Emergency List: 10 Restaurants In Vancouver That Won’t Go Wrong

So you’re stuck for ideas of where to eat in Vancouver.  There are many choices, but you might be wanting to impress a lady or man or boss or co-workers with your intimate knowledge of Vancouver.

Perhaps you’re hopelessly stumped because you don’t want to do the same old same old.

Here’s the list.  In no order with no attempt to rate anything because it’s up to you to decide what works for your situation.

1.  Hamilton Street Grill.  This is a Yaletown steakhouse plus more.  Owner Neil is always attentive as are his staff.  www.hamiltonstreetgrill.com.  Ask if he’s still serving his hangar steak. 1009 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 6K6  (604) 331-1511

2.  Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe in Kitsilano.  This is kid friendly but does not leave out great portions of comfort food for adults.  It’s got the best kitschy decor in town.  Look for the Pee Wee Herman doll.  www.sophiescosmiccafe.com  2095 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6J 1M7 (604) 732-6810.  Try the Belgian Waffles for breakfast.

3.  White Spot Restaurants.  There are many of these and if you are looking for essential burgers, fries, pastas and so forth, this will work.  Not haute cuisine, but it is unpretentious goodness.  www.whitespot.com. I like the club house (which you can order from the lunch menu for dinner) because it’s real turkey, not processed slices.

Vancouver Downtown (Granville & Drake)
718 Drake Street
Vancouver, BC
V6Z 2W6

Vancouver Kitsilano
2518 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC
V6K 2G1

4.  Best Restaurant for stunning eye candy is the Cactus Club Chain.  I always wonder just how there are so many women are customers.  For straight men, this chain is a brain stem jamming experience.  This is not a first date restaurant chain.  www.cactusclubcafe.com  I discovered recently the menu had taken a huge leap forward.  Turns out they brought in celebrity chef Rob Feenie.

Broadway & Granville
1530 West Broadway
Vancouver 604.733.0434

Vancouver Downtown on Robson
1136 Robson Street
Vancouver  604.687.3278

Yaletown
357 Davie Street
Vancouver 604.685.8070

5.  For a fishy approach, The Boathouse Restaurant can’t go wrong.  I personally like the newer Kitsilano Beach location.  Get a table near sunset so you can watch in go down over Vancouver Island to the west.  The English Bay location is pretty sweet too.  www.boathouserestaurants.ca

English Bay
604 669-2225
1795 Beach Avenue
Vancouver, BC V6G 1Y9

Kitsilano
604 738-5487
1305 Arbutus Street (off Cornwall)
Vancouver, BC V6J 5N2

6.  Ultra Vegetarian food can be found at The Naam.  It’s a 30 year veteran of Kitsilano and if you can live without meat, it’s always a conversation starter.  www.thenaam.com.  2724 West Fourth Ave., Vancouver, BC (604) 738-7151

7.  Another kid friendly choice in Kitsilano and East Vancouver (and great for veggies, but not ignoring carnivores) is Rocky Mountain Flatbread.  They have gluten free crusts which may not help lose weight, but helps in reducing your wheat allergies.  They also have a convincing green commitment.  www.rockymountainflatbread.ca

Vancouver Kitsilano
1876 W 1st Avenue, Vancouver, between Cypress & Burrard.
604 730 0321

Vancouver Main Street
4186 Main Street, one block South of King Edward, Vancouver
604 566 9779

8.  Juliet’s at Cornwall and Cypress is a breakfast/brunch/lunch place that does not do real table service.  You have to go to the counter and order, then they bring your order to you.  I am fairly fond of the Lamb Club.  It’s not a swish place to impress your friends, but I have seen the founder of Lululemon in there.  It’s only open until 4 PM.

9.  For Sushi fans, you can’t really go wrong with Kamei Royal at Burrard and Alberni Streets in downtown Vancouver.  www.kameiroyale.com.  There are Sushi places in Vancouver and vary in quality.  This one spends effort on decor and food and would not be considered bargain basement.  211 1030 W.Georgia St., Vancouver, BC V6E 2Y3.  604-687-8588

10.  Raga Restaurant is on 1177 West Broadway (four blocks east of Granville St.)
Vancouver, BC V6H 1G3. 604-800-8191.  www.raga-restaurant.com.  This is where you get your Indian food fix.  30 years in business and works well for take out as well.  Your breath will never be the same … but in a good way.