Gastown 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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Restaurant Graveyard / Gastown

Remembering Gastown’s Ambitious but Doomed Modern German Restaurant

The 2015 arrival of film director Uwe Boll's Bauhaus restaurant was met with deafening quiet from the community it sought to join.

TBT / Gastown

Seven Years Ago Today, Awaiting the Launch of Gastown’s Short-Lived Blacktail Florist

I remember this walkabout very well, mostly because of how convinced I was of the likely success of the place. Alas, no.

Diner / Gastown

Gastown’s Irish Heather and Shebeen to Close, Move to New Neighbourhood

Since 1997 the Irish Heather has been a charming, unpretentious respite for a pie and a pint. Gastown won't be the same without it.

Restaurant Graveyard / Gastown

This Dark and Sexy Restaurant With a ‘Nuevo Latino’ Theme Was Once a Gastown Hotspot

Cobre enjoyed a five-year run before shutting down in 2012 with the chef launching Cuchillo a few blocks east on Powell Street.

Vancouverites / Gastown

On the Crafts of Communication and Creating Identity With Artist Lydia Cecilia

To get up close with her artwork, be sure to RSVP to the February 13th Neighbourhood Pop-Up event.

Restaurant Graveyard / Gastown

This Acclaimed Gastown Restaurant Will Be Remembered as One of the Best of Its Generation

The city - and most immediately the 100 block of West Hastings - is so much the lesser for the loss of Wildebeest.

Cool Things We Want / Gastown

We Want to Get Ambient With These Groovy, Locally Made Candleholders

One of a Few is currently in possession of two of these, so if you're planning to get romantic this weekend, pounce!

TBT / Gastown

A Look Back and Last Call for Gastown’s Peckinpah

Selling a restaurant can't be easy, especially in the midst of a pandemic and in a neighbourhood that's having a hard go of it.

You Need To Try This / Gastown

You Need to Try This Pork Belly Rice Bowl With a Side of Gochugaru Citrus Spiced Chicharrones

The next thing you know you're up to your sinuses in crunchy, salty, silky, spicy deliciousness, ready and willing to hang in there.

Restaurant Graveyard / Gastown

This Shuttered Gastown Restaurant May Have Been Tiny, But It Sure Left a Big Hole

The Sardine Can was a small and subtly stylish restaurant that turned out classic shareables like patatas bravas and albondigas.

Comfort Food / Gastown

COMFORT FOOD GUIDE // This Is Why There Are a Half-Dozen Locations of Meat & Bread

The rolled-up beauty is hit with high heat to blister the skin, resulting in toothsome crackling that will make your knees buckle.

TBT / Gastown

PHOTOS // Ten Years Ago, Inside the Last Day of Training and First Night of Service at L’Abattoir

Many of the faces have changed, but the Gastown restaurant remains as reliably excellent a place for drinks and dinner as ever.

Cool Things We Want / Gastown

Five Cool Things We Want From Gastown’s 51 Powell Shop

51 Powell contains an eclectic collection of handmade and vintage items that are beautiful, useful, and often surprising...

Track and Food / Gastown

TRACK & FOOD PODCAST // Making Sense of Weird Times With Leticia Castro of The Diamond

In our 50th episode, we get down to brass tacks with one of the most respected and hard-working hospitality professionals in Vancouver.

It's On Us / Gastown

IT’S ON US // Win a $50 Gift Certificate to Vancouver’s Legendary Alibi Room

We know $50 won’t always cover dinner for two but it’s enough to get you started and, frankly, it's all we can afford.

View From Your Window / Gastown

The View From Your Window #230

We love posting photos like this that reveal the views through the windows of our readers. We hope you'll consider sharing yours!

Opening Soon / Gastown

New Burger Joint Coming to Gastown

BRGR BRGR aims to kick-off as a delivery/takeout operation out of 108 West Hastings St. this Friday, May 8th.

Track and Food / Gastown

TRACK & FOOD PODCAST // Local Restaurateur Dishes on Covid-19, Food Delivery Apps, More

In this episode we speak to PiDGiN owner Brandon Grossutti about creating the FROMTO app during a pandemic and much more.

TBT / Gastown

Five Years Ago Today, Inside What Would Become a Popular Gastown Hangout

55 Powell St. was an address folks in the neighbourhood knew previously as Mark Brand and Alex Usow's casual Sea Monstr Sushi.

Seen In Vancouver / Gastown

Gastown Restaurateur Sings Song of Survival

We all know Sean Heather can pull a good pint and cut a tasty cheese board, but did you also know he could sing?

TBT / Gastown

10 Years Ago Today, Inside the Construction Site of One of Vancouver’s Best Restaurants

I remember walking through the old address brought up strong memories of the previous tenant, the original Irish Heather gastropub.

Best Seat in the House / Gastown

This Is Why Everyone Wants Table #38 at This Italian Restaurant in Gastown

From banquette bench and high top to bar perch and floating booth, there really are no bad seats at good looking Di Beppe.

3 Places
Vancouverites / Gastown

Toasting the Bees With Local Bartender and Activist, Max Curzon-Price

Max Curzon-Price has been challenging bartenders around the world to join his campaign for pollinator sustainability.

Vancouverites / Gastown

Catching Up With Restaurateur Brandon Grossutti After Seven Years of PiDGiN

His French-Asian restaurant's 2013 arrival in Gastown was no soft landing but seven years later it's a different story.

TBT / Gastown

Throwback 10 Years Ago to When a Popular Gastown Restaurant Space Was First a Pop-Up Gallery

Before Boneta, Shirakawa and MeeT got cooking here, this space was first a 'satellite' pop-up during the Winter Olympics.

Restaurant Graveyard / Gastown

Requiem for a Short-Lived, Spanish-Themed Wine Bar in Gastown

Though wine bars are rare in Vancouver, Tempranillo was not as successful as it could/should have been, closing a year after opening. 

Opening Soon / Gastown

Take a Look Inside Gastown’s New Kafka’s Coffee

The new, bright and colourful cafe in the Ormidale Building at 151 West Hastings Street is truly something to behold.

The Dishes

Christina Cottell Does ‘The Dishes’

15 Places

In the latest edition of The Dishes, the restaurateur who gave us Dixies and Gringo takes us around town to her favourite spots.