® Best of Vancouver

Welcome to the Georgia Straight’s 17th annual Best of Vancouver issue.

Every year, we ask hundreds of questions (over 260 this year) and our devoted readers answer. This year, we received thousands of responses about what people, places, and things make Vancouver such a unique—and even occasionally fun—place to live. From your favourite neighbourhood to the best place to pick up gluten-free eats, we’ve got the answers for you!

Thanks to everyone who took the time to fill out a ballot. Now it’s time to enjoy the results.

2013 Best of Vancouver »

Best of Vancouver » Best of Vancouver 2013: Readers' choices Our 18th annual Best of Vancouver issue reveals many things that you probably never knew about our city. Discover how our readers voted in 262 categories

Best of Vancouver

Best of Vancouver 2013: Our contributors’ picks

This has been the year of stunning surprises.

Best of Vancouver

Best of Vancouver 2013: Vancouver's music scene burns bright

Our favourite local musicians tell us which LPs they would save from a blaze, and who lights their fire.

Best of Vancouver

BOV 2013: From a common thread, African kinship grows

Vancouver's African community is made up of people from dozens of countries within the African continent, African-Americans, Caribbean, and more.

Best of Vancouver

BOV 2013: Cultures stir up Renfrew-Collingwood neighbourhood

About 75 percent of Renfrew-Collingwood residents speak English as a second language, and that's what makes this community so vibrant.

Best of Vancouver

BOV 2013: Meet the families who run thriving Vancouver restaurants

Mamalee Malaysian Delight, Rinconcito Salvadoreno, Bao Chau, and Kulinarya Filipino Eatery are some of the many long-thriving mom-and-pop restaurants in the city.

Best of Vancouver

BOV 2013: Crab spaghetti takes Top Chef Canada's Matthew Stowe back to childhood

At home, the Cactus Club Cafe product development chef enjoys making a version of his mother's crab spaghetti.

Best of Vancouver

BOV 2013: Go on, keep pouring: try these wines on tap

It’s not just beer that flows freely anymore, so head to Black + Blue or forage for these prime picks.

Best of Vancouver

BOV 2013: Designer Omer Arbel lights up London

His 30-metre-high, half-million-dollar creation for the U.K. capital’s just-opened design fest caps off great year.

Best of Vancouver

BOV style 2013: Jennifer Gray seeks out the best fashion ghetto-glam flavah

The Jennyfleur Loves… owner seems to know who all the up-and-coming designers are. Here's where she likes to shop.

Best of Vancouver

BOV style 2013: Moustache & Darling hair genuis Nicole Lefaivre's style bests

Gastown's coolest girl spills on her favourite beauty and fashion spots.

Best of Vancouver

BOV style 2013: Style insider Melissa Ferreira spills top vintage secrets

The Adhesif Clothing Company designer shares her top fashion picks.

Best of Vancouver

BOV 2013: In Muse, Mary Novik's heroine enchants poets and popes

Mary Novik had wanted to write a novel for years, but resisted until a solid premise revealed itself.

Best of Vancouver

BOV 2013: A mother’s diagnosis inspires Fuck Cancer charity

Vancouver resident Yael Cohen calls herself “chief cancer fucker”.

Best of Vancouver

BOV 2013: Dr. George Kljajic embraces positive psychology

The South Surrey-based physician says that people today are unable to postpone immediate satisfaction.

Best of Vancouver

BOV 2013: Here’s to the video games made in Vancouver

The video-game-development industry in Vancouver is alive and well, even if it looks a little different than it did a few years ago.

Best of Vancouver

BOV 2013: Vancouver sports teams go through dearth of playoff glory

The Vancouver Canadians were the only professional sports teams to win a playoff game this year, but still, there were some positives.