Eating and Drinking Highlights of North Vancouver
Vancouver’s North Shore, long known for its natural beauty, has developed into a destination for food and drink enthusiasts. North Vancouver, only a roughly 12-minute SeaBus ride from downtown, boasts an incredible waterfront and a thriving dining and drinking scene that is well worth exploring.
North Vancouver’s waterfront—with breathtaking views of Vancouver’s skyline—and its surroundings have transformed into a lively neighbourhood called The Shipyards District (also referred to as Lower Lonsdale). The area is home to community events (e.g., Shipyards Night Market: May-Sept), arts and culture facilities (e.g., The Polygon Gallery), a public market (Lonsdale Quay Market), as well as an exciting range of dining options. Anchoring the area (with stellar views) are popular chains Tap & Barrel and JOEY.
Here are 5 restaurants to visit in The Shipyards District:
Pier 7 Restaurant + Bar is waterfront dining at its best, with an expansive patio that gives you clear views of the water and Vancouver’s downtown core. The food takes its cue from its surroundings, focusing on West Coast seafood. Enjoy dishes such as freshly shucked oysters; and roasted sablefish with arancini, foraged local mushrooms, porcini broth, arugula, citrus, and pea shoots. Weekend brunch (e.g., smoked salmon eggs benedict) and Happy Hour (Wed-Sun 2:30pm-5:30pm with selections like poke, mussels, and sangria) are great ways to experience North Shore living. Its nearby sister establishment The Lobby Restaurant in the Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier also offers a great happy hour (daily 2-6pm, after 9pm) with appetizers like salmon bites and prawn cocktails, as well as cocktails like Aperol spritz.
Catch 122 initially developed a following for its delicious everyday brunch offerings but also offers pastries, happy hour, Sunday high tea, and dinner. Brunch creations are inventive and well-executed, ranging from Bulgogi steak ‘n’ eggs to a tres leches Dutch baby baked pancake. Dinner maximizes comfort with dishes like gnocchi with chanterelles, crispy Brussels sprouts, and black garlic puree. A seat on their patio affords great views of the neighbourhood.
Sushi MAHANA opened a couple years ago to great excitement. Chef Hiroshi Hoshiko creates a very memorable omakase experience that highlights seasonal local and Japanese seafood (e.g., black cod, seawater eel). The ten-seater counter restaurant offers an intimate connection with the chefs as they artfully craft nigiri and other dishes, which you can pair with premium sake.
Well-known and beloved restaurateur family the Corsis run Sempre Uno (Forever 1), which serves regional Italian cuisine, dreamed up by chef John Wells. Flavours are big in this elegant room, with dishes such as Barolo marinated thinly sliced beef tenderloin with Dijon aioli, taglierini with butter poached lobster, lobster tomato sauce, and fennel pollen; and grilled marinated lamb chops with fig and port reduction. Save room for tiramisu cannoli.
Along lower Lonsdale Avenue there are many restaurants and cafes, in addition to boutiques to explore. Long-time restaurants like Anatoli Souvlaki, Burgoo Bistro (international comfort food), and Jagerhof Restaurant (German, Austrian, Swiss) showcase the cultural diversity of North Vancouver. In The Shipyards District, Fish Works is all about fresh, local ingredients, which includes sustainable BC seafood. True to the restaurant’s name, diners can sup on dishes such as wild albacore tuna crudo witih aji amarillo, jalapeno, orange, and cilantro; Northeast Pacific wild lingcod with ginger, lemongrass, mushrooms, chili aspic, mussels, and coconut milk; and Haida Gwaii sablefish with maple hoisin glazed Brussels sprouts, king oyster mushrooms, and sunchoke puree.
Other Outstanding North Shore Establishments
Beyond the immediate waterfront, North Vancouver has many other amazing eating and drinking places, with new ones frequently opening as the surrounding areas continue to expand. Here are 5 to put on your list:
North Vancouver has built an impressive ale trail, which includes Beere Brewing Co., House of Funk Brewing, and Bridge Brewing Company. La Cerveceria Astilleros takes a Mexican approach to beer and food, with refreshing options on tap like a salted lime lager, orange fresca pilsner, and passionfruit citrus sour. And what goes better with beer than a selection of tacos, such as beef barbacoa, al pastor, and grilled fish? End with churros, and leave very happy.
Loam opened last September, a charming café meets brunch/lunch spot that draws from international culinary influences while sourcing locally. The vibe and décor are bright and inviting, and the food fresh, with selections like asparagus and kale soup; a roasted grape tomato and stracciatella sandwich with pesto and arugula; and green pea risotto with poached eggs. Pair your meal with a barrista selection, like a pistachio mocha or hojicha latte.
Scratch Kitchen very much embodies the North Shore: fresh ingredients, local beer, and a “from scratch,” natural culinary approach. They started in picturesque Deep Cove but have now expanded to another location off Lonsdale Avenue. They specialize in tasty pizzas, like one with onion jam, caramelized brussels sprouts, parsley pesto, toasted walnuts, mozza, parmesan, and burnt honey.
Experience Italian charm on the North Shore at Orto Artisan Pasta, operated by seasoned restaurateur Brigitte Raye. The restaurant prides itself on sourcing locally, including from their tranquil garden (with patio seating) during the summer months. Start with Bad Dog Bread from the restaurant’s neighbour, then move on to moules frites, and then to one of their flavourful pastas, such as mafalde with wild boar ragu, chestnuts, red wine, bacon, and pearl onions. Lemon tart completes the experience.
Two Rivers Meats have built a reputation for the quality of the products at their butchery, which include dry-aged beef as well as charcuterie and sausages. Their eatery menu has some of the tastiest bites on the North Shore, which allows you to sample what’s in their display cases. Start with a charcuterie board or tartare using Canadian grass-fed and grass-finished beef, before indulging in a main like The Boss Burger, with a double dry-aged patty, double the cheese, and North Shore bacon—served with tallow fries.