Ever felt deep cravings long after the most sensible of restaurateurs have called it a night? A drive-through McDonald's or a too-bright Denny's won't cut it? There is plenty of yummy fare to be had beyond midnight: atmosphere and imaginative, tasty food abound. (Low lighting at 3 a.m. is also a plus.) We've talked to restaurant and shift workers, clubgoers, and insomniacs, all of whom share a hunger for fine eats past the witching hour.

The Naam (2724 West 4th Avenue; open 24 hours) Not much has changed over 30 years of serving wholesome, organic vegetarian victuals, which is sort of comforting.

Calhoun's Bakery Cafe (3035 West Broadway; open 24 hours) This huge barn of a place teems with familiar faces. Or maybe it's familiar types. There's a good, eclectic menu: sandwich rolls, wraps, enchiladas, chili, pastas, and lots of yummy sweet treats.

Benny's Bagels (2503 West Broadway; Sunday to Thursday to 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday open 24 hours) We've always liked the refined postapocalyptic atmosphere here and the no- attitude 'tude of customers and staff. Excellent bagels many ways, salads, and sweets.

Hal Mae Jib (1719 Robson Street; Sunday to Thursday to 2 a.m., Friday and Saturday to 5 a.m.) Homesick ESL students regularly swarm this Korean hole-in-the-wall. Servers are friendly, and the steamed dumplings and bool go gee (soy barbecued beef rib-eye) are fine.

The Vineyard (2296 West 4th Avenue; Sunday to Thursday to 4:30 a.m., Friday and Saturday to 6:30 a.m.) This Kits staple serves Greek and Canadian dishes until the early hours. Breakfast isn't on the menu, but if it's not busy, they'll sometimes rustle up some.

DV8 (515 Davie Street; Monday to Thursday to 3 a.m., Friday to Sunday to 4 a.m.) There's a lot to like here-music, art, and food from everywhere to satisfy any appetite or craving: sushi, wings, vegan miso hot pot, burgers, and quesadillas.

Fresgo Inn (1138 Davie Street; nightly to 4 a.m.) This old-timer changed hands a couple of years back and it's "modernized". If you're in an altered state of any sort, don't look up. Steaks and burgers rule.

Hamburger Mary's (1202 Davie Street; Sunday to 2 a.m., Monday to Thursday to 3 a.m., Friday and Saturday to 4 a.m.) With 25 years in the burger biz, Mary doubtless has decades more to go. Burgers (regular, organic, and wild) and shakes are tops.

Brix (1138 Homer Street; Monday to Saturday to 2 a.m., closed Sunday) The courtyard's been glassed in, and there's a new late-night menu with a wild tasting platter of oysters, sausages, prawns, and cassoulet.

Lucy Mae Brown (862 Richards Street; Wednesday to Sunday to 2 a.m.) Small plates upstairs and down after 11 p.m.

The Crime Lab (1280 West Pender Street; weekends to 2 a.m.) A favourite Vancouver party zone. They no longer break all the rules at Crime Lab, but stiff drinks, good times, and a full menu including satays, mussels, and pastas are the order of the night.

Fiction (3162 West Broadway; nightly to 2 a.m.) Fiction's new menu is loaded with small plates: mussels, baby back ribs, yam frites, charcuterie and cheeses, and mains like flatiron steaks and burgers. DJs spin late.

Sugar Daddy's (1167 Davie Street; nightly to 2 a.m.) If pizza, burgers, and big-screen TVs are your thing, this popular Davie Villager will fill the bill.

Congee Noodle House (141 East Broadway; weeknights to 1 a.m., weekends to 2 a.m.) An old favourite of old friend James Barber, the Congee features seafood congee, chicken congee, barbecued-duck congee, and more congee.

Bin 941/Bin 942 (941 Davie Street and 1521 West Broadway; nightly to 1:30 a.m.) Some of the town's best bites, all at $12 a pop: portobello cutlet, Aussie lamb steak, mussels many ways-always lively, always loud.

Gyoza King (1508 Robson Street; Monday to Thursday to 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday to 1:30 a.m.) A perennial magnet for off-duty chefs, who make a beeline for a feed of gyozas the second they shed their whites.

Hell's Kitchen (2041 West 4th Avenue; Monday to Thursday to 12:30 a.m., Friday and Sunday to 1:30 a.m.) The varied menu includes pad Thai, burgers, pizzas, and pastas.