Our pick of the Granville Street watering holes and refuelling stops that earned their colours well before Olympic fever hit town.
When a city widens its main thoroughfare for pedestrians, rather than traffic, you know it’s got its priorities in the right order. Granville Street, which cuts through the heart of downtown, has been getting a major facelift in time for the Olympic-sized crowds. Its sidewalk has doubled, encouraging winter wanderings and, naturally, loads of venues have sprung up – all hoping to attract a different sort of gold. Here are some tried-and true spots worth checking out.
The Morrissey
1227 Granville Steet.
+1 604 682 0909
You may feel compelled to order a martini as you glide past fake fireplaces, vintage mirrors and marble tables beneath an exposed ceiling adorned with candelabras. The 30-something crowd lounges in scuffed leather chairs, lowering the ‘tude and giving it a cosy, bunker-down-for-the-night feel. The look is smart/casual during the week and slinky glam on weekends, with tunes to match.
Whineo’s
1017 Granville Steet.
+1 604 669 9463.
The staff here decanter not just bottles, but single servings of red wine, earning a double take from first timers and a contented nod from regulars. Florence Broadhurst wallpaper, eclectic paintings and a zebra skin coat the olive green walls, while maroon carpet beams up at you as you stroll down the narrow, catwalk-like corridor to the corner bar. The high tables edging the walls fill up fast, so you’re likely to find yourself perched across from the friendly bar staff or hidden away in an intimate side room. An extensive tapas menu will help you appreciate the drop you’ve chosen – go for the perfect pan perogies or shoestring yam fries.
Website
Twisted Fork Bistro
1147 Granville Steet.
+1 604 568 0749.
It’s worth picking your way past the neighbouring peep show stores to arrive at this hidden gem. Turn your toes south on Grenville to get to this candlelit gourmet restaurant which represents awesome value for money with it’s ‘Blue Fence’ special, offered Monday to Saturday from 6-7pm. Twenty-five loonies will buy you a three-course meal from a mouth-watering, French-inspired menu. Dishes like confit duck, gruyere and onion tart and pan seared Coho salmon are all made in a busy, open viewing kitchen. If early bird eating isn’t your thing, go anyway and score a divine main meal for around AU$20.
Website
Yamato Sushi
616 Davie Street (just off Granville Steet).
+1 604 682 5494.
Everyone in Vancouver has their favourite, cheap as chips sushi joint, and this one comes highly recommended. If you’ve had an accidental splurge at the quirky John Fluevog designer shoe store (website) down the road, return to frivolity with one of Yamato’s penny pincher lunch specials. About AU$8 will get you a filling Bento Box, jamming in chicken teriyaki, tempura, gyoza, a California roll, salad and miso soup.
Granville Island Public Markets
If you follow Granville Street south across the water, leaving the forest of high rise apartments behind, you’ll arrive on Granville Island. Just underneath the Granville bridge live some of the best quality markets you’ll ever lay eyes on – but you do pay for this picture perfect produce. Browse through pyramids of cherry tomatoes, prime cuts of meat, organic breads and herbal teas, which will impress even the most fussy foodie. If you develop a raging thirst while traipsing the isles, head outside to the Granville Island Brewing Company (website) for a quenching, home grown ale. Try the Kitsilano Maple Cream Ale for its local charm.
Open 9am-7pm daily.
Website
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