Vancouver/South Granville

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South Granville is a district of Vancouver. For the purposes of this article it includes the neighborhoods of South Granville, Fairview, Granville Island and part of South Cambie, covering the area from Fir Street in the west to Ontario Street in the east and from False Creek in the north to 16th Avenue in the south.

[edit] Get in

The easiest way to get to South Granville is by bus. The B-Line bus route #98 along Granville Street connects the area with downtown and Vancouver South, while the B-Line bus route #99, which runs along Broadway, connects the area with Kitsilano, UBC and East Van. Another option is bus route #50 that runs from downtown to the entrance to Granville Island.

The major roads that cross the South Granville district are Granville Street and Cambie Street (from the north and south) and Broadway and 4th Avenue (from the east and west). If trying to reach Granville Island by car, be aware that traffic on the island is slow, and although parking is reasonably plentiful, it fills up very quickly during the summer. It is a predominantly pedestrian area, so be careful for people crossing the road in front of you.

Two companies, Aquabus and False Creek Ferries, run ferries on False Creek. The Aquabus connects the City Center to Granville Island, while False Creek Ferries connects the City Center and Kitsilano to Granville Island. Fares vary between $2-$6 depending on distance travelled.

If you don't mind walking a bit, South Granville is also reachable by foot from the downtown and Kitsilano districts.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit] Theatre

  • Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage (Stanley Theatre), 2750 Granville Street, ☎ 604-687-1644. Recently renovated and now the main stage for the Vancouver Arts Theatre Company. Mostly shows Broadway musicals and other large theatre productions.  edit
  • Vancouver Arts Club Theatre, 1585 Johnston Street (beside the Public Market), ☎ 604-687-1644. The Granville Island stage for the Vancouver Arts Club Theatre Company.  edit
  • Vancouver Theatre Sports, 1601 Johnston Street, ☎ 604-738-7013, [1]. Main show at 7:30PM Th-F and 8PM and 10PM on F-Sa. Long running improv company in the New Revue Theatre on Granville Island. $10-$18 (depends on show and night of the week).  edit

[edit] Granville Island

Located beneath the Granville Street Bridge on the south side of False Creek, Granville Island [2] (accessed from 4th Ave via Anderson St or bus #50 from downtown) is an eclectic mixture of shops, restaurants, theaters, art galleries, one hotel and a functioning concrete plant. It is a major tourist destination yet also a huge draw for locals with its variety of food, restaurant and entertainment options.

The island (actually a peninsula) started off as industrial land, but its warehouses and shops were abandoned and left to decay when the industry moved on. In the 1970s the Federal Government embarked on an ambitious plan of urban renewal, which involved cleaning up the pollution left by industry on the island and encouraging mixed-use development on the island. Today, the restored original corrugated tin buildings and their new occupants -- artisans, markets, boutique shops and restaurants -- come together to give Granville Island its vibrancy and unique feel.

One of the easiest ways to see the island is to just wander around and take it all in -- browse a little bit, enjoy the views, watch a street performer, people-watch. More specific listings connected with Granville Island are found in the See, Do, Buy, Eat and Drink sections of this guide. Most of the shops and restaurants can be found by wandering the streets (it's not a big place) or in one of these three markets:

  • Public Market— Food stalls and small items.
  • Kids Market— Toys galore and activities for the children.
  • Maritime Market— Stores and a museum for all things related to the sea.

[edit][add listing] Do

  • Wander around Granville Island. The island is a busy place, excellent for exploring and people watching.
  • Downtown Historic Railway, (stations near the entrance to Granville Island and 6th & Moberley), [3]. Runs only on weekends 1PM-5PM. A restored electric tram car from Vancouver's past. Portion of track to Science World is currently closed due to construction in the area. Adults $2, Children/Seniors $1.  edit
  • Granville Island Brewing Company, 1441 Cartwright Street, ☎ +1 604-687-2739 (, fax: +1 604-685-0504), [4]. 10AM-8PM. Take a tour of this local brewery and sample four of their brews. Tours are daily at noon, 2PM and 4PM and can be arranged through the retail shop. $9.75.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

There is shopping galore on Granville Island. Plenty of tourist stores with your usual array of Canadiana and B.C.-specific souvenirs. You can also buy fresh seafood right off the boat throughout most of the year; follow the seawall on the west-side of the island to find these public fish sales. Railspur Avenue is home to plenty of art galleries and an artisan sake shop. The Public Market on the far north end of the island has a revolving set of day vendors selling art and specialty food items, and permanent stalls that offer produce, meat, fish and natural herbs. Notable permanent vendors in the market include: the Stock Market (which sells ready-to-eat soups as well as sauces, stocks and dressings), Granville Island Tea Co., Stuart's Bakery and a la mode, the pie store.

  • Edible British Columbia, 565 - 1689 Johnston Street (next door to South China Seas; across from the Tea Shop and the Stock Market), ☎ +1-604-662-3606 (, fax: +1-866-272-8777), [5]. Over 700 food-related products on a made-in-BC theme, aimed at the enthusiastic foodie.  edit

One of the best places to look for outdoor equipment in Vancouver is on Broadway in the blocks just east of Cambie Street. The two big shops are Mountain Equipment Co-op and Taiga, but there are numerous other smaller shops in the area if you walk between these two stores.

  • Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), 130 West Broadway, ☎ +1 604-872-7858, [6]. M-F 10AM-9PM, Sa 9AM-6PM and Su 11AM-5PM. $5 lifetime membership required to purchase goods.  edit
  • Taiga, 301 West Broadway, ☎ +1 604-875-6647, [7]. M-F 10AM-6PM and Sa 9:30AM-6PM.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

Most of the restaurants are located along Granville Street and Broadway, or on Granville Island. If you don't want to eat at a restaurant, one of the best things you can do is make a picnic of fresh BC produce from the public market on Granville Island.

[edit] Budget

  • Ro Sushi Japanese Bistro, 542 West Broadway, ☎ +1 604-876-9899, [8]. M-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su & Hol 12PM-10AM. Mainstream Japanese food, but the wide variety of "boxes" (set meals) are an astonishing amount of food for the economical price. $5-$9.  edit
  • Cheesecake, etc., 2141 Granville St, ☎ +1 604-734-7704, [9]. Open every night 7PM-1AM. Vancouver's first late-night dessert cafe. Opened in 1979, it is an authentic Vancouver cultural experience. Featuring the original "Vancouver-style", it is a light cheesecake with various toppings added.  edit
  • Go Fish, 1505 West 1st Ave (on the waterfront south of Granville Island entrance), ☎ +1 604 730-5040. M Closed, Tu-F 11:30AM-6:30PM, Sa-Su Noon-6:30PM. Some of the best fish and chips in Vancouver, along with seasonal fish-based dishes all using fresh ingredients from local fishers. It's just a shack with some outdoor seating and may be a little hard to find; you will need to reach it by foot or by bike. $7-$15.  edit

[edit] Mid-Range

  • Afghan Horsemen, #202 - 1833 Anderson St (On the mainland just opposite the entrance to Granville Island, almost under the Granville Street Bridge. On Anderson at 2nd Ave/Lamey's Mill Road. Behind Starbucks. 2nd floor.), ☎ +1 604-873-5923 (), [10]. The exotic decor and rich flavours justify this restaurant's pride in Afghan culture and cuisine. Try one of the platters ($29/2 people). Numerous vegetarian options, and some vegan dishes too. Try to stay for the mesmerising belly-dancer's performance. $20 dinner.  edit
  • Kamei Royal, 12-601 W Broadway, ☎ +1 604-876-3388 (fax: +1-604-876-3389). This is the Japanese restaurant to which you can bring your homesick Japanese business partners. Excellently prepared, professional-grade sushi, rice dishes, kushiyaki, and cooked-at-the-table sukiyaki. An authentic Japanese atmosphere, from the irasshaimase greeting to the pretty pictures in the bilingual menus to the serene decor. Another branch is on West Georgia in the City Center. Dinner $20.  edit
  • Memphis Blues Barbeque House, 1465 West Broadway, ☎ +1 604-738-6806, [11]. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F 11AM-11PM, Sa 12PM-11PM and Su 12PM-10PM. A restaurant for those who don't think vegetables are necessary or like their meat barbequed. Emphasis is on food and cooking styles from the American South. If you have 3-4 people, try the Memphis Feast for a taste of almost everything. $5-$10 (starter or sandwich), $11-$24 (main).  edit
  • Rasputin's, 457 West Broadway (near Cambie & Broadway), ☎ +1 604-879-6675. Open nightly from 5PM. Russian cuisine with live entertainment and a large selection of vodka. Some reviewers indicate service and food quality has slipped in the last year. $20-$30.  edit
  • Rugby Beach Club Grille, 201 - 950 West Broadway, ☎ +1 604-736–2438, [12]. 4:30PM - Late. Known for its cheap drinks and a large a la carte menu in a casual but slightly upscale atmosphere. Reviewers indicate that service is sometimes sporadic. $20-$45 (appy + main + side).  edit
  • Sandbar, 1535 Johnston Street (On Granville Island near the Arts Club Theatre), ☎ +1 604-669-9030. 11:30AM-10PM Su-Th, 11:30AM-11PM F-Sa. Enjoy a variety of fish and seafood while looking out over Granville Island and False Creek. Also has a number of tapas and meat dishes. $16-$50 (appy + main).  edit
  • Saravanaa Bhavan, 955 W Broadway, ☎ +1 604-732-7700, [13]. South Indian vegetarian, praised for outstanding value, delicious food, good service. $10-$20.  edit
  • Shabusen Yakinuki House, 2993 Granville Street (upstairs at the corner of 14th & Granville), ☎ +1 604-737-6888, [14]. Daily 11AM-2:30PM and 5PM-10:30PM. Japanese and Korean BBQ restaurant noted for its dinner buffet and the grill at the table allowing you to cook your food to your liking. $15-$30, dinner buffet $23.  edit
  • The Cat's Meow, 1540 Old Bridge Street (on Granville Island), ☎ +1 604-647-2287, [15]. Generally 11AM-12AM; opens earlier on the weekend and closes later F-Sa. Pub-style food and casual atmosphere.  edit

[edit] Splurge

  • Tojo's, 1133 West Broadway (Just east of Alder St), ☎ +1 604-872-8050 (, fax: +1 604-872-8060), [16]. Dinner only, Mon-Sat; closed Sun. Serves innovative Japanese cuisine. Try the omakase menu, where you leave the details of your 5-course meal to the chef's discretion. The vegetarian omakase can have spectacularly realistic-looking sushi made from vegetables. À la carte menu also available — but why skip the chance to let the master delight you? Winner of the "Best Japanese Restaurant" awards from Vancouver Magazine every year since 1991. However, some say that since April 2008, prices have risen astronomically and quality has suffered, that service is generally poor and value is doubtful. $75-150/person.  edit
  • Vij's, 1480 W 11th Ave (just in from Granville St), ☎ +1 604-736-6664, [17]. Open daily from 5:30PM. Indian restaurant that combines Indian spices and cooking techniques with local ingredients. Does not take reservations. $30-$45 (appetizer + main).  edit
  • West, 2881 Granville Street, ☎ +1 604-738-8938, [18]. Daily 5:30PM-11PM. Upscale and award winning restaurant with excellent service. Menu has a variety of seafood and meat dishes. $100/person and up. $50 prix fixe menu available if you dine before 6PM.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

A number of restaurants on Granville Island, such as The Cat's Meow in the theatre district, the Sandbar beside the Public Market, and The Keg Restaurant have fully licensed lounges.

  • Backstage Lounge, 1585 Johnston Street, ☎ +1 604-687-1354, [19]. Drinks and pub eats with live music most nights. Has a good selection of domestic and imported beers on tap, with nightly drink specials. $8-$16.  edit
  • Granville Island Brewing Taproom, 1441 Cartwright Street (across the street from the Kids Market on Granville Island), ☎ +1 604-687-2739. 12PM-8PM. Taster sleeves and full pints of this locally brewed beer.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

There are a few hotel and B&B options in the South Granville area. Most people will stay in the City Center.

  • Granville Island Hotel, 1253 Johnston Street, ☎ 1-800-663-1840 (toll-free) or +1 604-683-7373 (, fax: +1 604-683-3061), [20]. The only accommodation on Granville Island. Some of the standard rooms have a water view plus there are six executive suites and two penthouse suites. All rooms come with wireless and high speed internet and there is a jacuzzi room on site. $240 for a Standard room May-Oct; $160 at other times.  edit
  • Holiday Inn - Vancouver Centre, 711 West Broadway, ☎ +1 604-879-0511 (fax: +1 604-872-7520). checkin: 3PM; checkout: 12PM. Reviews indicate clean rooms and courteous service, although the decor could be updated. $160-$250 in summer, cheaper rates at other times.  edit
  • Park Inn & Suites on Broadway (sometimes referred to as the Ramada Vancouver Centre), 898 West Broadway, ☎ 1-888-201-1801 (toll-free) or +1 604-872-8661 (fax: +1 604-872-2270), [21]. Mix of rooms ranging from a standard hotel room to kitchenette to suites. Some rooms have views of downtown and the mountains. High-speed internet and fitness center on site. $160-$300 in summer, cheaper rates at other times.  edit
  • Douglas & Windsor Guest Houses, 456 West 13th Ave and 325 West 11th Ave, ☎ 1-888-872-3060 (toll-free) or +1 604-872-3060 (, fax: +1 604-873-1147), [22]. Two Victorian houses converted to B&B's. Reviewers indicated the hearty breakfasts are good and the location is convenient but a couple of the rooms could be cleaner. Both guest houses are owned by the same person. $75-$165, with cheaper rates in winter.  edit

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!
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