Vancouver's best-kept restaurant secrets

Food Vancouver Select Guide: Yaletown

In this issue of “Food Vancouver's Select Guide”, we will take you on a tour of one of Vancouver’s hippest neighborhoods - Yaletown. Yaletown was once a dingy warehouse district. It is found in the downtown Vancouver area and is defined as the area bordered by False Creek, Robson and Homer Streets.

Over the past decade Yaletown has morphed into one of Vancouver’s most desirable neighbourhoods. It now competes with the up and coming Gastown with more restaurants per square inch and is home to some of Vancouver’s finest and hippest dining establishments

A unique way to start your tour is hopping off the Aquabus at the foot of Davie Street (perhaps returning from the gourmet paradise of Granville Island!).

Right beside the Aquabus dock, you can enjoy French cuisine at Provence Marinaside. It’s known for its authentic Provincial cuisine is a most picturesque spot for Sunday brunch. A short stroll up the street and you’ll find the gourmet grocery store, Urban Fare. There, you’ll find a cornucopia of gourmet foods - perfect for a special picnic while overlooking False Creek.

But if instead you’re looking for a sit down restaurant, then continue on the tour. Going up Davie (through a temporary construction area that will soon become the new Canada skytrain line), you’ll pass one of Vancouver’s finest boutique hotels - The Opus. Inside the Opus try their restaurant Elixir, for a decadent meal. This is also a great late night spot for the trend setters. Around the corner on Hamilton you can sample oysters at the more casual Rodney’s Oyster Bar or choose comfort fare at the new Society Dining Lounge. If you’re craving Thai food, then Simply Thai will satisfy.

Back across Davie on the other side of Hamilton, you’ll find the Cactus Club Cafe, a Japanese Izakaya (Chopstick Café), and Yaletown’s oldest restaurant – Capones (still a great place for eats and jazz). For Italian try Amacord, or Cioppiono’s. Or for more Thai, head over to the Thai Urban Bistro. George is the place for the latest in cocktails and casual fine dining can be had at the newest upgrade to Milestones. Look for the new Earl’s and Keg Steakhouse and Bar.

The Blue Water Cafe is a must for seafood lovers. It’s on the corner of Hamilton and Helmcken, and has just expanded the wine cellar and opened a new private dining room. Further east there’s also the newly renovated Hamilton Street Grill.

Turning the corner on Mainland Street there are more spots to satisfy. Section 3 is well known for drinks and late night snacks and mouthfuls of giant meat sandwiches can be devoured at Phat. To “hang” with the cool crowd go to Glowbal Grill and its back bar, Afterglow.

Traveling to the next block west, one can go low key at Yaletown Brewpub and sample beer brewed right on site Or if you’re craving sushi , then go to Sakana for the freshest of sushi. If you’re feeling a little more swanky, head across the street to the newly opened Goldfish Pacific Kitchen for “after-work cocktails” with the locals. The far end of Mainland draws chocolate lovers at Chocolatl and for BC wine fanatics, then Taylorwood Wines is a must. Browns Restaurant also calls this block home, as does Starbucks.

On the edge of Yaletown you’ll find the Brix restaurant and lounge, located in a beautiful heritage building on Homer Street. Brix is well known for their menus, service and wine lists.

There is so much to choose from in Yaletown that you would need a few weeks. A good way to get a really good sampling is to come in October for the annual Taste of Yaletown. For a week, there are great deals on tasting menus at many of the restaurants. You might not get through them all, but it’s a good way to stretch your travel dollar (and maybe let you stay for a few extra days!).

by Cassandra Anderton