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

West Side

  • Jericho Sailing Club Office Clock
  • Wreck Beach, UBC, Westside
  • UBC, West side
  • Jericho Bunny
  • From D.P. | West Broadway/Fairview | Vancouver, BC | 4pm
  • Chai on Broadway ©Scout 2009
  • Tiny daisies scattered across the grass at Jericho Park

Vancouver’s “West Side” is a catch-all term that describes the large area west of Ontario St south of False Creek and the Cambie, Granville, and Burrard St. bridges. It includes many neighbourhoods and micro-hoods, among them Marpole, Oakridge, Southlands, UBC, West Point Grey, Shaughnessy, Arbutus Ridge, Dunbar, Fairview, South Granville, Cambie Village, Kerrisdale, and Kitsilano. It is largely affluent and almost entirely residential, save for the vast Endowment Lands/Pacific Spirit Regional Park, UBC Campus, and high streets/villages such as Cornwall, West 4th, Broadway, West 41st, Granville, Oak, Cambie, Alma, and lower Yew. It is home to some of Vancouver’s most beloved beaches (Kits, Jericho, Spanish, Wreck), institutions (Jericho Sailing Club, Zulu Records), and restaurants (La Quercia, Bishop’s).

Much like East Van, the West Side’s entirety doesn’t have a personality of its own. It’s only in its pockets and strips that its real characters emerge. Some are a little sleepy, archly conservative, and decidedly NIMBYesque, while others more relaxed and inclusive. One – Kitsilano – can claim a counter-culture past, and still – somewhat amusingly – holds on to its hippiedom despite almost impossibly high commercial and residential rents and the dwarfing ratio of BMWs to bikes, strollers to dreadlocks, boutiques to head shops, and Kenny G. to Jimi Hendrix. On the whole, the West Side often feels like it’s very (voluntarily) separate from Vancouver, but no matter – with the right breeze and length of shadow, it’s sometime the best place on earth.

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On the West Side at the moment (our HOOD palettes are ever-changing), we’re seeing the tri-colour of the Red-winged Blackbirds that hang around the ponds of Jericho Beach Park; the snot green signage at The Fringe Cafe; a shard of broken orange beach frisbee; the decrepit Hollywood Theatre facade; the “sponge-treatment Mediterranean” orange walls inside the Parthenon Supermarket; the shock of red on the top of Pileated Woodpecker’s head; a whole lot of Wreck Beach noob flesh; some rain-soaked concrete of the Museum of Anthropology; the first tee marshal’s shack at the University Golf Club; Kerrisdale Arena frontage tri-colour; the rust-coloured giant letters of the old “RIDGE” sign; the fine gravel baseball diamond at Trimble Park; the massive whale skeleton at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum.

here-you-will-find

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THE ONLY WORKING FARM (UBC) WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS
QUALITY CLOTHES AT HILLS OF KERRISDALE
WHOLE WEEKENDS LOST IN THE SANDS OF KITS BEACH
SALVATION ARMY & SPCA THIRFT STORES
TEENAGERS SKIM BOARDING AT SPANISH BANKS
THE UNDER-UTILIZED ASSET THAT IS THE ARBUTUS CORRIDOR
P.D.’S HOT SHOP, SCARING LOWER MAINLAND MOMS OF SKATEBOARDERS SINCE THE 80s
FERAL RABBITS FORNICATING IN THE BRAMBLES AT JERICHO BEACH
NIMBYS AGAINST EVERYTHING THAT DOESN”T INCREASE THE VALUE OF THEIR PROPERTY
MORE ULTIMATE FRISBEE PLAYERS THAN PEOPLE LIVING IN POVERTY
RELICS FROM THE SECOND WORLD WAR IN WEST POINT GREY

what-to-eat-and-drink

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BURGERS & BEERS ON THE SUNNY PATIO AT JERICHO SAILING CLUB 1300 Discovery St. MAP
THE HAM & PEA PIZZA AT BUFALA 5395 West Blvd MAP
FRIES AND MISO GRAVY AT THE NAAM 2724 West 4th Ave. MAP
LAMB POPSICLES AT VIJ'S 3106 Cambie St. MAP
VITELLO TONNATO & AGNOLOTTI DI GUIDO AT LA QUERCIA 3689 West 4th Ave. MAP
ENCHILADAS & CHOCOLATE CAKE AT TOPANGA CAFE 2904 West 4th Ave. MAP
KALE & CAULIFLOWER SALAD AT THE OAKWOOD (Closed) 2741 West 4th Ave. MAP
CROWDED DIM SUM AT GOLDEN OCEAN 2046 W 41st Ave. MAP
AFTERNOON TEA SERVICE (PROPER) AT FAUBOURG 2156 W 41st Ave. MAP
LEMON CHICKEN AT CONNIE'S COOKHOUSE 2135 West 4th Ave MAP
A MASSIVE BOWL OF NAGASAKI CHAMPON & ONIGIRI AT MENYA 401 West Broadway MAP
FRIED POBLANO TORTA AT LAS TORTAS (Closed) 3353 Cambie St. MAP
JAPANESE BREAKFAST & COMFORT FOOD AT MARULILU 451 West Broadway MAP

cool-things-of-note

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– Kerrisdale is named after the former Scottish home of the McKinnon family, Kerry’s Dale, in 1897.

– During World War II there were several defenses built at UBC to ward off a feared Japanese invasion, including trios of strategically placed artillery guns.

– The Kerrisdale Arena was home to Vancouver’s first rock ‘n’ roll concert. Bill Haley and the Comets played there in 1957.

– Glenbrea Mansion in Shaughnessy was home to the Vancouver chapter of the Ku Klux Klan for just under a year from 1927-1928.

– Margaret Atwood got her start as a lecturer at UBC in the English Department.

things-we've-seen

  • Moderne Burger Chocolate Malted Milkshake
    Moderne Burger Chocolate Malted Milkshake
  • A quiet moment looking across the water from Kits
    A quiet moment looking across the water from Kits
  • ferv
    ferv
  • A pileated woodpecker in Pacific Spirit Park
    A pileated woodpecker in Pacific Spirit Park
  • IMG_6519
  • Beaty Biodiversity Museum
    Beaty Biodiversity Museum
  • 49th Parallel Coffee
    49th Parallel Coffee
  • Peaceful Restaurant
    Peaceful Restaurant
  • Beaty Biodiversity Museum
    Beaty Biodiversity Museum
  • Burrard Street Bridge, West Side
    Burrard Street Bridge, West Side
  • Leah's feet at UBC Farm
    Leah's feet at UBC Farm
  • Topanga Cafe
    Topanga Cafe
  • Kits Point
    Kits Point
  • IMG_6832
  • IMG_6766
  • Big fat otter sighting, Jericho park
    Big fat otter sighting, Jericho park
  • UBC Farm
    UBC Farm
  • IMG_9491
  • Beaty Biodiversity Museum
    Beaty Biodiversity Museum
  • IMG_6411
  • Kits Beach at Sunset
    Kits Beach at Sunset
  • sdfb
    sdfb
  • Beaty Biodiversity Museum
    Beaty Biodiversity Museum
  • asdf
    asdf
  • IMG_8857
  • Stormy day over a wintery Kits Pool
    Stormy day over a wintery Kits Pool
  • Najib's Special at Nuba on Broadway
    Najib's Special at Nuba on Broadway
  • 49th Parallel Coffee on 4th
    49th Parallel Coffee on 4th
  • Wokkin' it
    Wokkin' it
  • familia-style dishing
    familia-style dishing
  • Leaches | Beaty Biodiversity Museum | UBC
    Leaches | Beaty Biodiversity Museum | UBC
  • UBC Farm | Outstanding in the Field
    UBC Farm | Outstanding in the Field
  • Outstanding in the Field Dinner At UBC Farm
    Outstanding in the Field Dinner At UBC Farm
  • Epic Wig Sale, Just imagine | West Side
    Epic Wig Sale, Just imagine | West Side
  • Save the UBC Farm ©Scout
    Save the UBC Farm ©Scout
  • Jericho boats
    Jericho boats
  • Choppy seas | Kits
    Choppy seas | Kits
  • Jericho Sailing Club gardening solutions
    Jericho Sailing Club gardening solutions
  • Lumiere & db Bistro Moderne Opening
    Lumiere & db Bistro Moderne Opening
  • Kits Pool in full swing
    Kits Pool in full swing
  • laying down a blanket at Kits beach
    laying down a blanket at Kits beach
  • Table aftermath
    Table aftermath
  • Radishes - Growing Chefs at MOV November 2010 MCS @ 654
    Radishes - Growing Chefs at MOV November 2010 MCS @ 654
  • IMG_6403
  • Granville Island Public Market
    Granville Island Public Market
  • IMG_6432
  • Fairview Slopes view
    Fairview Slopes view
  • Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club
    Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club
  • IMG_9835
  • Zulu Records
    Zulu Records
  • IMG_6440
  • IMG_6851
  • IMG_6824
  • The Hollywood Theatre
    The Hollywood Theatre
  • Chef Andrea Carlson and John Bishop in the kitchen
    Chef Andrea Carlson and John Bishop in the kitchen
  • Pacific salmon (perfect) with wheatberry, potato and smoked pork hash on parsley broth
    Pacific salmon (perfect) with wheatberry, potato and smoked pork hash on parsley broth
  • Alignment
    Alignment
  • Zulu Records, West Fourth
    Zulu Records, West Fourth
  • Jericho Beach
    Jericho Beach
  • Ben, worker bee
    Ben, worker bee
  • UBC FarmADE
    UBC FarmADE
  • Lumiere & db Bistro Moderne Opening
    Lumiere & db Bistro Moderne Opening
  • End of the day | West side beach
    End of the day | West side beach
  • UBC Farm
    UBC Farm
  • Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club
    Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club
  • Jumping from logs
    Jumping from logs
  • Lumiere & db Bistro Moderne Opening
    Lumiere & db Bistro Moderne Opening
  • Museum of Vancouver
    Museum of Vancouver
  • Feeding Redwing Blackbirds at Jericho
    Feeding Redwing Blackbirds at Jericho
  • Adam Pegg in the kitchen at La Quercia
    Adam Pegg in the kitchen at La Quercia
  • Poplar grove setting at UBC Farm
    Poplar grove setting at UBC Farm
  • Emily Carr Grad Show
    Emily Carr Grad Show
  • Nuba
    Nuba
  • Emily Carr Grad Show
    Emily Carr Grad Show
  • John Bishop and Andrea Carlson
    John Bishop and Andrea Carlson
  • Beaucoup bakery construction, South Ganville
    Beaucoup bakery construction, South Ganville
  • IMG_6506
  • Perfect corn at UBC FarmADE
    Perfect corn at UBC FarmADE
  • Lighting at Nuba
    Lighting at Nuba
  • IMG_9472
  • Dessert on North Arm Farm | Outstanding in the Field
    Dessert on North Arm Farm | Outstanding in the Field
  • Angus and Kate
    Angus and Kate
  • In the poplar grove at UBC Farm
    In the poplar grove at UBC Farm
  • Suzanne Fulbrook | Emily Carr Grad Show
    Suzanne Fulbrook | Emily Carr Grad Show
  • Lumiere & db Bistro Moderne Opening
    Lumiere & db Bistro Moderne Opening
  • Kits houses along Cornwall
    Kits houses along Cornwall
  • kitchen laughs
    kitchen laughs
  • Emily Carr Grad Show
    Emily Carr Grad Show
  • Poplar grove setting at UBC Farm
    Poplar grove setting at UBC Farm
  • Bakers Market Vanilla cupcake with cherry
    Bakers Market Vanilla cupcake with cherry
  • UBC, West side
    UBC, West side
  • Standing on Jericho Beach looking East
    Standing on Jericho Beach looking East
  • Jonathan at UBC Farm | Outstanding in the Field
    Jonathan at UBC Farm | Outstanding in the Field
  • Baker Market Sandwhich cookies
    Baker Market Sandwhich cookies
  • IMG_3976
  • Burrard Bridge - Twilight
    Burrard Bridge - Twilight
  • Beaty Biodiversity Museum
    Beaty Biodiversity Museum
  • Inside the renovated Museum of Anthropology
    Inside the renovated Museum of Anthropology
  • tony = awesome
    tony = awesome
  • Inside the renovated Museum of Anthropology
    Inside the renovated Museum of Anthropology
  • Lumiere & db Bistro Moderne Opening
    Lumiere & db Bistro Moderne Opening
  • Step Back Antiques
    Step Back Antiques
  • Chef Andrea Carlson at UBC Farm | Outstanding in the Field
    Chef Andrea Carlson at UBC Farm | Outstanding in the Field
  • Farmer's Apprentice Brunch
    Farmer's Apprentice Brunch
  • IMG_9819
  • The Museum of Anthropology
    The Museum of Anthropology
  • Outstanding in the Field on North Arm Farm
    Outstanding in the Field on North Arm Farm
  • Hanging out at Feast of Fields UBC ©Scout
    Hanging out at Feast of Fields UBC ©Scout
  • Lumiere & db Bistro Moderne Opening
    Lumiere & db Bistro Moderne Opening
  • The Museum of Anthropology
    The Museum of Anthropology
  • Floating boat installation at The Museum of Anthropology
    Floating boat installation at The Museum of Anthropology
  • The Museum of Anthropology Bill Reid Rotunda
    The Museum of Anthropology Bill Reid Rotunda
  • Poplar grove setting at UBC Farm
    Poplar grove setting at UBC Farm
  • Halloween at Edible Canada
    Halloween at Edible Canada
  • Pour of Nichol vineyards at UBC Farm
    Pour of Nichol vineyards at UBC Farm
  • UBC Farm Chickens, West Van
    UBC Farm Chickens, West Van
  • West Side design crush
    West Side design crush
  • UBC Farm | Outstanding in the Field
    UBC Farm | Outstanding in the Field
  • Beaty Biodiversity Museum exhibition
    Beaty Biodiversity Museum exhibition
  • Meanam noms
    Meanam noms
  • Bishops
    Bishops
  • IMG_2055
  • Jericho
    Jericho
  • IMG_3974
  • IMG_6361
  • Outstanding in the Field | UBC Farm
    Outstanding in the Field | UBC Farm
  • Poplar grove setting at UBC Farm
    Poplar grove setting at UBC Farm
  • Jericho boats
    Jericho boats
  • Poplar grove setting at UBC Farm
    Poplar grove setting at UBC Farm
  • UBC Endowment Lands
    UBC Endowment Lands
  • Black Stone Press | blackstonepress.ca
    Black Stone Press | blackstonepress.ca
  • Cleaning up at Kits Beach
    Cleaning up at Kits Beach
  • Jericho sailing club window
    Jericho sailing club window
  • View from Jericho Sailing Club
    View from Jericho Sailing Club
  • Wreck Beach, West side
    Wreck Beach, West side
  • The last fried chicken day at Refuel
    The last fried chicken day at Refuel
  • Reader SS mid-air over the West Side Vancouver BC 1118am
    Reader SS mid-air over the West Side Vancouver BC 1118am
  • Feast of Fields UBC Farm Tomato
    Feast of Fields UBC Farm Tomato
  • South Seas, Granville Island, West Side
    South Seas, Granville Island, West Side
  • Zulu records
    Zulu records
  • City Hall
    City Hall
  • IMG_2023
  • Plating on the the last fried chicken day at Refuel
    Plating on the the last fried chicken day at Refuel
  • Fable chef and co-owner Trevor Bird during the restaurant's construction back in 2012
    Fable chef and co-owner Trevor Bird during the restaurant's construction back in 2012
  • West side beach shot
    West side beach shot
  • Wreck Beach, UBC, Westside
    Wreck Beach, UBC, Westside
  • IMG_4740
  • Jane running fried chicken traffic at Refuel
    Jane running fried chicken traffic at Refuel
  • Tiny daisies scattered across the grass at Jericho Park
    Tiny daisies scattered across the grass at Jericho Park
  • Beaty Biodiversity Museum, UBC
    Beaty Biodiversity Museum, UBC
  • Fable (light fixture shrapnel from Refuel - they're trying to sell - good score)
    Fable (light fixture shrapnel from Refuel - they're trying to sell - good score)
  • Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club
    Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club
  • Outstanding in the Field
    Outstanding in the Field
  • Oakwood
    Oakwood
  • Early morning on Jericho Beach, West Side
    Early morning on Jericho Beach, West Side
  • Burrard Bridge
    Burrard Bridge
  • Jim Denevan Outstanding in the Fields
    Jim Denevan Outstanding in the Fields
  • Kits, Jericho Park
    Kits, Jericho Park
  • IMG_7756
  • UBC Farm
    UBC Farm
  • La Quercia, West Side
    La Quercia, West Side
  • Kits brick apartment buildings
    Kits brick apartment buildings
  • Burrard Street Bridge
    Burrard Street Bridge
  • Late afternoon at Jericho Sailing Club
    Late afternoon at Jericho Sailing Club
  • Blossoms in Point Grey
    Blossoms in Point Grey
  • Always take the Scenic Drive
    Always take the Scenic Drive
  • Nuba on Broadway
    Nuba on Broadway
  • Sun sinking behind the mountains as seen from Kits Beach
    Sun sinking behind the mountains as seen from Kits Beach
  • IMG_4738
  • Peach and prosciutto at Nook
    Peach and prosciutto at Nook
  • Under the Granville Street Bridge
    Under the Granville Street Bridge
  • Beaty Biodiversity Museum
    Beaty Biodiversity Museum

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