Robson Street

Rated this place:

Robson Street (between Jervis St and Burrard St.), Vancouver, BC

Pride parade: From RCMP to bankers to babies and puppies, almost everyone in the city are gathered in downtown to support this 3 hours long parade that celebrates gay and human rights!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Pride Parade

twigg&hottie

Rated this place:

3671 Main Street, Vancouver, BC, V5V 3N6

Twigg&hottie: A small fashion boutique that promotes independent, canadian and sustainable designers. The friendly and knowledgeable owners/staff are designers themselves and only select labels that align with their motto. A definite fave for stylish Eco chic!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• twigg&hottie

East is East

Rated this place:

4413 Main Street, Vancouver, BC

Roti: The portion is not huge but it's pretty filling. The bread is fresh and the taste is exotic. I love the middle-eastern and indian decor. It makes me wonder why I am still in Van and not travelling in India...

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• roti

Commercial Drive

Rated this place:

Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5N 4A3

Unpretentious street: It's also the area for the hippies and the most multicultural. From euro cafe to indian veg restaurant to fairtrade shops.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• unpretentious street

Pecha Kucha Night: Vancouver

Rated this place:

3440 Cambie Street (Park Theatre), Vancouver, BC, V5Z 2W8

Creative event: Started in Tokyo in 2003, it is a show and tell gathering for people from all walks of life to share their creativity. Each presentater is given 20 images for 20 seconds each, making a total of 6min 40 sec for each presentation. Presenters are usually from the design, architecture, photograpy, art and creative fields. This dynamic event has been replicated over 100 cities around the world Van hosted it's first Pecha Kucha Night at the Van Museum in May 08 & is now preparing Vol 3&4 in t

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• creative event

Eclektica

Rated this place:

568 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC, V6B 3J5

Affordable art gallery: It's down to earth and all the arts won't cost you an arm and a leg.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• affordable art gallery

Canvas Lounge

Rated this place:

99 Powell Street , Vancouver, BC, V6A 1E9

Art and event space: Like its name, it's an art gallery, event space, and nightclub. Located in the histroic gastown, I like how this open two storey space has different lounge areas and private rooms where you can enjoy some semi-private conversation if you are tired of dancing on its spacious dance floor.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Art and Event Space

Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre

Rated this place:

181 Roundhouse Mews (Davie & Pacific), Vancouver, BC, V6Z2W3

Community centre: It is a beautiful historical building with a wonderful history. It has a historical connection with Pacific Railway (the Engine 374 Pavilion is located next to the centre) which makes it even more special. From my understanding, it is one of the few community centres that are arts oriented.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Community Centre

Projecting Change Film Festival

Rated this place:

2110 Burrard St (Fifth Avenue Cinemas), Vancouver, BC, V6J 3H6

Film festival: It's a brand new film festival that promotes environmental issues and sustainable living through entertaining and educational films. Each day has a specific themes: food and agriculture, sustainable energy, green building, consumer goods, and even a day of films dedicated for the kids.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• film festival

Grub

Rated this place:

4328 Main Street, Vancouver, BC, V5V3P9

West coast cuisine: A new down-to-earth yet stylish (think modern Scandinavian interior design) new mid-range dining bar on Main St. I was there for a soft opening and every person who passed by place stopped, walked back and looked through the windows. Don't expect to ask for a menu b/c the chef enjoys putting her seasonal creation on the chalkboard to keep us excited whenever we pay a visit. Can't wait when their back patio is ready!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• West Coast cuisine

Sunset Beach

Rated this place:

Off of Burrard Street and Beach Avenue , Vancouver, BC

Seawall location: Ask most laid-back Vancouverites living in the west end area where they will be on a sunny weekend, and the chances are that 9 out of 10 will tell you they will be cycling/walking/rollerblading/biking/hanging out along the seawall.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Seawall location

Portobello West

Rated this place:

1755 Cottrell Street (Rocky Mountaineer Station), Vancouver, BC, V6A 2L8

Fashion + art market: A monthly fashion and art market where local artists display their talents and have direct interaction with the customers. It also promotes sustainable living b/c supporting the locals is the best way to reduce carbon footprint.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• fashion + art market

Burrard Station

Rated this place:

On Burrard at Dunsmuir Street beside the Bentall towers and Hyatt Regency Hotel, Vancouver, BC

Sky-train landscape: I also like the tiny fountain with this colourfully painted dolphin located outside of the station.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• sky-train landscape

Fresh Is Best Salsa & Company

Rated this place:

2972 W Broadway (at Baywater), Vancouver, BC, V6K 2G8

Tortilla chips: I had no idea I would come across a local company that makes such fresh and crispy Tortilla chips. The name of the company speaks for itself. There's no GMO, just corn, canola oil, trace of lime, and sea salt. The corn chips also come in three different flavours: regular, green (with jalapeno powder) and red (chilli powder).

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Tortilla chips

Simply Vegetarian Restaurant

Rated this place:

#135-8291 Ackroyd Road, Richmond, BC, V6X 3K5

Authentic vegetarian: This place puts a lot Asian vegetarian restaurants in shame. Diferent regions of China serve their own style of flavours and dishes. This restaurant mainly serves Taiwanese dishes but there are many Japanese influenced dishes found on the menu. Their sweet & sour bean curd fish one of their most popular dishes. You can even eat the fish skin b/c it is made of seaweed :-)

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Authentic Vegetarian

Briers Home and Gifts

Rated this place:

2070 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V6J 1M9

Gift towels - koo koo towels: It is designed by the locals. I love getting their whimsical 'stick person' embroidered towels as gifts. They have a array of towels and linens collections for different occasions: wedding, babies, and even something special for the yogis or yoginis

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• gift towels - Koo Koo Towels

Drexoll Games

Rated this place:

2860 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V6K 1R2

Board games: I immediately got hooked to strategy board game when my cousin brought over her Citadels (an award-winning German strategy board game fyi) one Christmas. She suggested me to visit the Drexoll since that's where she got her game. The huge selections of strategy and roleplaying games just blew me away! Never thought I would become a geek (my sis said only geeks are into strategy board games...)

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• board games

The Original Paper-Ya Co Ltd

Rated this place:

9-1666 Johnston Street (Grandville Island), Vancouver, BC, V6H3S2

Paper: It carries some of the most original textured, handmade paper (often inspired by the Japanese washi paper). There are drawers of paper arranged by colour and shelves displaying handmade accessories. A must visit for people who can never get tired of stationeries and colourful accessories.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• paper

Naam

Rated this place:

2724 W. 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V6K 1R1

Miso gravy: Although it has been voted as 'the Best Vegetarian' restaurant for the past ten years in the Georgia Straight magazine, I have been to a lot more veggies friendly eateries that offer far better dishes. That said, the Naam still makes the best miso gravy and it's pretty much its signature dressing (it has become such a phenomenon that they sell them in bottles now.) The best way to savour its flavour is to order the handcut chunky sesame fries or just ask for extra to put it on your salad.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Miso gravy

Celebration of Light Fireworks Competition

Rated this place:

888 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 3K4

Fireworks competition: Used to known as Symphony of Fire, it is one of the biggest and most spectacular annual events in Vancouver. Each country has a night to show case their latest fireworks and everyone usually throws in their best at the finale. This is the time to avoid downtown area if you can't stand the crowd and traffic. A great idea is to get to know someone whose downtown apartment has a view of the English Bay, gather a few friends and have a small house party at his/her place.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Fireworks Competition

Zulu Records

Rated this place:

1972 West 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V6J 1M5

Independent record store: This edgy records store reminds me of all those funky music stores in San Francisco. It has a large collection of vinyls and new and used CDs. What fascinates me the most is its groovy vintage down-to-earth decor.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Independent record store

Halfmoon Yoga Products

Rated this place:

1650 Johnston St, Vancouver

Tie pants: It might not be as big as Lululemon, I find the materials used more durable and eco-friendly. I am one of their Tie pants (inspired by the traditional Thai fishing pants) fans. I have three pairs of them all made with different materials and have people asking me about the pants everytime I have it on.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Tie Pants

Opus Framing and Art Supplies

Rated this place:

1360 Johnston Street , Vancouver, BC, V6H 3R9

Art supplies store: It makes me feel artistic whenever I'm cruising inside this yellow quaint art supplies store. The fact that it's located in Grandville Island and next to the famous Emily Carr Institute for Arts and Design might also have influence. The store also offers a monthly newsletter and ongoing community workshops for art enthusiasts.

The Georgia Straight

Rated this place:

1701 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V6J1Y3

Weekly magazine: This weekly free lifestyle and entertainment magazine has the most comprehensive listings of activities and speical events. The best resource for everyone (locals or visitors) who wants to get connected and enjoy what the community offers

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• weekly magazine

Change

Rated this place:

2815 West Broadway, Vancouver, V6K 2G6

Lingerie: Excuse me if I'm being blunt here. I have always hated shopping for bras in Vancouver or because I have always had a lot of trouble finding the proper size and decent style that actually fit or flattered me. Then one day I found this new Lingerie shop from Scandanivia where they offer cup sizes from A to J! The staff are well educated and very helpful in finding the proper fit for you. To top that, their prices are extremely affordable.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• lingerie