Wondering what are some of the best neighbourhoods in Vancouver? Check out this guide and get ready to do some unforgettable sightseeing in and around Canada’s favourite West Coast city.
They don’t call it Beautiful British Columbia for nothing, and for first time visitors to the Canadian West Coast, this cool, waterfront city is the place to start. Get to know Vancouver and its many personalities through its diverse neighbourhoods, each of which offer a unique experience and unmissable attractions for any type of traveller.
Whether you’re looking to do some unforgettable sightseeing, just want to wander around and get lost, or are planning a move across the country and want to know what the happiest part of town is, this handy guide will show you the coolest neighbourhoods in Vancouver and more.
Vancouver’s top neighbourhoods to visit
These cool Vancouver neighbourhoods offer visitors a look into the city’s fun, urban, (and tasty) side.
Main Street
Best for: Exploring Vancouver’s answer to Brooklyn
This area is not downtown nor uptown, but just east of the city’s core, and it’s Vancouver’s most exciting and eclectic neighbourhood. If you want a more precise location, most people believe Main Street encompasses the part of town between East 5th Avenue and East 33rd Avenue.
Main Street is a hub of cafés, breweries, and restaurants. Check out Yasmine Bakery, a new Lebanese bakery that just opened up, or visit neighbourhood classic Cartem’s Donuts for a speciality sweet treat. Need a drink? The award-winning Main St. Brewing serves pints of IPA in a historic building dating back to the early 1900s. If you want to catch a live show, head to the Fox Cabaret Theatre.
Further south of this downtown Vancouver neighbourhood is the SoMa (South Main). Following some recent restoration, SoMa is now home to organic food shops, used clothing stores, and vegan restaurants like MeeT on Main, part of the MeeT local chain. Go record shopping at Red Cat Records, Vancouver’s community-centred record store. Hungry after all that browsing? You don’t need to be vegetarian to enjoy the creative, locally sourced dishes served at the award-winning The Acorn.
Even better, every year Vancouver’s Main Street is host to a handful of very cool local events, including the Main Street Car Free Day (ideal for walkers) and Vancouver Mural Festival to feast the eyes.
Where to stay in Main Street: Located on West Broadway, the comfortable Holiday Inn Vancouver Centre is ideal for families or solo travellers visiting Vancouver.
Railtown District
Best Vancouver neighbourhood for: Creative types and techies in search of a hipster vibe
Railtown is a compounded micro-neighbourhood with Japantown that’s located within Vancouver’s ultra-hip downtown eastside. Once tech firms like Hootsuite moved in, old warehouses and factories gave way to cafes, restaurants, furniture shops, and fashion studios. This industrial wedge is tucked between the city’s busy harbour and Chinatown and Gastown.
Expect cool design shops and lovely old architecture in Railtown, such as the Settlement Building, now known as Vancouver Urban. Railtown is also home to the flagship Dish + DUER clothing store where you can purchase jeans, activewear, and more, all produced using sustainable methods and materials. Ask for Luigi is one of Railtown’s most recommended restaurants, complete with an intimate Italian-inspired theme and specializing in fresh house-made pasta. Want more of a Latin flair? Cuchillo is for you.
Where to stay: Railtown doesn’t have too many accommodation options, but the Skwachàys Lodge is only a 15-minute walk away from the district and is a great way to check out and support Indigenous arts and businesses while you’re at it!
For more hotel options, just across the water from Railtown on the Vancouver Seabus is North Vancouver. This area can be a good alternative option to stay in Vancouver for a slightly lower price. The Lonsdale Quay Hotel boasts some great reviews and offers beautiful views of the nearby harbour.
Davie Village
Best Vancouver neighbourhood for: Discovering Vancouver’s LGBTQ+ community
Rainbow flags fly proudly on lamp posts, restaurants, and bars in Vancouver’s Davie Village. Centred around Davie Street, this West End community is the heart of the city’s LGBTQ+ scene and one of the best places to live in Vancouver. At night, this trendy Vancouver neighbourhood comes alive with bars and clubs, and during the day it’s more about absorbing the lifestyle.
Your perfect itinerary? Start the morning with a coffee at Matchstick, a beloved local chain, and browse the area’s boutiques and bookshops. While you’re at it, be sure to check out Little Sisters Bookstore on Davie Street, a Vancouver bookstore that’s fought against censorship in Canada since the 1970s. Feeling the beautiful outdoors? Spend the day at Stanley Park, one of Canada’s largest urban parks.
Later on, wander over to English Bay to watch the sunset on the water. If you’re looking to check out Vancouver’s gay nightlife scene, be sure to check out Numbers Cabaret – the oldest gay bar in Vancouver, and an institution. Tummy rumbling? Take your pick of any authentic cuisine: Davie Village offers Thai, Persian, sushi, Greek, Malaysian, and Indian restaurants all a few steps from each other.
Where to stay: Pack your bags and get cozy in the Sandman Suites to be in the heart of the neighbourhood.
Chinatown
Best neighbourhood in Vancouver to visit for: Discovering Vancouver’s cultural heritage and great dim sum
Established in the 1890s, Vancouver’s Chinatown is a hub of vibrant culture and rich in architecture. Here you’ll find one of Canada’s narrowest buildings, the now-renamed Sam Kee Building, and lots of historic Vancouver attractions that are worth a look.
The top sight in this Vancouver neighbourhood is undoubtedly Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, the first classical Chinese Garden in Canada. The garden is complete with art exhibitions, events, and beautiful outdoor scenery and even evening shows and performances. Want to learn about the history of Canada’s largest Chinatown? We recommend doing a walking tour or food tour with Judy Lam Maxwell, who runs Historical Chinatown Tours.
Vancouver’s Chinatown offers plenty of dim sum options for all kinds of dining styles and budgets. Indulge in some fancy dim sum at Bao Bei on Keefer Street, which has a fantastic tapas menu and inspired signature cocktails. If you want some cheap dim sum for take-out, try Kam Wai Dim Sum. Need a sweet treat? Hit up Mello for a brioche donut unlike anything you’ve ever had. Vegan or vegetarian? Check out Aiyaohno Cafe for some smoothies or sandwiches.
Where to stay in Chinatown: We already suggested this one, but we really think the Skwachàys Lodge deserves another mention. Check out the Indigenous art gallery that’s part of the hotel for a peek into Canada’s history. On a budget to save all your cash on snacks? Your best option in this downtown Vancouver neighbourhood is the Cambie Hostel in historic Gastown, just three minutes from Chinatown.
Kitsilano
Best Vancouver neighbourhood for: Beach bums and nature lovers
This beautiful beachside Vancouver neighbourhood is an ocean lover’s dream, not to mention one of the best neighbourhoods to live in Vancouver. Kitsilano (or Kits, if you’re a local or trying to become one), is close to the downtown area and also walkable to some of the city’s best beaches. It also encompasses Vancouver’s Greektown, so if you’re in the mood for a souvlaki, you’ve come to the right place.
Kits is home to a number of typical Vancouver attractions like the Museum of Vancouver, the Vancouver Maritime Museum, and the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, which just announced its 2023 season. For trivia lovers, Kitsilano is also the birthplace of the world-famous activewear brand Lululemon, so you might want to stock up if you’re feeling sporty.
Kitsilano Beach is the main attraction of this Vancouver neighbourhood, and if it’s warm enough, head on over there for a game of volleyball or swim in the outdoor saltwater Kitsilano Pool and enjoy some public art. When you’re done, head to the Boathouse Restaurant and pair seafood with sea views.
Where to stay: Kitsilano is home to a lot of B&Bs, including Kitsilano Point Beach B&B. A hidden gem in Vancouver, the Granville Island Hotel is a luxury hotel only a 10-minute drive from Kitsilano Beach, ideal for a weekend getaway.
Yaletown
Best for: Sidewalk cafés and outdoor patios where you can feel like a local
With narrow streets, warehouses, and old brick buildings, the Vancouver neighbourhood of Yaletown has a Lower Manhattan feel. What was once an industrial area in Vancouver has been transformed into a fashionable shopping district, with restaurants, sidewalk cafés, and plenty of patios for people-watching. With so much to offer and a hip, trendy vibe, Yaletown is definitely one of the nicest neighbourhoods in Vancouver.
Engine 374 Pavilion at The Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre is a homage to Yaletown. The pavilion is home to the first transcontinental train to arrive in Vancouver, back in 1887. Admission is free at this attraction and there are volunteers here happy to answer any of your questions. Yaletown’s waterfront along the picturesque Vancouver seawall is also a big draw, connecting David Lam Park and George Wainborn Park.
The Yaletown Brewing Company is a neighbourhood staple. Try one of their delicious seasonal beers they offer on tap. Head to Blue Water Café for outstanding seafood, or the ultra-chic Banter Room for stunning cocktails and communal food offerings to share with friends and family.
Where to stay: Opus Vancouver in Yaletown is a four-star boutique hotel, popular with celebrities and fashionistas. With contemporary guestrooms and excellent service, the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver is a great mid-range alternative. A good budget-friendly option close to Yaletown is HI Vancouver Central Hostel.
Lower Lonsdale
Best neighbourhood in Vancouver for: Exploring an urban waterfront market with proximity to trails and mountains
Located in North Vancouver, this neighbourhood is right by the waterfront and has some of the best views of the city’s skyline and the North Shore Mountains. Lower Lonsdale has a rich history in shipbuilding, but today is one of Vancouver’s fastest-growing neighbourhoods.
Check out the Lonsdale Quay Market for fresh produce and boutique stores. The Polygon Gallery showcases Canadian art, with a focus on photography. Visit Fishworks for fresh, modern seafood dishes, like their signature wild Pacific Halibut Poutine. Buddha-Full is a great go-to spot for brunch and lots of plant-based delights, or visit Lift Breakfast Bakery for handmade pastries and excellent coffee. Got a beer lover on your hands? Both Beere Brewing Company and North Point Brewing are favourite spots for a sip. That said, there are plenty more around this part of town, so keep exploring!
By the way, if you’re looking to try some hiking while you’re in Vancouver, we’ve curated a guide to the best hiking trails in the Vancouver area.
Where to stay: Ideally located seaside at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue is the luxurious, boutique Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier. For mid-priced accommodation, the Holiday Inn & Suites North Vancouver is only a 10-minute drive away.
Best Vancouver neighbourhoods: FAQs
For those with a higher budget, Yaletown is definitely considered one of the top spots in Vancouver. For those on a budget, the city’s West End can offer more affordable options while still being fun. While rents in Kitsilano are generally still in the mid-range/upscale range, there are deals to be found. The East End and the suburbs of North Van offer more affordable rents in the Vancouver area, more space for families, and plenty of outdoorsy things to do.
South Cambie is generally considered the safest neighbourhood in Vancouver in 2023.
Whether or not you’re an active person or into music and art, there’s plenty to explore in Vancouver. On top of the amazing mountains and beaches, Vancouver also has one of the most vibrant, global food scenes in Canada.
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