Girls Weekend in Vancouver

Description:

Hapa Izakaya is located on Vancouver's popular Robson Street. It features non-traditional Japanese food prepared in a hip and funky atmosphere. The service and food are excellent and this would be a great place for couples and parties. It is very typical to see the staff rushing through this fast paced restaurant, hollering orders to the chef. A fun experience for sure.

Description:

Situated amid the downtown action of Granville Street, this pub is convenient and well stocked with Irish ales and spirits. Dark wood trim and wooden tables give it a warm, welcoming feel. Sit in the comfortable couches placed around the fireplace. Good food and generous portions are trademarks here. The menu boasts typical pub fare such as shepherd's pie, fish and chips and chicken wings. Try the calamari rings as an appetizer. It has a wide assortment of beers on tap, including traditional Irish brews like Kilkenny and Guinness.

Description:

This hotel is located in the heart of downtown, close to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, General Motors Place and other entertainment highlights.

Our Local Expert Says:

Unlike any other breakfast joint in Vancouver - Medina is where it's at.

Description:

Medina Café is the sister restaurant to one of Vancouver's best restaurants, Chambar. Don't be surprised to see people waiting outside to get a table on any given weekend. Yes, it's that good and it's worth the wait.  The decor is as lovely as the food and when you get inside the first thing you will notice is the length of the restaurant, the polished wood, exposed wood beams and chic artwork and lighting. It sets the perfect tone that is inviting, warm and hip. There are so many great choices on the menu, it's hard to go wrong. Tickle your taste buds and wake them up with a lavender mocha or latte. The rich, fragrant flavor of the lavendar pairs perfectly with delicious espresso beans. Many people start with one of their waffles. They look small, but they are quite filling. Choose from toppings like Milk chocolate Lavender, Fig Orange Marmalade and Mixed Berry Compote, to name a few. For your main, try the Fricassé and enjoy 2 fried eggs, tender braised short ribs, savory roasted potatoes, sweet caramelized onions, arugula, applewood cheddar and grilled foccacia.  Each item is well portioned, fairly priced and you will not leave hungry.  Medina Café sets the bar for breakfast in Vancouver and is unlike any other.

Our Local Expert Says:

The quintessential Vancouver experience.

Description:

Stretching 5.5-miles (8.8km) around Stanley Park, this lovely jaunt is perfect on a sunny day to bike, walk, run and blade around. There are ideal spots to stop for a rest, or enjoy a packed picnic and you can choose your view of the North Shore or the vast Pacific Ocean and choose weather you would like to sit on grass, a picnic table or a sandy beach. There's also a few beaches and a water park along the way, so pack your bathing suit and enjoy the cool waters on a hot summer day. There are set paths for specific directions and different lanes for those walking or biking, so make sure to be in the correct lane and avoid getting in the way of oncoming traffic.

Description:

This long-standing racecourse overlooks the North Shore Mountains and the city's busy port harbor. It has year-round live and simulcast thoroughbred racing and a variety of restaurants, lounges and grandstands for avid and newbie racing fans. The racecourse has been a Vancouver institution for decades. For a meal, choose between Jerome's Sports Bar or the Terrace; which has a view of the home stretch.

Our Local Expert Says:

Shop, sip and savor the finer things in life! This is where to go if you're looking for upscale shopping and refined dining.

Description:

Yaletown has transformed itself drastically since the World's Fair in 1986. Once an industrial warehouse area, Yaletown is now a favorite haunt to those who like the finer things in life. Vancouver is called "Hollywood North" and it is not uncommon to see a movie being filmed on various streets around town. When celebrities are in town, Yaletown is where they like to hang out. Sit on one of the many patios and keep your eyes peeled for movie stars. Or, step into one of the charming boutiques where you will find the latest fashions in clothing, shoes and accessories. Some of the city's finest boutique hotels have made their way into Yaletown where guests are pampered, spoiled and treated like kings and queens. Boutique hotel not in your budget? Don't worry; join the locals that go into the hotel lounges for a drink and to be a part of the action.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best bar stool in the city and a hidden gem!

Description:

Rodney's Oyster Bar is one of the best places to eat in the city. As you step into the casual restaurant, you will feel as though you have been transported somewhere outside Vancouver because of all the nautical East coast decor.  The bartenders and servers are an all male team and provide stellar service and much entertainment. They offer a simple menu made with fresh ingredients, mainly from the sea. Oysters are their specialty and you can get them on the half shell or panfried. An array of condiments are presented to flavor the shucked gems, along with the classic condiments. If oysters aren't your thing, try the crab cakes and the clam chowder. The crab cakes are served with a lovely simple salad and it's big enough for two to share as an appetizer, or one as a main. Don't ask for mixed drinks, unless it's their signature Ceasar. They only sell beer and wine here.

Description:

The urban chic location of the up-and coming Gastown neighborhood and the hip, warm, ultra-modern interior, designed for dancing, drinking and lounging make Shine a popular spot to go out. Open 7 days a week.

Description:

Back in the '60s, when Kitsilano was Canada's hippie haven, the Naam was tie-dye central. Things have changed since then, but Vancouver's oldest vegetarian and natural-food restaurant still retains a pleasant granola feel, and it's open 24/7. The decor is simple, earnest, and welcoming, and includes well-worn wooden tables and chairs, plants, an assortment of local art, a nice garden patio, and live music every night. The brazenly healthy fare ranges from all-vegetarian burgers, enchiladas, and burritos to tofu teriyaki, Thai noodles, and a variety of pita pizzas. The sesame spice fries are a Vancouver institution. And though the Naam is not quite vegan, they do offer specialties like the macrobiotic Dragon Bowl of brown rice, tofu, sprouts, and steamed vegetables.

Description:

Possibly the city's least crowded beach, this is a great place to go to appreciate the sea's wonder in peace and quiet. This is a long stretch of clean and sandy waterfront in West Point Grey. It is family-friendly and home to summertime events like a sandcastle competition in late July, beach soccer competition mid August and the Jewish Worldbeat Festival in late August. There are concession stands, change rooms, showers and grassy areas. Skimmers alert: this is the perfect place for skim boarding once you learn the optimal tidal conditions.

Description:

This was where the original German community in Vancouver shopped. Robsonstrasse, as it was formerly known, was lined with delis, bakeries and restaurants. Today, it's one of the city's most fashionable shopping streets: Alfred Sung, Salvatore Ferragamo, Chanel, Rodier Paris and Stephane de Raucourt are just some of the big names in this urban shopping destination. Options for grabbing a bite abound. Find everything from Schnitzel to Sushi along this bustling thoroughfare. It is also cruising central in the summertime, with cars and sidewalks filled with people enjoying the warm summer air.

Description:

In Italian, Sciué means "good and fast", which pretty much sums up the philosophy behind this little Roman-style café. You'll find a lot more than just coffee here, though. Open during the daytime and catering to the local business crowd and tourists alike, Sciué offers up some of the best European pastries and breakfast Panini you'll find anywhere. Lunch features a healthy variety of pastas and gnocchi, but the real draw here are the pizzas, which are sold by weight and garnished with the finest ingredients, from pancetta to sliced bocconcini to pesto chicken. - Darina Kopcok