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Dining
Where to begin? There is something for everyone in this cosmopolitan city. In
particular, you will find many different kinds of Asian food available. If you
fancy Sushi (or have not tried it yet) many places offer "all you can eat"
lunches for $9.99. In general, you are likely to dine better and for cheaper
than most other places in North America. If you can do without alcohol, you can
usually have a pretty reasonable meal for under $10.00, and at the most
expensive restaurants in the city, $70.00 will get you a 4 course feast with
exquisite service.
The highest density of restaurants is in Kitsilano or the West End. The City
Center has many of the high end restaurants either along Robson Street or
associated with the many hotels in the downtown area. East Van tends to have
many authentic ethnic restaurants.
Vancouver is also famous for its dim sum restaurants. Because of the big
Chinese population, the price and quality of dim sum here is among the best in
the world. One of the best is Sun Sui Wah, at 3888 Main Street. Also, check out
Floata in Chinatown on Keefer Street, Top Cantonese Cuisine in East Vancouver on
Kingsway and Earles. In Burnaby, try Fortune House in Metropolis Shopping
Complex. The city of Richmond, with a majority of its inhabitants being of
Chinese descent, will have a plethora to choose from. Restaurants are all over
the place on No. 3 Road, Westminster Highway, Alexandra Road, and on the many
side streets just east of Richmond Centre.
For budget travelers, pick up a Georgia Straight (a free local paper available all
over the place), and clip two for one coupons from the food section.
Some favorites of the locals include:
• Samurai Sushi, located in downtown on Davie Street, and also at 43rd and
Cambie is well known for having huge portions for small prices. It also has
fresher sushi than some more expensive places. The downtown location is open
until midnight. The Cambie location is only open until 9:00pm, but is slightly
cheaper and much easier to park at. During meal times, it can be very difficult
to get a seat. In the summer, it can be nice to get take out and walk down to a
park area (English Bay for the downtown location, ~20min; local park 1 block
east of Cambie location ~5min). Be sure to try their toro (fatty tuna), and
salmon sushi/sashimi. Stay away from their tuna sushi/sashimi because it tends
to be too frozen.
• Baille, a Vietnamese sandwich shop located at Kingsway and Fraser is rather
out of the way for most tourists but it regularly wins local awards for
sandwiches and boasts delicious Vietnamese subs (including a vegetarian one) for
less than $3. In fact, you'll find lots of small Chinese/Vietnamese restaurants
where a good lunch will cost you less than $6 in the area (Kingsway between
Fraser Street & Knight Street).
• Fritz Frie House, a french frie shop on Davie near Granville in downtown,
boasts what is arguably the best poutine in town. The curds are imported from
Quebec. The garlic lover's mayo is fantastic too. Cleverly located next to the
local Fitness World. $5 for a medium. Open until the wee hours in the morning,
frequented by night clubbers. Regularly wins local awards for fries.
• Kam's Singaporean Cuisine on Davie Street just west of Burrard. This is a
favorite and often there is a line-up. If you go, try to say hi to the manager
- he's quite a character. Cut out a 2 for 1 coupon in every weekly edition of
the West Ender or the Georgia Straight.
• Hon's on Robson is a favorite for quick, cheap, Chinese eats. There tends to
be long line ups, and the food is a little on the greasy side, but you
definitely get your money's worth. Also located in Chinatown (near Keefer and
Main), and Richmond.
• For coffee, there are probably more Starbucks per capita in Vancouver than
anywhere else. If you look on Robson street, you will be able to find two
starbucks kitty-corner to one another. Instead, try places like Caffè Artigiano,
or some smaller independents like Delany's on Denman, Melriches on Davie Street,
or anywhere in Yaletown. Caffè Artigiano is quite well known locally for their
high quality coffees.
• For the best ever ice-cream experience, visit La Casa Gelato . It's a little
off the beaten path, but the over 200 flavours will reward you! 1033 Venables.
Follow the Viaduct east out of downtown, and keep going straight. You will pass
some old style homes on your left, and a park on your right. The place is
located near the train tracks.
Drink
Most of the night clubs are located in the City Centre, especially along
Granville Street, south of Robson, downtown.
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