Vancouver's best-kept restaurant secrets

Food Vancouver Select Guide: Kitsilano

In this issue of “Food Vancouver's Select Guide”, we will take you on a tour of Kitsilano. Vancouver is best known for its trendy, pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods like Denman Street, Yaletown, South Granville and Downtown–Robson Street. Shops, boutiques and restaurants are within feet of one another and there is never a shortage of things to do; places to see or food to eat!

While none of these neighbourhoods disappoint, it seems that Kitsilano, or ‘Kits” as the locals call it, is the place to beat when it comes to all of the above. With West 10th to the south, Cornwall Avenue to the north, Alma to the west and Granville to the east, Kitsilano has something to suit every mood, palette and budget.

1966 West 4th Ave – Standing here, across the street you will notice the sign for Hell’s Kitchen featuring classic New York thin crust style pizzas combining traditional ingredients with innovative West Coast flavours. This is simple yet imaginative pizza of the highest quality.

West 4th and Cornwall Avenue are both chock full of cafes and restaurants. Heading down to Cornwall from West 4th be sure to stop by The Smoking Dog Bistro, located on York and Cypress. Across from it is The Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company featuring healthy, local and organic pizzas. If you enjoy a thicker crust on your pie, visit Flying Wedge Gourmet Pizza offering daily specials and pizzas loaded with fresh ingredients.

After you’ve strolled down to Kits Beach and cheered on the beach volleyball players, you will definitely have worked up an appetite. Where’s the beef you ask? You’ll find it at Vera’s Burger Shack. Fresh and made to order, Vera's burgers are moist, tasty and oh-so-satisfying. Milkshakes, fries, onion rings and even hot-dogs are among Vera’s specialties so be sure to go with a group of hungry people!

Half a block west is Planet Veg located on Cornwall just west of Cypress. Here you can enjoy incredibly tasty food, good prices, plus a great selection of (South-Asian) Indian treats, curry dishes and possibly the city’s friendliest service. If Chai tea is your hot (or cold) beverage of choice, try one from Planet Veg. It’s authentic, delicious and truly warming to your soul.

If it’s the strong stuff you’re after, pop in a few doors down to Bean Around the World and enjoy a smooth cup of JJ Bean coffee. Many say it’s the best in the city!

Making your way back to West 4th, and depending on your mood and desire for spice and heat, you may choose The Noodle Box, located on 4th between Cypress and Burrard. This lively South-East Asian Noodle Bar is definitely a nice change on traditional style noodles offering stir-frys, soups, curries with your choice of rice or variety of noodles, each your own level of heat added into the mix.

If you are looking for Mexican style heat, Andale's Mexican is where you want to go. Heading south past 4th toward Broadway. Andale's, located at 3211 W Broadway is a Mexican-Spanish style restaurant with dishes ranging from $10-$20.

Just down the street you will happen upon East is East (Chai Gallery), offering authentic Middle Eastern food, including organic lamb kabobs, ‘Eastern Plates’ consisting of salad, roti, Afghan and coconut rice. East is East is all about community. Eating and celebrating with one another is part of its charm and appeal.

While still exploring ethnic cuisine, head west along Broadway to Alma towards Athene’s Greek restaurant and enjoy the squid, souvlaki, hummus. Making your way back to the heart of Kits, be sure to make a quick pit stop at 4th and Dunbar, where you will stumble across Aphrodite’s Café and Pie Shop located at 3598 W 4th Ave. Aphrodite’s is well-known for their pies, sandwiches, salads and of course their made-from-scratch daily soups using organic ingredients and fresh farm seasonal vegetables. Don’t miss the weekend brunch.

Back in the heart of Kitsilano, Bistrot Bistro located on 4th between Cypress and Maple, serves traditional French country fare and has received several accolades inducing ‘Reader's Choice’; ‘Best New West Side’; ‘Best New Casual’ and ‘Best French’. The Vancouver Sun and the Westender both named it as one of the Top New Restaurants of 2007.

What better way to end the perfect day of dining than at the Candy Isle! Their candy corn, salt water taffy, strawberry marshmallows and vanilla caramels – all will take you back to your childhood.

Your Kitsilano dining experience will keep bringing you back to this unique Vancouver neighbourhood for more.

written by Dana Mahon

edited by Sheila G. LoGuisto