KITSILANO
Bordered to the North by the stunning Kitsilano Beach, Kitsilano is one of the most desirable areas in Vancouver. The area runs South to 16th Avenue and spans an area East-West from Burrard Street to Alma Street. Walking distance to the downtown core, delightful Granville Island, a variety of parks and beaches, and so much more, Kitsilano is an ideal location for those striving to achieve that delicate balance between work and play. If you are looking for that laid back Westcoast attitude that Vancouver is famous for, you will find it here!
View Active Listings Here.HIGHLIGHTS
Kitsilano is a haven for great shopping, wonderful restaurants and fantastic people watching. West 4th Avenue is the highlight of the Kits shopping and dining experience, especially the area stretching from Burrard Street to Balsam Street. Here you will find high end Yoga wear stores (Kits was the birthplace of Lululemon after all) mixed in with consignment stores galore. Dog bakeries, baby shops and organic food stores line the streets, as do coffee shops, pubs and fine cuisine. It is an eclectic mix of upscale urban and retro chic.
Kitsilano Beach is easily one of the most visited places in Vancouver during the summer time, especially by locals. With a large beach, pool, tennis courts, a dog park, playground, basketball courts, Watermark restaurant, a maritime museum and a conservatory, there are plenty of attractions. Kits Beach is also one of the best people watching locales in the city.
KITSILANO HOTLIST
Best Brunch:
This is a tough one... Cafe Zen on Yew St. where the decor leaves much to the imagination, but the servings never leave you hungry. Honourable mention goes to Sophie’s Cosmic Café.
Best Lunch:
The waterfront patio and modern stylings at the Watermark (on Kits Beach) makes it a great choice on a sunny day.
Best Dinner:
The Smoking Dog on 1st Ave, where the fine French cuisine, great service and friendly crowd keep us coming back. New competition is growing quickly though, with Tratorria, Gastropod and Bistro Bistro providing excellent choices as well.
Best Place to Grab a Drink After Work:
Brown’s Social House offers great martini’s, a decent wine list, tapas menu and modern décor that make it a good choice most days of the week.
Best Takeout:
The Noodlebox offers quick and tasty stirfrys and noodle dishes. Delicious and healthy!
Best Late Night Eatery:
Hell’s Kitchen on 4th is always lively and offers an excellent blend of tapas style share plates, stellar pizzas and array of large meals, plus daily drink specials.
Best Coffee:
The Epicurean on 1st and Cypress has great coffee and a wonderful deli. Of course, there is a Starbucks within a few blocks…
Nightlife:
There is surprising little in the way of true nightlife in Kitsilano. If dancing is your thing, try Lola's Cabaret on Broadway. It's tough to find, but always a blast once you are inside. Be warned: The typical crowd here is under 25.
Shopping:
Everything on 4th Avenue! Seriously! Take an afternoon and walk the strip from Burrard to Balsam, you won't regret it!
Outdoor Activities:
It's pretty tough to beat a morning run in the Spring through Kits Beach along to Granville Island. Running along the water as you look up at the snow covered mountains is about the best way we can think of to remove the stress from a hectic week. If you are looking for a partner activity, hit the tennis courts at Kits Beach. Or take the dog down to the off-leash dog park and make some new friends!
