I'll be down there for a week in July. I would say i'm pretty adventurous in my eating, at least I like to try a lot of different things. I would love to get a wide range of restaurants that I could go to. I.e. breakfast, lunch, dinner.
I've just been reading and here that seafood and fusion food are among the most popular and would love to eat at places a lot of locals eat at.
It's been about 8 years since I've live there, so my current knowledge is limited. However... here are some guidelines.
Downtown Vancouver, tending more towards the west (towards Stanley Park) has a wealth of english language schools, mostly asian kids go to these colleges. If you see a small restaurant, full loud asian looking college kids - you've found one of their favourite places. You can be sure that the food tastes like home, and that the prices will be cheap. There used to be Korean restaurant on Denman (may still be there - east side, 1 to 3 blocks south of Robson) that had a strong Korean student clientele. They had something like 15 different flavours of Korean whiskey. And by "flavours" I mean, Orange, Lime, Lavender, Grape, etc...
Across the street and down a couple of blocks is a Japanese pub style place. Has dark wood on the front, and looks fancy. But I've been told it's a real gem.
At the south end of Denman, on the west side, is a sushi place. Not licensed to sell alcohol, but good sushi for a fabulous price. I think it's called Akira, but don't quote me. It's our favourite sushi place. It's across the street from a fancy sushi place called something like "Apopo" (I can't remember the name, but when you see it you'll see why that name seems right). The fancy place is upstairs, and it looks nice - but we prefer the small place I recommended first. Just a block or so down is the Won More. East side of Denman, upstairs via a spiral set of steps on the outside of the building. The Won More overlooks the Bay. Szechuan food (spicey!). All the hot dishes are cooked in a large wok, in the front window, that sits over a jet engine. You'll see what I mean if you go.
Please don't take this wrong. If you see a bunch of Americans in a restaurant, then it's not an authentic Vancouver restaurant. Vancouver is incredibly multicultural (even more so than NY city by some measures) and a young city. So, if you see a bunch of young, ethnic people in a restaurant, then look a little more closely. If they are all wearing name tags and/or wearing the same hat or t-shirt or travel bag, then you've found a bus tour - food may or may not be good. If they're young, ethnic, and not a bus tour then you've found a "Vancouverite" restaurant.
Also try Fiddlehead Joe's (across the water from Granville Island, a little west on the seawall. You can take either ferry from the Island to a stop nearby the restaurant. Ask your ferry driver.
Granville island is fun. There is a lot to explore there. Eat in the food court, or buy fresh bread, deli stuff, etc from the food vendors. Thursdays are when the "truck market" shows up. Basically farmers from the area show up and sell out of the back of their trucks, in addition to the regular farmers market inside. If you see a fellow selling tomatoes, with a line of people waiting to buy.... lets just say there is a reason why people are waiting in line to buy
his tomatoes.
There is micro-brewery on the island (Granville Island Brewing), but BC is teaming with micro-brews. I like Pender island Porter, for something dark. If you want something really hoppy try Hop-Head (I think from the Nelson Brewing Co., but I could be wrong... we are currently out of Hop-Head at home so I can't look.)
Depending on the season, you may be able to do a salmon fishing charter out of Granville Island. There are a couple or rivers that empty in the harbour, and if the Salmon are running you can fish for them at the mouths of the river.
Just about the entire city's waterfront has been turned into a "sea-wall". Which is a walking, rollerblading, biking path that runs for 10s of km. Just pay attention to the lane separations (smooth paved paths are for blades and bikes, brick pavers are for walkers). You can rent bikes and blades from any number of places. The bike helmet laws are enforced.
If you have a car (rental or one you've driven up) don't leave
anything of
any value visible. One of the major blemishes on Vancouver is that it's got the worst (or at least one of the worst) records for theft from cars on the continent. People will break a window for cupcake, an umbrella, a quarter. So, just don't leave anything out.
It probably won't rain much in July. May not rain at all. Or, it could rain for a week. Welcome to the west coast. But July is generally gorgeous.
If you haven't booked rooms yet, try the YWCA on Beatty street. It's a bit of secret (well, not any more....)
If you have a car, you can do a circle tour via BC ferries. Drive north to Horseshoe Bay, take the ferry to Nanaimo. Head west towards Tofino as far as Cathedral Grove. It's a BC Park that has an old growth forest of Douglas Firs. These rival the Red Woods of California for size. What is amazing at the Grove is that a few years ago there was a massive windstorm that blew through and knocked a bunch of trees down. It's quite amazing to see a bunch of giant trees (30ft or so around) knocked down and piled like pickup sticks. The pile is on the south side ( the left side) as you drive in.
Either keep going for truly scenic drive, through Port Alberni and on to Tofino, or turn back at Cathedral Grove and head south towards Victoria to do the circle tour in a day. If you go to Tofino you may need to book a night there. Tofino is where Pacific Rim National Park is, and is the home to Long Beach. Big surfing community there.
Head south on Vancouver island, from Nanaimo. Make sure to visit Cowichan Bay. There is really good bakery next to a good cheese shop there. There are a number of wineries in the Cow Bay area, and you can picnic at most of them - and sample the wine. Some of them have a tasting fee (personally, I don't like the fees, but I understand why) that is credited towards any purchase. So buy a bottle for the room.
Victoria is a very "English" City. Splash out for "High Tea" at the Empress Hotel, or hit the Superior Cafe for dinner. There is ferry back to Vancouver from Swartz Bay, about 30 minutes north of Victoria. Some of the Vancouver-Victoria ferries have a "Pacific Buffet" on board, that is surprising good. I'm on one of the islands you dodge on the way out of Swartz Bay.
You can do the circle the other way too of course. Call BC ferries to get the best rate. I think they have a deal on the circle tour thing.
For a 2 or 3 day trip, take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to the Sunshine Coast and drive up the coast to Powell River. Then you cross by ferry to Vancouver Island. If you like to fish, head up to Campbell River and do a Salmon charter. (Call first to make sure they're in season). Then drive south to Nanaimo and back to Vancouver (short circle) or carry on down the island for the long circle (see above).
OK, I'm going to stop now.
Be aware that BC liquor laws are probably more strict than what you are used to. And drinking and driving here is an absolute zero tolerance affair. I know some places in the US are stricter than others, and I don't know where OK comes in.
You will need a passport to visit. Actually, we don't really care, but since the USA now insists on passports to get back into America - including from it's own citizens - it's a lot easier for Canada to insist on passports too rather than housing Americans who can't get back home.
Canadian & US dollar are more or less at par. But you find it easier to convert your cash to Canadian $$. But you can do that here. And most tourist shops will take American dollars, but they may not give you a good exchange rate.
Blah blah blah.... come and have a good time....
