cllb2

Hi all,

As title says, I'm just trying to get some ideas for reasonably priced but nice places to get breakfast, lunch and dinner when we arrive in Vancouver. We will be in a hotel in Howe street, downtown, so preferably anywhere near there. Though we'd also like to explore a little further afield after a few days. Hopefully after not too long we'll find an apartment and get some proper groceries!

Thanks

Alan2005

International food court on 500 block of hornby. It's a food court, but not shit. Lots there, but "India Abroad" does a decent curry + naan for under a tenner.

MrWindUpBird

Noodle Box and Homer & Robson springs to mind. There's also a Greek place on Davie (Stepho's I think it's called) that always has huge lineups due to it being a massive bargain. If you go at an odd time you'll probably get seated pretty quickly.

Also, if you like Sushi, you're sorted. It's everywhere at every price level.

Oink

You're a bit out of luck. Apart from some okay sushi, restaurant food here is generally a bit shit and not cheap. I wouldn't bother unless its a necessity as its like eating out in the late 1970s UK, just with less charm.

Auld Yin

And still you do not leave and go somewhere more to your liking.

Shard

Charming welcome from Oink.

Try Thai Express OP, it's a popular Canadian food court franchise, does some tasty Thai dishes. Plenty of independent eateries of all different price ranges on Denman. Urban Fare is an upmarket/foodie supermarket with a few downtown locations (e.g. Yaletown) and have small cafes inside. You will be spoilt for choice.

Oink

Give me a break its an overpriced Morrisons for pretentious Canadians who don't know better.

Oink

You got to be joking right? It ****ing funny here, its better than going to see Peter Kay live.

Shard

Morrisons. Won't dispute the pretentious bit, but to each their own.

BTW OP, when you do eat out if a service charge is expected make sure you leave 20%, and in Canada it's about as optional as not buying a round with your mates in the pub (i.e. possible under dire circumstances, but frowned upon). If you want to go cheap go down to 15% but never 10%. If you want to be American think of giving 25%.

Shard

Anything's better than that.

Oink

They’re owned by Save-On-Foods. Its all just emotional marketing bollox. Like the Pottery Barn, that gives you illusion that you’re living in a 19th century Tuscan villa while in reality its an atomizing and soulless 1990s sub-division in Coquitlam.

Shard

It's not all emotional marketing bollox, you can get a nice panino or pasta salad in UF whereas you can only get groceries in SOF.

HATE the the faux European residences in the sub-divisions. Almost as much as I hate it when the locals actually believe the hype. Was once shown a condo overlooking a scruffy drainage ditch and suggested to imagine I was in Amsterdam.

JonboyE

Howe Street downtown is the centre of the business district and it is easy to pay expense account prices if you are not careful. For a cheap meal I agree that food courts can be a good choice if you are on the run.

Ten to 15 minutes walk away Denman Street is a good shout for an eclectic mix of eating places. Not poncy places but not poncy prices either. No Michelin stars, but we cope.

From Howe head west down Robson. Opposite the Listel Hotel is Miko Sushi. According to she who should know this is one of the best at a reasonable price. Evenings are a bit expensive but the lunchtime menu is excellent value. I like the noodle restaurant next door. Further down there are quite a few Korean restaurants. They seem to cater for a young crowd (working holiday visa holders) so their style and prices are pitched appropriately.

The4BellsLondon

Templeton Diner on Granville
http://thetempleton.ca/

Bit further afield - numerous on Commercial Drive

Kids rave about the 2.95 breakfast at Bons off Broadway . . .
http://dinehere.ca/vancouver/bons-off-broadway


Lucy's 24 hr Diner on Main
https://plus.google.com/100811869852...ut?gl=ca&hl=en

Veggie? Naam in Kits
http://thenaam.com/

or Aphrodites- fab pies
http://www.organiccafe.ca/

cllb2

Thank you all so much for the helpful replies, these give us loads to go on!
Hadn't realised that tipping was up to around 20% over there. We're used to around 15 in London these days so won't be a huge hike. Will be a lot to get used to for us though, like remembering to tip bartenders!