Okay, so you’re downtown attending VIFF, and only have a short period of time while running between screenings located either at Empire Granville 7, Vancity Theatre, or the Pacific Cinémathí¨que, and you need to refuel. And fast. And perhaps you’re on a budget, after spending tons on tickets or a VIFF pass.

If you want something quick, fast, and cheap, but want something other than the usual fast food chains, where can you go?

Here's a quick list of primarily cafeteria-style or counter-service places off the top of my head. Some may seem obvious but there are a few options that you may not have been aware of.

(If you're looking for fine dining selections, the VIFF site has a restaurant guide of venues that are sponsoring or hosting VIFF events.)

VEGETARIAN/VEGAN/HEALTHY

If you’re looking for vegetarian or vegan food, Nuba (1206 Seyrmour Street, near Vancity Theatre and the Pacific Cinémathí¨que) has a wide range of Lebanese cuisine selections.

There’s also Choices Market Yaletown (1202 Richards Street), which has a salad bar and take-out deli if you want something more casual. Or if you're looking for health-oriented drinks and snacks to consume while you're waiting in long lineups in the rain and cold, there's a lot to choose from there.

If you’re near Granville 7, there's Insalata, a self-serve salad bar located in the Pacific Centre food court (near the Bay’s mall entrance).

Or there's a salad bar and deli at the MarketPlace IGA at Burrard and Smithe (909 Burrard Street).

There's also a deli at Nesters Market Yaletown (990 Seymour Street) at the corner of Seymour and Nelson.

ABOVE STREET LEVEL

While there are numerous options to consider as you wander along the street, don’t forget to look up.

Gallery Café—located on the second floor of the Vancouver Art Gallery, this is a bright, breezy cafeteria-style venue, with a European-influenced range of lunch fare, including salads, soups, sandwiches, and desserts. Plus there's also coffee and wine.

Cuiscene—a cafeteria with modern decor hidden away on one of the upper levels of Sears (Robson and Granville). I’ve never actually eaten there (only wandered through it) so I can’t vouch for the food but here are some reviews. If you’re looking to get away from it all while staying on Robson Street, this is one that’s tucked away from the hustle and bustle.

The Bay (Georgia and Granville)—Got a Bay card and want to make use of it? There’s the deli on the basement level, which has everything from pastries to salads; the full-service Al Fresco Café on the Skywalk level, which serves pizzas, salads, and more; and the cafeteria on one of the top floors (whenever I've gone there, it's been primarily filled with a seniors crowd).

Law Courts Inn (800 Smithe Street)—This isn't a cafeteria like the other options but most people don’t know about this place so I thought I'd mention it. Our former food editor Angela Murrills reviewed it back in 2004. The public restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch.

H-Mart (590 Robson Street)—at the entrance on street level, there’s a little coffee shop with Asian baked goods to enjoy. But if you’re looking for a meal, head up the escalators to the food fair located on the Robson Street side of the second floor. A wide variety of Korean (and some Japanese) food is available where you can satiate far more than just your kim chi craving.

(When you get to the top of the escalators, you'll find a grocery store, where you might also pick up some food. But to get to the food court, turn immediately left and head past the aisle of cashiers towards the row of windows on the Robson Street side of the building.)

ASIAN FAST FOOD

In addition to H-Mart, there’s the relatively new stretch of restaurants along Robson from Seymour to the Vancouver Public Library that offer a lot of Japanese fast food.

Ebi Ten (388 Robson Street) is always shockingly fast, consistent quality, and has really reasonable prices. It's counter-service so no worries about tip. There are donburi rice bowls topped with chicken teriyaki, tempura, or mabo tofu (often with greens), or udon, sushi, takoyaki, and more.

The newer Gyudonya (500 Robson Street) serves a similar menu of donburi. It’s always packed and has servers but it's still super efficient and just as stomach-pleasing.

There’s also famous and super popular Japadog (530 Robson Street) with their Japanese fusion hot dogs. There’s usually a lineup but they’re generally speedy as well.

For those looking for something a bit more than just the familiar favourites, Kushi Box (520 Robson Street), run by the Zakkushi izakaya chain, offers a different takeout-oriented menu of Japanese fingerfood like tsukune (skewered meatballs), oden served in dashi broth, and more.

And to top it off, you can grab a Beard Papa (548 Robson Street) cream puff. (Gotta love that name.)

There’s also Next Noodle Bar (560 Robson Street) with its wide-ranging pan-Asian menu. It can be uneven in quality at times but can do the trick if you’re looking for something fast and cheap or are looking for dishes from China, Singapore, or Southeast Asia. (But this is not a counter-service place; it does have servers.)

Do you have any suggestions? Have any opinions about any of these places? Feel free to post them in the comment section below.