Downtown 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.

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Never Heard Of It / Downtown

The Reincarnated Pizzeria of Legend Every Vancouverite Should Try Once

Did's Pizza was once upon a time the late night cheap food of choice for many in this city. Then life intervened, both for him and for us.

Vancouverites / Downtown

Talking Iconic Canadian Logos and Brand Campaigns With the Master, Greg Durrell

Durrell's debut doc is screening at The Cinematheque from July 5 - 11th. Don't miss this fascinating entry into Canada's film canon!

Opening Soon / Downtown

A Sneak Peek Inside the New Matchstick Cafe

The fourth location of Matchstick Coffee is on track to open at 1328 Richards St. (at Drake) before the end of July

Restaurant Graveyard / Downtown

Remembering Kozmas, Vancouver’s Game-Changing Mediterranean Restaurant of the 1970s

In this addition of the Restaurant Graveyard, we inter one of the most impactful Mediterranean eateries in Vancouver's history.

Lexicon / Downtown

The Town Fool Who Wanted to Contribute to Vancouver's "Imagination Explosion"

"In a town so full of fools it's odd that there has only ever been one 'official' Town Fool, and that was Joachim Foikus..."

You Should Know / Downtown

Vancouver’s First Public Art Superstar

Carlos Marega made a huge impact on the look and feel of early Vancouver, and many of his works remained treasured civic icons.

The Dishes

Rus Yessenov Does The Dishes

9 Places

The talented barman from Yew Seafood in the Four Seasons takes us on a food and drink crawl to his favourite Vancouver haunts.

Opening Soon / Downtown

New Spanish Food Shop ‘Lola & Miguel’ Opening Soon on Pender Street

Kelly and Shawn Pisio are nearly finished turning what used to be Pender Grocery into a mecca for all things deliciously Spanish.

Restaurant Porn / Downtown

Stealing This Sexy Seafood Spot in Kiev for the Edge of Yaletown

In the latest edition of Restaurant Porn, we hit Kiev and take a look inside Catch, a restaurant that wouldn't look out of place in our midst.

Heads Up / Downtown

Superbaba Food Truck’s ‘Falafel Pop-Up’ Set for Vancouver’s Financial District

The Superbaba food truck is still on the horizon but you can get a taste of it early at this falafel pop-up on May 26.

TBT / Downtown

Six Years Ago Today, When Minami Was Getting Its Masterful Hideki Kimura Paintjob

There were several walls being painted simultaneously. The exacting task was monumental, and it was a cool thing to witness.

You Should Know

Hunting Vancouver’s Forgotten Sidewalk Prisms

17 Places

These historic gems were common a 100 years ago. Now they're disappearing fast. Let this map/essay lead you to those that remain.

Opening Soon / Downtown

Vancouver to Score Middle Eastern ‘Superbaba’ Food Truck in June

Victoria's Middle Eastern restaurant concept is expanding into Vancouver, starting with a new food truck at Burrard and Dunsmuir.

Heads Up / Downtown

Chambar, Strange Fellows to Collaborate With ‘Keep it Strange’ Beer Dinner

Get in touch with your inner culinary weirdo by securing some seats to this Craft Beer & Belgian Fare feast at Chambar.

Branding Vancouver / Downtown

Sniffing Out the Story of The Paper Hound Bookshop’s Elegant Canine Mascot

Co-owner Kim Koch fills us in on the regal, literary and personal inspirations that were bred into the shop's poised pup icon.

Lexicon / Downtown

The Most Dominant Two Minutes and Fifteen Seconds in Local Sports History

"Even though we've gone all the way to the Stanley Cup Final three times, my biggest Canucks thrill of all time remains The Shift."

Heads Up / Downtown

PechaKucha Night Vol. 45 to Take Place During Vancouver Design Week

Tickets for the Vancouver Design Week special edition of PechaKucha Night (May 8th) just went on sale. Snag 'em while you can!

The Dishes

Lauren Mote Does The Dishes

16 Places

The award-winning bartender puts together a veritable treasure map of personal picks for the best food and drink in Vancouver.

Lexicon / Downtown

The Italian Chef/Restaurateur Vancouver Is on a First Name Basis With

"Once I thought I found a new favourite Italian restaurant, but then Pino cooked me something new and I was reminded of that impossibility."

Heads Up / Downtown

Check Out Wes Anderson’s ‘Isle of Dogs’ Storyboard Artist Workshop in Vancouver

It's hardly surprising that tickets for the special April 12th workshop are sold out...but there's still hope for a second chance!

Heads Up

CAG Feature Exhibition ‘The Blue Hour’ Kicks Off 2018’s Capture Photography Festival

4 Places

Prepare to be provoked and amused on your next commute as Capture Photo Fest's 'The Blue Hour' takes over four city facades.

Heads Up / Downtown

Vancouver Design Week Wants to Know Your Favourite ‘Design Landmarks’

This year's VDW calendar includes weekend designer-led tours of our city's 'best designed' indoor and outdoor spaces.

Heads Up / Downtown

Attn: Cooks! Application Deadline for Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship Competition Approaches

Want to compete against your peers to win $10,000 and placement in one of Canada's better restaurants? Hell yeah you do!

Opening Soon / Downtown

French-Inspired Hidden Gem ‘Colette Grand Cafe’ Now Open Downtown

The new restaurant from Toronto's Chase Hospitality launched this week tucked away inside luxury retailer, Holt Renfrew.

Lexicon / Downtown

The Block of Vancouver That Was Once Dedicated to Vinyl Records

"I miss hitting Record Row on a Saturday afternoon and blowing my cash tips on a shit tonne of vinyl. Hell, I miss cash tips, too..."

Opening Soon / Downtown

Reimagined ‘La Taqueria’ Nears Reopening on Hastings

The "pinche taco shop" may have just opened its sixth location, but its first has been closed for renos since November. Here's what to expect.

Restaurant Porn / Downtown

Trading ‘The Keg’ on Alberni Street for Mexico City’s ‘Piedra Sal’

The good looking "Piedra Sal" occupies a second-storey corner location in Paseo de la Reforma. We'd much rather have it here in Vancouver.

Restaurant Porn / Downtown

We Want This Beautiful Seafood Restaurant for the Foot of Beatty Street

The basement of the iconic Sun Tower is currently occupied by a fancy gym, but let's pretend for a second that it wasn't...