Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in British Columbia

"First established in 1886, and dominating nearly a third of the land that makes up Vancouver’s downtown core, Stanley Park is an oasis of cedar, hemlock and fir trees flanked by the Pacific Ocean. You haven’t been to Vancouver until you’ve taken to the seawall, the 8.8 kilometre stonewall that circumnavigates the park. Join the locals and walk, run, blade or cycle your way around the park and enjoy a picnic lunch (available through in-room dining) at one of the many beaches."

"In fact, you just can’t visit Vancouver without spending time in Stanley Park. One of Vancouver’s most famous landmarks, Stanley Park is a 1000-acre oasis right in the city’s downtown. Stanley Park’s natural playground consists of the rainforest, with towering Douglas fir and Western red cedar trees, and the sea that laps the shores of the park."

"The Acorn is a vegetable-forward restaurant and bar at the heart of Vancouver’s Main St. They are inspirational when it comes to their vegan options. This is the sort of place you would happily dine in every day for the rest of your life – it’s just that tasty. In fact, it’s so good that we even named it the best vegan restaurant in the world!"

"A post shared by With the Locals📍 (@withthelocals) on Apr 10, 2017 at 7:41am PDT. They’re cooking using the best of the season at Vancouver’s elegant The Acorn, so their menu is always evolving with the calendar. Their dishes are all vegetarian as a base, with most adaptable to suit vegan diners."

"Just because Vancouver is surrounded by some of the world’s most stunning natural beauty doesn’t mean you should come to expect nothing beautiful indoors too. The city’s Art Gallery, located in downtown Vancouver, is home to over 10,000 art pieces, ranging from Canadian and British paintings to the photographic works of artists like Ansel Adams and Henri Cartier-Bresson. Guided tours are always available, but for something both interactive and slightly different, try to make it for a FUSE event, where DJ’s and artists perform throughout the galleries from 8 pm to 1 am."

"Scope out the cool architecture (such as that of the Vancouver Public Library), check out the Vancouver Art Gallery or window shop on Robson Street (Vancouver’s version of Rodeo Drive). End your walk at Trees Organic Coffee on the edge of Gastown. It’s a great place to people watch, especially because it’s conveniently located next to an Instagrammable pink street. Not only do you get to watch people take cheesy photos, but you can take some of your own as well."

"A little further east is Chinatown, the third largest in North America, and home to the tranquil, four-seasons Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Yaletown is also on the downtown peninsula and is a former warehouse district that has since been transformed into a chic residential area. Shopping is a big attraction, but so is the people watching – order a coffee and sit on the sea wall to watch the locals. The West End is a beachside neighbourhood at the foot of Stanley Park, and home to the city’s LGBT community – definitely worth a wander, or head down to English Bay Beach to take a paddle boarding lesson."

"It’s a spot rich in history as it’s the first Chinese garden built outside of China. It’s also National Geographic’s “Top City Garden in the World”. This an extremely celestial outdoor space, providing quiet respite from the bustling city and offering dozens of opportunities to photograph 150-year old miniature trees, a jade green pond, and famous koi fish."

"Surrounded by unassuming low white walls in Vancouver’s Chinatown, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden can be easy to miss. But trust us — you won’t want to. Described as an “urban oasis of tranquility and reflection,” it was named the best city garden in the world by National Geographic in 2011, and that’s an accolade that’s hard to argue."

"A post shared by Chambar Restaurant (@chambar_restaurant) on Jun 23, 2020 at 4:46pm PDT. This much-loved local brunch spot has a stellar outdoor space boasting greenery, brick-lined walls, and menus to enjoy from breakfast to dinner. Address: 568 Beatty Street, VancouverPhone: 604-879-7119"

"Vancouver's beloved carbon-neutral Belgian eatery has nailed dinner service for years. Now, you can head to Beatty Street for outstanding brunch, as well. Their 11-item menu is meat-forward but vegans can find options or modify."

"A cozy and elegant Belgian restaurant (located in Chinatown) with breakfast every day and a lengthy brunch menu on the weekends."

"Halfway along Water Street, the oddly popular Steam Clock is a tourist magnet that lures the cameras with its tooting steam whistle. Built in 1977, the clock's mechanism is actually driven by electricity; only the pipes on top are steam fueled (reveal that to the patiently waiting tourists and you might cause a riot). It sounds every 15 minutes and marks each hour with little whistling symphonies."

"Don’t miss the iconic Gastown Steam Clock, where pretty much every tourist has to take a photo (myself included). Continue wandering until you arrive in Chinatown. Vancouver’s Chinatown is quite small compared to many I’ve seen worldwide, but it’s home to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, which is well worth a visit, time permitting."

"A working steam clock, one of only a few in the world, located in Vancouver's Victorian Gastown. Vancouver, British Columbia"

"Fifteen years after restauranteur and BC Restaurant Hall of Fame inductee John Blakeley opened Bistro Pastis in Kitsilano. The cosy, upscale restaurant is still a favourite for classic bistro fare, like bouillabaisse and sole meunière, and its wonderful wine list is heavy on regions throughout France. Location: 2153 West 4th Ave."

"This one’s a small space, but, hey, it’s an island without the crowds you’d find on Granville Island. Watch the boat traffic navigate the Fraser River, forage on wild blackberries when in season and stroll the path just north of the park where you might encounter horses or, at the very least, um,...evidence of them. A good alternative for the similar views is the dog-friendly Fraser River Park."

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. This is a small, family-run shop that is just two years old. It might not have a long legacy but the founders’ parents own a dairy so ice cream is in their blood!"

"A local favorite ice cream shop and long-standing gelateria on Venables Street, La Casa Gelato boasts over 200 flavors of gelato, sorbetto and frozen yogurt. Reflecting Vancouver’s cultural mix, flavours include durian, garlic, and the usual suspects of chocolate, cocopine and cassata (an Italian favorite). As in Italy, pay first, then taste and select your flavor at your leisure."

"Meanwhile, La Casa Gelato is maybe the only name on this list that has both feet planted on either side of the crazy/classic line. An East Van institution, La Casa Gelato is the official record holder for the most flavours of ice cream in the world. And when you’ve got over 230 to choose from, the options range from the classics (chocolate) to the downright daunting."

"La Casa Gelato has over 238 flavours of gelato at their shop – pretty insane, right?. It’s the only place in the whole world with this many gelato flavours. They have really unique and different flavours, including everything from dragonfruit, to durian, to wasabi (yep, you heard that right)."

"A post shared by Rain or Shine Ice Cream (@rainorshineyvr) on Feb 25, 2020 at 3:47pm PST. A classic Vancouver ice cream shop, Rain or Shine has got you covered for cones, sundaes, and tacos on Tuesdays. This spot offers some flavours that are gluten and egg-free, so no matter the weather, they’ve got all your ice cream needs covered."

"A post shared by Rain or Shine Ice Cream (@rainorshineyvr) on Jan 25, 2018 at 3:49pm PST. You are never too old for ice cream cake and Rain or Shine agrees. You can create your own frozen masterpiece by choosing two of their classic ice cream flavours and a base of either waffle cone crust or chocolate brownies."

"Ice cream is good any time of year, says Rain or Shine’s owner, hence the name of this always-popular ice cream shop. Hit them up on Tuesdays for their ice cream “taco” special. Address: 3382 Cambie Street, Vancouver"

"East Van Brewing may be one of the newer breweries on this list, but it’s clearly managed to make a strong enough impression to beat out some of the more established players. Doesn’t hurt they adopted the well known East Van cross as a symbol, plus their stouts are pretty darn good."

"Peep the views of downtown from afar on East Van Brewing’s 48-seat patio. Also one of the newer breweries to the city, they embrace all that is East Van. High quality, carefully crafted and unique flavours, as well as the classics."

"They have a large tasting room that looks more like a pub, with plenty of room to relax. It’s all pretty good beef. Definitley give them a try."

"Container Brewing focuses on classic beer styles with a modern twist where needed, the intention to bring a highly drinkable range of beer that will have you asking for another. We recommend you try: All Season - Nitro Dry Stout Forty Footer - West"

"On Davie Street, La Brasserie's hot spot’s large, picture windows reveal a bustling, jovial scene inside, where guests dine on Franco-German cuisine like steak tartare and mushroom ragout with spaetzle. For worldly sippers, the wine and beer list heavy on international labels. Location: 1091 Davie St."

"One of the best parks in Vancouver for dogs and kids is John Hendry Park, locally referred to as Trout Lake, in East Van, just south of Commercial Drive and within walking distance of the Commercial SkyTrain Station. Situated around Trout Lake, the park includes trails for walking/biking/pushing strollers around the lake, an off-leash dog park on the north side, and a sandy beach and playground on the south side. Plus it has lovely views of the northern mountains."

"Home to one of Vancouver’s biggest farmers' markets every Saturday in summer, John Hendry Park buzzes with a local East Vancouver crowd. A walkway circles tranquil Trout Lake – a natural lake fronted by a small beach at the center of the park – and expansive grass fields provide the perfect park setting for outdoor concerts. Activities abound at the Trout Lake Community Centre, a civic-spirited, light-filled facility just west of the lakeshore."

"Home to a robust farmers’ market on Saturdays, a small lake for swimming on one end and canine shenanigans on the other, tennis courts, a still-closed indoor ice rink and activity center, it’s got a healthy tie-dye/kilt/pierced body parts quotient and the air is often freshly scented with BC bud. People-watch and get ideas for your next—or first—tattoo, even if it’s a temporary decal."

"If you have kids in tow, head to one of Vancouver’s splash-tastic free water parks. Granville Island Water Park, Vancouver's biggest and best water park, is conveniently located near Granville Island's Kids Market, which means you'll have the perfect lure for enticing your sprogs away from the toy shops. There's also a large pond nearby that's often filled with friendly ducks and geese."

"The Granville Island Water And Amusement Park is one of the great amusement parks in Vancouver. The best part is, the entry to this park is absolutely free."

"Photo: https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/2016/07/09/ history-of-metro-vancouver-city-hall-1936/. Since I live in Fairview, every time that I have to take the skytrain, I have to pass right in front of this marvelous Art Deco building that serves as city hall; its massive white structure is visible from all over Vancouver and it is still used today as the city’s council home. Located on 12th Avenue, the building was ordered by the Vancouver Civic Building Committee and designed by architect Fred Townley."