Gastown’s Gems: Top 5 Food & Drink Hotspots in Vancouver
Gastown, Vancouver, a place with that blend of Victorian architecture and a feel that has some edge to it, is more than just pretty buildings; it’s got a food scene that’s just bursting to be discovered. So, very come with me as we check out my personal favorites—the top five spots where you can grub and have a drink in this super cool part of town.
1. L’Abattoir: Where French Flair Meets West Coast Style
L’Abattoir, it’s located in what feels like the absolute heart of Gastown, like your old friend’s place only this old friend is sophisticated, elegant, and surprisingly doesn’t hog the TV remote; anyway, you will spot it, you know, where the neighborhood’s brick and cobblestone seem most historic. I mean, to be honest, it’s not just a meal you’re getting there, but really a total experience that tingles with modern French cooking blended with local West Coast tastes. What that results in, usually, is food that has both an elegant complexity, and like something very honest at its base. When I once ate their steak frites, by the way, the steak basically melted, and the fries? Think perfect level crispy.
The setting inside the dining area is intimate and well lit, almost cinematic, which is something that just gets you comfy, you know? Like your cozy blanket during that sad movie you like to torture yourself with on those lazy Sundays; still the best part of my visits always happens to be ordering their seasonally rotating cocktails up at their bar–they’re so artistic you almost would feel shame to mix them up when you drink! And in case you are lucky, they just might have that elderflower liquor, anyway be sure to order up what they do with that! Very divine! A night at L’Abattoir is that kind of place you actually remember; its that one memorable part of a blur. I mean the details? Like you’ll talk about with anyone who listens to, for a really long time.
2. The Diamond: Cocktails with a View and Vibe
Okay, The Diamond: tucked way up high on the second floor, up some stairs that’s almost feel like that thing from your nightmares, where you go up but always seem to get no where and that look really easy… but don’t kid yourself. But trust when I say this. It is very worthy it. From up top there you are in such a great location you almost think you’re watching some kind of action movie or a TV show pilot. Also the reason you climbed up all of those stairs is this is your big reward — that cocktail is almost perfectly mixed, made from ingredients so rare you likely cannot get them without the proper license and knowledge (ok I’m embellishing but this is a review, humor me!), which is almost a pleasure itself. I swear! The vibe is sort of subdued–like its your speakeasy that you feel lucky enough that you were trusted to know how to get to–which goes well alongside the soft talk floating about in the venue itself as most patrons also share your luck in knowing that place too!
On most nights that place has that nice mellow, sophisticated yet accessible buzz and hum that allows for it to remain chill, and not like the bumpin’ beats that other, similar joints tend to want to bring. If, for instance, I’m hoping for that super-craft cocktail with a real cool, laid-back background vibe and feel The Diamond usually comes up in my head first because it’s one of those easy, not trying to be hard, yet good sort of memories you like. In general what tends to strike me too as important is that everyone is on the same page with what it has to offer, and respects each other which only helps bring it together to be the great place I describe.
3. MeeT Gastown: Vegan Comfort Food That Everyone Loves
You would not really figure Gastown would host some place that specialized as something that had comfort at its core — it may tend to project that cool aloof feel at its base, but trust in what they’ve managed to cook. What Meet does over there is make the usual grub, very greasy yet satisfying meals most tend to look to soothe what might be ailing them but with vegan recipes instead. That said if you think something wholesome like that might ruin its appeal or that they’d go too weird with it fear not! They usually don’t miss.. Its like your average guilty-pleasure meal you get out except just without a face — but still super yummy. Anyway, if you feel you want a bowl loaded with rich stuff with a hearty meal, then I definitely recommend Meet for sure. So just think mac ‘n’ cheese and burgers only like the responsible (but just as crazy!) sibling.
What I do always find so cool also is that despite having plant-based meals be the focus point they are actually attracting all the crowds regardless — what most would feel might alienate some might bring it to other people. And to see it in Gastown just is so interesting considering what other sorts of meals that it’s known for. Plus I would note the restaurant itself also is warm inside, feels like everyone belongs so, anyway regardless if you dig on being health-conscious and tree-hugging I’m thinking most folks should actually dig on this place so check them out!.
4. Guu with Garlic: Izakaya Vibes and Bold Flavors
So alright. In Gastown’s mix that place that makes food inspired from what most Japanese places do very, very great anyway is actually located smack right right in what should be the busy main section. It’s usually quite easy to catch on to: you know, that big lively happy place bursting loud, right? With all kinds of really intense flavors wafting? Its an izakaya styled one by the Guu group and this joint they did there they chose the almighty and very powerful GARLIC as what makes it be what it is. Is that interesting or is that just something?.
It is a meal that’s supposed that you are gonna share, anyway that makes it better, more inclusive like some kind of familial bonding which I just dig, you know? The place itself always jumps up and down with something that tends to just stay exciting, loud shouts, a crazy good set of chefs that’re on show, all that very cool jazz! Just thinking of being there again just makes me really long to actually return. A lot! When people wanna chow Japanese in a really energetic almost too crazy setting? I can easily shoot up Guu’s name when this is relevant!
5. Pourhouse: Classic Cocktails and Comfort Food in Style
Pourhouse seems almost the type of place ripped right outta a time portal; its interior? You usually feel transported almost a century and then a little bit further behind which has actually proven a thing I now am very okay and love. This, very beautiful saloon inspired venue actually serves up eats like the really traditional American dishes–but just built up in a way with care. So like, they basically offer most the common foods done only perfectly right and made at a very extremely refined sort of caliber.. Also! You would just absolutely not go and have some kind of meal in that bar place but leave it out without drinking at least one glass!.
Basically they just actually focus entirely only to just perfecting it on something that you can really tell in all the many little bits like the ice, spirits plus the mixes, usually like really everything! Very classsy and just makes the feel better that you aren’t at the current. That actually does feel cool cause who wouldn’t want that really! All their folks? They can crank a glass of liquor almost better and much cleaner than that I’d just can mix by own self, really. Anyhoo, when desiring that drink that can carry more of an old classy kick? Shoot up that Pourhouse to get it filled very!