Going to be taking a trip out of Vancouver early June, booked 2 nights at L'Hermitage in what appears to be 'downtown'. Will be in town most of Friday, and all day Saturday.

I haven't been to Vancouver since I was a kid, and have been reading some not-so-great things about the state of the city these days, not unlike Seattle, Portland, SF. I love exploring new places on foot and don't mind (even prefer) some grit and patina if it's interesting - less so when it's just squalid or dangerous.

Would love to get thoughts from locals that actually live in the city proper. Where should we go, where should we avoid? Best sights close enough by public transport or UBER? Good bars, restaurants, unique shops or galleries?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers

Matt

 

Vancouver is a great city to visit, has bit of everything. Check out yaletown and Gastown for some nice restaurants​​​​​​/bars.
be careful if you are walking along Hastings ave.
Not sure where the Vancouver got the rep that is not good city to visitor anymore. There are great outdoor sites to see, you’re not far from the mountains, then there is the lively bars and night life. The cost of living might be higher, and their hockey team sucks, but that is another matter.
I travelled to Vancouver almost weekly for 2 years for work, and enjoyed the city.

if you are a steaks fan, check out Elisa in Yaletown, super vibe.

Vancouver also have some of the best cocktail bar’s anywhere, Keefer, UVA, Prohibition, Alibi, promenade, and many others. On a given Friday and Saturday night, Granville avenue will be happening too.

The city really has a great restaurant scene, and it’s no coincidence that a lot of their restaurants are opening up in Toronto.
If you enjoy Japanese cuisine, then you need to check out some of their offerings, same with Chinese cuisine, head to Richmond for some of the very best Chinese meals outside of Hong Kong. Although, Toronto/GTA have them beat in that area.

 

Walk the seawall at Stanley Park. If you had more time, sea to sky highway in any rental p-car would be fun when there is low traffic.

 

June can be spotty weather wise here (May is usually awesome and July is awesome), but if the weather is good, you will have an incredible time. Vancouver is an amazing place.
Elisa is a great recommendation for steaks.
Blue Water is awesome seafood/sushi (same area)
Vijes for Indian Food
Drive up the Sea to Sky on a nice day
Take the gondola up Grouse on a clear sky day for the view
Walk or bike the Seawall around Stanley Park, English Bay and False Creek
Go to the tourist trap of Granville Island - eat lunch at the Market there - take a water taxi tour around false creek from Granville Island
Yaletown is our fun restaurant area
Be aware that this is NOT MONTREAL, things close early. Our nightlife is a joke next to yours.
If you want to take a tourist type ride on Cypress, check if the Eagle Coaster is open - but there might still be snow so not sure if it will be open yet.

Ive heard from people who live in the Lower East Side and they say its safe, but I would not go there. I would also not go to China Town. Perhaps thats being dramatic, but theres no need to adventure that direction.

Post here as questions come up!

 

definitely agree with the no need to go into Chinatown. If you want Chinese food, head to Richmond, that is where most of the better ‘Chinese’ restaurants have moved to. Richmond is more of Chinatown than the Chinatown in Vancouver.

 

Vancouver native here.

I grew up in Chinatown in the Downtown East Side. Agreed with the others. Highly cannot recommend anyone go to Chinatown anymore. Even I don't like going there when I'm back in town visiting my family. You aren't missing anything there unless you are there to try a specific restaurant. Absolutely DO NOT leave anything in plain site inside a car if you choose to rent one.

Good Asian cuisine is in Richmond. Places BioBanker suggested are save bets. I don't think you can make reservations for Vij's. It's first come first served so b prepared for a wait.

 

A close friend just spent a month out there. He was there for advance weapons and military combat training. Let's just say he was concerned for his own safety when going out.....I was really surprised by his comments. The drugs are having a major impact on many different places.

 

I had to drive past the DTES last weekend, even in my locked car it felt really sketchy...I definitely would not bring my kids downtown with me, especially after that Starbucks stabbing incident...

 

I live 10 mins from DT and I rarely go because it's not safe. Just be careful and mindful of your surroundings.

 

The last few posts dont align with my experience here. Perhaps I am more accustomed to it as I have lived in Toronto as well.

Agree, east side and Chinatown are no gos, but downtown Vancouver is no worse than downtown Montreal or Toronto. I know tons of people who commute through the lower east side daily for decades, and there has never been an issue. Its shocking to see - yes 100% - and Id never walk through there at night - but its not a situation where you should be worried for your safety in your car. Isolated incidents happen yes, just like everywhere.

Vancouver is world famous for being one of the best cities in the world to live. One of the highest qualities of life on the globe. Its not without fault but its a wonderful place to visit or live.

 

My experiences also align with yours than the last few posters.
I live right in Downtown Toronto currently so maybe I am used to some of the shady sides of city living?
but when I was travelling to Vancouver regularly, I always left thinking what a great city to live in. It’s been 6 months since I last had to travel there, maybe things have totally changed since then?

Usually, I am at the JW Marriott/Douglas Le Parc or the Sheraton Wall Center, and I would walk all over downtown, to Yaletown, Gastown, and all over downtown without fear of bodily harm. Even walked though Hastings a few times on my way to Gastown, and it wasn’t the most appealing, but I didn’t linger and just mind my own business. I didn’t walk through lower east side, but I drove through there plenty and it’s not unlike Toronto’s Moss Park, Allen Garden and Jane/finch area. Meaning, keep your head down and keep driving.

Hope people don’t stop visiting Vancouver, as it’s a great place to vacation, especially if you are into the outdoors and food. So many nice neighborhoods to check out, all the parks, trails for hiking, Lynn Caynon, drive to Whistler, English Bay, Stanley Park, fishing.

also to repeat, the foodie scene is incredible, so many restaurants originated in Vancouver.

 

OP, just noticed you mentioned you are staying at the L'Hermitage. You will be right in the middle of downtown, very convenient to walk to Gastown or Yaletown. I stay at the Sheraton Wall very often, and it’s close by your hotel. takes me like 15-20 mins to walk to Yaletown. Uber/taxi is also convenient.

if you want to stay in the area, and not knowing your taste/budget preferences, here are some places to check out:
Joe Fortes for seafood
Gotham for old school steakhouse, but I much prefer Elisa, Elisa is probably one of my favourite restaurants in the city.

for a nice rooftop bar, check out the Reflections Terrace at the Rosewood Hotel, go for couple cocktails, then maybe dinner at the Hawksworth on the ground floor.
https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/ho...ctions-terrace

You are also across from Jinya, great for a bowl of Ramen.

On your Friday night, you should check out Granville Entertainment district, Granville street and Robson, and all along Grenville, this area will be the closest to the clubbing scene in Toronto or Montreal, but much tamer.

UVA wine and Cocktail bar is also nearby, they have live band playing on some nights.
https://www.uvavancouver.com

if you want to try something unique and farm to table type, Botanist is great, lots of unique vegetarian dishes and fresh seafood/meat.
https://www.botanistrestaurant.com

another creative farm to table restaurant is Forage,
https://foragevancouver.com


If you are interested in a more upscale bar, you may want to check out the Le Parc Casino, and go up to the 6th Floor of the Douglas Hotel, there is a bar there called The D, look for a wall that looks like a bookcase and walk through the wall, it’s kinda like a upscale speakeasy. If you do go to this bar, be sure to dress appropriately, especially on a Friday/Saturday night.

if you dare to walk through Chinatown, Keefer Bar is also a good option, regularly voted as one of the best bars in Canada. https://thekeeferbar.com

these are just some recommendations around downtown area near your hotel.

as you can tell, I am a big foodie, and Vancouver is a great city for that.
If you tell us your budget and food preferences, can provide more recommendations.

 

Wow commie, I live in Van and I learned a lot from your post; I’ll check out a bunch of those!!!!

agree Joe Fortes and Gotham are both good additional suggestions (but Elisa is better as you say).

 

lol I was literally travelling weekly to Vancouver for two years, and being the foodie, I practically checked out all areas looking for unique food experience, some good some bad, but mostly great.
Its sometimes 'easier' for a visitor to find places to eat in a city, versus someone that lives there. You locals have already a set ways. Plus being on a project expense account, helps with funding the foodie adventures.

I didn't even touch on all the Asian cuisines in Richmond, and also the Commercial Drive restaurant scene. Toronto's food scene has dramatically upped its game in the last 10-15 years, but its still playing catchup to Vancouver. Toronto is finally getting a Black & Blue later this year, and Glowbal is expanding to Toronto as well. Maybe Elisa and Blue Water Cafe will make its way to Toronto, Elisa vibe was great. The only thing I didn't like about it was that they are also owned by the Vancouver Canucks owner group. lol its almost like every time I visit Elisa I am support the Canucks. (I am an Oilers fan, so that is a big no no, and yes I am still bitter that the Canucks wine and dined Kuzmenko last summer at Blue Water & Elisa, while the Oilers took him to Joey's. lol)
I also like going to the pier at Steveston for their seafood as well. Nice 10-15 mins drive from Richmond.
There was this small Japanese Omakase there called Kuroki, it was pricy and divine. Only seats 10 people, but food and service was on par with some of the recent Michelin starred Omakase’s in Toronto, at a much reduced price point.
https://kuroki-kitchen.business.site/#menu


Another 'hidden' gem, especially if you enjoy fresh seafood. Goto the larger T&T market, I like the one at Landsdowne Mall in Richmond. Their seafood section, they will also cook the seafood right there for you, so depending on the season, it will be so much fresher and cheaper. I went there once during spot prawn season, and got a pound of prawns and couple of live abalone. They steamed it right there, and provided some heated chili soy sauce for dipping. It was one of my best Vancouver eating experience, for so much cheaper than in the restaurant. lol

ah, I found a photo of the prawns and abalone from T&T, and they had a $1 xiaLongBau special that day lol. I don’t think I paid more than $20 for all that.

 

HI guys, didn't want to post and run, just got tied up for a bit. Thank you so much for the great recommendations - we are really looking forward to our walkabout!

Love NY, Chicago, London, etc. and the 'best' finds in the city. Food, galleries, unique and local shops.

For food, nothing better than searching out what's not done well locally here in MTL. Vij's and good sushi are definitely on the list, I'm taking notes and making plans.

Again, thank you so much for taking the time to share the best of your town!

Cheers

Matt