The weekend is here, so enjoy a relaxing brunch with friends

Our Local Expert Says:

BierCraft Bistro gives you more items to choose from than a grocery store aisle. Each plate is served up deliciously and washed down with a tasty Belgium beer. The laid back atmosphere make it a great place for many different crowds.

Description:

BierCraft Bistro is a fantastic place to go with friends and you will see this when you get there - it's always packed. If you enjoy Belgium beer, BierCraft Bistro will make you very happy. With more Belgium beers to choose from, you will be spoiled for choice. Located right off of Commercial Drive, it's a popular choice amongst locals and after you have been there you will understand why. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, so you can stop by and enjoy a bite at any given time of day. The Belgian Poutine is always on someone's table and the different kinds of Moules (mussels) make it difficult to choose which to have. For a fun night on The Drive, stop in at BierCraft Bistro - your friends and belly will thank you

Our Local Expert Says:

Best coffee in Vancouver.

Description:

Vancouverites love their coffee, perhaps almost as much as Portland, and Caffe Artigiano brews the perfect cup. They use only the best beans, roast them to the ideal degree, grind them fresh and use that concoction to create a work of art. The beautiful frothed milk on top of your latte is a work of art that Picasso would even be proud of. They also offer baked goods, yogurt and sandwiches and a popular breakfast item is their breakfast burrito. With locations all over the Lower Mainland, the best cup of coffee is only a few blocks away.

Description:

Tightly nestled in Vancouver's historical Gastown, the Pourhouse oozes warmth, exquisite design and a buzzing atmosphere; all of which set a perfect platter to serve sumptuous food and creative cocktails. Lovely vintage pieces of furniture in the bar area compliment the reclaimed wood used to build the bar where 25 seats are lined up and ready for you to sit down, relax and sip on some of Jay Jones' magical creations - the Gold Fashioned (a twist on the Old Fashioned) is a house favorite. If sitting at the bar isn't your thing, the crisp white table lines will call your name. As you enjoy your surroundings, wet your palate, graze over the well thought out menu and plan your attack. The Carpet Bag Steak is a juicy, grilled AAA piece of Tenderloin served with fresh peppery Arugula, a crispy fried oyster and Boulanger potatoes - complete with sweet caramelized shallots. After you have savored every last bite, tuck in to the Warm Chocolate Cake. It's gooey, decadent and served alongside with cool gelato. Whether you're just going for drinks or to fill the void in your stomach, the Pourhouse's drinks, food, impeccable service and atmosphere will make you want to stay the entire... read more

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:

Run by a husband and wife team, the love and passion they have for their food is obvious in each dish at Provence Marinaside. Treat your palate to the authentic tastes you would find in the South of France. Choose a variety of dishes from their antipasto display; the grilled squid alone will leave you craving it long after you have left. The Seafood Linguine brings together a perfect harmony of local seafood and tomato sauce with perfectly cooked pasta. Located in Yaletown, on the water's edge, it's a great location to spend a warm day on the patio and watch people pass by on the Seawall or set sail from the marina. The indside dining room echoes classic crisp linens, comfortable seating and impeccable service compliments the entire experience.

Our Local Expert Says:

Raincity Grill is a restaurant with many years under their belt and it just goes to show that they must be doing something right. With an ever-changing menu and a strong interest in eating locally, RCG will educate and elate your senses.

Description:

Raincity Grill has been around since 1992 and continually has locals and visitors coming back on a regular basis because of the consistently impeccable service and delicious delights. RCG, as locals refer to it, prides itself with serving seasonal ingredients from a 100-mile radius, as much as possible. The menu is constantly changing with the new ingredients that are seasonally coming in. They offer a variety of prix fixe menus to suit varying tastes and budgets. The early prix fixe is a great bargain and is perfect for those seeing shows later in the evening. The in-house sommelier will help guide your taste buds in the right direction to pair your meal with the perfect vintage. Raincity Grill is perched right in front of English Bay and if you're lucky enough to sit out on the patio or by the windows, you will be in for a treat at sunset.

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

Description:

Elixir, in the hip Opus Hotel, actually has three different dining areas: an enclosed space with dark-wood paneling and red velvet banquettes; the brighter garden room, more appropriate for an informal breakfast or brunch; and an adjacent bistro. The menu is the same in all three -- modern brasserie food prepared with local ingredients and utilizing a medley of spices culled from former French colonies the world over. For appetizers, think mussels in cider, cream, and lemon thyme; for salads, white asparagus with black truffle and a poached egg; and for main courses, roasted sablefish with white barley miso, or venison osso buco with vanilla risotto. A selection of local artisan cheeses is a perfect way to end your meal. Late in the evening, the restaurant becomes more like a Yaletown lounge and offers the same kind of small plates found in the Opus Bar.

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... read more

Description:

The Shangri-La Hotel is the tallest building in Vancouver, which means it's grand and larger than life. The hotel exudes opulence, class and indulgence at its finest. Chef Jean-Georges is a world famous chef and doesn't fail to wake up your taste buds. During the day, MARKET appeals to the business sector and serves lunches that will impress any potential client. In the evening, the lounge is packed with people drinking, eating and enjoying the well-designed space. The lounge/café serves up fantastic small plates and the truffle pizza is a must try! The dining room is decorated with cozy creams, reds and soft lighting. It's the perfect setting for a lovely evening with special friends, or that special someone. Start with the Dungeness Crab Dumplings and awaken your taste buds. The Soy Glazed Short Ribs are tender and satisfying. The extensive wine and cocktail list will quench your thirst. They also cater to those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages and provide an array of interesting drinks.

Description:

Built on pilings right on Coal Harbour, Lift offers gorgeous mountain, water, and city views. Chef Dave Jorgenson's contemporary West Coast cuisine comes with a French twist and is equal to the sexy setting. The interior is luxe, with an illuminated onyx bar and different seating areas for drinking, eating, or both, as well as a rooftop patio. After 5pm, the restaurant serves "whet plates" (larger than an appetizer, but smaller than an entree), such as mussels with merguez sausage, panko-crusted calamari, or pumpkin gnocchi. Main courses include ahi tuna, spiced paella, or the wonderful Lamb Three Ways. The Sunday brunch is hopping, too, and reasonably priced. The wine list here is good, but don't expect to find any bargain delights to accompany your meal.