Once again, our readers have let us know the best that Vancouver has to offer. Our 17th annual survey features 260 categories and winners from all over the Lower Mainland.

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Food & DrinkBack to Top

Best restaurant (independent)

  1. Chambar Restaurant, 562 Beatty
  2. The Eatery, 3431 W. Broadway
  3. Vij's, 1480 W. 11th

Best kid-friendly restaurant

  1. White Spot, Various Locations
  2. Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co., Various Locations
  3. Little Nest, 1716 Charles

Best vegan-friendly business

  1. The Naam Restaurant, 2724 W. 4th
  2. OrganicLives, 451 Granville St
  3. Karmavore Vegan Shop, 610 Columbia St., New West

Best place for gluten-free eats

  1. OrganicLives, 451 Granville St
  2. The Wallflower Modern Diner, 2420 Main
  3. The Gluten Free Epicurean, 633 E. 15th ave

Best all-day breakfast

  1. Bon’s Off Broadway, 2451 Nanaimo
  2. Denny's Restaurant, Various Locations
  3. Joe's Grill, Various Locations
  4. Lucy's Eastside Diner, 2708 Main

Best restaurant/café with free Wi-Fi

  1. Starbucks, Various locations
  2. Waves Coffee House, Various locations
  3. Kafka’s Coffee & Tea, 2525 Main Street

Best brunch

  1. Medina Cafe, 556 Beatty
  2. Milestones Grill + Bar, Various Locations
  3. Provence, Various Locations
  4. Twisted Fork Bistro, 1147 Granville

Best bakery (bread)

  1. Terra Breads, Various Locations
  2. COBS Bread, Various locations
  3. Uprising Breads Bakery, Various Locations

Best grocery store

  1. Whole Foods Market, Various Locations
  2. Donald's Market, Various locations
  3. Save On Foods, Various locations

Best produce store

  1. Kin's Farm Market, Various locations
  2. Whole Foods Market, Various Locations
  3. Donald's Market, Various locations

Best organic produce store

  1. Whole Foods Market, Various Locations
  2. Choices Market, Various locations
  3. Donald's Market, Various locations

Best cheese store

  1. Les Amis du Fromage, Various Locations
  2. Benton Brothers Fine Cheese, Various Locations
  3. La Grotta Del Formaggio, 1791 Commercial

Best butcher

  1. Windsor Quality Meats, 4110 Main Street
  2. Save On Meats, 43 W. Hastings
  3. Jackson's Meats & Deli, 2214 West 4th Avenue

Best fresh seafood store

  1. Granville Island Public Market, 1689 Johnston Street
  2. Seven Seas Fish Company, Various locations
  3. The Daily Catch Seafood Company, 1418 Commercial Drive

Best gelato/ice cream shop

  1. Mario's Gelati, 88 East 1st Avenue
  2. La Casa Gelato, 1033 Venables
  3. Bella Gelateria, 1001 W. Cordova

Best coffee shop (independent)

  1. 49th Parallel, Various Locations
  2. Continental Coffee, 1806 Commercial
  3. Revolver, 325 Cambie

Best coffee shop (national chain)

  1. Starbucks, Various locations
  2. Tim Hortons, Various locations
  3. Blenz, Various Locations

Best fair-trade coffee shop

  1. Salt Spring Coffee, Various Locations
  2. JJ Bean, Various Locations
  3. Ethical Bean Xpress, Various locations

Best tea shop

  1. The Secret Garden Tea Room, 5559 West Blvd.
  2. DAVIDsTEA, Various locations
  3. The Urban Tea Merchant, Various Locations
  4. Murchie's Tea & Coffee, Various locations

Best bubble tea shop

  1. Dragon Ball Tea House, 1007 W. King Edward
  2. Bubble World, Various Locations
  3. Pearl Fever, Various locations

Best wine store

  1. Liberty Wine Merchants, Various Locations
  2. Legacy Liquor Store, 1633 Manitoba
  3. B.C. Liquor Stores, Various locations

Best local microbrewery

  1. Granville Island Brewing, 1441 Cartwright Street
  2. Central City Brewing Company, 190-13450 102nd Ave., Surrey
  3. Storm Brewing, 310 Commercial Drive

Best locally brewed beer

  1. Granville Island Lions Winter Ale
  2. Central City Red Racer IPA
  3. Granville Island English Bay Pale Ale

Best B.C. beer brewed outside Vancouver

  1. Okanagan Springs
  2. Phillips
  3. Kokanee

Best Canadian beer brewed outside B.C.

  1. Steam Whistle
  2. Sleeman
  3. Moosehead

Best imported beer

  1. Stella Artois
  2. Heineken
  3. Corona

Best B.C. wine/winery (white wine)

  1. Mission Hill Family Estate, 1730 Mission Hill Road
  2. JoieFarm Wines, 2825 Naramata Road
  3. Quails' Gate, 3303 Boucherie Road
  4. Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, 100 Burrowing Owl Place

Best B.C. wine/winery (red wine)

  1. Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, 100 Burrowing Owl Place
  2. Mission Hill Family Estate, 1730 Mission Hill Road
  3. Quails' Gate, 3303 Boucherie Road

Best wine festival

  1. Vancouver International Wine Festival
  2. Okanagan Wine Festival
  3. Naramata Bench Wine Festival

Best B.C. wine festival

  1. Okanagan Wine Festival
  2. Vancouver International Wine Festival
  3. Cornucopia
  4. Naramata Bench Wine Festival

Best place for cheap beer

  1. The Cambie, 300 Cambie Street
  2. Cafe Crepe, Various Locations
  3. Army, Navy, and Air Force Veteran's Club

Best pickup bar (M seeking F)

  1. The Roxy, 932 Granville Street
  2. Lamplighter Public House, 92 Water Street
  3. The Cambie, 300 Cambie Street
  4. Sandbar Seafood Restaurant, 1535 Johnston

Best gay bar

  1. Celebrities Night Club, 1022 Davie Street
  2. Lounge 1181, 1181 Davie Street
  3. The Junction Pub

Best strip club

  1. Brandi's Exotic Nightclub, 595 Hornby Street
  2. No. 5 Orange, 205 Main Street
  3. Penthouse Night Club, 1019 Seymour Street

Best coffee shop (local chain)

  1. JJ Bean, Various Locations
  2. Caffè Artigiano, Various Locations
  3. Bean Around the World, Various Locations

Best professional culinary school

  1. Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, 1505 W. 2nd
  2. Vancouver Community College, 250 West Pender Street
  3. The Art Institute of Vancouver

Best bar

  1. Lamplighter Public House, 92 Water Street
  2. Alibi Room, 157 Alexander
  3. The Charles Bar, 136 W. Cordova

Best restaurant (chain)

  1. Cactus Club Cafe, Various Locations
  2. Earls Restaurant, Various Locations
  3. Milestones Grill + Bar, Various Locations

Best place for casual cooking classes

  1. The Dirty Apron Cooking School, 540 Beatty
  2. Quince
  3. Barbara Jo's Books to Cooks, 1740 West 2nd Avenue

Best lesbian club event/bar

  1. Celebrities Night Club, 1022 Davie Street
  2. Hershe Bar, 398 Richards (Red Room)
  3. Man UP, 917 Main Street (The Cobalt)

Best restaurant (fine dining)

  1. Bishop's, 2183 W. 4th
  2. Hawksworth Restaurant, 801 W. Georgia
  3. Chambar Restaurant, 562 Beatty

Best restaurant wine list (B.C. wines)

  1. Raincity Grill, 1193 Denman
  2. Salt Tasting Room, 45 Blood Alley
  3. Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House, 777 Thurlow
  4. Blue Water Café + Raw Bar, 1095 Hamilton

Best romantic restaurant

  1. Seasons in the Park, 405 West 33rd Avenue (Queen Elizabeth Park)
  2. The Boathouse Restaurant, Various Locations
  3. Q4/Quattro, Various Locations
  4. Teahouse in Stanley Park, Ferguson Point, Stanley Park Drive

Best restaurant for meat

  1. Memphis Blues Barbeque House, Various Locations
  2. Meat & Bread
  3. Peckinpah, 2 Water

Best bistro

  1. Tableau Bar Bistro, 1181 Melville
  2. Les Faux Bourgeois, 663 E. 15th
  3. Twisted Fork Bistro, 1147 Granville
  4. Bistro Pastis, 2153 W. 4th

Best restaurant for cheap eats

  1. Stepho's Souvlaki Greek Taverna, 1124 Davie
  2. Save On Meats, 43 W. Hastings
  3. Hawker's Delight, 4127 Main

Best restaurant wine list (international wines)

  1. Blue Water Café + Raw Bar, 1095 Hamilton
  2. Cioppino's and Cioppino's Enoteca, Various Locations
  3. Salt Tasting Room, 45 Blood Alley

Best pub

  1. Irish Heather Gastropub, 210 Carrall
  2. Doolin's Irish Pub
  3. Ceili's Irish Pub and Restaurant, Various Locations

Best patio

  1. Dockside Restaurant, 1253 Johnston Street
  2. Local Public Eatery, 2210 Cornwall
  3. The Boathouse Restaurant, Various Locations

Best restaurant to work for

  1. Cactus Club Cafe, Various Locations
  2. Keg Steakhouse & Bar, Various Locations
  3. Earls Restaurant, Various Locations

Best veggie restaurant

  1. The Naam Restaurant, 2724 W. 4th
  2. The Foundation, 2301 Main
  3. Bandidas Taqueria, 2781 Commercial

Best bakery (pastry)

  1. Thomas Haas Patisserie Chocolate Café, Various Locations
  2. Fratelli Authentic Italian Bakery, 1795 Commercial
  3. Thierry, 1059 Alberni
  4. COBS Bread, Various locations
  5. Terra Breads, Various Locations

Best place for cheap drinks

  1. The Cambie, 300 Cambie Street
  2. Browns Social House, Various Locations
  3. Cafe Crepe, Various Locations

Best restaurant bathroom

  1. Cactus Club Cafe, Various Locations
  2. Joey Restaurants, Various Locations
  3. Earls Restaurant, Various Locations

Best pickup bar (F seeking M)

  1. The Roxy, 932 Granville Street
  2. Biltmore Cabaret
  3. Republic, 958 Granville Street
  4. Yaletown Brewing Company, 1111 Mainland

Best late night takeout

  1. The Naam Restaurant, 2724 W. 4th
  2. Fritz European Fry House, 718 Davie
  3. McDonald's, Various locations

Best restaurant to take out-of-town guests to

  1. The Boathouse Restaurant, Various Locations
  2. Sandbar Seafood Restaurant, 1535 Johnston
  3. Seasons in the Park, 405 West 33rd Avenue (Queen Elizabeth Park)

Best sports bar

  1. Shark Club, Various Locations
  2. Red Card Sports Bar + Eatery, 900 Seymour St
  3. Forum Sports Bar, 1163 Granville Street

Best new restaurant

  1. Fable, 1944 W. 4th
  2. Cactus Club Cafe
  3. Chewies Steam and Oyster Bar, 2201 W. 1st
StyleBack to Top

Best spa (independent)

  1. Le Petit Spa, 4-3701 West Broadway
  2. Linda's Urban Spa, 1888 West 1st Avenue
  3. Kits Beauty Spa, 2486

Best spa (chain)

  1. Spa Utopia & Salon, Various locations
  2. Absolute Spa, Various locations
  3. Skoah, Various locations

Best music rehearsal studio

  1. Sanctuary Studios, 1259
  2. Vancouver Rockspace, 201
  3. Bully's Rehearsal Studios, 67

Best salon for a pedicure/manicure

  1. Pure Nail Bar, Various locations
  2. Bloom Essentials, 3-1854 West 1st Avenue
  3. Spa Utopia & Salon, Various locations

Best laser eye centre

  1. Lasik MD, 101–1281 West Georgia Street
  2. Pacific Laser Eye Centre, 1401 West Broadway
  3. London Eye Centre, 918 12th Street, New Westminster

Best laser hair-removal centre

  1. Arbutus Laser Centre, 106-2025 West Broadway
  2. Dermal Laser, Various locations
  3. Evropa Esthetics & Spa, L03-955 Hornby Street
  4. South Granville Laser & Skin Care Centre, 214-3195 Granville Street

Best place to get a bikini wax

  1. Linda's Urban Spa, 1888 West 1st Avenue
  2. Sugarbox, 202-1290 Homer Street
  3. Dona Lucia Esthetics Salon, 2813 West Broadway

Best place for a beach-ready tan

  1. Sunscape Tanning Studios, Various locations
  2. Banana Tans, 148 East Broadway
  3. Fabutan Sun Tan Studios, Various locations

Best place for cosmetic surgery

  1. Skinworks, 3568 West 41st Avenue
  2. False Creek Healthcare Centre, 555 West 8th Avenue
  3. Dr. Andrew Denton, 202

Best women's clothing store (independent)

  1. Front and Company, 3772 Main
  2. Spank, Various locations
  3. Barefoot Contessa, 3715 Main Street

Best women's clothing store (chain)

  1. Aritzia, Various locations
  2. H&M, Various locations
  3. Zara, Various locations

Best men's clothing store (independent)

  1. Roden Gray, 8 Water Street
  2. Boys' Co, Various locations
  3. Eugene Choo, 3683 Main
  4. Brooklyn Clothing Co., 418 Davie Street

Best place to buy jeans

  1. Dutil, 303 West Cordova Street
  2. Aritzia, Various locations
  3. Gap, Various locations

Best place to buy cosmetics

  1. Sephora, Various locations
  2. MAC, Various locations
  3. Shoppers Drug Mart, Various locations

Best place to buy yoga wear

  1. lululemon athletica, Various locations
  2. Semperviva, Various locations
  3. One Tooth Yoga, 1218 Robson Street

Best bridal store

  1. Bryan's Bride, 4567 Lougheed Highway
  2. Blush Bridal and Special Occasions Wear, 1403 Bellevue Avenue
  3. Bisou Bridal, 440 West 2nd Avenue

Best wedding registry

  1. The Bay, Various locations
  2. Cookworks, 1548 West Broadway
  3. Pottery Barn, 2600 Granville Street

Best wedding photographer

  1. Karolina Turek Photography
  2. MCS Photo (Melissa Skoda)
  3. Angela Hubbard Photography
  4. Blue Olive Photography, 410-55 Water Street

Best baby photographer

  1. Bopomo Pictures, 2631 West Broadway
  2. MCS Photo (Melissa Skoda)
  3. Rhonda Dent Photography

Best local designer clothing store

  1. Dream Apparel And Articles For People, 311 West Cordova Street
  2. Malene Grotrian, 910-207 W Hastings Street
  3. Nicole Bridger, 2151
  4. Devil May Wear, 3957
  5. Smoking Lily, 3634

Best vintage/consignment/second-hand clothing store

  1. Front and Company, 3772 Main
  2. Value Village, Various locations
  3. Mintage, 1714 Commercial Drive

Best shoe store (independent)

  1. gravitypope, 2205 West 4th Avenue
  2. John Fluevog, 837 Granville Street
  3. Umeboshi, 3638 Main Street

Best shoe store (chain)

  1. ALDO, Various locations
  2. Browns, Various locations
  3. Freedman Shoes, Various locations

Best fashion accessory store

  1. Blue Ruby Jewellery, Various locations
  2. ALDO, Various locations
  3. Forever 21, 280–4800 Kingsway, Burnaby

Best baby/toddler store

  1. Toys "R" Us, Various locations
  2. TJ's The Kiddies Store, Various locations
  3. Crocodile Baby, 2156 West 4th Avenue

Best custom jewellery store

  1. Era Custom Design Modern and Vintage Jewellery, 1266 Homer Street
  2. The Sonja Picard Collection, 4360
  3. Jeweliette Jewellery & Accessories, 1090 Hornby Street
  4. Blue Ruby Jewellery, Various locations

Best teens and tweens clothing store

  1. H&M, Various locations
  2. Forever 21, 280–4800 Kingsway, Burnaby
  3. Garage, Various locations
  4. Aritzia, Various locations

Best store for spotting the next trend

  1. H&M, Various locations
  2. Aritzia, Various locations
  3. Holt Renfrew, 737 Dunsmuir Street

Best eyewear store

  1. Bruce Eyewear, 219 Abbott Street
  2. Clearly Contacts, www.clearlycontacts.ca/
  3. LensCrafters, Various locations

Best hair salon

  1. Suki's, Various locations
  2. Rain, 1544 West 2nd Avenue
  3. iDaburn salons, 1073 Cambie Street

Best place for a non-surgical makeover

  1. Dermal Laser, Various locations
  2. ICU Image Consulting, 304-4990 McGeer Street
  3. Skinworks, 3568 West 41st Avenue

Best men's clothing store (chain)

  1. Harry Rosen, 700 West Georgia Street
  2. H&M, Various locations
  3. Zara, Various locations
TravelBack to Top

Best weekend getaway

  1. Whistler
  2. Tofino
  3. Sunshine Coast

Best romantic hideaway (besides your home)

  1. Tofino
  2. Whistler
  3. Harrison Hot Springs

Best ferry destination

  1. Victoria
  2. Sunshine Coast
  3. Bowen Island

Best interior destination

  1. Kelowna
  2. Pentiction
  3. Osoyoos

Best summer destination

  1. Okanagan
  2. Tofino
  3. Whistler

Best winter destination

  1. Whistler
  2. Hawaii
  3. Mexico

Best local travel agency

  1. Flight Centre, Various locations
  2. Jubilee Travel, 201–3011 Underhill Avenue
  3. ATC Adventure Travel Company, 3065

Best out of town spa getaway

  1. Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa, 100 Esplanade Avenue
  2. Scandinave Spa Whistler, 8010
  3. Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort, 1155 Resort Drive

Best resort/hotel - Okanagan

  1. Delta Grand Okanagan Resort and Conference Centre, 1310 Water Street
  2. Sparkling Hill Resort, 888
  3. Watermark Beach Resort, 15
  4. Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa, 1200

Best resort/hotel - Vancouver Island

  1. The Fairmont Empress, 721 Government Street
  2. The Wickaninnish Inn, 500 Osprey Lane
  3. Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort, 1155 Resort Drive
  4. Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, 596

Best resort/hotel - Whistler

  1. Fairmont Chateau Whistler, 4599 Chateau Boulevard
  2. Four Seasons Resort Whistler, 4591 Blackcomb Way
  3. Westin Hotel

Best resort/hotel - Gulf Islands

  1. Poets Cove Resort & Spa, 9801 Spalding Road
  2. Galiano Oceanfront Inn and Spa, 134 Madrona Drive
  3. The Harbour House Hotel on Salt Spring Island, 121

Best B.C. golf resort

  1. Predator Ridge Resort, 301 Village Centre Place
  2. Furry Creek Golf & Country Club, 150
  3. Bear Mountain Resort, 1999 Country Club Way
  4. Whistler Golf Club, 4001

Best adventure-tour company

  1. G Adventures
  2. Lotus Land Tours, 2005
  3. Ziptrek Ecotours, 4340 Sundial Crescent

Best B.C. wilderness resort

  1. West Coast Wilderness Lodge, 6649 Maple Road, Egmont
  2. Clayoquot Wilderness Resort
  3. Sonora Resort
  4. Tyax Resort, Tyaughton Lake Road, Gold Bridge

Best hotel - Metro Vancouver

  1. Fairmont Pacific Rim, 1038 Canada Place
  2. Rosewood Hotel Georgia
  3. Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, 900 W. Georgia

Best local tourist attraction

  1. Stanley Park
  2. Grouse Mountain
  3. Granville Island

Best B.C. bike-tour company

  1. Endless Biking, 1401 Hunter Street
  2. Great Explorations, 203-1338 West 6th Avenue
  3. BikeHike Adventures, 200-1807 Maritime Mews
Mind Body & SoulBack to Top

Best integrated health clinic

  1. Cross Roads Clinics
  2. Integrative Healing Arts
  3. Physiomed, 1677 East Broadway
  4. Elements Wellness Centre & Studio, 207-2678 West Broadway

Best herbal clinic

  1. Gaia Garden, 2672 W Broadway
  2. Finlandia Natural Pharmacy & Health Centre
  3. Sage Clinic
  4. Acubalance Wellness Centre

Best chiropractor

  1. Dr. Shelley Adams, Back2Health Chiropractic Clinic, 450–2184 West Broadway
  2. Dr. Randall Trester, West 1st Chiropractic Wellness Centre, 3-1864 West 1st Avenue
  3. Dr. Suhill Samji, Physiomed, 1677

Best gym (men)

  1. Steve Nash Fitness World, Various locations
  2. Club 16 Trevor Linden Fitness, Various locations
  3. Robert Lee YMCA

Best gym (women)

  1. Steve Nash Fitness World, Various locations
  2. She's Fit, Various locations
  3. Robert Lee YMCA
  4. Club 16 Trevor Linden Fitness, Various locations

Best independent gym

  1. Sweat Co. Workout Studios
  2. Spartacus Athletic Club, 1522 Commercial Drive
  3. Latin Fitness Ztudio

Best personal trainer

  1. Troy Tyrell, TSquared Personalized Training
  2. Sheron Stone, Symmetrix Exercise & Rehab
  3. Ted Loo, Ted Loo Fitness
  4. Maureen Wilson, Sweat Co. Studios

Best physiotherapist

  1. Treloar Physiotherapy, 505–686 West Broadway
  2. Wil Seto, InSync Physiotherapy, 102–4088 Cambie Street
  3. Physio Room, 3418 Main Street

Best martial-arts studio

  1. Purple Dragon Academy of Don Jitsu Ryu, 2939 West 4th Avenue
  2. Elements Academy of Martial Arts, 4465
  3. Academie Duello

Best weight-loss centre

  1. Weight Watchers, Various locations
  2. Dr. Bernstein Diet & Health Clinics, Various locations
  3. Jenny Craig Weight Loss Centres, Various locations

Best dance studio

  1. Harbour Dance Centre
  2. iDance Studio
  3. Exhale Yoga Pilates & Dance Studios Inc

Best boot camp/outdoor training program

  1. Survivor Bootcamp, Various locations
  2. Better Bootcamp Vancouver (Mixx Fitness Personal Training Studio)
  3. Ultrafit Bootcamp, Various locations

Best yoga studio

  1. YYoga, Various locations
  2. Semperviva, Various locations
  3. Open Door Yoga, Various locations
  4. Bikram Yoga, Various locations

Best Pilates studio

  1. Exhale Yoga Pilates & Dance Studios Inc
  2. YYoga, Various locations
  3. The Space

Best supplement store

  1. Finlandia Natural Pharmacy & Health Centre
  2. Popeye's Supplements Canada, Various locations
  3. Body Energy Club, 746 Davie Street

Best medical clinic

  1. Cross Roads Clinics
  2. Seymour Medical Clinic
  3. Khatsahlano Medical Clinics, 2689 West Broadway

Best dentist/dental clinic

  1. Aarm Dental Group, Various locations
  2. Parkview Dental, 230
  3. 123Dentist.com, Various locations
  4. Arbutus North Dental Centre, 2090 West 4th Avenue

Best naturopathic clinic

  1. Sage Clinic
  2. Integrative Healing Arts
  3. Elements Wellness Centre & Studio, 207-2678 West Broadway
  4. Divine Elements Health Centre, 2689

Best acupuncturist

  1. Elements Wellness Centre & Studio, 207-2678 West Broadway
  2. Acubalance Wellness Centre
  3. Glow Acupuncture & Wellness Center

Best massage therapist

  1. Elements Wellness Centre & Studio, 207-2678 West Broadway
  2. Nicole Van Damme's Massage Studio, 123
  3. Holli Husband, Kits Yoga, 6

Best natural pharmacy

  1. Finlandia Natural Pharmacy & Health Centre
  2. Whole Foods Market, Various Locations
  3. Gaia Garden, 2672 W Broadway
City LifeBack to Top

Local hero

  1. Terry Fox
  2. Trevor Linden
  3. Rick Hansen

Best neighbourhood

  1. Kitsilano
  2. Mount Pleasant
  3. West End

Best local politician

  1. Gregor Robertson
  2. Libby Davies
  3. Spencer Chandra-Herbert

Year's dumbest political move

  1. HST issues: enactment, referendum, etc.
  2. Bike lanes
  3. How the Stanley Cup riot and aftermath was handled

Best local employer

  1. lululemon athletica, Various locations
  2. Vancity, Various locations
  3. University of British Columbia

Vancouver's claim to fame

  1. Beautiful scenery
  2. 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
  3. Stanley Park

Vancouver's claim to shame

  1. Stanley Cup riot
  2. Downtown Eastside: homelessness, poverty, drug addiction
  3. Rain

Vancouverite closest to hell

  1. Real Housewives of Vancouver
  2. Christy Clark
  3. Gregor Robertson

Best example of city planning

  1. Bike lanes and routes
  2. Olympic Village
  3. Seawall

Best new condo development

  1. Meccanica by Cressey
  2. Marine Gateway
  3. Telus Garden

Favourite Canucks player

  1. Ryan Kesler
  2. Cory Schneider
  3. Kevin Bieksa

Favourite B.C. Lions player

  1. Geroy Simon
  2. Travis Lulay
  3. Angus Reid

Favourite Whitecaps player

  1. Jay DeMerit
  2. Joe Cannon
  3. Young-Pyo Lee

Favourite Vancouver Canadians player

  1. Balbino Fuenmayor
  2. Javier Avendano
  3. Nicholas Baligod

Best ice skate shop

  1. Cyclone Taylor Sports, Various locations
  2. Larry's Sports, 2029 Lonsdale Avenue
  3. Sport Chek, Various locations

Best skateboard shop

  1. PD's Hot Shop, 2868 W. 4th
  2. Antisocial Skateboard Shop, 2337 Main St
  3. The Boardroom, Various locations

Best sports apparel shop

  1. Mountain Equipment Co-op, 130 West Broadway
  2. lululemon athletica, Various locations
  3. Sport Chek, Various locations

Best indoor climbing gym

  1. Cliffhanger Climbing Gyms, Various locations
  2. The Edge Climbing Centre, 2-1485 Welch Street
  3. The Hive, 520

Best running club

  1. Running Room, Various locations
  2. Forerunners, 3502 West 4th Avenue
  3. lululemon athletica, Various locations

Best sports adventure centre

  1. Richmond Olympic Oval
  2. Squamish Adventure Centre, 101
  3. Ocean Adventure Center, 1601

Best sporting goods store

  1. Mountain Equipment Co-op, 130 West Broadway
  2. Sport Chek, Various locations
  3. Sports Junkies, 102 West Broadway

Best used sporting goods store

  1. Sports Junkies, 102 West Broadway
  2. Cheapskates, 3644 West 16th Avenue
  3. North Shore Sports Swap, 2021 Old Dollarton Road

Best store for buying exercise/fitness equipment

  1. Fitness Town, Various locations
  2. Mountain Equipment Co-op, 130 West Broadway
  3. Fitness Depot, Various locations

Best kayak/canoe rental store

  1. Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak Centre, 2156 Banbury Road
  2. Mountain Equipment Co-op, 130 West Broadway
  3. Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Centre, Various locations

Best neighbourhood/community bike store

  1. Our Community Bikes, 3283 Main Street
  2. Bike Doctor, 137 West Broadway
  3. Ride On, 3469 Main Street

Best local bike store (chain)

  1. Different Bikes, Various locations
  2. The Cap's Group of Specialty Bike Stores, Various locations
  3. Mountain Equipment Co-op, 130 West Broadway
  4. Bike Doctor, 137 West Broadway

Best local casino

  1. River Rock Casino Resort, 8811 River Rd., Richmond
  2. Edgewater Casino, 311–750 Pacific Blvd. S.
  3. Grand Villa Casino

Best community centre

  1. Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews
  2. Hillcrest Centre, 4575 Clancy Loranger
  3. Mount Pleasant Community Centre, 1 Kingsway

Most environmentally responsible local company

  1. Mountain Equipment Co-op, 130 West Broadway
  2. Whole Foods Market, Various Locations
  3. Vancity, Various locations

Best ski/snowboard shop

  1. Comor, Various locations
  2. The Boardroom, Various locations
  3. Pacific Boarder, 1793 West 4th Avenue
Media Arts & CultureBack to Top

Best local TV newscast

  1. Global News
  2. CTV News
  3. CBC News

Best local TV news anchor(s)

  1. Chris Gailus (Global)
  2. Mike Killeen and Tamara Taggart (CTV)
  3. Sophie Lui and Steve Darling (Global)

Best local TV sportscaster

  1. Squire Barnes (Global)
  2. Don Taylor (Sportsnet)
  3. Jay Janower (Global)

Local TV weatherperson

  1. Mark Madryga (Global)
  2. Wayne Cox (Global)
  3. Claire Martin (CBC)

Local TV personality

  1. Erin Cebula (Global)
  2. Tony Parsons (CBC)
  3. Fiona Forbes and Michael Eckford (Shaw)

Best local cable show

  1. Urban Rush
  2. Breakfast Television
  3. Real Housewives of Vancouver

Best morning radio host(s)

  1. Nat and Drew (Virgin)
  2. Cory Ashworth and Laurie Logan(The Peak)
  3. Holly Conway, Jonny Staub, Nira Arora, and Amy Beeman (The Beat)

Best afternoon radio host(s)

  1. James Sutton (The Peak)
  2. Stephen Quinn (CBC Radio 1)
  3. Barry Macdonald and Don Taylor (Team 1040)

Best late-night radio host(s)

  1. Edward Vint (The Peak)
  2. Danger (The Fox)
  3. Dan Russell (CKNW)

Best local sports radio host(s)

  1. Barry Macdonald and Don Taylor (Team 1040)
  2. Matt Sekeres and Blake Price (Team 1040)
  3. David Pratt (CKNW)

Best local podcast (person or program)

  1. Stop Podcasting Yourself
  2. CBC Vancouver
  3. Caustic Soda

Best local blog

  1. Vancouver is Awesome
  2. Miss 604
  3. Bored in Vancouver

Best local Twitterer

  1. Miss604
  2. VIAwesome
  3. BoredNVancouver

Best local band (signed)

  1. Mother Mother
  2. Dan Mangan
  3. Hey Ocean!
  4. Said the Whale

Best local band (unsigned)

  1. The Boom Booms
  2. Sons of Granville
  3. Maria in the Shower

Best local music festival

  1. Vancouver Folk Music Festival
  2. TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival
  3. LIVE at Squamish

Best local street/community festival

  1. Car Free Days
  2. Greek Day
  3. Italian Day

Best artisan/craft fair

  1. Portobello West Fashion + Art Market
  2. Circle Craft Christmas Market
  3. Make It Vancouver!

Best local performing-arts festival

  1. Vancouver International Fringe Festival
  2. Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival
  3. PuSh International Performing Arts Festival

Best local theatre company or theatre production

  1. Arts Club Theatre Company
  2. Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival
  3. Vancouver TheatreSports League

Best local dance company

  1. Ballet B.C.
  2. Goh Ballet Youth Company Canada
  3. Kokoro Dance
  4. DanceHouse

Best local dancer

  1. Crystal Pite
  2. Brenna McLaud
  3. Alex Wong
  4. Karen Pitkethly

Best local classical music ensemble

  1. Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
  2. Turning Point Ensemble
  3. musica intima

Best local classical vocal ensemble

  1. musica intima
  2. Vancouver Cantata Singers
  3. Vancouver Chamber Choir
  4. Chor Leoni Men's Choir
  5. Vancouver Bach Choir

Best local film festival

  1. Vancouver International Film Festival
  2. DOXA Documentary Film Festival
  3. Vancouver Queer Film Festival

Best live music venue

  1. Commodore Ballroom, 868 Granville
  2. Biltmore Cabaret
  3. Orpheum Theatre, 884 Granville

Best dance/DJ club

  1. Fortune Sound Club, 147 E. Pender
  2. Celebrities Night Club, 1022 Davie Street
  3. Republic, 958 Granville Street
  4. Venue, 881 Granville

Best nightclub

  1. The Roxy, 932 Granville Street
  2. Celebrities Night Club, 1022 Davie Street
  3. Fortune Sound Club, 147 E. Pender
  4. Republic, 958 Granville Street

Best place for karaoke

  1. Fantacity, 745 Thurlow Street
  2. Army, Navy, and Air Force Veteran's Club
  3. Funky Winker Bean's, 37 W. Hastings

Best movie theatre

  1. Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver, 900 Burrard
  2. Fifth Avenue Cinemas, 2110 Burrard at W. 5th
  3. Rio Theatre, 1660 E. Broadway

Best public art gallery or museum

  1. Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby
  2. Museum of Anthropology, 6393 N.W. Marine
  3. Museum of Vancouver, 1100 Chestnut

Best private art gallery

  1. Ayden Gallery, 2nd floor, 88 W. Pender
  2. Equinox Gallery
  3. Rennie Collection at Wing Sang, 51 E. Pender

Best comedy club

  1. The Comedy Mix
  2. Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club, 2837 Cambie St.
  3. Lafflines Comedy Club, 530 Columbia

Best local video-game studio

  1. Electronic Arts, 4330 Sanderson Way
  2. United Front Games, 1100 Hamilton Street, 5th floor
  3. Radical Entertainment, 369 Terminal Avenue, 7th floor

Best movie theatre concession

  1. Fifth Avenue Cinemas, 2110 Burrard at W. 5th
  2. Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver, 900 Burrard
  3. Rio Theatre, 1660 E. Broadway
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Best lawyer/notary when buying/selling real estate

  1. David Watts, David Watts Notary
  2. Stephanie Albiston, Bell Alliance
  3. Jennifer L. Neville, Hammerberg Altman Beaton & Maglio LLP

Best lawyer when an accident strikes

  1. Krista Simon, Hammerberg Altman Beaton & Maglio LLP
  2. Joel Zanatta, Hammerberg Altman Beaton & Maglio LLP
  3. Slater Vecchio LLP, 18th floor, 777 Dunsmuir Street

Best immigration lawyer

  1. Catherine A. Sas, Miller Thomson
  2. Zool Suleman, Suleman & Company
  3. Veronica Cheng, Pacific Rim Immigration Law

Best immigration consultant

  1. Selim Koyuncu
  2. Bill Kafal
  3. Sophie Yan

Best criminal lawyer

  1. Andrew Bonfield
  2. David Karp
  3. Jonathan Israels

Best place to get a mortgage

  1. Vancity, Various locations
  2. RBC Royal Bank, Various locations
  3. TD Canada Trust, Various locations

Best independent mortgage broker

  1. Gina Best, Mortgage Alliance West, 1-155 Water Street
  2. Birgit Holm, Mortgage Alliance West, 1-155 Water Street
  3. Jessi Johnson, Jessi Johnson Home Mortgage Team, 1500 Hornby Street

Best place to rent a car

  1. Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Various locations
  2. Budget, Various locations
  3. Avis, Various locations

Best scooter dealer

  1. Urban Wasp, 1535 West 4th Avenue
  2. Vespa Metro Vancouver, 590 Clark Drive
  3. Cycle BC Rentals & Tours, 10
  4. Carter Motorsports, 1502 West 3rd Avenue

Best motorcycle dealer

  1. Trev Deeley Motorcycles, 1875 Boundary Road
  2. Carter Motorsports, 1502 West 3rd Avenue
  3. Vancouver BMW Ducati

Best new car dealer

  1. Brian Jessel BMW, 2311 Boundary Road
  2. Dueck GM, Various locations
  3. Carter Honda, 2390

Best used car dealer

  1. autoONE, 8555 Cambie Street
  2. Dueck GM, Various locations
  3. Budget Car Sales, 1404 Southwest Marine Drive

Best auto service (independent)

  1. Pawlik Automotive, 30-966 Southwest Marine Drive
  2. Tremblay Motors, 1505 West 3rd Avenue
  3. Varsity Automotive, 2880
  4. Blenheim Import Service, 2075

Best auto service (chain)

  1. Mr. Lube, Various locations
  2. Canadian Tire, Various locations
  3. Midas, Various locations

Best auto-body repair shop

  1. Craftsman Collision, Various locations
  2. Colorworks and Vickery Collision, 1419 Main Street
  3. AutoMind Collision, Various locations

Best car-share service

  1. car2go
  2. Modo
  3. Zipcar

Best place for car stereo purchase and installation

  1. Future Shop, Various locations
  2. Best Buy, Various locations
  3. Ralph's Radio, 220 East 1st Avenue

Best moving and storage company

  1. U-Haul, Various locations
  2. The Move Man, 1121
  3. Vega Line Moving, 14273

Best online dating-service company

  1. Plenty of Fish
  2. OkCupid
  3. eHarmony

Best florist

  1. The Flower Factory, 3604 Main
  2. Hilary Miles Flowers, 1
  3. Blumen Floral Boutique, 438

Best furniture store (independent)

  1. INspiration Interiors, 1275 West 6th Avenue
  2. Moe's Home Collection, 1728 Glen Drive
  3. The Living Lab, 1121

Best furniture store (chain)

  1. IKEA, 3200 Sweden Way, Richmond
  2. The Brick, Various locations
  3. Urban Barn, Various locations

Best kitchenware store

  1. Ming Wo Cookware, Various locations
  2. The Gourmet Warehouse, 1340 E. Hastings
  3. Cookworks, 1548 West Broadway

Best computer store (independent)

  1. NCIX, Various locations
  2. Simply Computing, Various locations
  3. Mac Station, Various locations

Best computer store (chain)

  1. Apple Store, Various locations
  2. Best Buy, Various locations
  3. Future Shop, Various locations

Best video-game store

  1. EB Games, Various locations
  2. Best Buy, Various locations
  3. Future Shop, Various locations

Best cellphone store

  1. TELUS, Various locations
  2. Fido, Various locations
  3. Rogers Plus, Various locations

Best home electronics store

  1. Best Buy, Various locations
  2. Future Shop, Various locations
  3. London Drugs, Various locations

Best home appliance store

  1. Trail Appliances, Various locations
  2. Coast Wholesale Applicances, Various locations
  3. Future Shop, Various locations

Best home accessory/decor store

  1. HomeSense, Various locations
  2. IKEA, 3200 Sweden Way, Richmond
  3. Wonderbucks, 1803 Commercial Drive
  4. Urban Barn, Various locations

Best home improvement store

  1. The Home Depot, Various locations
  2. Rona, Various locations
  3. Home Hardware, Various locations

Best gift shop

  1. Fine Finds, 1014 Mainland Street
  2. Front and Company, 3772 Main
  3. Oh My Gift, 2235
  4. Briers Home & Gift, 2070 West 4th Avenue

Best sustainable goods/gifts store

  1. Ten Thousand Villages, Various locations
  2. Bird on a Wire Creations, 2535 Main Street
  3. Dream Designs, 956 Commercial Drive

Best tattoo studio

  1. Adrenaline Professional Body Piercing & Tattoos, 1014 Granville Street
  2. Sacred Heart Tattoo and Piercing, 725
  3. Liquid Amber Tattoo, 62

Best sex-toy store

  1. Womyns'Ware, 896 Commercial Drive
  2. Honey Gifts Sex Store, 3448 Cambie
  3. the Art of Loving, 1819 W. 5th

Best music store

  1. Zulu Records
  2. Red Cat Records, 4332 Main
  3. Tom Lee Music, Various locations

Best musical instrument store

  1. Long & McQuade, Various locations
  2. Tom Lee Music, Various locations
  3. Prussin Music, 3607 West Broadway
  4. Bonerattle Music, 2012

Best bookstore (independent)

  1. Pulpfiction Books, Various locations
  2. Book Warehouse, 632 West Broadway
  3. Banyen Books and Sound, 3608 West 4th Avenue

Best bookstore (chain)

  1. Chapters/Indigo, Various locations
  2. Black Bond Books, Various locations
  3. Coles, Various locations

Best online bookstore

  1. Amazon
  2. Chapters/Indigo
  3. AbeBooks

Best student-friendly educational institute

  1. University of British Columbia
  2. Simon Fraser University
  3. British Columbia Institute of Technology

Best college for training in travel/hospitality

  1. Vancouver Community College
  2. BCIT
  3. Capilano University

Best art supply store

  1. Opus Framing & Art Supplies, Various locations
  2. Michaels, Various locations
  3. DeSerres, Various locations

Best toy store

  1. Toys "R" Us, Various locations
  2. The Granville Island Toy Company, 11–1496 Cartwright Street
  3. Dilly Dally, 1161
  4. Toy Jungle & Toybox, Various locations

Best real estate agent

  1. Paul Toffoli, 101-1965 West 4th Avenue
  2. Scott Carpenter, 250-4255 Arbutus Street
  3. Mike Wilcox and Will Pratt, 204

Best neighbourhood real estate office

  1. Macdonald Realty, Various locations
  2. RE/MAX Crest Westside Realty, Various locations
  3. The Residential Group Realty, 101–1965 West 4th Avenue

Best funeral home

  1. Amherst Funeral and Cremation Services, 1209
  2. Kearney Funeral Services, Various locations
  3. Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 3789

Best pet supply store

  1. Tisol Pet Nutrition & Supply Stores, Various locations
  2. Bosley's Pet Foods, Various locations
  3. PetSmart, Various locations

Best animal hospital

  1. Granville Island Veterinary Hospital, 1635 West 4th Avenue
  2. Oak Animal Hospital, 3887 Oak Street
  3. Cypress Street Animal Hospital, 1893

Best doggie daycare

  1. The Urban Puppy Shop, 1375 West 6th Avenue
  2. The Pet Shop Boys Doggie Boutique and Spa, 3080 Cambie Street
  3. Rex Dog Hotel + Spa, 760 Terminal Avenue

Best college for fashion and style

  1. Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Richmond campus, 8771 Lansdowne Rd.
  2. Emily Carr University of Art + Design, 1399 Johnston Street
  3. The Art Institute of Vancouver
  4. Blanche Macdonald City Square Campus

Best shopping mall

  1. Metropolis at Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway
  2. Pacific Centre, 701 West Georgia Street
  3. Oakridge Centre, 650 West 41st Avenue

Best gardening store

  1. GardenWorks, Various locations
  2. Art Knapp Plantland, Various locations
  3. Figaro's Garden, 1896 Victoria Drive

Best antique/reproduction furniture store

  1. Moe's Home Collection, 1728 Glen Drive
  2. The Antique Warehouse, 226 Southwest Marine Drive
  3. Restoration Hardware, 110-2555 Granville Street
  4. Fullhouse Modern, 1545 W 4th Avenue

Best fetishwear store

  1. Dare to Wear, 1028 Granville Street
  2. Priape, 1148 Davie Street
  3. Deadly Couture, 317A Cambie Street

Best pet grooming/pet spa

  1. Pawsh Dog Spa & Boutique, 80 Smithe Street
  2. The Urban Puppy Shop, 1375 West 6th Avenue
  3. The Pet Shop Boys Doggie Boutique and Spa, 3080 Cambie Street

Best specialty furniture store

  1. Vancouver Special, 3612 Main Street
  2. The Living Lab, 1121
  3. Inform Interiors, 50 Water Street

Best vintage/retro furniture store

  1. Fullhouse Modern, 1545 W 4th Avenue
  2. ReFind
  3. Attic Treasures, 944 Commercial Drive

Best place to make a bet

  1. Hastings Racecourse
  2. River Rock Casino Resort, 8811 River Rd., Richmond
  3. Edgewater Casino, 311–750 Pacific Blvd. S.

Best non-Internet dating-service company

  1. Executive Search Dating, 107–1529 West 6th Avenue
  2. Events and Adventures, 356-409 Granville Street
  3. It's Just Lunch, 1020-609 Granville Street

Best place to buy RRSPs

  1. Vancity, Various locations
  2. RBC Royal Bank, Various locations
  3. TD Canada Trust, Various locations

Best contemporary furniture store

  1. IKEA, 3200 Sweden Way, Richmond
  2. Inform Interiors, 50 Water Street
  3. Vancouver Special, 3612 Main Street

Best place to buy a vacation home

  1. Whistler
  2. Hawaii
  3. Mexico

Best educational institution for post-secondary degree/diploma

  1. University of British Columbia
  2. Simon Fraser University
  3. British Columbia Institute of Technology

Best educational institution for learning about technology/social media

  1. British Columbia Institute of Technology
  2. Simon Fraser University
  3. University of British Columbia

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