Our shortlist of the best places to eat, drink, wander and explore in Vancouver, on one map. Free to use, from Tantalus Tours.
West End · Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC
Vancouver's classic park for seawall walks, forest trails, beaches, and skyline views.
Local take
This is the obvious one, but it's obvious for a reason. If someone has one afternoon in Vancouver, this is usually where I send them — rent a bike and do the full seawall loop.
Best for: First-time visitors · Walks · Views · Families
West End · 845 Avison Way, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2
A large public aquarium in Stanley Park with Pacific marine life and indoor exhibits.
Local take
My go-to rainy-day move with kids. Easy to pair with a Stanley Park walk before or after.
Best for: Families · Kids · Rainy days
Shaughnessy · 5251 Oak St, Vancouver, BC
A 55-acre botanical garden with themed plant collections and a hedge maze.
Local take
Quietly one of my favourite places to slow down. Lovely in spring, and genuinely magical during the winter Festival of Lights.
Best for: Walks · Couples · Families · Quiet time
Cambie · 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC
A hilltop park with manicured gardens and one of the city's most photographed skyline viewpoints.
Local take
The view back over the city toward the mountains is the move here. Great for a short, easy visit between other stops.
Best for: Views · Photos · Walks · Couples
Cambie · 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC
A domed tropical conservatory with free-flying birds and plants, atop Queen Elizabeth Park.
Local take
An underrated little escape, especially when it's grey out. Twenty warm, green minutes that most visitors skip.
Best for: Rainy days · Families · Couples
Granville Island · Public Market, 1689 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Y1
An indoor public market with food stalls, produce, bakers, and local makers on the waterfront.
Local take
I send food-curious visitors here to graze. Go hungry, wander the stalls, and eat by the water.
Best for: Foodies · Families · Browsing · Rainy days
Downtown · 1038 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC
An upscale restaurant and cocktail bar in Coal Harbour focused on Pacific Northwest cooking.
Local take
Where I'd book for a special night out. The cocktail program is the part people remember.
Best for: Date night · Special occasions · Cocktails
Gastown · 325 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC
A specialty coffee bar in Gastown known for carefully sourced beans and multiple brew methods.
Local take
My pick when someone wants to taste what Vancouver coffee can actually do. Order the flight if you're curious.
Best for: Coffee lovers · Rainy days · Working
Kitsilano · 2095 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC
A long-running Kitsilano diner with retro decor and big all-day brunch plates.
Local take
Old-school, a little kitschy, and exactly right for a weekend brunch. Expect a line on Sundays.
Best for: Brunch · Families · Comfort food
Kitsilano · 1499 Arbutus St, Vancouver, BC
A popular west-side beach with a saltwater pool, grassy areas, and mountain-and-ocean views.
Local take
Summer-evening Vancouver in one spot. Grab something to eat on 4th and bring it down for sunset.
Best for: Summer · Sunsets · Families · Couples
West End · 1700 Beach Ave, Vancouver, BC
A West End beach known for sunsets, the seawall, and easy downtown access.
Local take
The most reliable sunset in the city centre. If you only have an evening downtown, walk here.
Best for: Sunsets · Walks · Couples
West Point Grey · 6393 NW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2
A UBC museum renowned for its Northwest Coast First Nations collections and oceanfront architecture.
Local take
Worth the trip out to UBC. The Great Hall is genuinely stunning — give yourself a couple of hours.
Best for: Rainy days · Culture · History
Mount Pleasant · 1455 Quebec St, Vancouver, BC
A hands-on science centre inside a landmark geodesic dome on False Creek.
Local take
A safe bet with kids and an easy rainy-day plan. The dome itself is a Vancouver landmark.
Best for: Families · Kids · Rainy days
Commercial Drive · Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC
An eclectic east-side street famous for cafes, indie shops, and a strong local character.
Local take
Where I go when I want the local, lived-in side of Vancouver. Best explored slowly with a coffee in hand.
Best for: Walks · Coffee · People-watching · Local vibe
Gastown · Water St, Vancouver, BC
Vancouver's oldest neighbourhood, with cobblestone streets, the steam clock, restaurants, and bars.
Local take
Touristy in spots, but still a great first walk. Come for dinner and drinks rather than the daytime crowds.
Best for: Drinks · Dinner · Walks · First-time visitors
West Vancouver · Beacon Ln, West Vancouver, BC
A West Vancouver park with old-growth forest trails leading to rocky oceanfront viewpoints.
Local take
One of my favourite North Shore escapes. The walk out to the rocks is short and the payoff is big.
Best for: Hikes · Views · Quiet time · Photos
North Vancouver · 3690 Park Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7J 1Z1
A North Shore park with a free suspension bridge, forest trails, and summer swimming holes.
Local take
The free alternative to the famous suspension bridge, and honestly my pick of the two. Wear real shoes.
Best for: Hikes · Families · Free activities · Photos
North Vancouver · Gallant Ave, North Vancouver, BC
A seaside village in North Vancouver known for kayaking, the Quarry Rock hike, and famous doughnuts.
Local take
A perfect half-day trip. Kayak or do the Quarry Rock walk, then reward yourself with a doughnut.
Best for: Kayaking · Hikes · Day trips · Families
West Vancouver · Argyle Ave, West Vancouver, BC V7V 1A4
A sandy beach in Ambleside Park with harbour views and a waterfront walking route.
Best for: Beach time · Walks · Views
West End · 1333 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1C6
The Robson Street branch of Ramen Danbo, serving Fukuoka-style tonkotsu ramen.
Best for: Ramen · Quick meals · Rainy days
Downtown · 750 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2H7
A downtown art gallery with changing exhibitions in a historic courthouse building.
Best for: Art · Culture · Rainy days
North Vancouver · 1857 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver, BC V7M 2J9
A Persian restaurant on Lonsdale Avenue serving chicken, kebabs, and rice dishes.
Best for: Persian food · Dinner · Groups
Downtown · Vancouver, BC V6C 2R6
The downtown departure point for the SeaBus passenger ferry to Lonsdale Quay.
Best for: North Shore trips · Harbour crossings
North Vancouver · 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4K9
A mountain destination above North Vancouver with gondola access and seasonal outdoor activities.
Best for: Mountain views · Day trips · Outdoor activities
North Vancouver · North Vancouver, BC V7M 3G1
The Lonsdale Quay SeaBus terminal, connecting North Vancouver with Waterfront in downtown Vancouver.
Best for: Harbour crossings · Downtown trips
North Vancouver · 101 Carrie Cates Ct #110, North Vancouver, BC V7M 2E4
A coffee and pastry stop at The Polygon Gallery near the North Vancouver waterfront.
Best for: Coffee · Pastries · Waterfront outings
North Vancouver · 138 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver, BC V7L 0B1
A hotel by the Shipyards waterfront, close to Lonsdale Quay and the SeaBus.
Best for: North Shore stays · Waterfront stays
North Vancouver · Find us around back in the alleyway, B2 111 1st Street East, Lolo Ln, North Vancouver, BC V7L 4X9
A Lower Lonsdale shop for doughnuts and fried chicken, tucked along Lolo Lane.
Best for: Doughnuts · Fried chicken · Casual meals
North Vancouver · 125 Victory Ship Way Unit 110, North Vancouver, BC V7L 0B9
A waterfront restaurant at the Shipyards serving a broad menu with harbour views.
Best for: Dinner · Date night · Waterfront dining
West End · Vancouver, BC
A beach on the western edge of Stanley Park, beside the seawall.
Best for: Beach time · Sunsets · Seawall walks
West End · 5601 Stanley Park Dr, Vancouver, BC V6G 3H5
A Stanley Park viewpoint overlooking Lions Gate Bridge, the harbour, and the North Shore.
Best for: Views · Photos · Sightseeing
Granville Island · 1804 Boatlift Ln, Vancouver, BC
A False Creek ferry dock connecting Granville Island with stops around the inlet.
Best for: False Creek trips · Waterfront outings
Kitsilano · 1833 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 1M4
The West 4th Avenue branch of Ramen Danbo, serving Fukuoka-style tonkotsu ramen.
Best for: Ramen · Quick meals · Rainy days
West Point Grey · Unnamed Road, Vancouver, BC V6R 4K5
A shoreline viewpoint at Jericho Beach looking across English Bay to the city and mountains.
Best for: Views · Photos · Beach walks
West Point Grey · Administration Building, 6804 SW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4
UBC’s botanical garden brings together plant collections, wooded paths, and seasonal gardens.
Best for: Gardens · Walks · Nature
Gastown · 305 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B9
The landmark steam clock at Water and Cambie streets in Gastown.
Best for: Photos · First-time visitors · Short stops
Chinatown · 135 Keefer St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1X3
An apothecary-inspired cocktail bar on Keefer Street in Chinatown.
Best for: Cocktails · Date night · Evening drinks
West Point Grey · 2505 Alma St, Vancouver, BC V6R 3R8
Jo’s Alma Street deli serves Italian sandwiches, pasta, and take-home deli staples.
Best for: Sandwiches · Pasta · Casual meals
Riley Park · 3998 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3P2
The Main Street location of Jo’s Italian Deli, serving Italian sandwiches and pasta.
Best for: Sandwiches · Pasta · Casual meals
Strathcona · 915 Main St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2V8
An Italian sandwich and pizza-slice shop on Main Street.
Best for: Sandwiches · Pizza · Quick meals
Commercial Drive · 905 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 2H2
The original DownLow Chicken shop, serving Nashville-style hot chicken on Commercial Drive.
Best for: Fried chicken · Spicy food · Casual meals
Oakridge · 650 W 41st Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2M9
A food and cultural market at Oakridge Park bringing multiple kitchens and drinks together.
Best for: Date night · Groups · Trying different dishes
Fairview · 1488 W 11th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6H 1L1
A Lebanese restaurant on West 11th Avenue serving mezza, grills, and shared plates.
Best for: Lebanese food · Date night · Shared plates
Downtown · 1038 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 0B9
Waterfront luxury hotel at Canada Place, home to Botanist, a lobby lounge and a rooftop pool over Coal Harbour.
Best for: Special occasions · Luxury stays · Cocktails
North Vancouver · 4500 Capilano Park Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7R 4L3
Free salmon hatchery in Capilano River Regional Park with viewing windows, a fish ladder and riverside trails below Cleveland Dam. Closed to visitors from October 1, 2026 until further notice; the dam and river trails stay open.
Best for: Families · Easy walks · Free things to do
North Vancouver · 3100 Edgemont Blvd, North Vancouver, BC
Walkable North Shore village of cafés, bakeries and independent shops around Edgemont and Highland boulevards.
Best for: Strolling · Coffee · Families
North Vancouver · 405 Seymour River Pl, North Vancouver, BC V7H 1S6
Small municipal farm with barnyard animals, pony rides and picnic space beside the Seymour River.
Best for: Families · Kids · Animals
Gastown · 302 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2N4
Nemesis's original corner café on West Hastings, with specialty espresso and pastries from its Dope Bakehouse.
Best for: Coffee · Quick stops · Rainy days
Mount Pleasant · 555 Great Northern Way, Vancouver, BC V5T 1E1
Nemesis's bright flagship café beside Emily Carr University, with all-day brunch alongside the coffee.
Best for: Coffee · Quick stops · Rainy days
Mount Pleasant · 2301 Ontario St, Vancouver, BC V5T 2X5
Elysian Coffee Roasters' café at 7th and Ontario, pouring its own roasts in Mount Pleasant.
Best for: Coffee · Quick stops · Rainy days
Kitsilano · 1778 W 5th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 1P2
Elysian Coffee Roasters' café at Fifth and Burrard, on the Kitsilano side of the Burrard Bridge.
Best for: Coffee · Quick stops · Rainy days
Fairview · 590 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1E9
Elysian Coffee Roasters' café on West Broadway near Cambie, a short walk from the Canada Line.
Best for: Coffee · Quick stops · Rainy days
Downtown · 102-1100 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y9
Elysian Coffee Roasters' downtown café inside The Burrard hotel courtyard at Burrard and Helmcken.
Best for: Coffee · Quick stops · Rainy days
