Vancouver is generally a very safe and welcoming city. The conference venue is located near the Downtown Eastside (DTES), a neighborhood facing significant social and housing challenges. Visitors may notice visible poverty and people experiencing homelessness in the area around Main Street and East Hastings Street. While some individuals may ask for spare change, the area is generally safe during the day and when walking with others.
Nearby lunch suggestions
Here are some suggestions in the neighborhood (max. 10min walking) for lunch. You can find the locations on this map here.
- SFU Food Court
- Pinche Taco Shop
- Zaatar w Zeit (Middle-eastern Street Food)
- Silvestre Deli & Bistro (Peruvian)
- Mount Everest Kitchen & Grill (Nepalese)
- Water St. Cafe
- Kita No Donburi (Ramen et al.)
- Pholicious (Vietnamese)
Grab 'n Go shops (small number of seats available):
- OAKBERRY Acai Bowls and Smoothies
- ABURI Market Downtown
- Breka Bakery & Cafe
- The Poke Guy
Dinner suggestions
If you eat bad food in Vancouver, you have done something wrong... Vancouver is foodie heaven, and here are some of Iris' suggestions in the downtown area. Since summer is a busy time with lots of tourists (cruise ship season!), you should book the good spots ahead, especially when you try to find something for more than 4 persons. Many restaurants use the OpenTable app which you can download.
You can also look at this webpage: https://www.theworlds50best.com/discovery/sitemap/canada/vancouver
- Kozak Ukrainian Restaurant
- Lavantine Restaurant & Sky Bar [Middle eastern]
- Takenaka Uni Bar (*reservation recommended) [lots of sea urchin on the menu]
- L'Abbatoir (*reservation recommended)
- Petrichor French Farmhouse
- Cuchillo (Latin American) [close to a not-so-nice area but there is the bus stop right in front]
- (*Michelin) St. Lawrence Restaurant (*reservation recommended) [Quebecoise]
- UCHU Cevicheria (*reservation recommended) [Peruvian-style]
- COFU Chinatown (vegan (!!!) omakase and sushi)(*reservation recommended)
- Pizza Coming Soon (Japanese Izakaya)
- *(Michelin) Kissa Tanto (*reservation recommended)
- Bao Bei (*reservation recommended)
- New Town Bakery (Traditional Chinese bakery with restaurant in the back; closes 7:30pm)
- Chambar (*reservation recommended)
- The Old Spaghetti Factory (Gastown)
- Touk (Modern Cambodian)
- Joe Fortes (Classical seafood spot)(*reservation recommended)
- Coast (Seafood)
- Le Crocodile (*reservation recommended)
- Hello Nori (sushi handrolls, only 20 seats)
- La Belle Patate (you say potato, I say POUTINE!)
- House of Dosas (Davie St)
- Desi Dosas Madras (Granville St)
- Fanny Bay Oyster Bar (*reservation recommended)
- Moltaqua Moroccan restaurant (*reservation recommended)
- Minami Sushi (*reservation recommended)
- Miku Sushi ((*reservation recommended)
Omakase Sushi (high-end): You can get some of the best sushi outside of Japan in Vancouver. These "Omakase" restaurants require a pre-booking and your credit card at the time of booking. Several seatings at given times.
- (*Michelin) Sushi Masuda ($320 + tax)
- (*Michelin) Sushi Hyun ($300 + tax)
- Sushi Bar Maumi ($135 + tax)
Near Canada Place
- ARC Restaurant
- Riley's Vancouver
- Five Sails
- Botanist (*reservation recommended) (inside Fairmont Pacific Rim)
- Nightingale (*reservation recommended)
Near/ at the harbourfront
- Cardero's
- Lift Bar and Grill
With bigger groups you can always go to one of the bigger chains like
- Rogue Kitchen and Wetbar
- Steamworks Brewpub
- Malone's
- Tap and Barrel
- Cactus Club Cafe
- JOEY
Speakeasy Bars: Hidden bars where you need to know the magic words...
- Call Me Back: 22-seat lounge hidden inside The Lions Pub that you access via a vintage British telephone booth.
- Arcana Spirit Lounge: A hidden occult-themed speakeasy in Gastown posing as a Pet Psychic storefront
- Bagheera: Indian railway-themed speakeasy hidden down in Chinatown. King Louie looks like a very good horse to put your bet on...
- Blnd Tger Dumpling (Laowei): "No. 7" from the dumpling menu is fantastic...
"Normal" bars:
- The Keefer Bar (#25 on the North America @50bestbars list!)
- The Botanist Bar: Inside the Fairmont Pacific Rim
- Parker Rooftop: Inside the Parker Hotel
- Bartolomew
- Alibi Room
- Guilt & Co. (Live music bar)
- Bar Tartare