDM soundtracks and essential-oil infused snowballs thrown right on the heater. kolmkontrast.com
THE GOOD SAUNA
1216 Franklin St.
This pop-up sauna and plungetub experience (complete with fire pit!) is currently on the patio at Container Brewing. thegoodsauna.com
THE NORDIC SPA AT THE FAIRMONT PACIFIC RIM
1038 Canada Pl.
A sauna pod and cold tubs sit beside the already lovely pool and jacuzzi at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. fairmontpacificrim .com/nordicspa
By Kerri Donaldson and Stacey McLachlan
We’ve already pointed you to the best places to go drinking and dancing elsewhere in this fine issue—but those aren’t the only nightlife options on offer in Vancouver. If your dream night out involves comedy, sing-alongs, drag stars or a healthy dose of competition (meet us at the Skee-Ball machine), we’ve got you covered.
UNDERGROUND COMEDY
comfort food classics, cocktails and stand-up from Vancouver’s pros and fearless newcomers. comedyafterdark.ca
MUST-SEE: The weekly Taco Tuesdays All-Ladies Stand-Up Comedy Show features $5 tacos, beers, tequila shots and Vancouver’s funniest women.
3
1330 Napier St.
Sometimes the funnest night out is a funny night out. Stay up late yukking it up at these comedy hot spots.
120 W Hastings St.
The dynamic Gastown club employs over 100 comedians, each night uniquely booked with rotating hosts and hilarious themes from Wednesday to Sunday. On any given visit, you can catch the city’s best
comedians (as seen on Netflix, CBC, Just for Laughs, Canada’s Got Talent and HBO) dropping in to perfect their sets.
ugcomedy.com
MUST-SEE: Every Wednesday, Josh Romyn’s True Enough show gives comedians a new theme to unpack, like “Sex and Drugs and Stuff” or “It’s All in Your Head.”
(Full disclosure: he’s married to our digital manager—but he’s funny, we promise!)
117 W Pender St.
Gastown’s speakeasy-inspired comedy restaurant and bar delivers smash burgers and other
Now in a scrappy new East Van location, the Tightrope Theatre gang mixes comedy, storytelling and spontaneous absurdity in equal measure. Their signature show is the elimination-style Maestro, a format that pits 12 performers against each other weekly. tightropetheatre.com
MUST-SEE: Director's Cut (Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.)—fully improvised plays, selected by the audience.
110 Water St.
The iconic DIY comedy shack is back—all grown up and with 800 percent more working washrooms. Despite the new address in Gastown, the indie chaos and underground-clubhouse
charm remain. Catch wonderfully bizarre, anything-goes shows like Comedy Bingo, WikiProv, Opening Night (on-script actors paired with improvisors) and the Reddit-inspired “Am I the Asshole Gameshow,” to name a few. littlemountaingallery.ca
MUST-SEE: Grad School Improv’s monthly shows are joyful (highly topical) experiments in parody, spoofing shows like The Bachelor, The O.C. or Succession
2321 Main St.
You’ve probably seen a lineup outside every Saturday: it is, after all, an excellent place to get your dance on. But this beloved indie venue (and former adult theatre) is also the home of legendary weekly improv legends The Sunday Service (every Sunday, if that wasn’t obvious) and, upstairs in the Fox Projection Room, you’ll find an eclectic mix of stand-up shows. foxcabaret.com
MUST-SEE: New Moon Comedy rises monthly in the Projection Room to spotlight queer and feminist comedians in an intimate setting.
215 E 17th Ave. (Cambrian Hall in Mount Pleasant)
2114 W 4th Ave. (Kitsilano’s RCC)
Award-winning stand-up showcase Jokes Please! alternates between these two intimate venues every weekend, meticulously curated by comedy pro Ross Dauk. @jokespleaseshow
MUST-SEE: Jokes Please! features a lineup of seasoned pros and rising stars every Friday (Cambrian Hall) and Saturday (RCC).
524 Main St.
A hidden gem—seriously, you’ve probably walked passed it many times without realizing it—for indie comedy and experimental performances, China Cloud offers cozy charm and a laidback vibe (think cool indie living room with couches)
for monthly comedy delights—look for the sidewalk sign outside the unmarked black door: if you’re climbing too many stairs, you’re in the right place! @chinacloudstudios
MUST-SEE: Comedy World, a monthly variety show with character bits, music, stand-up and more.
2270 Manitoba St.
Chill X is the newer comedy kid on the block, in Mount Pleasant’s unofficial “micro-brewery-forward” district. The palm trees and neon aesthetic serve as a Batman-style beacon, luring in Main Street’s hippest crowds to the intimate, women-owned and -operated indie space for everything from weekly stand-up showcases with top comedy talent to live music and yoga. chillxstudio.ca
MUST-SEE: Chill, Comedy is every Friday and features indie stand-ups trying out their best bits.
1755 Davie St.
It’s gastropub-meets-comedy-club vibes in the West End. The sports bar moonlights as a comedy hot spot where you can find food, drinks and standout comedy nights like the regular Cellar Comedy (every Thursday) and the recurring improv show Saturday Night Laughs. Bonus: it’s right by English Bay, so you can hit the beach before holing up for some laughs. parkpub.ca
MUST-SEE: Cellar Comedy on Thursdays is where you’ll find weekly professional stand-up comedy.
795 E Cordova St.
Did you know that the Chad Kroeger-owned 604 Records also has a comedy label? Follow Comedy Here Often on Instagram or visit the website to snag tickets to live monthly stand-up tapings at the vibrant (and hidden) 604 Studios in East Van. Clips from these sets often go viral; next time it happens, you can say “I was there!” comedyhereoften.com
MUST-SEE: Monthly stand-up showcases from the city’s most promising rising stars.
You don’t want to just sit around and watch other people do things on a stage? Weird... but follow your heart, jock.
Arcade Fun at Rec Room
Grab a wristband and get lost in gameplay—or blow all your tokens on the claw machine; you’re bound to hit the jackpot eventually. It’s a nostalgia-fuelled barcade perfect for settling longstanding scores with your most competitive friends (like, who’s the ultimate Skee-Ball champ). 855 Granville St., therecroom.com
Mini Golf at Par-Tee Putt
Glow-in-the-dark mini-golf meets quirky pop-culture nostalgia where the bar is the course. Swing through 18 holes that include a Pac-Man maze, Skee-Ball (but make it golf) and an array of tiny Vancouver landmarks. 670 Smithe St., parteeputt.com
Pinball at Slice of Life
The just-off-Commercial Drive indie art studio plays host to a weekly Thursday-night pinball tournament—one that’s friendly to first-timers and seasoned flippers alike. Bring your own bevvys and your best reflexes, and tilt responsibly. 1636 Venables St., slicevancouver.ca
Ping Pong at Back and Forth Bar
Rent a ping-pong table by the hour (from $10 to $25 on weekends) and expect nightly battles, happy-hour deals and plenty of good-natured smack talk. If ping pong’s not your thing, hit up the air hockey table, two Pop-A-Shot basketball machines or Buckhunter—plus stacks of board games behind the bar. 303 Columbia St., backandforthbar.com
Roll back to retro roller-skating vibes every weekend for public roller-rink sessions in the newly re-designed Rollerland building on the grounds of the PNE—think 20,000 square feet of neon-lit fun, DJs spinning all night and themed skate sessions (Glam Retro, Soul Skate, disco nights). 2901 E Hastings St., rollaskateclub.com
You’ll never strike out on fun at this Commercial Drive treasure: play classic five- or 10-pin in the charmingly vintage space or brave the glow bowling space upstairs. 2195 Commercial Dr., grandviewbowling.com
Hit up the ATM for some cash and then: time for some drag.
1 Haze is hosted by Canada’s Drag Race star Hazel every Thursday at the Junction, featuring a rotating cast of Vancouver’s finest drag performers— start here for an introduction to local characters like AddiPose and fellow Drag Race contestant PM. 1138 Davie St., junctionpub.com
2 Drama Club is a sing-a-long drag show at Numbers (Vancouver’s oldest gay club) but no matter how good your voice is, it’ll be tough to steal focus from the well-dressed divas on stage. 1042 Davie St., numbers.ca
3 Check the calendar at Celebrities to see which big-name drag stars are coming through town: the stage here is regularly graced by RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni, and it’s also the home to the annual search for Vancouver’s Next Drag Superstar (current monarch: Michelangela, the cello-wielding “Latina symphonic queen”). 1022 Davie St., celebrities nightclub.com
4 The Birdhouse—some of its regular performers and organizers pictured here—features a wide range of shows, from the “multi-gender spectacular” Man Up to the delightfully messy Bad Drag night, all artfully challenging what drag can be. 44 W 4th Ave., @birdhouseartsspace
5 Drag is alive and well over on the west side, with special shows happening regularly at the Hollywood Theatre. Notable past events include a Wicked -themed drag show hosted by bearded queen Alma Bitches, and DJ sets from Drag Race winner Bob the Drag Queen. 3123 W Broadway, hollywoodtheatre.ca
Where to find karaoke in Vancouver, any night of the week.
MONDAY
Malone’s Taphouse (Downtown)
Start your week with lively karaoke nights at Malone’s—grab a mic and join the fun downtown.
608 W Pender St., malones.bc.ca
TUESDAY
The Park (Downtown)
Sing your heart out at this Davie Street favourite overlooking English Bay. Laidback vibes, great company and a nearby beach (not karaoke-related but certainly a plus). 1755 Davie St., parkpub.ca
WEDNESDAY
Hero’s Welcome (Main Street)
Main stage karaoke hosted by Steph from 9 p.m. until late. Expect no cover, big screen sing-a-long action and plenty of drink specials to keep the courage liquid and the singing perfectly imperfect. 3917 Main St., heros-welcome.com
THURSDAY
Princeton Pub (East Van)
Every Thursday from 9 p.m. onward, join the party and sing along
at one of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood pubs—with new host Sweet Neens. 901 Powell St., theprincetonpub.ca
FRIDAY
Charqui (Kitsilano)
The west-side karaoke and wing haven serves up both nightly from 9 p.m. until closing. Get some sun in at Kits Beach, then sing some songs at this resto-pub karaoke hot spot. 1955 Cornwall Ave., charqui.ca
SATURDAY
Funky Winker Beans (Gastown)
This gritty downtown spot (with a name that feels like a replacement for a swear) offers karaoke nightly with strong drinks and stronger community vibes.
37 W Hastings St., funkywinkerbeans.ca
SUNDAY
Numbers Cabaret (West End)
Fill up on cocktails and get your song on in the West End at this legendary gay bar. 1042 Davie St., numbers.ca
Vancouver’s backrooms are rife with chances for you to provide a private concert for just your friends.
(Downtown) 1133 Robson St.
The OG of private-room karaoke and one of Vancouver’s most authentic karaoke experiences, Fantacity offers pay-bythe-hour rooms ($10 to $20 per person, per hour). Perfect for K-pop marathons, big friend groups or low-pressure solo practice sessions (we won’t judge). 604-899-0006
2
(Downtown) 1339 Robson St.
A new(ish) downtown spot, Switch boasts stylish private karaoke rooms, extensive song libraries and a full menu to keep you fed between songs. Karaoke happy hour means $5 per person plus tasty food-and-drink deals (think pizza, cheap wings and local Crystal Chair lager), available daily from 2 to 6 p.m. and all day Wednesdays. Private rooms are rented by the hour ($25 to $225, depending on room size, group and day). switch-vancouver.ca
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GA (Downtown) 201–1323 Robson St. Get your fill of Korean BBQ downstairs before ascending to your private room. Not only will you be able to perform George Michael songs with a full belly, you’ll get a better deal on the rental: 50 percent off
the first hour. You’ll find tons of Korean bops on the song menu here, but plenty of English tunes, too. (Room rentals from $40 an hour.) daebakbonga.com
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(Mount Pleasant) 3917 Main St. Book “the Taurus Room” at Hero’s Welcome for a private song experience for you and 20 of your closest buds. Order a few pitchers and pizzas and then get your caterwauling on: the Karafun interface is excellent and gives you easy access to almost any English song you can dream of; the photo -upload feature gives non-singers a chance to participate with some onscreen pranks. (Free with minimum spend of $700.) heros-welcome.com
5 CRAB
LAU (South Granville) 2993 Granville St. Grabbing a table at any of the locations of Crab Hot Lau is a great group activity, but here’s a tip hotter than chef Cherry Pham’s signature crab broth: the South Granville location has private karaoke rooms you can book out for parties of up to 60 (!) people. Name a better pairing than ho tay shrimp cake and your best rendition of “My Heart Will Go On.” We’ll wait. (Free, no minimum spend.) crabhotlau.ca
From baseball to soccer to three-foot-long hotdogs and child-ingesting avian mascots, here’s everything you need to know to enjoy a local sports game in Vancouver.
By Shannon Tien
National Hockey League
Professional Women’s Hockey
Major League Soccer
Northern Super League
BC LIONS
Canadian Football League
THE CANADIANS
Minor League Baseball VANCOUVER FC
Rogers Arena
There’s nothing more Vancouver than spending an evening gently heckling our beloved three-time almost Stanley Cup champions at their home stadium.
Pacific Coliseum
Named for a fiercely territorial duck, our new women’s hockey team perfectly embodies the underdog energy of East Vancouver. The trip from downtown is worth it for the unique, family-friendly activities, affordable tickets and elite gameplay.
BC Place
If you want a reason to swoon and/or ugly-cry in public, spend an evening watching our unreasonably attractive men’s soccer team. After nearly winning two championships in 2025, 2026 expectations for drama and glory are high.
Swangard Stadium (Burnaby)
Vancouver’s incredibly chic women’s soccer team serves excellence on and off the field with Chappell Roan chants, rotating food trucks and themed games. Though they rep Vancouver, they’re Burnaby-born and based.
BC Place
Canadian football is its own beautiful beast and the BC Lions have mastered the art with six Grey Cup championships. Add halftime shows by the likes of 50 Cent and you’ve got yourself a roaring good time.
Nat Bailey Stadium
Seeding future Blue Jays stars while serving three-foot-long hotdogs and hosting sushi races—welcome to Minor League Baseball in Vancouver. Going to a VanCans game is a beloved local summer tradition. Baseball knowledge optional.
Willoughby Stadium (Langley)
If the Whitecaps are big-budget spectacle, Vancouver FC is the plucky upstart— young, scrappy and proudly repping the Fraser Valley.
“Go Canucks Go!” will do the trick.
Know your three Petterssons: Elias (D-petey, rookie defenceman), another Elias (EP40, centre) and Marcus (The Dragon, defence).
Practice your best duck impression for “Quack! Quack! Quack attack! No retreat, no turning back!”
“Boundary Road” (sung to “Take Me Home, Country Roads”) celebrates the strip of pavement separating Vancouver from Burnaby, the team’s former home.
The Crow Collective leads 12-plus chants. Master “Hot to Go!” Chappell Roanstyle first.
Captain Sarah Nurse is a three-time Olympian (and style icon). Surrey’s Jenn Gardiner brings hometown pride.
The official fight song “Roar, You Lions, Roar!” was written by Vancouver’s “King of Swing,” Dal Richards. And practice your best lion roars, of course.
“Take Me Out to the Ball Game” (obviously!).
We’re still recovering from “Müllermania” after signing the extremely charming German legend Thomas Müller in 2025.
“V-F-C! V-F-C!” Keep it loud and relentless.
Burnaby legend Christine Sinclair (world-record goal scorer, NBD) doesn’t play, but she co-founded The Rise. Midfielder Quinn , the first openly nonbinary, trans Olympic medallist, is everyone’s crush.
Victoria-born quarterback Nathan Rourke was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2025.
Keep an eye on whoever’s pitching . Last season’s Trey Yesavage made the Blue Jays’ World Series roster.
The roster is built around rising Canadian prospects . This is your chance to discover an up-and-comer to follow to the big leagues.
Curry from Vij’s (Vancouver’s own Michelin-bibbed Indian restaurant), “perogy dog,” deluxe nachos. Or, do as the locals do and grab a hotdog at the nearby Costco before the game.
$5 beers (including Parallel 49’s iconic Trash Panda), cotton candy and burgers from B.C. chain Triple O’s.
The secret $5 menu at Dawson’s Hot Dogs (sections 201/227) and Korean fried chicken at 203.
Our annoyingly talented Albertan neighbours, the Edmonton Oilers
Join The Rise’s email list to see which food trucks will be attending.
The team is so new that anyone has the potential to be their great future nemesis: our money is on the Seattle Torrent
Emotions run high when the Whitecaps battle the Seattle Sounders or Portland Timbers for the Cascadia Cup.
AFC Toronto. Duh.
Blue, green and white. Or the iconic 1990s black and orange jersey (a.k.a. the “Flying Skate” or “Plate of Spaghetti”).
Arrive 20 minutes early to watch warm-ups at the glass and maybe catch a puck.
Fin , the lovable orca, is known for “chomping” fans’ heads.
$55 to $200+ canucks.com
Tater-tot nachos and, if it’s near Thanksgiving, turkey sandwiches at “The Beast” concession stands.
The aforementioned threefoot-long hotdog (share with a friend!), home-plate-sized pretzels, tater tot poutine and ice cream served in a helmet.
We can’t decide if it’s Calgary or Saskatchewan , but the important thing is to be mad at someone.
Don your best blue. This historic East Van arena inspires nostalgia among locals who remember crushing mini doughnuts and rides at the adjacent amusement park.
The Southsiders are the Whitecaps’ loud-and-proud superfans—so passionate that they have their own merch.
The team's secondary “After Dark” jerseys are inspired by the night sky and kind of emo (that’s a compliment).
Orange and black— yes, that’s a tiger, don’t overthink it.
“March to the Match” from Dublin Calling on Granville and Smithe an hour before kickoff. Pre-game at Party-onthe-Plaza for games and giveaways.
Leave the car at home. Instead, SkyTrain to Patterson Station, then take a short stroll through Central Park.
No big plush cheerleader has been introduced yet. (Does this mean auditions are open?)
Starting from $37 thepwhl.com
“ Spike” is a lovable belted kingfisher known, like the Canucks’ Fin, for pretending to eat children.
Sunny the Mountain Goat nods to B.C.’s many fourlegged alpinists and the team’s sunshine motif (sunrise, get it?).
Hit the Backyard Party (pre-kickoff) for live music, face painting, games and Uproar Dance Team performances.
Leo and Roary don’t have manes, which means theymust be female lions, right? Very progressive, guys.
Starting from $44 whitecapsfc .com
Starting from $21 vanrisefc.com
Starting from $25 bclions.com
When the Eugene Emeralds come to town, it’s anyone's game! And that makes us so mad!
Red and white (the goofier and more patriotic, the better). And sunscreen!
Check the schedule for swag giveaway games and fireworks nights.
Bob Brown Bear is the team mascot, but the racing sushi characters (including Chef Wasabi) are icons in their own right.
Starting from $20 milb.com/ Vancouver
Let the mac and cheese bowl or walking taco fuel your fandom, or grab an espresso martini from the Artigiano Airstream trailer if you’re really ready to rally.
Games against Victoria’s Pacific FC are a B.C. bragging rights battle.
The Vancouver FC x Peace Collective hoodie—emblazoned with “The Valley Is Home”—is proof you’re in it to win it.
Arrive early to snag a spot along the rail; with a capacity of just over 6,000, there’s not a bad seat, but front row spectatorship is a different sport entirely.
Sp’óq’es , a bald eagle introduced in 2023, nods to the club’s Fraser Valley roots and the region’s Indigenous connections.
Adult tickets starting from $20
Youth from $12 vancouverfc .canpl.ca
There’s something deeply satisfying about skimming over the water while gazing up at those serene Squamish views. With Norm Hann Expeditions’ Intro to Stroke class, you’ll buckle into your life vest and find a meditative groove on the Mamquam Blind Channel as you paddle past glorious marbled cliffs and a lush forest landscape. landwithoutlimits.com
Grab coffee and doughnuts from the oh-so cozy Fox and Oak (1396 Main St.); salmon burgers come with a great view of an eagle nesting ground at Watershed Grill (41101 Government Rd.); Taka Ramen and Sushi (38065 Cleveland Ave.) is a dreamy minimalist space with ramen, sushi, donburi and more.
Book Mountain (B1107–38145 2 Ave.) is the town’s newest bookshop: “some old, some new, some used, all good”; the Squamish Farmers Market runs every Saturday, April through October (37996 Cleveland Ave.); you won’t find a prettier modern boutique than Grateful Gift Shop (38027 2nd Ave.).
Drive to Squamish from downtown Vancouver in just under an hour.
If you need a quick break from Vancouver’s fun and games, you’re in luck: a short car ride, ferry jaunt or seaplane trip can deliver you to a whole new world to explore. by KERRI DONALDSON, ALYSSA HIROSE and STACEY MCLACHLAN
Thanks to the high level of Chinese immigration, the restaurant scene in this ’burb represents just about every Chinese culinary region and tradition imaginable. In other words, come hungry. A few suggestions to start: at Fish Man, classic Cantonese and Szechuan techniques bring seafood to new heights in a room that feels as lively as a Chinese beer hall. HK BBQ Master () is an ode to Chinese BBQ—that honey-glazed pork!—in a modest room in a parkade, while Max Noodle House serves up superior stock and perfectly chewy noodles for $10 a bowl. fishmanrestaurant.com; @hkbbqmaster; 604-231-8141
House of Dawn (130–8171 Ackroyd Rd.) brings Chinese hospitality to
the steakhouse experience in a grand, glamourous space, with 12 different cuts from local and international farms; prepare to be shocked at the speed at which Gami Sushi (10111 No. 3 Rd.) preps your order, no matter how many special rolls you get; don’t skip the glorious hot tofu soup at Elysium Korean Bistro (8400 Alexandra Rd.).
Got a song in your heart? K-Fever (8300 Capstan Way) is one of the city’s
many private karaoke rooms, stocked with English, Chinese and K-pop hits for just $28 an hour; Gateway Theatre (6500 Gilbert Rd.) is a community hub for new Canadian plays; Steveston Village (Bayview St.) is a charming seaside village with quaint boutiques and wharf-side sea lion sightings.
Drive 30 minutes south from downtown Vancouver, or hop onto the Skytrain’s Canada Line.
Though plenty of breweries exist in Vancouver, none are quite like Gibsons’ Persephone Brewing. The craft beer haven also operates a full farm, so you can grab your pint of Golden Goddess Ale (get a smash burger while you’re at it, go on!) and ramble down the dirt path of the sprawling property to sip and snack next to the chicken coop. persephonebrewing.com
The Gumboot Cafe (1053 Roberts Creek Rd.) is a hippie haven in the best way; besides the delicious raw oysters and housemade sauces at Smitty’s (643 School Rd.), order the crab cakes and chili lime prawns; next door, Lunita’s (645 School Rd.) serves up authentic Mexican.
Sunshine Coasters are crazy about disc golf, and if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em at Shirley Macey Park (930 Chamberlin Rd.); Gibsons Public Market (473 Gower Point Rd.) is the place to source local pantry goods and farm-fresh produce; Good Fridays Gibsons
(416 Marine Dr.) is a general store and gift shop curated by someone with very good taste, so grab artisanal snacks and tons of trendy bodycare products here.
Catch a ride with BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay to the Langdale terminal.
If you ski or snowboard: great! You know exactly how to make the most of our own little alpine getaway. But if throwing yourself down a mountain isn’t your idea of a good time, there’s plenty of culture to be found here, too. Catch a guided tour at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre through the historical regalia and artifacts that reflect the rich heritage of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations. The hand drum welcome song is the soundtrack to exploring stunning hand-carved canoes, totems (one recently completed by Lil’wat master carver Jonathan Joe) and historical garb, each accompanied by thoughtful storytelling. Down the road is the Audain Art Museum: the building itself is an architectural work of art, and it houses nearly 200 works by B.C. artists in its permanent collection here (Emily Carr, Stan Douglas), along with a significant Northwest Coast First Nations mask collection and a showcase of many legendary and contemporary Indigenous artists. slcc.ca; audainartmuseum.com
Wild Blue (4005 Whistler Way) is run by a dream team of award-winning industry folks including exec chef Alex Chen, a former Vanmag Chef of the Year; Il Caminetto (4242 Village Stroll) offers pitch-perfect Italian; Flute and Fromage (102–4305 Village Stroll) is a go-to for all things cheese and charcuterie.
Whistler’s Blackcomb Burn (4553 Blackcomb Way) boasts more elevation gain than any other lift-serviced ascent trail in southwestern B.C.; ride the glass-bottomed Peak 2 Peak gondola (4545 Blackcomb Way) over to Steep Grill for panoramic views and a glass of pinot gris; fly over Fitzsimmons Valley with Ziptrek Ecotours (4282 Mountain Sq.).
In good traffic, you can get there via the Sea to Sky Highway in about two hours. Extend your trip with a night at the elegant Four Seasons Whistler (4591 Blackcomb Way).
Galiano Inn could not be closer to the ferry terminal, which is great because your first order of business on a trip to Galiano is to get to the Inn’s Madrona del Mar spa. A massage out in the oceanfront cabana, all sea breezes and flowy white curtains, is island chill at its indulgent peak. galianoinn.com
Sturdies Bay Bakery (44 Madrona Dr.) is the spot for a coffee and a handheld breakfast (egg-salad croissanwich, anyone?); hit Crane and Robin (3451 Montague Rd.) for tacos, B.C. beer and surf-shack vibes right on the water; Pilgrimme (2806 Montague Rd.) is a hyper-local, hyper-whimsical gourmet restaurant in the woods, and the reason many come to Galiano in the first place.
Montague Harbour
Marine Provincial Park (550 Montague Park Rd.) features a stunningly beautifulwhite-shell beach that’s more than 3,000 years old; Cedar Grove Gallery (9720 Porlier Pass Rd.), with its delicate, Japanese-inspired ceramics, is just one of dozens of active artist studios you can pop in
to visit on the island; gab with the colourful locals over a pint at the Hummingbird Pub (47 Sturdies Bay Rd.)—the Pub Bus even does pick-ups and dropoffs during the summer so everyone can get home safe.
It’s a 55-minute ferry ride from the Tsawwassen terminal.
The Malahat SkyWalk is 35 minutes from Victoria by car— thrill-seekers, take note, and height-phobics, beware. It’s perched in the West Coast forest, allowing views for miles around: on a clear day, walk up the spiral ramp to find sightlines to Mount Baker and the Saanich Peninsula (the top is 250 metres above sea level). The walkway from the visitor centre to the SkyWalk runs high above the ground, placing you among the arbutus treetops, but if that’s not thrilling enough, you’re welcome to kick back on a vertigo-inducing net at the top of the structure, or whip down the spiral slide back to the bottom in a few heart-pounding seconds. malahatskywalk.com
Marilena (1525 Douglas St.) won Vancouver magazine’s 2026 Best Victoria award; Fathom (463 Belleville St.) is seafood focused and multicultural; midcentury-inspired tiki bar Citrus and Cane (1900 Douglas St.) is the ideal venue for a nightcap.
Stalwart Paboom (1437 Store St.) packs shelves with Danica Heirloom pinch bowls, waxed wood cutting boards and a huge selection of Baggu; Regional Assembly of Text (116–560 Johnson St.) treats stationery with solemn respect; cheer on the boys in purple at a Pacific FC game at Starlight stadium (1089 Langford Pkwy).
If you’re going to make it a day trip, a Harbour Air flight from downtown is essential—you’ll be dropped off in downtown Victoria in under an hour. But if you’re making a full weekend out of it, BC Ferries is cheaper, with sailings departing from Tsawwassen several times a day.
You may have come here for the football, but long after the last goal is scored you’ll remember this trip as the moment you were let in on one of the world’s best-kept secrets: B.C. wines.
MISSION HILL
Oculus ($225)
It’s the obvious choice—the most expensive bottle from our most famous winery—but behind all the hype is a legit entry into the big leagues of Big Red. If you are comfortable laying down the big bucks for classified Bordeaux, then try this blind and prepare to have your preconceptions swept away.
Gold Label Brut ($28)
You could literally choose any bottle from this OG producer and be blown away, but this seminal bottle of traditionally made bubbles is near perfection—at one-third of the price of champagne.
Old Vines Riesling ($43)
A local boast: B.C. riesling can go toe-to-toe with the very best in the world and this exquisitely made, impossibly pure expression of the grape is our Exhibit A. Delicious right now, cellarable for a decade-plus with ease.
MARTIN’S LANE
DeHart Vineyard Pinot Noir ($105)
Martin’s Lane is, simply put, the most impressive winery in the province. A laser-focused team crafting the best pinot (and riesling) in the coolest winery. This bottle is like discovering a 14-year-old Lionel Messi kicking the ball around a dirt lot—big things are on the horizon.
Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay ($49)
When chardonnay works in B.C.—like it does masterfully in this bottle—it strikes a sublime balance between the fullness of California and the tension of Chablis. The perfect Goldilocks wine.
Grüner Veltliner ($26)
This one bottle of Fort Berens encapsulates all that is beautiful about B.C. wine: a quirky Austrian grape grown in the wilds north of Whistler by some Dutch expats. How do you not fall in love with dreamers like this?
From grassroots to greatness, we proudly support every athlete who dares to dream. Let’s raise the game, together.
telus.com/soccer