Best of Vancouver

Flanked by art galleries, this design shop carries covetable goods at reason-able prices—handwoven baby alpaca throws from $186 and mouth-blown glass candleholders for a mere $10.

Address:
3039 Granville St.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada

Phone:
(604) 742-1880

Chef/owner Giuseppe “Pino” Posteraro serves Mediterranean cuisine at Cioppino’s and its sister restaurant next door, Enoteca. Two large patios allow diners to watch Yaletown passerbys, while foodies sidle up to the two open show kitchens. Pino calls his style of cooking cucina natural—a classical style of cooking that emphasizes the use of only the freshest of ingredients. Flavors are clean and he’s especially noted for his light pasta dishes like tagliolini al granchio—handmade, thin egg pasta with Dungeness crab in a light tomato sauce. Cioppino’s serves ocean-friendly seafood choices, as well.

Address:
1133 & 1129 Hamilton St.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada

Phone:
(604) 688-7466

This Prohibition-era inspired restaurant and bar overlooks historic Gastown and Maple Tree Square. Owned by a handful of bartending veterans, the intimate, neighborhood venue serves Asian-influenced small plates like Bánh mì and gyoza. Cocktails are contemporary with such options as Penicillin, made with blended scotch, peated scotch, ginger, lemon, and honey; and Moscow Mule, made with vodka, ginger beer, bitters, and lime. White-washed, brick-lined walls, and a sparkling chandelier respect the 100-year-old building’s structure. The Diamond also offers seminars for aspiring mixologists, including how to stock your home bar, throw a cocktail party and classic cocktails 101.

Address:
6 Powell St.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada

Take a leisurely stroll among pagodas, lotus-covered koi ponds, and blossoming plum trees. Guided tours and tea are complimentary.

Address:
578 Carrall St.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada

Phone:
(604) 662-3207

Erected in preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics, the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel towers a lofty forty-eight floors above the Burrard Inlet waterfront, with panoramic views of the North Shore Mountains, Stanley Park, and Coal Harbor. A convenient stay during large events, this hotel is connected to the Vancouver Convention Centre. The 340 standard guest rooms and 37 suites welcome patrons with Mascioni linens and bedside touch screens to control lighting, temperature, curtains, and entertainment. A rooftop pool with cabanas can be found on the twenty-second floor, a great place to relax before or after a meal at Oru, a pan-Asian bistro, and Giovane, an Italian-inspired café and wine bar.

Address:
1038 Canada Pl.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada

Phone:
(866) 540-4452

Why hike up north Vancouver’s infamous “Grouse Grind” with the masses when you can soar 4,100 feet above sea level, straight off grouse mountain’s peak? book a 30- to 40-minute tandem flight.

Address:
Grouse Mountain
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada

Phone:
(604) 980-9311

Housed in the historical Crawford Block building in Edmonton, Gravity Pope has supported local fashion designers and collections since 1992. The 1800-square-foot industrial space is minimalist with white marble floors, antique mannequins from Paris, pale blue washed walls, and original turn-of-the-century fixtures. Styles from Vancouverite John Fluevog, Marc Jacobs, and Paul Smith are showcased, and women and men get equal retail billing. The independently owned boutique also carries a selection of footwear and accessories, including handbags and luggage.

Address:
2203 W. 4th Ave.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada

Phone:
(604) 731-7673

Although guests can order off an à la carte menu, patrons often opt for La Quercia’s seven- or 10-course tasting menu. The homey interior has light wood floors, artwork lining the walls, and a small bar.æExecutive chefs Adam Pegg and Lucais Syme create Italian dishes in their casual Kitsilano eatery, and daily “fresh sheets” are written on a chalkboard listing local, seasonal, and organic ingredients. Highlights are squid quinoa with pork belly, gorgonzola risotto, and filet of sole bottarga (salted fish roe). The wine line skews mostly Italian.æ

Address:
3689 W. 4th Ave.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada

Phone:
(604) 676-1007

The 119-room 2009-debut dopts the mountain-fringed British Columbia city’s easygoing vibe, while adding a touch of Far Eastern style and design. Tucked into the lower 15 floors of the Living Shangri-La multiuse complex downtown (Vancouver’s tallest building), the new hotel features black-lacquer screens and a two-story calligraphy painting— a single brushstroke by Shanghai artist Wang Xuyuan—in its L-shaped lobby. Nearby, beneath Italian crystal chandeliers, are inviting leather sofas and a fireplace, ideal as a refuge on a rainy day or a rest stop while exploring bustling nearby enclaves such as boutique- and bistro-filled Yaletown or the West End waterfront. Averaging close to 600 square feet, the rooms are done up with a Zen-like mixture of black-and-white brush paintings, dark wood headboards, and B&B Italia furniture. White-marble bathrooms are stocked with L’Occitane amenities and have deep soaking tubs. Also worth a visit is the hotel’s pocket-size boutique, By Design, which sells Shanghai Tang’s brightly colored accessories as well as locally made silver jewelry carved with Native Canadian designs.

Address:
1128 W. Georgia St.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada

Phone:
(866) 565-5050

Located in downtown Vancouver one block from Canada Line rapid transit,æSt. Regis is a boutique hotel geared toward business travelers.æAfter an $11-million renovation in 2008, the hotelækept its century-old charm intact, but brought the property up to modern standards. Complimentary amenities include a full breakfast, Wi-Fi, in-room bottled water, and unlimited, free long distance calling anywhere in the world. On-site restaurant Gotham serves up steaks and double-cut lamb chops, as well as seafood staples like ahi tuna and lobster.æ

Address:
602 Dunsmuir St.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada

Phone:
(800) 770-7929

The gallery specializes in contemporary British Columbia artworks.

Address:
750 Hornby St.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada

Phone:
(604) 662-4719