Nicole & Vasanth
Things To Do
AJ's Brooklyn Pizza Joint
Our favourite pizza in the city! You might have to wait a little bit to get in... but it will be worth it, trust us. Fan favourites: the Maui Waui (Detroit style) and the Goldie (New York style) are *chef's kiss*.
Pizzeria Farina
Runner up for favourite pizza in town! Gotta get the Funghi!
Anh & Chi
VERY tasty Vietnamese cuisine with a lovely cocktail menu, too!
Di Beppe Restaurant
We went here for Nikki's birthday and it was very lovely if you're looking for Italian food near Gastown.
Pizza Coming Soon
PSYCH! This is not pizza, it's delectable Japanese small plates in a very trendy, "did we walk past it?" spot in Chinatown. Tasty tasty, and great drink menu.
Nightingale
We came here for cocktails and it was divine! Have yet to come back for the food but we have heard endlessly great things about it. A splurge evening out, if you're looking to dine out on the town!
Les Faux Bourgeois
Vasanth's birthday dinner pick, and for good reason! Very French but no need to be fancy here. The mushroom risotto will CHANGE your life!
Tacofino Taco Bar
Iconic. If you love a good taco, look no further.
Tacofino Ocho
Food so nice we listed it twice! This is the other location in Mt. Pleasant in case you're in this area. Vasanth LOVES a taco moment and has enjoyed thoroughly.
Lucky Taco
By the beach, cute street, yummy tacos, can't go wrong!
33 Acres Brewing Company
Beachy, breezy, hip, and a local classic for beers and cider!
Brassneck Brewery
Their Raspberry Changeling is *fingers crossed* available in June. The perfect summer beer, with a side of warm olives? Just stop. It's perfection.
Main Street Brewing Co.
Add it to your brewery crawl on Main Street and it'll be a hit!
R&B Ale & Pizza House
Low key amazing pizza, and the mead is a real plot twist! Highly recommend.
Forecast Coffee
If you're wandering on Main Street, this is *one* of our favourite stops. Cafe by day, bar/lounge by night. But no wifi, so if you're working remote during any days here, would try a different spot!
Liberty Bakery + Café
Just the sweetest little nook on Main Street, complete with tables and umbrellas outside on a closed off street. It's giving Montreal, it's giving wholesome. We recommend! It's also around some well stocked consignment stores if you're into perusing. Across the street is also Coco et Olive, another cute cafe. Very here for their pastries so another good spot!
Kits Beach Coffee
Did you wander into a cute and casual cafe on your way back from surfing in the Californian town of Encinitas? No. But you can feel like you did here. It's vibey and they make a real nice matcha latte.
Purebread
If it was possible to get an IV of scones, we would. And if you do not come here and order 3 scones at one time, what are you even doing. Fan favourites: Cheddar Jalapeno Scone, Lemon Blueberry Basil Scone, and Buckwheat Sour Cherry Scone. Honourable mentions: literally everything else. You cannot go wrong.
Earnest Ice Cream
Decadent homemade ice cream with fun, rotating flavours. If we're lucky, they will have the Coffee Crisp flavour back in June and we encourage you to buy and eat in bulk. Grab a cup or cone and take it for a walk down to the seawall for *vibes*.
Cartems Donuts
Who doesn't love a good donut? Vegan options available here, too! Fan favourite: the Baked Earl Grey. Say no more.
Spanish Banks
A truly lovely beach area with lots of space! It extends for quite a distance with Locarno Beach and Jericho Beach to it's right. There are stand up paddleboard rentals at the boat club near Jericho here, too, if you're feeling athletic! *Note: You can drink alcoholic beverages at these 3 beaches in the summer. Woo! Be free!
Kitsilano Beach
Classic views and great seawall walking, though not our favourite beach for lounging as it can get pretty packed. But kudos to you if you snag an open spot on a busy day!
Wreck Beach
Just at the edge of the UBC campus, there are LOTS (warning but no biggy) of wood stairs to take you down to Wreck Beach - the token nude beach in the city! Clothing optional, no judgement which way you choose to enjoy this secluded gem.
English Bay Beach
Classic Vancouver spot if you find yourself exploring/staying downtown. Walking north along the beachfront will take you to Stanley Park where you can keep walking along the seawall with more beaches and views to discover!
Queen Elizabeth Park
Nice views of the city, beautiful gardens, pitch 'n putt + pickle ball (we have tried neither lol), and the Bloedel Conservatory (see other recommendation for location).
Stanley Park
CLASSSSIC! Won't regret it. You can do the full walk starting from English Bay and walk* all the way to Coal Harbour (or vice versa). Major steps, major views. *could rent bikes, too, if you fancy!
Pacific Spirit Regional Park
Great local option for mild hiking or nature walking! Lots of different trails to take and explore.
Granville Island
Did you really come to Vancouver if you didn't see Granville Island? A classic and unique stop with it's own Granville Brewery, too! Head here to see the Granville Island Market, grab a bite, sneak a beer, and then hop on the Aquabus to take you anywhere else across or along False Creek.
Bloedel Conservatory
A big dome filled with a bunch of tropical birds and plants. Only $7 to go in and you'll be in there for maximum 45 minutes, but it's humid, exciting, and cool to walk through in the middle of Vancouver.
Vancouver Aquarium
This was our first date in Vancouver when Vasanth so courageously flew across the country all those years ago :') If you're in the English Bay/Stanley Park area, this is a fun one! Iconic jelly fish tank wall, the cutest otters holding hands, ya know, the good stuff.
Deep Cove
Small community in North Van with a quaint main street and beautiful inlet to kayak or paddle board on. Note: VISIT HONEY'S DONUTS. No questions asked. They also have a sister-in-law-Angela-approved Cod Burger at Deepwater Micro Eatery. Best she's ever had. Big statement.
Tunnel Bluffs
Our favourite hike! No need for hiking boots, just sturdy sneakers. It's a devastating 2km incline at the beginning but levels out at the top. A brief rock scramble later and you'll be face to face with sea-to-sky views!
Twin Falls Loop
Easy trail to walk/hike in North Van! Truly stunning. Waterfalls, turquoise water, + ferns for a real Jurassic energy. If you pack your swimsuit and a towel, you can swim here!