Audrey & Chef Tom's Guidebook

Audrey & Chef Tom
Audrey & Chef Tom
Audrey & Chef Tom's Guidebook

Sightseeing

The “must-see” and “things-to-do” we recommend to first time travellers to Vancouver. Want something a little more local? Check out our suggestions under the “Neighbourhood” category. My husband and I love to do walking tours of our favorite neighbourhoods — and aim to try new places for lunch, snack and dinner. We’ll make an entire afternoon and evening in one neighbourhood as a date day where we treat ourselves to DELICIOUS food!
Renting bicycles and riding around the Stanley Park Seawall is a great way to enjoy Vancouver's largest park with ocean views. There are plenty of places to rent bikes near Denman and West Georgia Street.
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Stanley Park Seawall
Stanley Park Drive
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Renting bicycles and riding around the Stanley Park Seawall is a great way to enjoy Vancouver's largest park with ocean views. There are plenty of places to rent bikes near Denman and West Georgia Street.
Take the gondola up to Grouse Mountain or if you prefer you can do the Grouse Grind (weather permitting). The Grouse Grind is a hike up a mountain on foot and is very popular in good weather.
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Grouse Grind Trail
6400 Nancy Greene Way
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Take the gondola up to Grouse Mountain or if you prefer you can do the Grouse Grind (weather permitting). The Grouse Grind is a hike up a mountain on foot and is very popular in good weather.
Granville Island is a unique peninsula that has a large market, small artisan shops and restaurants to explore. We recommend the organic baked goods from A Bread Affair on Granville Island. Tom's favorite is the Pistachio-twice-baked-almond croissant. I love the cheese puff and cookies but it's hard to go wrong with the goodies here.
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Granville Island Public Market
1689 Johnston St
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Granville Island is a unique peninsula that has a large market, small artisan shops and restaurants to explore. We recommend the organic baked goods from A Bread Affair on Granville Island. Tom's favorite is the Pistachio-twice-baked-almond croissant. I love the cheese puff and cookies but it's hard to go wrong with the goodies here.
For views of the water from downtown Vancouver check out English Bay. The sunsets are beautiful even on a cold day. There are a number of restaurants on English Bay to catch the sunset. Directly on the beach is Cactus Club.
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Playa de la Bahía de Ingles
Beach Avenue
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For views of the water from downtown Vancouver check out English Bay. The sunsets are beautiful even on a cold day. There are a number of restaurants on English Bay to catch the sunset. Directly on the beach is Cactus Club.

Food Scene

Vancouver has a lot to offer in the food scene and it can get overwhelming. This category features some of our go-to food places ranging from the everyday to the fancy. My husband and I are avid foodies, not a surprise since my husband is a trained chef! We love the Vancouver food scene and hope you do too!
If you love sushi this is our local favorite. Be warned the line-ups are long here. Known for their Salmon Oishi -- many in the city including Miku and Minami, two high-end Japanese restaurants in downtown Vancouver have copied the famous Salmon Oishi but Kishimoto still reigns supreme.
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Kishimoto Japanese Restaurant
2054 Commercial Dr
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If you love sushi this is our local favorite. Be warned the line-ups are long here. Known for their Salmon Oishi -- many in the city including Miku and Minami, two high-end Japanese restaurants in downtown Vancouver have copied the famous Salmon Oishi but Kishimoto still reigns supreme.
For special dinners, Tom and I love Elisa Steakhouse. It's a meat-lovers paradise with unique cuts of steak and just as delicious accompaniments. It's a pricey restaurant and wonderful for special occasions. Must try is the BisonTartare.
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Elisa Steakhouse
1109 Hamilton St
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For special dinners, Tom and I love Elisa Steakhouse. It's a meat-lovers paradise with unique cuts of steak and just as delicious accompaniments. It's a pricey restaurant and wonderful for special occasions. Must try is the BisonTartare.
Of the numerous Casual fine-dining chains in Vancouver (such as Joey's, Earls, Tap & Barrel, Social House) -- Cactus Club is our favorite. Full disclaimer, Tom works here! The menu is by Iron Chef winner Rob Feenie. The Coal Harbour establishment is by far the best in class for views. In the summer the Cactus Club at English Bay is a fun place to people watch and enjoy the oceanfront.
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Cactus Club Cafe Coal Harbour
1085 Canada Pl
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Of the numerous Casual fine-dining chains in Vancouver (such as Joey's, Earls, Tap & Barrel, Social House) -- Cactus Club is our favorite. Full disclaimer, Tom works here! The menu is by Iron Chef winner Rob Feenie. The Coal Harbour establishment is by far the best in class for views. In the summer the Cactus Club at English Bay is a fun place to people watch and enjoy the oceanfront.
Vegan option! No meat here despite the play on words for the name. No meat doesn't have to mean tasteless, MeeT does a great job of serving Vegan comfort food. Our favorite is the Seoul Bowl and the Sweet Chili Cauliflower.
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MeeT in Gastown
12 Water St
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Vegan option! No meat here despite the play on words for the name. No meat doesn't have to mean tasteless, MeeT does a great job of serving Vegan comfort food. Our favorite is the Seoul Bowl and the Sweet Chili Cauliflower.
As a dessert lover, it's not too far a stretch to say that this is my favorite dessert place - serving unique gourmet cream puffs and chocolates. I come here for the cream puffs (more often than I should) and on occasion also bring home the unique chocolate truffles. It may sound boring but the Vanilla Cream Puff here is a light, fluffy and creamy pillow and by far my go-to favorite (and Tom's!) despite other unique flavors like Vietnamese Coffee and Raspberry Earl Grey. They also have seasonal flavors that change up every three months, once gone they don't' come back, think flavors like Thai Tea Cream Puff, Mango Coconut Sago Cream Puff, and more. Cream puffs here are $5 each and if you want to try a few flavors go early, they sell out. It's a short 8-minute walk from the Main Street Skytrain Station and well worth the steps. Be warned there is no seating area and once you see these cream puffs you'll want to eat them right away. In the summer, they offer ice cream sandwiches and parfaits and people enjoy the goodies standing outside the storefront. Note on the chocolates - the chocolates are pricey and make an amazing present for any dessert-lover. My husband knows this is the chocolate place for me and will bring home the Trademark Chocolate Collection (Box of 12 unique flavored truffles) for special occasions. This is one place worth going out of the way to visit especially if you're a dessert-lover. Fun fact, the Vanilla Cream Puff and the Salted Caramel Cream Puff were the desserts-of-choice for our wedding.
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BETA5 Chocolates
409 Industrial Ave
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As a dessert lover, it's not too far a stretch to say that this is my favorite dessert place - serving unique gourmet cream puffs and chocolates. I come here for the cream puffs (more often than I should) and on occasion also bring home the unique chocolate truffles. It may sound boring but the Vanilla Cream Puff here is a light, fluffy and creamy pillow and by far my go-to favorite (and Tom's!) despite other unique flavors like Vietnamese Coffee and Raspberry Earl Grey. They also have seasonal flavors that change up every three months, once gone they don't' come back, think flavors like Thai Tea Cream Puff, Mango Coconut Sago Cream Puff, and more. Cream puffs here are $5 each and if you want to try a few flavors go early, they sell out. It's a short 8-minute walk from the Main Street Skytrain Station and well worth the steps. Be warned there is no seating area and once you see these cream puffs you'll want to eat them right away. In the summer, they offer ice cream sandwiches and parfaits and people enjoy the goodies standing outside the storefront. Note on the chocolates - the chocolates are pricey and make an amazing present for any dessert-lover. My husband knows this is the chocolate place for me and will bring home the Trademark Chocolate Collection (Box of 12 unique flavored truffles) for special occasions. This is one place worth going out of the way to visit especially if you're a dessert-lover. Fun fact, the Vanilla Cream Puff and the Salted Caramel Cream Puff were the desserts-of-choice for our wedding.
Secretly tucked away in Chinatown, this Cambodian-Vietnamese restaurant serves up affordable and delicious Asian dishes in an unfancy and relaxed environment. Our go-to's on this menu: 1. Beef Luc Lak: beef on rice with a delicious gravy, don't forget to add the fried egg. I like to have this with the egg noodle INSTEAD of the rice -- the egg noodle combination is not on the menu, I highly recommend you ask for it on the egg noodles if you are a noodle-lover like me. My husband likes the rice -- the secret is to pour the fish sauce over the beef, veggies and egg and then mix it all together with the rice (or noodles). We've heard people say it's underwhelming when they eat the dish without mixing it together and we agree -- mix it. 2. Butter Beef: the beef is slightly seared and has a rare look and texture (much like beef carpaccio). It's dressed with an umami-garlicky vinaigrette on top and cilantro. If you eat rare beef (and even if you don't) this is a signature dish and a must-try. 3. Chicken Wings: My husband's favorite, it's deep-fried with garlic and black pepper, and then served with a lemon, salt, and pepper dipping sauce. These are addictive. During peak hours the line-ups are out the door and it can get chaotic. If you're in the Chinatown area give this place a go OR if you're looking for a tried-and-true place to have Asian food in Vancouver, this is a good bet.
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Phnom Penh Restaurant
244 E Georgia St
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Secretly tucked away in Chinatown, this Cambodian-Vietnamese restaurant serves up affordable and delicious Asian dishes in an unfancy and relaxed environment. Our go-to's on this menu: 1. Beef Luc Lak: beef on rice with a delicious gravy, don't forget to add the fried egg. I like to have this with the egg noodle INSTEAD of the rice -- the egg noodle combination is not on the menu, I highly recommend you ask for it on the egg noodles if you are a noodle-lover like me. My husband likes the rice -- the secret is to pour the fish sauce over the beef, veggies and egg and then mix it all together with the rice (or noodles). We've heard people say it's underwhelming when they eat the dish without mixing it together and we agree -- mix it. 2. Butter Beef: the beef is slightly seared and has a rare look and texture (much like beef carpaccio). It's dressed with an umami-garlicky vinaigrette on top and cilantro. If you eat rare beef (and even if you don't) this is a signature dish and a must-try. 3. Chicken Wings: My husband's favorite, it's deep-fried with garlic and black pepper, and then served with a lemon, salt, and pepper dipping sauce. These are addictive. During peak hours the line-ups are out the door and it can get chaotic. If you're in the Chinatown area give this place a go OR if you're looking for a tried-and-true place to have Asian food in Vancouver, this is a good bet.

Neighbourhoods

Food adventures! That's how we like to think of the neighborhoods in Vancouver. My husband and I like to be tourist in our own city by curating our own food tours as a treat day for us to spend quality time together. Here are our recommendations on how to make a full-day or half-day out of local neighborhoods in the city.
Main Street, also known as the Mount Pleasant Neghbourhood is filled with great food options -- you can easily spend a day here on a self-directed food tour with enough options to satisfy all your cravings. While in Mount Pleasant also check out painted murals on buildings, schools, and alleys -- for the free mural tour map download here: https://www.vanmuralfest.ca/map-and-tours My husband and I love making a full food adventure day here. If you want something off the beaten tourist path and to experience this neighborhood at its fullest, here's a day adventure you can go on: - Breakfast Options: Wallflower, Fable Diner - Take a Walking Tour of Murals - Lunch Options: Sun Sui Wah (Chinese Dim Sum), East is East (Indian), Marutama Gaiden (Japanese-Ramen), Restaurant Yugo (Japanese-Sushi) - Check out the local shops on Main Street - Snacks: Cartem Donuts, Trafiq Cafe and Bakery - Dinner Options: Burdock & Co, Como Taperia, Restaurant Yugo Just a sampling of what is possible for a full-day adventure on Main Street-Mount Pleasant!
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Mount Pleasant
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Main Street, also known as the Mount Pleasant Neghbourhood is filled with great food options -- you can easily spend a day here on a self-directed food tour with enough options to satisfy all your cravings. While in Mount Pleasant also check out painted murals on buildings, schools, and alleys -- for the free mural tour map download here: https://www.vanmuralfest.ca/map-and-tours My husband and I love making a full food adventure day here. If you want something off the beaten tourist path and to experience this neighborhood at its fullest, here's a day adventure you can go on: - Breakfast Options: Wallflower, Fable Diner - Take a Walking Tour of Murals - Lunch Options: Sun Sui Wah (Chinese Dim Sum), East is East (Indian), Marutama Gaiden (Japanese-Ramen), Restaurant Yugo (Japanese-Sushi) - Check out the local shops on Main Street - Snacks: Cartem Donuts, Trafiq Cafe and Bakery - Dinner Options: Burdock & Co, Como Taperia, Restaurant Yugo Just a sampling of what is possible for a full-day adventure on Main Street-Mount Pleasant!
A sightseeing must-see, the hidden gems in this area is the food scene. Do you love to snack? This is the place to do it, some of my favorite "snack" locations live in Gastown. While you're checking out the steam clock and taking in the cobblestone streets, make a stop here: 1. Revolver Coffee: For coffee lovers, this place has ALL the brewing equipment and you can choose how you want your coffee brewed. They have a rotating menu of favorite coffees from world-class roasters around North America and beyond. Enjoy coffee flights and unique selections. 2. Soft Peaks: My favorite soft-serve ice cream place in the city. Featuring organic milk, have it plain or choose one of the options. Local favorites include the blue mountain (local fresh blueberry puree) and Honeycomb. My favorite the Blackcomb (fresh shot of espresso). 3. PureBread: if the smell of fresh baked goods doesn't get you drooling when you open the door, the sheer sight of all the goodies will. The selection here is huge -- cakes, scones, tarts, brownies. You'll feel like a kid in a candy store. Looking for dinner in Gastown. Skip the Spaghetti Factory (tourist seem to flock here), instead go to: 1. Pourhouse: You can't go wrong with thier burger (note, this is a pricer gourmet burger) and the bone marrow appetizer -- yes, I love it! 2. L'abbatoir: This is a special occasion restaurant, consistently ranked in Vancouver as one of the best. Serving french inspired west coast fare. 3. Tacofino Taco Bar: Fun atmosphere, well-priced delicious West Coast take on Mexican food. Don't know where to go in Gastown for lunch or dinner, you can't go wrong here.
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Gastown
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A sightseeing must-see, the hidden gems in this area is the food scene. Do you love to snack? This is the place to do it, some of my favorite "snack" locations live in Gastown. While you're checking out the steam clock and taking in the cobblestone streets, make a stop here: 1. Revolver Coffee: For coffee lovers, this place has ALL the brewing equipment and you can choose how you want your coffee brewed. They have a rotating menu of favorite coffees from world-class roasters around North America and beyond. Enjoy coffee flights and unique selections. 2. Soft Peaks: My favorite soft-serve ice cream place in the city. Featuring organic milk, have it plain or choose one of the options. Local favorites include the blue mountain (local fresh blueberry puree) and Honeycomb. My favorite the Blackcomb (fresh shot of espresso). 3. PureBread: if the smell of fresh baked goods doesn't get you drooling when you open the door, the sheer sight of all the goodies will. The selection here is huge -- cakes, scones, tarts, brownies. You'll feel like a kid in a candy store. Looking for dinner in Gastown. Skip the Spaghetti Factory (tourist seem to flock here), instead go to: 1. Pourhouse: You can't go wrong with thier burger (note, this is a pricer gourmet burger) and the bone marrow appetizer -- yes, I love it! 2. L'abbatoir: This is a special occasion restaurant, consistently ranked in Vancouver as one of the best. Serving french inspired west coast fare. 3. Tacofino Taco Bar: Fun atmosphere, well-priced delicious West Coast take on Mexican food. Don't know where to go in Gastown for lunch or dinner, you can't go wrong here.

Consejos para la ciudad

Cómo moverse

Getting Around Vancouver

Just a reminder that Vancouver does not have rideshares like UBER so getting around is either by car, bus, Skytrain (metro) or taxi. Most places are accessible by public transit. To plan your trip using the bus and/or Skytrain, check out this trip planner: https://www.translink.ca/