Coal Harbour: A Charming Mix of Business and Residential

Unique features: waterfront views; seawall; proximity to Stanley Park; Olympic Cauldron; luxurious residential and hotel accommodation; upscale and casual dining; local ingredient-focus
Cultures & influences: West Coast; Pacific Northwest; multicultural; international
Ambiance: patios by the water; serene and scenic; conference and event-friendly

With breathtaking sightlines of the North Shore mountains, Stanley Park, and Burrard Inlet, Coal Harbour is one of the loveliest neighbourhoods in the city. The area—located between Denman Street and Burrard Street from north to south and Georgia Street and the waterfront from west to east—is well known for its luxurious condominiums, scenic seawall, and eco-friendly Convention Centre West. Increasingly, Coal Harbour has become home to some of the finest restaurants in Vancouver, many spotlighting fresh local ingredients that speak to their unique West Coast location.

Coal Harbour has gone through considerable evolution. Its name comes from the coal discovered there in 1859. And although the dreams of coal didn’t materialize, the name persisted as the prime waterfront area became a nexus for transportation and industry. The arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1880s connected Coal Harbour not only to greater Vancouver but also to the rest of the nation. Rapidly, shipping piers, seaplane ports, and warehouses filled the site, making it a hub of activity until World War II when ammunition factories took over and were later abandoned.

After fires in the 1950s, Coal Harbour reawakened with the opening in 1961 of a hotel, The Bayshore Inn, which was later renamed The Westin Bayshore. The hotel featured a Trader Vic’s, which brought upscale Polynesian cuisine to the city’s fledgling restaurant industry. During its long run until 1996, the restaurant was part of the exciting growth of the neighbourhood, spurred by Expo 86 and the opening of nearby Canada Place. Hotels and residential towers populated Coal Harbour, bringing restaurants and new vibrancy to the once industrial neighbourhood.

Today, Coal Harbour is the jewel of downtown with its stunning natural surroundings and some of the best dining and imbibing in the city.

What Makes Coal Harbour Unique as a Dining and Drinking Destination

Coal Harbour’s location alone makes eating in the neighbourhood unforgettable. Many of its restaurants are situated right in the Coal Harbour Marina, just a glance away from docked yachts and sparkling waters. Cardero’s, part of the Sequoia Group of Restaurants, opened in 1997 and has a nautical theme that reflects its harbour setting. “We’re out over the water on the marina. We have an uninterrupted view of the mountains, which is amazing,” says Gabrielle Lee, Marketing and Events Manager for the restaurant group. She adds that Coal Harbour is a very serene neighbourhood, making it a peaceful escape from the bustle of the downtown core.

Cardero's

On a sunny day, the sought-after patios in the neighbourhood are filled with diners taking in the views while passersby stroll, bike, and run on the seawall. The walkway connects to the popular Stanley Park Seawall, making a visit to Coal Harbour part of an all-day itinerary through Stanley Park. Bob Lindsay opened LIFT Bar and Grill in 2004 because he was impressed by the transformation of the neighbourhood—and saw possibilities for a restaurant with mountains and water as its backdrop. “It’s quintessential Vancouver, and especially to have that downtown is pretty incredible,” he says. He feels that, even on a rainy day, Coal Harbour is well worth a visit since it’s sheltered from the wind and the views are still amazing. “I’m liking that location more than I did even 18 years ago,” he says.

LIFT Bar and Grill

Restaurants in the area offer cuisine that speaks to their locality: spotlighting fresh sustainable seafood—such as sablefish, halibut, mussels, and oysters—and Pacific Northwest produce. “The menu really highlights that west coast dining experience. We always have local ingredients. We follow seasonality. We have beautiful seafood from the ocean when it’s in season,” Lee says.

This focus on local products has led to a rise in the calibre of food. Coal Harbour contains numerous hotels but as Hector Laguna says, restaurants are now giving guests a reason to stay in the neighbourhood. Popular establishments include Nightingale, Tableau Bar Bistro in the Loden Hotel, and H Tasting Lounge and H2 Kitchen + Bar, both of which can be found in The Westin Bayshore. “They stay and go for dinner at places in Coal Harbour and go to the bars instead of going elsewhere,” he says. Laguna, the Executive Chef of Botanist in the Fairmont Pacific Rim, crafts beautiful plates that showcase local ingredients such as sunchokes, beets and rhubarb. “A big percentage of our menu are things that are grown within an hour from here,” he says.

Laguna sees an increasing confidence in the kitchens in the area. “We’re becoming more ourselves,” he says. As well, he loves the diverse cuisines that are now represented, ranging from high-end Chinese cuisine to flavourful Syrian and Lebanese dishes. Whether it’s handmade pasta or an omakase experience, chefs in Coal Harbour are striving for excellence.

Botanist

The quality of drinking in Coal Harbour is also standout, whether it’s catching live music over glasses of local wine at Cardero’s pub, trying a new craft beer at a lively bar, or sipping an inventive cocktail at one of the hotel’s lounges. Best of all, the night can end with a walk by the water as a reminder of what makes Coal Harbour so very special.

Coal Harbour Events to Put on Your Calendar

The Olympic Cauldron, installed at Jack Poole Plaza for the 2010 Winter Olympics, has become an iconic meeting point in Coal Harbour. The Vancouver Christmas Market, which takes place every November and December in the Plaza, offers traditional German food and drink, other international eats, as well as artisan crafts for purchase.

Vancouver Christmas Market

The Convention Centre West also hosts events, conferences, and shows, including the Gluten Free Expo, the Vancouver Fall Home Show, and Planted Expo Vancouver, which either have a food-focus or feature culinary programming. The Coal Harbour Community Centre meanwhile holds regular events, such as a Halloween carnival, where treats and fun activities can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Overall, Coal Harbour has an abundance of amenities, dining, and drinking that epitomize everything Vancouver has to offer.