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Photography:
TVan
Flickr/Dave
Brookfield;
TVan/Al
Harvey;
Destination
BC/Dannielle
Hayes
Mount Pleasant/
The Village at False Creek
Commercial Drive
A
n up-and-coming neighbourhood, South Main (or Mount Pleasant,
as it's also known) received a boost when the athlete's village for
the 2010 Olympic Winter Games was built at its foot. With an
eclectic, hipster vibe, Main Street (between 6th and 26th avenues) is the
place to find indie coffee shops, vintage clothing and local designers, as well
as artists' lofts and places to peruse and purchase local art.
T
here's nothing contrived about eclectic Commercial Drive, where
decades of European immigrants, and more recently those from South
America, have created a United Nations of restaurants, coffee bars and
exotic delis. This is the best spot in town to cheer on international soccer
games with the city's most passionate fans, commune with Vancouver's
peace-loving hippie community playing the bongos in Grandview Park, and
join espresso-sipping patio dwellers on languid summer afternoons.
EAT
Tap & Barrel
Pub-style fare and a sprawling patio overlooking False
Creek, Science World, BC Place and Rogers Arena –
what's not to love?
Chicha
Peruvian flavours dominate this tapas-style tavern's
curated menu, which focuses on key dishes like lomo
saltado and arroz con pato.
EAT
Memphis Blues Barbeque House
Prior to opening this chilled-out BBQ hut, the owners
conducted extensive research at the World Barbecue
Championships in Memphis – so you know it's gotta
be good.
The Reef Restaurant
Caribbean-style cuisine, music and decor lend a
tropical feel to this kitschy, upbeat hideaway.
DO
Punjabi Market
This colourful neighbourhood occupies six blocks on Main
Street, marked by shops resplendent with unique jewelry,
vibrant fabrics and some of the best curries outside of Punjab.
DO
Federico's Supper Club
Old-world Italy shines at this Italian supper club where
live music most nights will have your clients grooving
to blues, jazz, Latin and legendary favourites.
Coffee Shops
Coffee and culinary connoisseurs gravitate to eclectic
Commercial Drive, where decades of European
immigrants have created a multicultural collection of
coffee bars, delis and restaurants.
"Main Street Hidden Gems"
Off the Eaten Track's progressive tasting tour of
eclectic Main Street stops for Polynesian cocktails,
Japanese izakaya, locally made honey and more.
