Vancouver
Vancouver, a bustling west coast seaport in British Columbia, is among Canada’s densest, most ethnically diverse cities. A popular filming location, it’s surrounded by mountains, and also has thriving art, theatre and music scenes. Vancouver Art Gallery is known for its works by regional artists, while the Museum of Anthropology houses preeminent First Nations collections.
STAY
FAIRMONT VANCOUVER Doing business since 1939, the lobby, bar, and ballroom are ornate with marble floors and bas-relief moldings, while on-site restaurant Notch8 serves up classic West Coast comfort food. 900 W. Georgia St., Downtown; fairmont.com/hotel-vancouver/
THE ROSEWOOD HOTEL GEORGIA VANCOUVER The combination of a Georgian Revival building, roaring twenties-inspired interiors, and proximity to Stanley Park make The Rosewood a great starting point to explore. Open since 1927, this hotel includes an ode to its past with a Prohibition bar in the basement (unabashedly opulent in décor with polished black wood walls and plush royal blue banquettes). Visit onsite restaurant The Hawksworth for inventive Pacific Northwest cuisine and an extensive wine list. 801 W. Georgia St., Downtown; rosewoodhotels.com/en/hotel-georgia-vancouver
SHANGRI-LA VANCOUVER The best rooms at the Vancouver outpost of the Shangri-La are the ones on the highest floors, offering dizzying views of water, city, and mountains. Meanwhile, plush beds, moody Asian-influenced interiors, and high-tech touches are consistent throughout the guestrooms. While the location is as central as can be, it's worth it to pick a night to stay in for a dinner at three-star chef Jean Georges Vongerichten's MARKET restaurant. 1128 W. Georgia St., Downtown; shangri-la.com/vancouver/shangrila/
THE LODEN HOTEL The Loden is a boutique wellness hotel complete with yoga mats, bikes, and soaking tubs in each Philippe Starck-designed room. Don’t miss the view from the rooftop bar at sunset. 1177 Melville St., Downtown; theloden.ca
FAIRMONT EXPRESS Located in Victoria, this is the grand dame of the island’s hotels. Overlooking the city’s inner harbor, this “Castle on the Coast,” as it’s known, offers an opulent stay full of high-end dining and indulgent spa experiences. 721 Government St, Victoria, BC; fairmont.com/empress-victoria/
THE NAMI PROJECT Up north are the island’s finest adventure lodges. Huddled up against the rocky shoreline of Pacific Rim National Park is a minimalist dream of sleek Scandinavian design, wellness, and privacy. Ocean-facing suites come with personal cedar saunas, while separate cabins have cedar hot tubs built into private outdoor decks for soaking while gazing at crashing waves and surfacing whales. 828 Odyssey Ln, Ucluelet; namiproject.ca
WICKANINNISH INN One of the best hotels on the island for storm-watching (in fact, it was popularized here by founder Charles McDiarmid), the Relais & Chateaux property at Chestermen Beach is an elegant escape on the edge of the world, with world-class dining and a balanced approach to adventure and wellness with thrilling excursions like floatplane tours and kayaking followed by pampering massages at the spa. 500 Osprey Ln, Tofino, BC; wickinn.com
CLAYOQUOT WILDERNESS LODGE There is no better form of wellness than truly getting away from it all, which is the house specialty at Set far from civilization up a long arm of the Clayquot Sound, this luxury off-grid lodge offers a restorative escape through full nature immersion. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, this remote resort invites guests to truly disconnect with stays in glamorous canvas tents, daily adventures like heli-fly-fishing, and wellness and mindfulness practices like revitalizing glacial plunges in the ice-cold Bedwell River. Bedwell River Valley, Alberni-Clayoquot C, BC; clayoquotwildernesslodge.com
BLACK ROCK OCEANFRONT RESORT Located on a dramatic headland above the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean, Black Rock Oceanfront Resort is surrounded by the Wild Pacific Trail and the rugged rocky coast of West Vancouver Island. The stunning Ucluelet resort is minutes from Vancouver Island’s amazing beaches, forests, restaurants and attractions, including Pacific Rim National Park, Long Beach, Ucluelet Aquarium and Barkley Sound. 596 Marine Dr, Ucluelet, BC; blackrockresort.com
PACIFIC SANDS RESORT A beachfront haven on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island. 1421 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino; pacificsands.com
MACKENZIE BEACH RESORT Located on Tofino's Mackenzie Beach, Crystal Cove Beach Resort offers oceanfront cabin accommodation and glamping. 1101 BC-4, Tofino, BC; mackenziebeach.com
DRINK
33 ACRES BREWING 33 Acres has elevated the traditionally drab taproom, infusing the space with a Scandinavian aesthetic: floor-to-ceiling windows flood the room with light, all the surfaces—walls, floors, even the counters—are stark-white, softened-up with a few hints of natural wood and greenery. Aside from the dozens of beers on tap, a full menu is available (including brunch), spotlighting the hearty foods that go so well with beer—beef stew, salty pierogies, and sticky ribs. 15 W. 8th Ave., Mount Pleasant; 33acresbrewing.com
ALIBI ROOM Self-described as a "modern tavern" bar owners Raya Audet and Nigel Springthorpe believe beer is just as versatile as wine and deserves the same, reverential treatment. The Alibi Room’s taps rotate on a regular basis, and include their own exclusively made brews, all served out of their heritage building space. The bar itself is huge with communal tables. Cocktails, wine, and small bar snacks are also available for the pint-averse. 157 Alexander St., Downtown Eastside; alibi.ca
MAIN STREET BREWERY Vancouver’s micro-brewery scene is booming and the ever-popular Main Street Brewery occupies one of the last-standing heritage industrial buildings in the city. The tasting room is cooly minimal—long wood communal tables, exposed brick, with a few fairy lights and plants to warm the bare-bones space up. 261 E. 7th Ave., Mount Pleasant; mainstbrewery.com
PIDGIN PiDGiN is a self-described Asian-French restaurant, but it’s the cocktails you should really show up for. As with many restaurants and bars in the city, PiDGiN’s fusion cuisine and eclectic drink menu is an ode the immigrant fabric of the city. There’s a thoughtful wine list, but given that there's an in-house sake sommelier, ordering a few shots—accompanied by some excellent snacks—is the way to go. 350 Carrall St., Downtown Eastside; pidginvancouver.com
VANCOUVER URBAN WINERY Urban Winery is exactly as described—a small-batch winery, producing hand-crafted wine from British Columbian grapes in the heart of Vancouver. The tasting room could not be more atmospheric or warm, with floor-to-ceiling booze barrels, a mix of high leather banquettes and smaller tables for cozy conversation, and soaring high ceilings. There are over thirty-five wines on tap, alongside a list featuring other Canadian producers of equal stature. Choose a glass to taste and order a few of their winter-centric plates—roasted veggies, meatballs, and fondue—all made of ingredients sourced from the finest, and most sustainable local suppliers. 55 Dunlevy Ave., Downtown Eastside; vancouverurbanwinery.com
EAST VAN ROASTERS Coffee with a conscience is one way to describe East Van Roasters, who provide employment and training to local women who have fallen on tough times. The teeny space is straight out of Stockholm with a clean aesthetic of all-white walls interspersed with exposed red-brick, and a monochrome, subway-style tile floor. East Van roasts all their beans in-house for the perfect cup every time and makes their own chocolate, too. 319 Carrall St., Gastown; eastvanroasters.com
ODDITY KOMBUCHA Open through the spring only, founder—and former architect—Alicia started brewing kombucha as a relaxing hobby and healthy beer alternative. In 2015, Alicia’s pastime moved onto the bricks-and-mortar incarnation that is Oddity Kombucha. The flavors are all derived from local ingredients, and range from classic ginger to jasmine and elderberry, all served out of taps into quaint glass bottles. The space itself is pared-back and serene, just a few stools at the counter and no additional decoration. 1863 Ontario St., Mount Pleasant; odditykombucha.com
SMALL VICTORY Small Victory encourages patrons to elevate their morning coffee ritual into something celebratory: Serving breakfast items and coffee in a serene space, their scones, jam, and clotted cream—in unusual flavors like pear and lemon, or strawberry balsamic—make it hard to just grab and go. Take a seat, order a rich cup of coffee, and linger over the paper with a decadent breakfast croissant. 1088 Homer St., Downtown; smallvictory.ca
BLUE MONKEY Husband and wife duo Simon and Mary-Jane Ginsburg were the original founders of Ice Age Glacier water, going on to create coconut-centered Blue Monkey. The company’s coconut products are 100% pure—zero concentrates, additives, and preservatives. You can find their products in grocery stores all across Canada and the U.S. bluemonkeytropical.com
FIG This on-the-go vitamin shot bar brings its menu of B12 injections to your office/home/party. In addition to the Bs, Fig’s vitamin cocktails include hero ingredients like glutathione, biotin, and magnesium. Just book ten-plus shots (your friends will thank you), and Fig will show up at your door and take care of the rest. 2050 W. 4th Ave., Kitsilano; formulafig.com
GLORY JUICE CO Thankfully, you’ll find a few Glory Juice Co. outposts scattered around Vancouver. Their robust, healthy menu of smoothies, juices, bowls, and salads makes eating on-the-go so much easier. The “nutty green” is packed with non-dairy seed milk, cold-pressed juice, nut butter, dates, hemp and spirulina, while their house-made avocado chia flatbread is topped with pickled onions and a scattering of sprouts for a kick and makes for the perfect breakfast. 2186 W. 4th Ave., Kitsilano; gloryjuiceco.com
TONICA KOMBUCHA Zoey Shamai discovered kombucha tea while teaching yoga abroad. She founded Tonica to introduce the powers of fermented kombucha to Canadians, and thankfully, they (and we) love it. Try the green tea tonica if you’re feeling a mid-afternoon slump coming on, or the spicy ginger if you’re looking for a sub for your post-lunch espresso. tonicakombucha.com
BRASSNECK BREWERY Set on trendy Main Street, Brassneck is one of the liveliest breweries in town. You can see the action through a wall of glass as you drive or walk by. Step inside and you find the growler shop—for the uninitiated, a growler is a jug used to transport beer—and a tasting room that accommodates just 50 lucky drinkers at a time. The décor mixes raw concrete with lots of reclaimed wood planks through which you can peep into the brew house and cellar. 2148 Main St, Vancouver, BC; brassneck.ca
STRATHCONA BEER COMPANY Set in one of Vancouver’s oldest residential neighborhoods, the industrial chic tasting room has been meticulously designed, from the raw concrete floors, to the tiny exposed bulbs built into the white planked ceiling that light up the room, and the yellow neon sign that spells Community. 895 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC; strathconabeer.com
STRANGE FELLOWS Where old-world–inspired brews are on tap. The brewery celebrates a different “strange day” inspired by folklore and traditions from around the globe. 1345 Clark Dr, Vancouver, BC; strangefellowsbrewing.com
49TH PARALLEL COFFEE ROASTERS A coffee shop on Main Street that takes pride in working with farmers who care for coffee as much as they do. 49thcoffee.com
FACULTY BREWING CO. Located in a former bike shop on a quiet corner just blocks from where athletes resided during the 2010 Winter Olympics is this tiny brewery. Recently the folks at Faculty Brewing Co. have hosted pop-up lunches with Mensch, a local Jewish deli that makes the meanest pastrami sandwiches in town. Pop-ups with other local chefs are in the works. 1830 Ontario St, Vancouver, BC; facultybrewing.com
DINE
ANNALENA A bit of a wildcard option décor-wise—kitschy Lego art and Star Wars figurines dot the interior, but AnnaLena serves up elevated, modern comfort food including fried chicken and maple mustard, roasted beets and charred labneh, and steak. 1809 W. 1st Ave., Kitsilano; annalena.ca
ASK FOR LUIGI This beloved restaurant has all the hallmarks of an old-school Italian joint—no reservations accepted, an unfussy interior of simple wooden tables and chairs, signature checkerboard floors, plus pasta with a flavor that can only be achieved by being hand-made daily, in-house. Expect indulgent but classic pairings like oxtail risotto topped with bone marrow, or crab with fennel. 305 Alexander St., Downtown Eastside; askforluigi.com
BAO BEI CHINESE BRASSERIE This is the second offering from revered Kissa Tanto chef Joël Watanabe, and it doesn't disappoint. Bao Bei swaps Japanese-Italian fusion for Chinese brasserie food, with the odd dash of Gallic flavor. The menu—all Taiwanese and Sichuan influence—is short, with dumplings described as "petits cadeaux" (little gifts in French) and small starters dubbed "schnaks." The fried rice is a mouthwatering blend of pork belly, squash, and spicy peanuts. The wine list is extensive, and a curated list of cocktails complement the food. We recommend a pre-dinner drink accompanied by a serving of spicy cucumbers at the bar. 163 Keefer St., Downtown; bao-bei.ca
FABLE A former contestant on Top Chef Canada, with a resume that includes a stint at the Shangri-La Hotel, chef Trevor Bird has earned his stripes, and Fable is his first solo venture. Located in cool Kitsilano, the rustic interior suits the farm-to-table cuisine. The menu features classics like flat iron steak, spaghetti and meatballs, and smoked duck. Vegetarians will not leave disappointed thanks to meat-free dishes like rutabaga tagliatelle, mushroom gnocchi, and chickpea fritters with curry mayo and pickled onions. 1944 W. 4th Ave., Kitsilano; fablekitchen.ca
THE FARMER’S APPRENTICE A casual restaurant serving farm-fresh food using only organic produce, The Farmer's Apprentice has three set menus to choose from for dinner based on whether you’re an herbivore, an omnivore, or going with the chef’s menu, which features a mix of both. Plates could be winter greens with quince and pear, or crab, salsify, and leek. For a little more selection, try their excellent weekend brunch. The fish cakes with salsa verde and perfectly poached eggs or the za’atar-dusted rice bowl with eggs and cauliflower are flavorful and filling. Don’t forget the buttermilk biscuits on the side. 1535 W. 6th Ave., Fairview; farmersapprentice.ca
HOMER ST. CAFE AND BAR Housed in one of the city’s most historic buildings, Homer St. Café specializes in the most tender, succulent rotisserie chicken you’ll find outside of France, paired with equally sensational sides. Order a half chicken and go heavy on the potatoes roasted in rotisserie drippings, vinegary coleslaw, smoky cauliflower dusted in chili, and baked chicken skins. If you’re only stopping in for a drink, the bar snacks give a real taster of the main menu—wings off the rotisserie birds, chickpea dip and plantain chips, or a full cheese board showcasing Canadian-made cheeses. 898 Homer St., Downtown; homerstreetcafebar.com
KISSA TANTO Chef Joel Watanabe (also of acclaimed Chinese brasserie Bao Bei) wanted to combine the clean flavors of Japanese food with the indulgent, comfort element we often associate with Italian dishes. The Japanese-Italian fusion manifests as eggplant fritters with yuzu gribiche, gnocchi with kombu dashi, and sourdough served with both olive oil and nori butter. The restaurant itself is beautiful—a mix of blue and blush leather banquettes, rich wood tables, and vintage library lamps that cast a soft glow across both the diners and the food. 263 E. Pender St., Strathcona; kissatanto.com
L’ABBATOIR The aptly named L’Abattoir is housed in what was Vancouver’s first city jail, located in the former meatpacking zone of the city. A modern space with rustic undertones—patterned tiles, brick walls, sculptural light fixtures, and soaked in light thanks to the several glass panels. The food is French-inflected West Coast cuisine—which translates to a fish-centric menu with French flourishes like adding sherry, compound butters, and crème fraîche to dishes. Once a month, Chef Lee Cooper hosts a dining experience for a mere eight guests in the restaurant's private events space, again very aptly named Gaoler’s Mews. 217 Carrall St., Downtown Eastside; labattoir.ca
MAENAM Thai food with a BC twist, Maenam takes the incredible seafood of the Pacific Coast and dresses it up with Thai flavors. The herringbone wood floors, exposed brick walls, and low lighting make for the perfect place for a date or intimate dinner. 1938 W. 4th Ave., Kitsilano; maenam.ca
MEDINA CAFE Café Medina serves a delicious Mediterranean brunch menu with spiced meatballs and poached egg-topped tagine, mascarpone flatbreads, bourbon-spiked coffee, and homemade kombucha. High ceilings, long communal tables, and spice-flavored craft cocktails only add to the effect. 780 Richards St., Downtown; medinacafe.com
MIKU Miku is the more sophisticated, grown-up alternative to sister restaurant Minami. Made even more special by the sweeping views of Coal Harbor, the strictly sustainably sourced menu is centered around the aburi-style flamed sushi owner Nakamura is revered for. What's more, the sake selection is one of the most notable in the city. 200 Granville St., Downtown; mikurestaurant.com
MINAMI Although owner Nakamura has a small foodie empire in Japan, his Vancouver restaurants are personal passion projects, both named after his daughters Miku and Minami. Nakamura is credited with introducing the now very popular aburi-style flamed sushi to Vancouver’s fish-obsessed food scene in 2008. At Minami, not only is the sushi torched at the last minute, a piece of charcoal is simultaneously lit to impart a deeper, slightly smoky flavor. 1118 Mainland St., Downtown; minamirestaurant.com
NELSON ON THE SEAGULL Built into what looks like a former warehouse, complete with high ceilings and exposed brick, Nelson the Seagull is one of the most atmospheric breakfast spots in town. The menu is short, simple, and crafted to celebrate the traditional sourdough bread baked daily by co-owner Jonathan Sneglar. Order the muesli, avocado toast, and soft-poached eggs served atop crunchy, buttery toast with a great cup of coffee. 315 Carrall St., Downtown Eastside; nelsontheseagull.com
ODDFISH Oddfish is a seafood restaurant that is perfect for a group dinner - think big bowls of fragrant shellfish cooked in broth or whole sea bass with charred, crispy skin, drizzled in olive oil and topped with a healthy amount of cilantro. If you’re with friends, go for the seafood hot mess (lobster, squid, mussels, prawns, and scallops grilled a la plancha and served with a punchy salsa verde). Order vegetable sides like the whole, charred cauliflower covered in spicy chermoula and bitter pomegranate molasses, while carrots are deeply roasted and topped with yogurt. Don’t forget to order a side of grilled bread to mop up the sauces. 1889 W. 1st Ave., Kitsilano; oddfishrestaurant.com
OSTERIA SAVIO VOLPE Savio Volpe takes Italian food back to basics with strictly house-made pasta dishes like potato gnocchi with gorgonzola and whole wheat orecchiette and meatballs). The wines are Italian-only, and the gelato is hand-made in small batches. The space is all wood—tables, chairs, and walls, with red-tile floors and an open kitchen best enjoyed from the bar. 615 Kingsway, Mount Pleasant; saviovolpe.com
PIZZERIA FARINA Pizzeria Farina looks like a modern, Scandinavian café with white painted brick walls, a menu written on parchment paper that's suspended from the ceiling, and long communal tables. The pizza dough itself goes through a three-day ferment, and once cooked is thin, crispy, and blistered in all the right places. Chef J.C Poirier is making Neapolitan style pizzas with just a few topping options—ratatouille, mushrooms, fennel sausage, and salami, with the requisite mozzarella and tangy tomato sauce. 915 Main St., Downtown; pizzeriafarina.com
RAMEN DANBO Serving traditional Tonkotsu ramen, cooked Fukuoka-style (a city in Japan), the noodles are super skinny and the cloudy broth packs a punch. The space is tiny, and intentionally so, as the size of the bar is part of the experience. (The Japanese typically order their ramen, eat, and leave). There's a second outpost on Robson Street. 1833 W. 4th Ave., Kitsilano; ramendanbo.com
RODNEY’S OYSTER HOUSE Classic port-city seafood chowders, steamed shellfish, and hearty mains like pan-fried oysters, garlic shrimp, and Atlantic lobster, are the claim to fame at this low-key seafood restaurant. Come with a crowd, order a few dishes to share, and expect big portions and lots of flavor. There's a second location in Gastown. 1228 Hamilton St., Downtown; rohvan.com
SUSHI BAR MAUMI Maumi's eight seats bring the authenticity of the thousands of teeny sushi bars found throughout Japan to Vancouver. Chef Maumi Ozaki presides over his establishment nightly and his rules are clear—no kids, no alcohol, and a hard-and-fast seating schedule. However, despite the seemingly strict parameters, the seafood—imported daily from Japan—is so spectacular in freshness, preparation, presentation, and price, all is forgiven. The ten-course omakase menu, priced at approximately $35 a person, is the best deal in town. 1226 Bute St., West End; sushibarmaumi.ca
TOJO’S Tojo is one of the longest-standing restaurants in this sushi-happy city. Chef Tojo himself is approaching seventy, but still mans the sushi bar almost nightly, experimenting with new flavors like his ode to Canada: smoky eulachon fish and vegetables wrapped in quinoa. The menu is primarily omakase-based. 1133 W. Broadway, Fairview; tojos.com
TORAFUKU The restaurant incarnation of a former food truck, Torafuku serves modern Asian food designed for sharing. Taking inspiration from Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and Vietnam, expect bold flavors in a range dishes from ramen to spicy calamari. While the main body of the restaurant is super minimalist, with a mix of booth-style and stool seating, a polished stone floor, and zero ornamentation, all the action happens in the back. There, you'll find a commissary and the original Le Tigre food truck that started it all for owners Clement Chan and Steve Kuan. 958 Main St., Downtown; torafuku.ca
WILDEBEEST Wildebeest is intent on defining contemporary Canadian cuisine using the best the land has to offer like bison steak, braised goat, and venison lasagna, and a re-imagined surf and turf of tender pork belly with seared scallop and pickled daikon. Canadians will appreciate the Wildebeest iteration of poutine—duck sausage, chicken gravy, and cheese curds. The cavernous space is dark, moody, and romantic, softly lit with tea candles. 120 W. Hastings St., Gastown; wildebeest.ca
YEW SEAFOOD + BAR Yew is an upscale fish restaurant committed to sustainability, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a stellar weekend brunch. Chef Weimar Gomez prepares fish in every possible iteration—lobster bisque, crab salad, seafood risotto, roasted salmon, and tuna tartar to name a few. The restaurant itself is grand and elegant with sky-high ceilings, and a heavy use of wood. 791 W. Georgia St., Downtown; yewseafood.com
EARNEST ICE CREAM Earnest is where you go to try something unusual, like elderflower-or spruce-flavored ice cream. Each flavor—made in small batches—is creamy perfection, and pints come packaged in returnable (and reusable) glass jars as part of the company’s commitment to zero waste. 1829 Quebec St., Mount Pleasant; earnesticecream.com
LEE’S DONUTS For a city that's generally fixated on health and the outdoors, Vancouverites also love the occasional indulgence, and Lee’s Donuts does not disappoint. A mainstay of the public market on Granville Maret for over forty years, the donuts are fried fresh on-site daily—with no trans fats—using the finest ingredients. Expect the perfect combo of sweet and salty with Lee’s signature maple-bacon donut or go fruity with tart raspberry jam nestled in the lightest dough. For those who can’t commit, order a bag-full of donut holes in assorted flavors for a full sampling. 1689 Johnston St., Fairview; granvilleisland.com/directory/lees-donuts
MATCHSTICK With several locations dotted throughout Vancouver, Matchstick seeks to elevate the often rushed habit of grabbing a coffee and racing out the door (we’re all guilty) to an enjoyable ritual—a moment to slow down and enjoy the perfect cup. Aside from their smooth, rich coffee, there are delicious toast options (ricotta and honey, walnut-butter and jam), sandwiches (slow-cooked pork, ratatouille) and healthy muesli. Matchstick bakes all their own bread in-house daily (the scent alone will draw you in) and each loaf is the product of a few day's work due to time-consuming—but better tasting—ancient baking and leavening methods. 213 E. Georgia St., Downtown; matchstickyvr.com
PLUVIO Savor an artistic, ever-changing menu that moves with the seasons, using everything from Humboldt squid to morel mushrooms. 1714 Peninsula Rd, Ucluelet, BC; pluvio.ca
WOLF IN THE FOG Sea-view restaurant with a warm, rustic vibe serving creative locally sourced plates and seasonal dishes like “seacuterie” spreads and smoked steelhead trout, paired with house-made craft cocktails like cedar-infused sours. 150 Fourth St, Tofino, BC; wolfinthefog.com
PILGRIMME A trip to the eastern offshore Galiano Island is also worth it to dine at this cozy cabin in the woods where each dish is a loving homage to its island home. 2806 Montague Rd, Galiano Island, BC; pilgrimme.ca
KISHIMOTO Tucked away in the bustling artistic community of Commercial Drive, Kishimoto draws lines of tourists and locals hungry for a taste of their house made tamari dipping sauce, which has a richer flavor than traditional soy sauce and is gluten-free. Tamari-dipped sushi is made even better with an order of seasonal tempura featuring farm-fresh vegetables finished with edible flowers and yuzu, matcha, and black truffle salt. 2054 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC; kishimotorestaurant.com
TAKA’S Vancouverites travel to the neighboring city of White Rock, which is in metro Vancouver, just for the decadent aburi sushi and fresh Hokkaido uni found at Taka’s. Don’t miss the foie gras aburi, where a charcoal flame tenderizes rich foie gras while lending it an unexpected smoky flavor. Aburi, or flame-seared sushi, has gained popularity across Vancouver, but the precision of Taka’s aburi makes it among the city’s best. 15208 Pacific Ave, White Rock, BC; taka.ca
NARUTO SUSHI Don’t miss the B.C. roll made with tender barbecue salmon skin, sweet teriyaki sauce, and cucumber. 2763 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC; naruto-sushi.ca
SUSHI MARO Sushi Maro is an unassuming location that buzzes with locals scarfing toro nigiri and mango tuna rolls on any given weeknight. Specialty rolls are wrapped in flame-seared wagyu beef and a charming outdoor patio offers prime real estate for people watching. 1168 Mainland St #101, Vancouver, BC; sushimaro.com
ARTS | ACTIVITIES | CULTURE
RICHMOND NIGHT MARKET Active throughout the summer season (May to October only), this night market is reminiscent of the markets you find throughout Asia, open in the darker hours to keep the food (and the vendors) cool. Over 10,000 visitors browse through the market every night which makes for a fun, chaotic-in-a-good-way atmosphere. 8351 River Rd., City of Richmond; richmondnightmarket.com
MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY The Arthur Erickson-designed Museum of Anthropology is structurally spectacular—built in 1976, mostly in concrete—the exterior echoes the jagged West Coast mountains, while the interior mimics a First Nations Longhouse. Erickson sought to respectfully capture and honor the evolving Canadian identity through the building, which looks out onto the sea. Crafting enthusiasts will love exhibits focused on blankets woven by the Salish people in the 1800's, Amazonian textiles and ceramics, as well as a permanent collection of ethnographic objects from First Nation communities. The museum’s mission is to promote discourse around the relationship between Vancouver and the people who settled there. 6393 N.W. Marine Dr., University Hill; moa.ubc.ca
STANLEY PARK There’s no denying Vancouverite's passion for the outdoors, every inch of the city is covered in joggers, bikers, or people simply enjoying their surroundings. Stanley Park is the locals' playground, a sprawling green oasis spanning 1,000 acres, and covered in trails, wildlife, landmarks, and a handful of restaurants smack in the middle of the city. Our favorite for a long hike, the Siwash Rock Trail leads to a historic rock—that depicts the legends of the local Siwash people—and is over 32 million-years-old. Other must-sees include the First Nations totem poles at Brockton Point, the Rose Gardens, and the Seawall. vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/stanley-park
THE SEAWALL The Seawall (mostly contained within Stanley Park) is the world’s longest, uninterrupted waterfront path, hugging the sea for a full 14 miles along Vancouver’s waterfront. You can walk or bike the trail—there’s a pedestrian-specific section of around five miles that takes two to three hours to complete, depending on the person—and take in the driftwood-strewn beaches, views of the city skyline, cedar-covered mountains, and the Lions Gate bridge. vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/seawall
MUSEUM OF VANCOUVER The founding mission of the Museum of Vancouver has major civic undertones: The facility seeks to encourage inter-community understanding via an incredible archive of photographs that document the century of public activism that has shaped the city’s identity. The permanent collection comprises ethnographic, archaeological, and natural history objects. 1100 Chestnut St., Kitsilano; museumofvancouver.ca
VANCOUVER ART GALLERY Over 11,000 works representing a century of art produced in British Columbia and the Asia-Pacific region—with a heavy focus on the creative contributions of the First Nations—fill the Vancouver Art Gallery. The program schedule keeps it interesting, with exhibits on everything from Scandinavian design to portraiture. 750 Hornby St., Downtown; vanartgallery.bc.ca
BUTCHART GARDENS A group of floral display gardens in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, Canada, located near Victoria on Vancouver Island. The gardens have been designated a National Historic Site of Canada. 800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay, BC; butchartgardens.com
SHOP
GRANVILLE ISLAND An indoor market flowing through six former ship-building factories, Granville Island Market is packed with food vendors, locally-made crafts, and fresh groceries. Hop on the ferry and spend a morning drinking too many coffees as you eat your way through the seafood, produce, and snack stalls. Aside from the food, there are dozens of artists-in-residence on the island selling their wares, which include ceramics, jewelry, paintings, and glass pieces. Musicians regularly set up shop, adding to the already lively atmosphere. Granville Island, Downtown; granvilleisland.com
LÉ MARCHE ST. GEORGE Le Marché St. George is that personality-filled café and general store we all wish we had in our neighborhood. Compact, quaint, and bursting with charm, the store is packed with cheeses, chocolate, preserves, and fresh produce. The café portion cranks out delicious European-style coffee with traditional French pastries—like buttery pain au raisins and decadent chocolate and almond croissants—on the side. The space itself echoes the traditional general stores of times gone by with creaky wooden plank floors and shelves filled with preserves and dry goods. It's a one-stop-shop for premium ingredients, or simply your morning cup. 4393 St. George St., Riley Park; marchestgeorge.com
LULULEMON The brand that kicked off the athleisure revolution got its start in Vancouver. shop.lululemon.com
KIT AND ACE The flagship store in Kitsilano embodies their design philosophy: simplicity, quality, and functionality— timeless design and impeccable craftsmanship. 165 Water St, Vancouver, BC; kitandace.com
WINGS + HORN Where hoodies, sweatpants, and twill crewneck tops are displayed like works of art in a minimalist store. wingsandhorns.com
OAK + FORT For pretty skirts, dresses, and pants, go to Oak + Fort in Gastown. oakandfort.ca
HERSCHEL SUPPLY CO A backpack from here is practically mandatory. herschel.com
FRANK & OAK It may be a Montreal brand, but it captures Vancouver’s laid-back sense of style perfectly. Go here for stylish men’s clothes. frankandoak.com
THE BLOCK The Block Owner Jennifer MacKay stocks a very deliberate edit of season-specific pieces like floaty Ulla Johnson dresses and Janessa Leone hats in spring, and chunky knits from Henrik Vibskov at winter time. The store is set up to resemble an apartment, with carefully chosen pieces casually displayed on tables and shelves. 350 W. Cordova St., Downtown; theblock.ca
CHARLIE & LEE One of our favorite Vancouver finds, Charlie & Lee is one of those rare independent stores that doesn't adhere to a strict fashion-season calendar—everything is meant to stand the test of time. The owners are major champions of locally made, ethically sourced goods, like woven shoppers, wooden utensils, and a solid round-up of clean beauty products. You’ll find a selection of Scandinavian-style clothing—jumpsuits, dresses, and tops in natural fibers like linen and silk—as well as pieces for the home. 223 Union St., Strathcona; charlieandlee.com
MISCH While "Misch" was owner Lara Osen’s childhood nickname, her store is one filled with grown-up clothing and accessories for women to wear in their everyday life. You’ll see racks brimming with easy Isabel Marant dresses, chunky Nili Lotan knits, elevated sneakers from Common Projects, and beautifully delicate gold jewelry from Satomi Kawakita.The store is small and intimate, with spacious dressing rooms and chic details like Moroccan rugs and ceramic vases. 2960 Granville St., Fairview; misch.ca
ONE OF A FEW The focus at One of a Few is to make the shopping experience as seamless as possible for everyone involved. This means shoes and bags from both established (Clare V., Creatures of Comfort) and emerging designers (Building Block, Kara Bags) are displayed on a few scattered tables, encouraging patrons to make their way around the store so as not to miss any of the Rachel Comey, Wood Wood, Ganni, and LoQ lining the racks; meanwhile, seating for weary partners guarantees uninterrupted shopping time. 354 Water St., Downtown; oneofafew.com
REIGNING CHAMP With a second location in Toronto, Reigning Champ rules the Canadian streetwear space. The washed concrete floors and tiled walls reinforce the laid-back aesthetic that dominates both the men's and women's in-house collections—sweaters, loose joggers, and puffers in a neutral palette. Don’t miss their recent collaboration with Adidas. 2119 W. 4th Ave., Kitsilano; reigningchamp.com
SANGRE DE FRUTA Botanical skin, hair and body products made off Bowen Island on the West Coast of Canada. 563 Artisan Ln, Bowen Island, BC; sangredefruta.com
GREEN & PURE A clean beauty brand, which carries Vancouver-born Rose-Marie Swift’s makeup line, RMS Beauty, and Canada’s Matcha Ninja. Unit2165-4000 No 3 Road, Richmond, BC
O5 TEA Cozy, rustic-chic store & tasting bar providing carefully sourced artisanal teas & kombucha on tap. 2208 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC; o5tea.com
BELMONDO Organic and natural skincare products handmade in Vancouver. Ingredients include olive oil, lavender, chamomile, apple cider vinegar, and more. 2075 Old Dollarton Rd, North Vancouver, BC; belmondo.ca
SEAFLORA Made from wild seaweed that’s sustainably hand-harvested, this line of organic skincare products utilizes the rich nutrients and minerals of this abundant wild material to tackle all kinds of skincare issues. Created by Diane Bernard, affectionately known locally as the “Seaweed Lady,” its diverse selection, offering everything from seaweed eye masks to moisturizers, gels, serums, and cleansers, can be purchased at spas around the island, including Drift Spa at Black Rock and Ancient Cedars at the Wickanninish Inn. seafloraskincare-com
NAAS FOODS For internal health and wellness, stock up on organic sea kelp products made from bull and giant kelp at the Indigenous-owned Naas Foods. Eating seaweed on a regular basis comes with myriad health benefits like improved thyroid function and potentially lowered risk of heart diseases, and the shop’s kelp seasonings and flakes bring a savory umami taste to dishes too. 630 Campbell Street, Tofino, British Columbia; naasfoods.com
SPA | WELLNESS
SEA2SKY WELLNESS CLUB Holistic Wellness Club with Yoga/Hot Yoga. Fitness. Meditation, Ice baths, Retreats, Massage, Acupuncture, and Aerial Yoga. 428 Columbia St, New Westminster, BC; sea2skywellness.com
HAVN Floating in the city’s inner harbor, HAVN is a former WWII floating-barge-turned-self-care park. On deck, sleek and minimalist tan wood structures hide indoor saunas, with open-air platforms offering harbor-view hot tubs and cold plunges. Wellness-seekers can follow the proposed hydrotherapy circuit or go with their own flow, using relaxation cabins, lounge areas, and a lush garden patio as tranquil spaces to unwind. havnsaunas.com
RITUAL Close to downtown, Ritual is Vancouver Island’s first Scandinavian wellness center, inspired by traditional Finnish treatments and philosophies in a bright, modern package. The signature Nordic Circuit consists of alternating between hot and cold treatments at leisure, from the Finnish sauna to cold plunges, steam rooms, hot tubs, and salt lounges. ritualnordicspa.com
DRIFT SPA The spa at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort uses sea-sourced ingredients like skincare from Seaflora, Pacific sea salt, and ocean mud for its luxury remedies like facials, massages, and body treatments. blackrockresort.com/drift-spa
ANCIENT CEDARS SPA Located at the Wackanninish Inn, soothing treatment rooms look out directly onto the Pacific Ocean as wellness-seekers luxuriate in detoxifying algae wraps, mud treatments, and sea salt polishes. 500 Osprey Ln, Tofino, BC; wickinn.com/ancient-cedars-spa
TOFINO RESORT & MARINA The ultimate form of thalassotherapy is the ocean itself. Hidden deep in the UNESCO Biosphere-certified Clayquot Sound and accessible only by boat, the remote, wood-fired floating sauna here brings together thalassotherapy and Nordic wellness. A glass wall allows sauna users to gaze at the peaceful waters and dense forests as they heat up in the cedar sauna before jumping into cleansing Pacific waters. 500 Osprey Ln, Tofino, BC; wickinn.com/ancient-cedars-spa
TOFINO BREATH AND MEDITATION Offering customized Yoga, Breath and Meditation practices in Tofino area, as well as retreats. tofinobreathandmeditation.com
SALISH SEA NATURE CONNECTIONS It isn’t just the ocean that heals on Vancouver Island. Experience the therapeutic powers of the island’s great outdoors from beaches to forests with outdoor meditation and open-air yoga sessions on tranquil beaches at Another Asian practice that has found its way to the shores of the Pacific Northwest is the Japanese art of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing. With its old-growth forests of cedar, hemlock, and spruce, the island is an ideal place for tapping into the slow, steady rhythms of ancient trees to calm the body and mind. salishseaforesttherapy.ca
ASSOCIATION OF NATURE AND FOREST THERAPY Certified forest bathing guides, but anyone can try their hand at self-guided forest bathing experiences on trails in outdoor preserves like MacMillan Provincial Park and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. natureandforesttherapy.org
HALFMOON Beth McTavish founded Halfmoon after a trip to India in 1983, inspired by the yogis she saw practicing at the edge of the Ganges River. Her goal: to integrate yoga and meditation into our everyday routines through products and props like eye pillows filled with Brazilian gemstones and intricately designed, hand-crafted yoga bolsters. If you love what you see, but don’t feel like lugging an extra piece of luggage with you, Halfmoon will ship anything they offer to the U.S. halfmoon.com
ONE YOGA Canada's premier destination for authentic vinyasa Yoga classes and education. 156 E 7th Ave, Vancouver, BC; oneyogavan.com
MICHELE KAMBOLIS Family therapist Michele Kambolis focuses on mind-body medicine, utilizing meditation and biofeedback as a way to treat struggles that primarily affect mothers and children. 1727 Fir St., Kitsilano; michelekambolis.com
SHAMA ZEYNEP Shama has been a body work therapist for more than a decade. Her private practice is located in Empower Health Clinic, where she helps patients navigate various stress-related conditions through breathwork and meditative therapies. Her specialties include diamond breath therapies and counseling sessions centered around somatic touch, biodynamics, and mindfulness. shamabreath.com
THEDA PHOENIX Theda’s soft voice can soothe you to sleep. And that should come as a surprise to no one: as a singer-songwriter, Theda focuses on sound healing to promote relaxation and meditation. She utilizes crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, ocean drums, and Shamanic vocal toning (a heavenly combination) to create an ethereal soundscape that pacifies both body and soul. thedaphoenix.com