Commercial Drive Archives

Our hood guides provide local perspective and insight into Vancouver's many neighbourhoods with insider details on what to eat, drink, see and do. Explore all Vancouver neighbourhoods.

Visit the Commercial Drive Hood Guide
How To Cook Vancouver

We Tried to Recreate Havana’s Delicious ‘Cubano’ Sandwich at Home

The latest in this cooking series focuses on a humble but mighty sandwich that comes from Commercial Drive by way of Florida.

Opening Soon / Commercial Drive

Oca Pastificio Ready to Launch on Commercial Drive

Oca - which translates as "goose" in Italian - is the first restaurant from La Quercia veterans Greg Dilabio and Antoine Dumont.

The New Breed / Commercial Drive

The Commercial Drive Restaurateur Who Once Kept a Bottle of Wine as a Pet

Van Doren Chan is a veteran of Vancouver's hospitality scene and the FOH force behind the critically acclaimed Ugly Dumpling restaurant.

TBT

One Year Later, Remembering the Humble Beginnings of a Commercial Drive Cafe

For this week’s edition of #TBT we look back at the very beginnings of the charming Caffe La Tana at 635 Commercial Drive.

Heads Up / Commercial Drive

New Documentary on the Magic of Mushrooms to Screen in East Van

This film looks beautiful, smart and informative. Stick around after the show for a discussion with the director, Louie Schwartzberg!

The Dishes

Doing ‘The Dishes’ With Shahnee Zaver

26 Places

The General Manager of Caffe La Tana takes us on a whirlwind tour of her favourite places to eat and drink around Vancouver.

How To Cook Vancouver / Commercial Drive

We Tried to Make La Mezcaleria’s Awesome ‘Chilaquiles’ at Home

In the latest edition of How to Cook Vancouver, Maciel gives us a road map to recreating a Mexican breakfast classic.

The New Breed / Commercial Drive

The GM of Pepino’s Spaghetti House Dishes on Hospitality, Broken Bones and More

Scout recently met with the industry veteran to pick his brain about his life in restaurants and how he got to where he is now.

Opening Soon / Commercial Drive

Commercial Drive’s Jamjar to Expand Operations With Location Move This Spring

The popular Lebanese restaurant plans to make the move next door to the old Relish Burgers corner address on May 1st.

Drinker / Commercial Drive

On Death Blows, Nachos and Coffee Collabos with Cody Allmin of Twin Sails Brewing

We met up with the brewery boss to get a sneak peek at what Twin Sails has brewing (and buzzing) for this year's Hopwired Fest.

Opening Soon / Commercial Drive

‘Livia’ Nearing Launch on The Drive

The upcoming 40 seat restaurant has come a long way in a short while. Take a sneak peek inside before opening day.

Opening Soon / Commercial Drive

‘Livia’ Opening Soon on Commercial Drive

Claire Livia and her partner, Jordan Pires, have taken over the old All Basha space to create a 40 seat bakery and restaurant.

You Need To Try This / Commercial Drive

You Need To Try These Delicious Little Cappuccino Companions at La Tana

These simple doughnut rounds sweetened with a little vanilla cream and a light dusting of delight are perfect with espresso.

Opening Soon / Commercial Drive

La Tana Opens on Commercial Drive

The new Italian caffe and alimentari from the owners of Savio Volpe and Pepino's (next door) launched this morning.

You Need To Try This / Commercial Drive

Once-a-Week Burger Pop-Up Sells Out Fast on Commercial Drive

The Downlow Chicken Shack's new burger pop-up kicked off yesterday with delicious results. Take a bite...

Opening Soon / Commercial Drive

Take a Look Inside Commercial Drive’s New Pan-Asian Street Food Spot

On the heels of several friends and family services, Ugly Dumpling is now officially open at 1590 Commercial Drive.

Heads Up / Commercial Drive

Fun, Irreverent Southern BBQ Longtable Dinner Goes Down This Sunday

This event marks Merchant's Workshop's final affiliated dinner, on the heels of their impending closure on Thursday, August 16th.

Opening Soon / Commercial Drive

New Asian Street Food Spot ‘Ugly Dumpling’ Coming Soon to Commercial Drive

The new project will pair front-of-house veteran Van Doren Chan with chef Darren Gee in the Merchant's Workshop space.

Restaurant Graveyard / Commercial Drive

Remembering the East Van Cafe That Was Magic for Little Kids and Their Parents

Kids were encouraged to run guiltlessly, joyously amok at this memorable (if often outrageously loud) counter-service cafe off The Drive.

Heads Up / Commercial Drive

Superbaba and Dl Chicken Shack Pairing Up for Hot Chicken Pita Night

Chefs Dallah El and Doug Steven are dishing out the special collab with orange blossom sweet tea and sumac fries on July 28.

Diner / Commercial Drive

Merchant’s Workshop Has Been Sold, Will Go Out with Several Bangs

One of the best neighbourhood restaurants in Vancouver is set to shut its doors after several years of memorable service on The Drive.

Opening Soon / Commercial Drive

Inside Pepino’s Spaghetti House as Launch Nears

The successor to a Commercial Dr. legend is on the verge of opening. We snuck in for staff training and took these photos...

Stacked / Commercial Drive

Breaking Down Vancouver’s Best Cubano Sandwich

The best, most authentic Cubano sandwich in Vancouver is worth investigating, ingredient by ingredient, to see how it's done.

Restaurant Porn / Commercial Drive

Vancouver Needs This Lasagna Restaurant

Having six different lasagnas on the menu is a clever way to ensure the affections of every sane person currently walking the earth.

1,000 Cool Things About Vancouver / Commercial Drive

Get Your Eating Pants Ready! Italian Day is Coming

The annual celebration of Italian heritage is one of our great entertainment assets -- 14 blocks of delicious things to eat, drink, see and do!

Opening Soon / Commercial Drive

First Taste of The Downlow Chicken Shack

The highly anticipated restaurant serving "Nashville Hot" fried chicken kicks off trial runs before its June 13 launch.

Opening Soon / Commercial Drive

Nashville Hot Chicken is Coming to The Drive

Chefs Doug Stephen and Lindsey Mann of Merchant's Workshop are hoping to launch their "DL Chicken Shack" later this month.

Opening Soon / Commercial Drive

An Inside Look at What’s Opening in the Old Nick’s Spaghetti House Space

The crew from Savio Volpe are launching 'Pepino's Spaghetti House' and 'Caffe La Tana' on Commercial Drive this summer.