A no messing around guide to the coolest things to eat, drink and do in Vancouver and beyond. Community. Not clickbait.

Main Street

  • Main Street ©Scout
  • Staff meal at Burdock & Co. | Everyone takes a moment for a good laugh
  • Red Truck | New brewery under construction
  • IMG_2882
  • Dock Lunch | Side stripe shrimp and chorizo over creamy grits with remoulade, Cajun slaw and a biscuit.
  • Main Street - City Centre
  • Interior, Gene Coffee
  • Antisocial 2
  • Main St. Farmers Market

In our breakdown of Vancouver’s neighbourhoods, we count Main Street as a north-south linear amalgam of Mount Pleasant/Riley Park/Little Mountain, a contiguous high street entity (including 2-3 residential and industrial blocks on its east-west peripheries) from Prior St. all the way to 41st Ave. It boasts beautiful parks both small and large, a dizzying variety of retail shops (many of them used/vintage), a handful of art galleries, a torrent of new breweries, good record stores, a litter of interesting independent restaurants that run the cuisine gamut (including 24hr fried chicken), quality cafes/hangouts, legendary live music venues, bingo games, a happening legion, and even a farmer’s market. Known as much for its cool factor as for its diversity and down to earth accessibility, Main Street – in our estimation of its modern borders – is as honest a cross-sectioned representation of Vancouver’s cultural promise as you’ll find.

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the-colour-palette mainstreetpalette

Neighbourhood colour palettes change over time, but right now we’re seeing (left to right): City Centre Motor Hotel quad-colour; exterior of the new Fox Cabaret; red signage of Pizzeria Farina; pool table felt in the Ivanhoe Pub; the polished concrete floor at Gene; 49th Parallel Coffee turquoise; takeaway box from Lucky’s Doughnuts; neon blue exterior signage at The Cascade Room; beer battered halloumi at The Acorn; “Fall Back” session stout at Brassneck Brwery; Red Truck Brewery’s red truck; the facing stones of Heritage Hall.

here-you-will-find

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COMMUNITY EVENTS AT HISTORIC HERITAGE HALL
STILL OPERABLE PUBLIC TELEPHONE BOOTHS (MIRACULOUS)
THE YEAR-ROUND SIDEWALK PATIO AT JJ BEAN
WHISPERED REMINDERS OF LONG GONE BREWERY CREEK
THE COOL STORY OF DEPENCIER HOUSE
HAIRCUTS AT THE BELMONT
THE ALWAYS INTERESTING VANCOUVER SPECIAL
GIGS AT THE BILTMORE AND THE FOX CABARET
A DOZEN VINTAGE CLOTHING SHOPS OF VARYING DEGREES OF WORTHINESS
FRESH PRODUCE (AND SAUSAGES) AT THE MAIN STREET STATION FARMER’S MARKET
THE ICONIC LEE BUILDING
AN EXCELLENT SELECTION OF KNIVES AND CHEF TOOLS AT KNIFEWEAR
GAMES OF POOL AT GUYS & DOLLS
CAREFULLY CURATED VINYL COLLECTIONS AT RED CAT AND DANDELION EMPORIUM
GAMES OF BAR RULES POOL AT THE IVANHOE
STACKS OF GOOD, REASONABLY PRICED BOOKS AT PULP FICTION
THE CULTURAL DELIGHT THAT IS THE WESTERN FRONT
THE INTANGIBLY EXCELLENT HASTY MARKET
VINTAGE MS. PACMAN AT ANTISOCIAL SKATEBOARD SHOP
PEOPLE WATCHING AT 49TH PARALLEL COFFEE ROASTERS

what-to-eat-and-drink

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PAIN AU CHOCOLATE AT LE MARCHE ST. GEORGE 4393 St. George St. MAP
SMALL PLATES & COCKTAILS AT NOMAD (Closed) 3950 Main Street MAP
LATE NIGHT BUTTERED POPCORN WITH CHILI-LIME SALT AT EL CAMINO'S 3250 Main St. MAP
BEERS & FOOD TRUCK CHOW AT BRASSNECK BREWERY 2148 Main St. MAP
EMPANADAS & PISCO SOURS AT CHICHA (Closed) 136 East Broadway MAP
SPAGHETTI POMODORO AT CAMPAGNOLO 1020 Main St. MAP
TURKISH FIGS & BRIE BENNY AT SLICKETY JIM'S 3475 Main St. MAP
FINOCHIONNA PIZZA AT PIZZERIA FARINA 915 Main St. MAP
THE DAILY SPECIAL AT DOCK LUNCH (YOU CAN'T GO WRONG) (Closed) 152 E. 11th Ave. MAP
TAN TAN NOODLE WITH MEAT SAUCE AND GREEN ONION CAKES AT LONG'S NOODLE HOUSE 4853 Main St. MAP
FISH & CHIPS AT THE FISH COUNTER 3825 Main St. MAP
LEMONGRASS MUSSELS AT EIGHT 1/2 151 East 8th Ave. MAP
BRAISED KALE & SAUSAGE PIZZA AT DON'T ARGUE 3240 Main St. MAP
BEER BATTERED HALLOUMI AT THE ACORN 3995 Main St. MAP
TURKEY DINNER AT HELEN'S GRILL 4102 Main St. MAP
NACHOS & BEER AT MAIN STREET BREWING 261 East 7th Ave. MAP
FRESH JUICE AT THE JUICE TRUCK 28 W 5th Ave. MAP
DIRTY BURGER AT CAMP UPSTAIRS 1020 Main St. MAP
DUKE'S WHIP PEPPERONI STICKS AT KAFKA'S 2525 Main St. MAP
SCOTCH EGGS & SOCCER GAMES AT THE CASCADE ROOM 2616 Main St. MAP
FRESH "RED DAWN" JUICE AT RADICLE JUICE 3088 Main St. MAP
FRIED CHICKEN WITH PICKLED VEGGIES AT BURDOCK & CO. 2702 Main St. MAP
COFFEE AND THE SUNDAY NEW YORK TIMES AT GENE CAFE 2404 Main St. MAP
BACON, WAFFLES, AND BEER (YER DAMN RIGHT!) AT 33 ACRES 15 West 8th Ave. MAP
TRADITIONAL FRENCH CRULLER AT LUCKY'S DOUGHNUTS 2902 Main St MAP
SOUTHERN FRIED ARTICHOKE SANDWICH AT THE ARBOR 3941 Main St. MAP
SABICH (EGGPLANT) PLATTER AT CHICKPEA RESTAURANT 4298 Main St. MAP
cool-things-of-note

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– Main Street was formerly known as Westminster Avenue. Local merchants requested a change in 1910 to help establish a commercial, cosmopolitan character.

– The area of Mount Pleasant attracted several breweries from 1888 to 1912, many of which used water from the local creeks.

– The Lee Building at Main and Broadway was the first skyscraper outside of Vancouver’s downtown core.

– Mount Pleasant takes its name from the Irish birthplace of the wife of H.V. Edmonds, a New Westminster municipal clerk with extensive property titles in the area.

– The Main and Broadway area is recognized as Vancouver’s first suburb, which developed following the nearby construction of the Kingsway and Main Street intersection in the 1890s.

the-things-weve-seen

  • Main St. alley get together
    Main St. alley get together
  • Elizabeth from Dock Lunch, chatting with a customer
    Elizabeth from Dock Lunch, chatting with a customer
  • Outside Vancouver Special
    Outside Vancouver Special
  • Main Street construction
    Main Street construction
  • Main Street Car Free Day
    Main Street Car Free Day
  • Scored a Dirty Burger at @campupstairs last night (pictured with @brassneckbrew). Get in early cuz they sell out fast!
    Scored a Dirty Burger at @campupstairs last night (pictured with @brassneckbrew). Get in early cuz they sell out fast!
  • Hank and Dank, sidewalk stencil off Main
    Hank and Dank, sidewalk stencil off Main
  • Livable Laneways | Main Street
    Livable Laneways | Main Street
  • Tight branding | Main Street Brewing
    Tight branding | Main Street Brewing
  • Erica of Earnest Ice Cream at the Main St. Farmers Market
    Erica of Earnest Ice Cream at the Main St. Farmers Market
  • 33 Acres Tasting Flight
    33 Acres Tasting Flight
  • Sayuri packing away gyoza for staff meal at Chicha
    Sayuri packing away gyoza for staff meal at Chicha
  • Lady on Main Street
    Lady on Main Street
  • Brassneck Co-founders: Nigel Springthorpe & Conrad Gmoser
    Brassneck Co-founders: Nigel Springthorpe & Conrad Gmoser
  • Yaaar...
    Yaaar...
  • Lifetime Collective Little Mountain Workshop | Main Street
    Lifetime Collective Little Mountain Workshop | Main Street
  • Beta5 chocolate trio
    Beta5 chocolate trio
  • Taking the paper off the windows | Elysian Coffee | Mount Pleasant
    Taking the paper off the windows | Elysian Coffee | Mount Pleasant
  • When Gene was Fei Bing for a day...
    When Gene was Fei Bing for a day...
  • Main Street Car Free Day June 2009 039
    Main Street Car Free Day June 2009 039
  • Le Marché St George
    Le Marché St George
  • Main & Prior
    Main & Prior
  • Main Street Car Free Day
    Main Street Car Free Day
  • Charlie's Italian
    Charlie's Italian
  • Burdock & Co.
    Burdock & Co.
  • A Selection of Lucky's Doughnuts
    A Selection of Lucky's Doughnuts
  • Le Marché St George
    Le Marché St George
  • Scott Swanson, Taylor Burnham, Ryan Reed, Matthew van Dinther.
    Scott Swanson, Taylor Burnham, Ryan Reed, Matthew van Dinther.
  • Still Life
    Still Life
  • Don't Argue Pizza
    Don't Argue Pizza
  • Main Street Car Free Day
    Main Street Car Free Day
  • We miss you, chef
    We miss you, chef
  • Main Street Thrift Rack
    Main Street Thrift Rack
  • Acorn Owner, Shira Blustein and Chef de Cuisine, Rob Clarke
    Acorn Owner, Shira Blustein and Chef de Cuisine, Rob Clarke
  • Main Street Car Free Day
    Main Street Car Free Day
  • In the roastery | Elysian Coffee | Mount Pleasant
    In the roastery | Elysian Coffee | Mount Pleasant
  • Nigel pours at Brassneck
    Nigel pours at Brassneck
  • Nuba - 3rd & Main
    Nuba - 3rd & Main
  • Heritage Hall, Main Street
    Heritage Hall, Main Street
  • Campagnolo (Opening Night)
    Campagnolo (Opening Night)
  • Main St. Exterior | The Fox Cabaret
    Main St. Exterior | The Fox Cabaret
  • 33 Acres Ceramic Growler
    33 Acres Ceramic Growler
  • Chicha team enjoying a staff meal
    Chicha team enjoying a staff meal
  • Helen's Grill
    Helen's Grill
  • Ham, Tomato and arugula on a fresh biscuit with a side of summer garden soup | Dock Lunch
    Ham, Tomato and arugula on a fresh biscuit with a side of summer garden soup | Dock Lunch
  • Marché St. George Spring Dinner
    Marché St. George Spring Dinner
  • Hasty Market
    Hasty Market
  • Main St. Farmers Market
    Main St. Farmers Market
  • Nomad
    Nomad
  • Main Street Market
    Main Street Market
  • Chicha
    Chicha
  • At The Farmers Market, Main Street
    At The Farmers Market, Main Street
  • City Centre Motel
    City Centre Motel
  • Acorn construction as seen from the kitchen pass
    Acorn construction as seen from the kitchen pass
  • Neptoon Records on Main Street
    Neptoon Records on Main Street
  • Aurora Bistro's old bones
    Aurora Bistro's old bones
  • Rumpus Room Flamingos (RIP)
    Rumpus Room Flamingos (RIP)
  • Main Street Light
    Main Street Light
  • Don't Argue Pizza
    Don't Argue Pizza
  • Main Street Mural
    Main Street Mural
  • Sunshine on Main Street
    Sunshine on Main Street
  • Juice Truck Boys (Zach and Ryan)
    Juice Truck Boys (Zach and Ryan)
  • Main Street Car Free Day
    Main Street Car Free Day
  • Burdock & Co.
    Burdock & Co.
  • Main Street
    Main Street
  • Main Street ©Scout
    Main Street ©Scout
  • Cafe Nuba on 3rd at Main
    Cafe Nuba on 3rd at Main
  • Nick Devine of The Cascade Room
    Nick Devine of The Cascade Room
  • Pizzeria Farina | Excellent pizza | 915 Main St. | Strathcona
    Pizzeria Farina | Excellent pizza | 915 Main St. | Strathcona
  • Campagnolo | Great pizzas, pastas, and signature crispy ceci salad | 1020 Main | Strathcona
    Campagnolo | Great pizzas, pastas, and signature crispy ceci salad | 1020 Main | Strathcona
  • Main Street Car Free Day
    Main Street Car Free Day
  • Burdock & Co.
    Burdock & Co.
  • Main Street Rainbow
    Main Street Rainbow
  • Main Street Car Free Day
    Main Street Car Free Day
  • Main Street Development
    Main Street Development
  • IMG_3887
  • Don't Argue Pizza on Main Street
    Don't Argue Pizza on Main Street
  • Mount Pleasant Clock
    Mount Pleasant Clock
  • Interior, Gene Coffee
    Interior, Gene Coffee
  • Lucky’s Doughnuts
    Lucky’s Doughnuts
  • Antisocial | Main Street
    Antisocial | Main Street
  • Punk Rock Main Street
    Punk Rock Main Street
  • Rob Clark + Mike McDermid | Fish Market
    Rob Clark + Mike McDermid | Fish Market
  • Main alleyway
    Main alleyway
  • Main Street reading girl
    Main Street reading girl
  • Long's Noodle House
    Long's Noodle House
  • Main Street - Regional Assembly of Text ©Scout 2009
    Main Street - Regional Assembly of Text ©Scout 2009
  • The Cobalt Motor Hotel
    The Cobalt Motor Hotel
  • Main Street Car Free Day
    Main Street Car Free Day
  • Zipang Provisions, Main Street
    Zipang Provisions, Main Street
  • 33 Acres Waffle Brunch
    33 Acres Waffle Brunch
  • 33 Acres Bestie Plate
    33 Acres Bestie Plate
  • Backside lipslide on Main St.
    Backside lipslide on Main St.
  • On a Main Street corner
    On a Main Street corner
  • Main Street Window
    Main Street Window
  • Main St. blooms
    Main St. blooms
  • Main Street Car Free Day
    Main Street Car Free Day
  • Main Street Car Free Day
    Main Street Car Free Day
  • Beer Break in back of The Fish Counter / Construction
    Beer Break in back of The Fish Counter / Construction
  • Helens Diner
    Helens Diner
  • Zipang Provisions
    Zipang Provisions
  • Lifetime Collective Little Mountain Workshop | Main Street
    Lifetime Collective Little Mountain Workshop | Main Street
  • Lucky's | EAST SIDE
    Lucky's | EAST SIDE
  • Sam at Livable Laneways, Main Street
    Sam at Livable Laneways, Main Street
  • Sugo Sauce table at Livable Laneways
    Sugo Sauce table at Livable Laneways

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