THINGS TO DO, PLACES TO GO
Vancouver offers exciting museums, theatre & music venues, elite shopping, pristine hiking & skiing, prime golfing & sailing, beautiful beaches & parks. See full guide – https://tourismvancouver.com. Please find a list of our recommended restaurants and local venues below. Please let us know of any favourites you may find – we value your feedback. The restaurant scene in Vancouver is constantly changing and we always love to hear what our guests find and enjoy.
RESTAURANT SUGGESTIONS
| Breakfast or Brunch: | Café du Soleil Tangent Café Livia Sweets The Red Wagon |
| Fine Dining: | Absinthe Bistro Oca Pastificio |
| Fun and Friendly West Coast: | Fets Whisky Kitchen |
| Fun and Friendly Mexican: | La Mezcalaria |
| Award Winning Japanese: | Kishimoto |
| Favorite Japanese: | Ginger Sushi |
| Award Winning Vietnamese: | The Lunch Lady |
| Favourite Vietnamese: | Merci Beaucoup Cafe |
| Favourite Italian: | Sopra Sotto Pepinno’s Spaghetti House |
| Favourite Pizza: | Via Tavere |
| Favorite Curry: | Bombay Kitchen and Bar |
| Favorite Winebar: | Caffe La Tana |
| Favorite Ice Cream & Gelato: | Ernest’s Ice Cream Dolce Amore |
MEDIA ARTICLES
Five under $50:
Best things to see and do in Vancouver on a budget
Dished Neighbourhood Gems:
Vancouver’s Commercial Drive
IN VANCOUVER:
https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/downtown-architectural-walk.aspx This includes a map and directions.
And of course, Stanley Park: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/stanley-park.aspx One of our favourite Stanley Park restaurants is a wonderful venue for lunch or dinner https://www.vancouverdine.com/teahouse/ or at the Davie end of Denman Street you will find a few restaurants to enjoy a sunset drink or meal.
https://www.chinatownstorytellingcentre.org/
https://vancouverchinesegarden.com/
Museum of Anthropology (https://moa.ubc.ca/) Combine with a walk at Jericho Beach: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/jericho-park-trails.aspx
If you go to that side of town and like shopping, there are some fun stores on 4th Avenue between Burrard and Vine and lots of cafes. For a waterfront restaurant on that side of town, you might find the very casual, historical sailing club/pub fun: https://thegalley.ca/ Or for something a bit more upscale try the https://www.boathouserestaurants.ca/location/boathouse-restaurants-kitsilano/
Closer to Parker Street, for a drink before dinner, there is treasured bar that has reopened and has a great happy hour menu https://caffelatana.ca/ It is next to an excellent ‘red sauce’ Italian restaurant: https://pepinos.ca/ Both of these restaurants are in heritage buildings: Fet’s Whiskey Kitchen or Havana and are both fun for a drink before dinner.
As mentioned, for more suggestions, please visit our website complete with links: https://www.theivyonparker.com/discover-vancouver/
If you have a car and want to get out of the city, the following are all recommended but many are at least 1 – 2 hours away by car so google map everything and take that into consideration.
DAY TRIPS WITH CARS OR TRANSIT
Whistler – https://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/ Araxi for lunch is always very good: https://araxi.com/
Britannia Mine Museum – https://www.britanniaminemuseum.ca/ on the way to/from Whistler
Shannon Falls – https://www.exploresquamish.com/explore/shannon-falls-provincial-park – There is a great gondola here, one the way to/from Whistler
Deep Cove – https://vancouversbestplaces.com/north-shore/north-vancouver/deep-cove/ – for kayaking, nice restaurants and a great trail up Quarry Rock Walk (about 30 mins)
Capilano Suspension Bridge – https://www.capbridge.com/
Grouse Mountain Gondola – https://www.grousemountain.com/skyride – There is a grizzly bear habitat, logging show and beautiful views from the restaurant
Burnaby Village Museum – https://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca/
Deer Lake – https://deerlakeboatrentals.com/ – There is a lovely restaurant here as well called Hart House
Steveston Village in Richmond – https://www.visitrichmondbc.com/things-to-do/steveston-village/
White Rock Pier – https://www.whiterockcity.ca/101/Visitors
Whytecliff Park – https://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/whytecliff-park/
Fort Langley – https://www.tourism-langley.ca/location/fort-langley
The Ivy on Parker Rates
Oct 1 – Apr 30
May 1 – Sept 30
Very nice, would stay here again
The Ivy was lovely and in a quiet residential road. We were met by Margit who was helpful getting us into the property. Pre stay communication was first class. The room was very clean with luxury bedding and bathroom. a coffee machine was provided. The wifi was very good. It was a 20 min walk to the skytrain but buses into town were at the end of the road and prices for both were very reasonable. There were many shops, restaurants and bars along the main road within 5 to 20 mins walk, in a very lively area with some colourful characters.
Audrey, United Kingdom
Stayed at The Ivy on Parker Guest House in Vancouver, BC
May 2023 – 3 nights in a Queen Room with Garden View
