® Best of Vancouver 2014

Best of Vancouver winners

Local hero

  1. Trevor Linden

Best neighbourhood

  1. Kitsilano

Local hero

  1. Terry Fox

Best neighbourhood

  1. Mount Pleasant

Local hero

  1. David Suzuki

Best neighbourhood

  1. West End

Local hero

  1. Rick Hansen

Best community centre

  1. Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews
  2. Hillcrest Community Centre, 4575 Clancy Loranger Way
  3. Mount Pleasant Community Centre, 1 Kingsway
  4. Trout Lake Community Centre, 3350 Victoria

Best local employer

  1. Vancity
  2. University of British Columbia
  3. lululemon athletica

Best local politician

  1. Gregor Robertson

Most environmentally responsible local company

  1. MEC

Best local politician

  1. Libby Davies

Most environmentally responsible local company

  1. Whole Foods Market, Various locations

Best local politician

  1. Spencer Chandra Herbert

Most environmentally responsible local company

  1. Vancity

Year's dumbest political move

  1. Approving the Northen Gateway pipeline
  2. Bike lane expansion
  3. The B.C. government BCTF dispute

Vancouver's claim to fame

  1. Natural beauty
  2. Stanley Park
  3. 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

Vancouver's claim to shame

  1. Stanley Cup riot
  2. Downtown Eastside
  3. Expensive housing and the cost of living

Vancouverite closest to hell

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

Best local casino

  1. River Rock Casino Resort, 8811 River Rd., Richmond

Best example of city planning

  1. Bike lanes

Best local casino

  1. Edgewater Casino, 760 Pacific Blvd. S

Best example of city planning

  1. Olympic Village
  2. Seawall

Best local casino

  1. Hard Rock Casino Vancouver, 2080 United Blvd., Coquitlam

Favourite Vancouver Canucks player

  1. Kevin Bieksa
  2. Henrik Sedin
  3. Daniel Sedin

Favourite B.C. Lions player

  1. Travis Lulay
  2. Andrew Harris
  3. Kevin Glenn

Favourite Whitecaps player

  1. Pedro Morales
  2. Erik Hurtado
  3. Marco Carducci

Favourite Vancouver Canadians player

  1. Brett Barber
  2. Boomer Collins
  3. Miguel Castro
  4. Mark Biggs

Best new condo development

  1. Vancouver House
  2. Marine Gateway
  3. Trump International Hotel & Tower Vancouver

Best indoor climbing gym

  1. Cliffhanger Vancouver, 670 Industrial Avenue
  2. The Hive, 520 Industrial Avenue
  3. Edge Climbing Centre, 2–1485 Welch Street

Best running club

  1. Running Room
  2. Forerunners, 3502 West 4th Avenue
  3. Pacific Road Runners, False Creek Community Centre

Best sports adventure centre

  1. Richmond Olympic Oval, 6111 River Road
  2. Ocean Adventure Center, 1601 Bayshore Drive
  3. Squamish Adventure Centre, 101–38551 Loggers Lane, Squamish
  4. Extreme Air Park

Best tattoo studio

  1. Adrenaline Professional Body Piercing & Tattoos, 1014 Granville Street
  2. Gastown Tattoo Parlour, 105 W. Cordova
  3. Sacred Heart Tattoo Studio, 725 Nelson Street

Best snowboard shop

  1. Comor, 1766 West 4th Avenue
  2. The Boardroom
  3. Pacific Boarder, 1793 West 4th Avenue

Best ice-skate shop

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

Best skateboard shop

  1. PD's Hot Shop, 3734 West 10th Avenue
  2. Antisocial Skateboard Shop, 2337 Main St
  3. The Boardroom

Best sports-apparel shop

  1. MEC
  2. Sport Chek
  3. lululemon athletica

Best sporting-goods store

  1. MEC
  2. Sport Chek
  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, 1433 Pemberton Avenue

Best store for buying exercise/fitness equipment

  1. Fitness Town
  2. MEC
  3. Fitness Depot

Best kayak-canoe-rental store

  1. Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak, 2156 Banbury Road
  2. MEC
  3. Ecomarine Paddlesport Centres

Best neighbourhood/community bike store

  1. Our Community Bikes, 2429 Main Street
  2. Ride On
  3. Bike Doctor, 137 West Broadway

Best local bike store (chain)

  1. Bicycle Sports Pacific
  2. Reckless Bike Stores
  3. Cap's Group of Specialty Bike Stores

Best professional culinary school

  1. Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, 101-1505 W. 2nd
  2. Vancouver Community College, 250 W. Pender
  3. The Art Institute of Vancouver, 2665 Renfrew Street

Best pickup bar (m seeking f)

  1. The Roxy, 932 Granville
  2. Killjoy Cocktail Lounge and Basement Nightclub , 1120 Hamilton Street
  3. Republic, 958 Granville
  4. Local Public Eatery, 2210 Cornwall

Best pickup bar (f seeking m)

  1. The Roxy, 932 Granville
  2. Bimini Public House, 2010 W. 4th
  3. Local Public Eatery, 2210 Cornwall

Best gay bar

  1. Celebrities Nightclub, 1022 Davie
  2. Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie
  3. 1181 Lounge, 1181 Davie Street

Best lesbian club event/bar

  1. Flygirl Productions
  2. Cobalt - Man Up, 917 Main
  3. Celebrities Nightclub, 1022 Davie

Best strip club

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

Best restaurant (independent)

  1. Chambar Restaurant, 568 Beatty
  2. Vij's, 3106 Cambie
  3. The Eatery, 3431 West Broadway

Most romantic restaurant

  1. Seasons in the Park, Queen Elizabeth Park (West 33rd Avenue at Cambie Street)
  2. Chambar Restaurant, 568 Beatty
  3. Brix Restaurant & Wine Bar, 1138 Homer

Best all-day breakfast

  1. Denny's, Various locations
  2. Bons Off Broadway, 2451 Nanaimo
  3. Sophie's Cosmic Cafe, 2095 W. 4th

Best brew pub

  1. Yaletown Brewing Company, 1111 Mainland Street
  2. Steamworks, 375 Water
  3. Craft Beer Market, 85 W. 1st

Best brewery tasting room

  1. Brassneck, 2148 Main Street
  2. Parallel 49, 1950 Triumph St.
  3. 33 Acres Brewing Company, 15 W. 8th

Best new craft brewery

  1. Brassneck Brewery, 2148 Main Street
  2. 33 Acres Brewing Company, 15 W. 8th
  3. Bomber Brewing, 1488 Adanac St.
  4. Main Street Brewery, 261 East 7th Avenue

Best local brewery

  1. Granville Island Brewing, 1441 Cartwright St., Granville Island
  2. Parallel 49, 1950 Triumph St.
  3. Brassneck Brewery, 2148 Main Street

Best B.C. wine/winery (white)

  1. JoieFarm Winery, 2825 Naramata Road, Naramata
  2. Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, 500 Burrowing Owl Pl., Oliver
  3. Quail's Gate, 3303 Boucherie Road, West Kelowna

Best B.C. wine festival

  1. Okanagan Wine Festivals
  2. Naramata Bench Spring Release Party
  3. Tofino Food and Wine Festival

Best sports bar

  1. Red Card Sports Bar + Eatery, 560 Smithe
  2. Score on Davie, 1262 Davie Street
  3. Library Square, 300 W. Georgia
  4. Sin Bin Sports Bar and Grill, 295 W. 2nd

Best juice bar

  1. The Juice Truck, 28 W. 5th
  2. Jugo Juice
  3. Krokodile Pear, 1867 W. 1st

Best food truck

  1. TacoFino, 2327 E. Hastings
  2. Mom's Grilled Cheese, Mobile locations
  3. Vij's Railway Express, Mobile locations

Best fine dining

  1. Hawksworth Restaurant, 801 W. Georgia
  2. Chambar Restaurant, 568 Beatty
  3. Bishop's, 2183 W. 4th

Best kid-friendly restaurant

  1. White Spot, Various locations
  2. Rocky Mountain Flatbread, Various locations
  3. Red Robin, Various locations

Best chain restaurant

  1. Cactus Club, Various locations
  2. Earls, Various locations
  3. Milestones, Various locations

Best restaurant patio

  1. Dockside Restaurant, 1253 Johnston, Granville Island
  2. Tap & Barrel, Various locations
  3. Boathouse Restaurant, Various locations

Best grocery store

  1. Whole Foods Market, Various locations
  2. Choices Market
  3. Urban Fare, Various locations

Best produce store

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

Best organic-produce store

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

Best restaurant bathroom

  1. Cactus Club, Various locations
  2. Joey Restaurant, Various locations
  3. Earls, Various locations

Best restaurant to take out-of-town guests to

  1. Seasons in the Park, Queen Elizabeth Park (West 33rd Avenue at Cambie Street)
  2. Salmon House on the Hill, 2229 Folkestone Way, West Vancouver
  3. The Boathouse Restaurant, Various locations
  4. Sandbar Seafood Restaurant, 1535 Johnston

Best restaurant for stretching your dollars

  1. Stepho's, 1124 Davie
  2. Hawkers Delight, 4127 Main St
  3. Famous Warehouse, 989 Granville Street

Best restaurant for meat

  1. Keg Steakhouse & Bar, Various locations
  2. Memphis Blues Barbeque House, Various locations
  3. Gotham Steakhouse, 615 Seymour

Best veggie restaurant

  1. The Naam Restaurant, 2724 W. 4th
  2. Acorn, 3995 Main
  3. Foundation, 2301 Main

Best place for gluten-free eats

  1. The Wallflower Modern Diner, 2420 Main
  2. Lemonade Gluten Free Bakery, 3385 Cambie
  3. The Naam Restaurant, 2724 W. 4th

Best late night takeout

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

Best bubble tea house

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

Best restaurant to work for

  1. Cactus Club, Various locations
  2. Earls, Various locations
  3. Keg Steakhouse & Bar, Various locations

Best place for casual cooking classes

  1. Dirty Apron Cooking School, 540 Beatty
  2. Quince, 1780 W. 3rd
  3. Barbara Jo's Books to Cook, 1740 West 2nd Avenue

Best butcher

  1. Windsor Quality Meats, 4110 Main
  2. Jackson's Meats and Deli, 2214 W. 4th
  3. Harkness & Co. Butchers, 666 East Broadway

Best seafood store

  1. Daily Catch Seafood Company, 1418 Commercial
  2. 7 Seas Fish Co., Various locations
  3. Granville Island Public Market (tie), 1689 Johnston
  4. Fish Counter (tie), 3825 Main

Best specialty cheese store

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

Best bistro

  1. Tableau Bar Bistro, 1181 Melville
  2. Les Faux Bourgeois, 663 E. 15th
  3. Burgoo, Various locations

Best brunch

  1. Cafe Medina, 780 Richards
  2. Milestones, Various locations
  3. Yolk's Restaurant & Commissary, 1298 East Hastings Street

Best bread bakery

  1. Terra Breads, Various locations
  2. Cobs Breads
  3. Uprising Breads Bakery, 1697 Venables

Best pastry bakery

  1. Beaucoup, 2150 Fir
  2. Fratelli, Various locations
  3. Thomas Haas, Various locations
  4. Thierry, 1059 Alberni St.

Best gelato

  1. Bella Gelateria, Various locations
  2. La Casa Gelato, 1033 Venables St
  3. Mario's Gelati, 78 East 1st Ave.

Best independant bar lounge

  1. Lobby Lounge Terrace + Raw Bar at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, 1038 Canada Place
  2. The Keefer Bar, 135 Keefer St.
  3. 1927 Lobby Lounge at Rosewood Hotel Georgia, 801 W. Georgia

Best restaurant wine list (B.C.)

  1. Raincity Grill, 1193 Denman
  2. Tap & Barrel, Various locations
  3. Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar, 1095 Hamilton
  4. Salt Tasting Room, 45 Blood Alley Square

Best restaurant wine list (imported)

  1. Cioppino's, 1133 and 1129 Hamilton
  2. Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar, 1095 Hamilton
  3. Hawksworth Restaurant, 801 W. Georgia

Best wine bar

  1. UVA Wine & Cocktail Bar, 900 Seymour
  2. Salt Tasting Room, 45 Blood Alley Square
  3. Vancouver Urban Winery, 55 Dunlevy

Best restaurant for drink specials

  1. Granville Room, 957 Granville
  2. Metropole, 320 Abbott
  3. Browns Social House, Various locations

Best pub

  1. The Irish Heather Gastropub, 210 Carrall
  2. The Charles Bar , 136 W. Cordova
  3. Cambie Pub, 300 Cambie Street
  4. London Public House , 700 Main Street

Best locally brewed beer

  1. Granville Island Lions Winter Ale
  2. Parallel 49 Gypsy Tears Ruby Ale
  3. Central City Red Racer IPA

Best B.C. beer brewed outside Vancouver

  1. Driftwood Fat Tug IPA
  2. Phillips Blue Buck
  3. Howe Sound Lager

Best Canadian beer brewed outside B.C.

  1. Steam Whistle
  2. Mill Street Brewery, 55 Mill St., Toronto
  3. Alexander Keith's

Best B.C. wine/winery (red)

  1. Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, 500 Burrowing Owl Pl., Oliver
  2. Mission Hill Family Estate, 1730 Mission Hill Road, West Kelowna
  3. Quail's Gate, 3303 Boucherie Road, West Kelowna

Best private wine store

  1. Liberty Wine Merchants, Various locations
  2. Marquis Wine Cellars, 1034 Davie Street
  3. Legacy Liquor Store, 1633 Manitoba

Best private liquor store

  1. Legacy Liquor Store, 1633 Manitoba
  2. Brewery Creek, 3045 Main Street
  3. Darby's, 2001 Macdonald

Best private beer store

  1. Brewery Creek, 3045 Main Street
  2. Legacy Liquor, 1633 Manitoba
  3. Firefly Fine Wines and Ales, 2857 Cambie Street

Best independent coffee shop

  1. Revolver Coffee, 325 Cambie
  2. 49th Parallel, Various locations
  3. Matchstick Coffee Roasters, Various locations
  4. Continental Coffee, Various locations

Best coffee shop (local chain)

  1. JJ Bean, Various locations
  2. Bean Around The World, Various locations
  3. Caffe Artigiano, Various locations

Best coffee shop (national chain)

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

Best fair trade coffee shop

  1. Ethical Bean Coffee, 1315 Kootenay
  2. Salt Spring Coffee, B.C. Ferries-Tsawwassen Kiosk
  3. Trees Organic Coffee & Roasting House, Various locations

Best tea house

  1. David's Tea, Various locations
  2. Murchie's Tea & Coffee, Various locations
  3. Urban Tea Merchant, 1070 W. Georgia

Best wine festival/event

  1. Vancouver International Wine Festival
  2. Okanagan Wine Festivals
  3. Cornucopia

Most vegan-friendly

  1. The Naam Restaurant, 2724 W. 4th
  2. Acorn, 3995 Main
  3. Graze Food and Drink

Best new restaurant

  1. Craft Beer Market, 85 W. 1st
  2. Ask for Luigi, 305 Alexander
  3. Farmer's Apprentice, 1535 W. 6th
  4. Bufala, 5395 West Blvd

Best car-share service

  1. car2go
  2. Modo
  3. Zipcar

Best place to make a bet

  1. Hastings Racecourse, Hastings Park
  2. River Rock Casino Resort, 8811 River Rd., Richmond
  3. Edgewater Casino, 760 Pacific Blvd. S

Best lawyer when an accident strikes

  1. Krista Simon - Hammerberg Lawyers LLP
  2. Joel Zanatta - Hammerberg Lawyers LLP
  3. Warnett Hallen LLP

Best criminal lawyer

  1. Jonathan Israels - Jonathan J. Israels Law Corporation
  2. David Karp -
  3. Christopher Drinovz - Fraser Valley Employment & Disability Law

Best immigration lawyer

  1. Catherine A. Sas, Miller Thomson
  2. Veronica Cheng, Pacific Rim Immigration Law
  3. David Aujla

Best immigration consultant

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

Best lawyer/notary when buying/selling real estate

  1. David Watts, David Watts Notary
  2. Sima Mazarei, Notary Public
  3. Jennifer Neville, Hammerberg Lawyers LLP

Best real-estate agent

  1. Paul Toffoli, 1965 West 4th Avenue
  2. Colin Lo, 51 East Pender Street
  3. Zul Jiwa, 7505 Victoria Drive

Best independent mortgage broker

  1. Birgit Holm, 310–130 Brew Street
  2. Gina Best, 1-155 Water Street
  3. Jessi Johnson, Jessi Johnson Mortgage Team, 12–3033 King George Boulevard

Best place to get a mortgage

  1. Vancity
  2. TD Canada Trust
  3. RBC Royal Bank

Best place to buy RRSPs

  1. RBC Royal Bank
  2. Vancity
  3. TD Canada Trust

Best public-relations firm

  1. Yulu Public Relations Inc., 212-55 Water Street
  2. Edelman, 1400–1500 West Georgia Street
  3. Jive Communications, 220-440 West Hastings Street

Best college/school/university for continuing education

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

Best college/school/university for training in film or media

  1. Vancouver Film School
  2. Capilano University
  3. British Columbia Institute of Technology

Best college/school/university for health care

  1. University of British Columbia
  2. British Columbia Institute of Technology
  3. Vancouver Community College

Bookstore with the most helpful staff

  1. Chapters
  2. Pulpficton Books
  3. Book Warehouse

Best local modelling/talent agency

  1. Lizbell Agency, 216-309 West Cordova Street
  2. John Casablancas International Model Management, 150-220 Cambie Street
  3. The Characters Talent Agency , 200-1505 West 2nd Avenue
  4. Premiere Talent Management, 1529 West 6th Avenue

Best place to buy a vacation home

  1. Whistler
  2. Hawaii
  3. Sunshine Coast

Best place to rent a car

  1. Enterprise Rent-A-Car
  2. Budget
  3. Avis

Best online dating-service company

  1. Plenty of Fish
  2. OkCupid
  3. Tinder

Best furniture store (chain)

  1. IKEA
  2. The Brick
  3. EQ3, 2536 Granville Street

Best computer store (independent)

  1. NCIX
  2. Simply Computing
  3. Mac Station

Best computer store (chain)

  1. Apple Store
  2. Best Buy
  3. Future Shop
  4. NCIX

Best video-game store

  1. EB Games
  2. Best Buy
  3. Future Shop

Best cellphone store

  1. Rogers

Best pipe, bong and accessory shop

  1. Puff

Best cellphone store

  1. Telus

Best pipe, bong and accessory shop

  1. Ignite Smoke Shop, 109 W. Cordova

Best cellphone store

  1. Fido

Best pipe, bong and accessory shop

  1. CottonMouth Smoke Shop, 1120 Davie Street
  2. Smoker's Corner, 1840 Commercial Drive

Best home electronics store

  1. Best Buy
  2. Future Shop
  3. London Drugs

Best home improvement store

  1. Home Depot
  2. Rona
  3. Home Hardware

Best dollar store

  1. Dollarama
  2. Dollar Tree
  3. Your Dollar Store With More

Best spa (independent)

  1. Le Petit Spa, 4-3701 West Broadway
  2. Linda's Urban Spa, 2618 West Broadway
  3. Beverly's The Spa on 4th, 2185 West 4th Avenue

Best non-Internet dating-service company

  1. Executive Search Dating, 107-1529 West 6th Avenue
  2. Events & Adventures, 356-409 Granville Street
  3. It's Just Lunch, 323–409 Granville Street
  4. Divine Intervention, 575–510 Burrard Street

Best pet-supply store

  1. Tisol Pet Nutrition & Supply Store
  2. Mr. Pet's
  3. Pet Food 'N More

Best animal hospital

  1. Cypress Street Animal Hospital, 1893 Cornwall Avenue
  2. Granville Island Veterinary Hospital, 1635 West 4th Avenue
  3. Yaletown Pet Hospital , 893 Expo Boulevard

Best doggie daycare/boarding facility

  1. Urban Puppy Shop, 1375 West 6th Avenue

Best neighbourhood real estate office

  1. RE/MAX Crest Westside Realty

Best doggie daycare/boarding facility

  1. Rex Dog Hotel & Spa, 760 Terminal Avenue

Best neighbourhood real estate office

  1. The Residential Group Realty, 101-1965 West 4th Avenue
  2. MacDonald Realty

Best doggie daycare/boarding facility

  1. Release the Hounds, 194–3381 Cambie Street

Best pet grooming/pet spa

  1. Pawsh Dog Spa, 80 Smithe Street
  2. Spa Dog Organic Dog Spa, 3471 Commercial Street
  3. Pet Shop Boys, 3080 Cambie Street

Best shopping mall

  1. Metropolis @ Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby
  2. Pacific Centre, 701 W. Georgia
  3. Park Royal Mall, 2002 Park Royal South

Best furniture store (independent)

  1. Moe's Home Collection, 1728 Glen Drive
  2. INspiration Furniture, 1275 West 6th Avenue
  3. Vancouver Special, 3612 Main Street

Best specialty-furniture store

  1. INspiration Furniture, 1275 West 6th Avenue
  2. Montauk, 228 Abbott
  3. Moe's Home Collection, 1728 Glen Drive

Best antique/reproduction furniture store

  1. Moe's Home Collection, 1728 Glen Drive
  2. Antique Market, 1324 Franklin Street
  3. Fullhouse, 1545 W 4th Avenue
  4. Antique Warehouse, 226 Southwest Marine Drive

Best vintage/retro furniture store

  1. ReFind, 4609 Main Street
  2. Attic Treasures and Mid Century Modern, 944 Commercial Drive
  3. Fullhouse, 1545 W 4th Avenue

Best contemporary-furniture store

  1. Inform Interiors, 50 Water Street
  2. IKEA
  3. EQ3, 2536 Granville Street

Best local kitchenware store

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

Best home-appliance store

  1. Trail Appliances
  2. Sears
  3. Midland Appliance

Best home-accessory/decor store

  1. HomeSense
  2. The Cross Decor and Design, 1198 Homer
  3. IKEA

Best sustainable-goods/gifts store

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

Best gardening store

  1. Art Knapp, 1401 Hornby Street
  2. GardenWorks
  3. Figaro's Garden, 1896 Victoria Drive

Best florist

  1. Flower Factory, 3604 Main
  2. Blumen Floral, 438 West 8th Avenue
  3. The Flowerbox, 1319 Commercial Drive

Best gift shop

  1. Fine Finds Boutique, 1014 Mainland Street
  2. Front & Company, 3772 Main Street
  3. Walrus, 3408 Cambie Street
  4. Oh My Gift, 2039 West 4th Avenue

Best music store

  1. Zulu Records, 1972 W. 4th
  2. Red Cat Records, 4332 Main
  3. Tom Lee Music

Best musical-instrument store

  1. Long & McQuade
  2. Tom Lee Music
  3. Bonerattle Music, 2012 Commercial Drive

Best art-supply store

  1. Opus Framing & Art Supplies
  2. Michaels
  3. DeSerres

Best local toy store

  1. Granville Island Toy Company, 3298 Main Street
  2. Kaboodles Toy Store
  3. Dilly Dally, 1161 Commercial Drive

Best sex-toy store

  1. Womyns'Ware, 896 Commercial Drive
  2. Honey Gifts Sex Store, 3448 Cambie
  3. The Art of Loving, 369 W. Broadway

Best fetishwear store

  1. Deadly Couture, 317 Cambie Street
  2. Dare To Wear, 1028 Granville Street
  3. Womyns'Ware, 896 Commercial Drive

Best scooter dealer

  1. Vespa Metro Vancouver, 590 Clark Drive
  2. Carter Motorsports, 1502 West 3rd Avenue
  3. Cycle BC Rentals & Tours, 10–73 East 6th Avenue

Best motorcycle dealer

  1. Trev Deeley Motorcycles, 1875 Boundary Road
  2. Carter Honda Motorsports, 1502 West 3rd Avenue
  3. Vancouver BMW Ducati, 3061 Grandview Highway

Best new-car dealer

  1. Brian Jessel BMW, 2311 Boundary Road
  2. autoform performance inc, 1885 Clark Drive
  3. Clarkdale Volkswagen, 4575 Main Street

Best used-car dealer

  1. Dueck Auto Group
  2. autoform performance inc, 1885 Clark Drive
  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 Arbutus Street

Best auto service (chain)

  1. Mr. Lube
  2. Canadian Tire
  3. Midas

Best auto-body repair shop

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

Best local moving and storage company

  1. Crown Mountain Movers
  2. East Van Moving, 1192 East Hastings Street
  3. Frog Box, 300–225 West 8th Avenue

Best funeral home

  1. Amherst Funeral and Cremation Services, 1209–207 West Hastings Street
  2. Kearney Funeral Services
  3. Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 3789 Royal Oak Avenue

Best local TV newscast

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

Best local TV news anchor

  1. Chris Gailus (Global)
  2. Tamara Taggart (CTV)
  3. Sophie Lui (Global)

Best movie-theatre concession

  1. Rio Theatre, 1660 E. Broadway
  2. Cineplex Fifth Avenue Cinemas, 2110 Burrard St.
  3. Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver, 900 Burrard

Best local video-game/animation studio

  1. Electronic Arts, 4330 Sanderson Way
  2. United Front Games, 1128 Homer Street, 3rd floor
  3. Radical Entertainment, 369 Terminal Avenue, 7th floor

Best local TV sportscaster

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

Best public art gallery or museum

  1. Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby

Best local TV weatherperson

  1. Mark Madryga (Global)

Best public art gallery or museum

  1. Museum of Anthropology, 6393 NW Marine Drive

Best local TV weatherperson

  1. Kristi Gordon (Global)

Best public art gallery or museum

  1. Museum of Vancouver, 1100 Chestnut Street

Best local TV weatherperson

  1. Russ Lacate (CityTV)

Best local TV personality

  1. Tamara Taggart (CTV)

Best private art gallery

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

Best local TV personality

  1. Fiona Forbes (Shaw)

Best private art gallery

  1. Equinox Gallery, 525 Great Northern Way

Best local TV personality

  1. Erin Cebula (Global)

Best local cable show

  1. The Rush

Best live performing-arts venue

  1. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 650 Hamilton

Best local cable show

  1. Breakfast Television

Best live performing-arts venue

  1. Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe
  2. Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, 6265 Crescent Rd., UBC

Best local cable show

  1. Love It or List It

Best morning radio host(s)

  1. Kid Carson (SONiC)
  2. Nat and Drew (QM/FM)
  3. Rick Cluff (CBC)

Best afternoon radio host(s)

  1. Stephen Quinn (CBC)

Best live-music venue

  1. Commodore Ballroom, 868 Granville

Best afternoon radio host(s)

  1. James Sutton (The Peak)

Best live-music venue

  1. Biltmore Cabaret, 2755 Prince Edward
  2. Orpheum Theatre, 601 Smithe

Best afternoon radio host(s)

  1. Barry MacDonald (TSN 1040)

Best live-music venue

  1. Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville

Best local music festival

  1. Vancouver Folk Music Festival

Best late-night radio host(s)

  1. Casey-Jo Loos (The Peak)

Best local music festival

  1. TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival

Best late-night radio host(s)

  1. Scott Rintoul (TSN 1040)

Best local music festival

  1. Squamish Valley Music Festival

Best late-night radio host(s)

  1. Laurie Brown (CBC)

Best local street/community festival

  1. Car Free Vancouver Day

Best local sports radio host(s)

  1. Barry MacDonald & Don Taylor (TSN 1040)
  2. David Pratt (TSN 1040)

Best local street/community festival

  1. West 4th Avenue Khatsahlano Street Party

Best local sports radio host(s)

  1. Matt Sekeres & Blake Price (TSN 1040)

Best local street/community festival

  1. Greek Day

Best local podcast (person or program)

  1. Stop Podcasting Yourself

Best artisan/craft fair

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

Best local podcast (person or program)

  1. Caustic Soda

Best artisan/craft fair

  1. Got Craft?

Best local podcast (person or program)

  1. CBC Vancouver

Best literary event

  1. The Vancouver Writers Fest

Best local blog

  1. Miss 604

Best literary event

  1. Word Vancouver

Best local blog

  1. Vancity Buzz

Best literary event

  1. Vancouver Poetry Slam

Best local blog

  1. Vancouver is Awesome

Best local performing-arts festival

  1. Vancouver 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 professional dance company

  1. Ballet B.C.
  2. Goh Ballet Academy
  3. Kokoro Dance

Best local classical-music ensemble

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

Best local classical vocal ensemble

  1. Chor Leoni Men's Choir
  2. musica intima
  3. Vancouver Chamber Choir

Best local film festival

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

Best local band (signed)

  1. Mother Mother
  2. Dan Mangan
  3. Hey Ocean!

Best local band (unsigned)

  1. The Boom Booms
  2. Sons of Granville
  3. Ardent Tribe

Best local dancer

  1. Crystal Pite
  2. Christopher Wong
  3. Brenna McLaud

Best dance/DJ club

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

Best nightclub

  1. Celebrities Nightclub, 1022 Davie
  2. The Roxy, 932 Granville
  3. Caprice Nightclub, 967 Granville

Best place for karaoke

  1. Fantacity, 1133 Robson Street
  2. Funky Winker Beans, 37 W. Hastings
  3. Mix-2 Karaoke, 6681 MacPherson Avenue

Best multiplex movie theatre

  1. Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver, 900 Burrard
  2. Cineplex Odeon International Village, 88 W. Pender
  3. Cineplex Fifth Avenue Cinemas, 2110 Burrard St.

Best single-screen movie theatre

  1. Rio Theatre, 1660 E. Broadway
  2. Cineplex Odeon Park Theatre, 3440 Cambie Street
  3. Dunbar Theatre, 4555 Dunbar

Best comedy club

  1. The Comedy MIX, 1015 Burrard
  2. Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club, 2837 Cambie
  3. The Improv Centre, 1502 Duranleau, Granville Island
  4. Lafflines Comedy Club, 530 Columbia Street

Best party-boat cruise

  1. Salsa Cruises
  2. White Boat Party
  3. Harbour Cruises & Events

Best weight-loss centre

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

Best online medical referrals service

  1. Connect the Doc
  2. Medeo
  3. Bright Almond

Best yoga studio

  1. YYoga
  2. Semperviva
  3. Open Door Yoga

Best Pilates studio

  1. Exhale Yoga Studio, 1083 Cambie
  2. YYoga
  3. The Space Vancouver,

Best boot camp/outdoor-training program

  1. Survivor Fitness
  2. Ultrafit Bootcamp
  3. Urban Fitness Club

Best dance studio

  1. Harbour Dance Centre, 927 Granville, 3rd floor
  2. iDance Studios, 119 West Broadway
  3. Exhale Studio , 1083 Cambie

Best martial-arts studio

  1. Purple Dragon Kitsilano, 2939 West 4th Avenue
  2. Elements Academy of Martial Arts, 4465 Dunbar Street
  3. Academie Duello, 412 West Hastings Street

Best personal training gym

  1. Ted Loo - Ted Loo Fitness
  2. Sheron Stone - Symmetrix Exercise & Rehab
  3. Kathy Wieczorek - Vancouver Club

Best independent gym

  1. Sweat Co. Workout Studios, 736 Richards Street
  2. Spartacus Gym, 1522 Commercial Drive
  3. The Bar Method Vancouver, 837 Beatty Street

Best gym (women)

  1. Steve Nash Fitness World and Sports Club
  2. Club 16 Trevor Linden Fitness
  3. YMCA of Greater Vancouver

Best gym (men)

  1. Steve Nash Fitness World and Sports Club
  2. YMCA of Greater Vancouver
  3. Club 16 Trevor Linden Fitness

Best physiotherapist

  1. Physio Room, 3418 Main Street
  2. Treloar Physiotherapy
  3. Absolute PhysioCare & Sports Rehab, 230–3433 North Road

Best chiropractor

  1. Dr. Farrah Jiwa, Backs in Action Wellness Centre, 208–2555 Commercial Drive
  2. Dr. Randall Trester, West 1st Chiropractic Wellness Centre, 1864 West 1st Avenue
  3. Dr. Harold Meinzer, Thunderbird Wellness Centre, 202-20159 88th Avenue, Langley

Best acupuncturist

  1. Acubalance Wellness Centre, 250–828 West 8th Avenue
  2. Yinstill Reproductive Wellness, 3523 Main Street
  3. Elements Wellness Centre & Studio, 207–2678 West Broadway

Best massage therapist

  1. Elements Wellness Centre & Studio, 207–2678 West Broadway
  2. Reta Nitti, 2501 Spruce Street
  3. Broadway Wellness, 408–2150 West Broadway

Best nutritionist

  1. Elements Wellness Centre & Studio, 207–2678 West Broadway
  2. Monita Triplett, 703–1160 Burrard Street
  3. My Edible Advice, 312–1030 West Georgia Street

Best naturopathic clinic

  1. Sage Clinic, 487 Davie Street
  2. Integrative Naturopathic Medical Centre, 730-1285 West Broadway
  3. Cross Roads Clinic, 350-507 W. Broadway

Best integrated-health clinic

  1. Integrative Naturopathic Medical Centre, 730-1285 West Broadway
  2. Cross Roads Clinics, 350-507 W. Broadway
  3. Elements Wellness Centre & Studio, 207–2678 West Broadway

Best health supplement store

  1. Popeye's Supplements Canada
  2. Body Energy Club
  3. Finlandia Pharmacy & Natural Health Centre, 1111 West Broadway

Best herbal clinic

  1. Gaia Garden, 2672 W. Broadway
  2. Finlandia Pharmacy & Natural Health Centre, 1111 West Broadway
  3. Sage Clinic, 487 Davie Street

Best natural pharmacy

  1. Finlandia Pharmacy & Natural Health Centre, 1111 West Broadway
  2. Whole Foods Market, Various locations
  3. Gaia Garden Herbal Dispensary, 2672 W. Broadway

Best medical clinic

  1. Seymour Health Centre, 1530 West 7th Avenue
  2. Cross Roads Clinic, 350-507 W. Broadway
  3. Khatsahlano Medical Clinics, 2685 West Broadway

Best dentist/dental clinic

  1. Aarm Dental Group
  2. Arbutus North Dental Centre, 202–1926 West 4th Avenue
  3. Yaletown Dentistry, 1050 Hamilton
  4. Kits Family Dental Centre, 209–2223 West Broadway

Best laser eye centre

  1. King LASIK, 311–15240 Highway 10
  2. London Eye Centre
  3. Pacific Laser Eye Centre, 1401 West Broadway, 5th floor

Best medical-marijuana dispensary

  1. B.C. Compassion Club Society, 2995 Commercial Drive
  2. Eden Medicinal Society
  3. Weeds Glass & Gifts

Best place for cosmetic surgery

  1. Skinworks, 3568/3578 West 41st Avenue
  2. False Creek Healthcare, 555 West 8th Avenue
  3. Carruthers & Humphrey, 820–943 West Broadway

Best place for a non-surgical makeover

  1. Dermal Laser
  2. ICU Image Consulting, 306–402 West Pender Street
  3. Skinworks, 3568/3578 West 41st Avenue

Best place to get waxed

  1. Linda's Urban Spa, 2618 West Broadway
  2. Sugarbox Waxing Boutique, 1025 Cambie Street
  3. Stripped Ladies & Gents Wax Bar
  4. Dona Lucia Esthetics, 2813 West Broadway

Best laser hair-removal centre

  1. Arbutus Laser, 106-2025 West Broadway
  2. South Granville Laser & Skin Care Centre, 214-3195 Granville Street
  3. Dermal Laser

Best barbershop

  1. Barber & Co.
  2. JD's Barbershop, 235 Abbott Street
  3. Farzad's Barber Shop, 126–1208 Homer Street

Best hair salon

  1. Suki's
  2. Rain Hair Salon, 207–1540 West 2nd Avenue
  3. iDaburn Hair Salon

Best salon for a pedicure/manicure

  1. Pure Nail Bar
  2. Bloom Essentials, 3-1854 West 1st Avenue
  3. Trinity Salon & Spa, 4138 Dawson Street

Best place to get a facial

  1. Skoah
  2. Spa Utopia & Salon
  3. Absolute Spa

Best spa (chain)

  1. Spa Utopia & Salon
  2. Absolute Spa
  3. Skoah

Best women's-clothing store (independent)

  1. Front & Company, 3772 Main Street
  2. 8th + Main, 2403 Main Street
  3. Barefoot Contessa
  4. Spank

Best men's-clothing store (independent)

  1. Boys' Co
  2. Brooklyn Clothing Co., 418 Davie Street
  3. Roden Gray, 8 Water Street
  4. Motherland

Best place to buy jeans

  1. dutil. denim, 303 West Cordova Street
  2. Aritizia
  3. Gap

Best bridal store

  1. Bryan's Bride, 4567 Lougheed Highway
  2. Bisou Bridal, 440 West 2nd Avenue
  3. Blush Bridal & Special Occasions, 1189 Hamilton Street

Best local designer-clothing store

  1. Nicole Bridger, 14 Water Street
  2. Malene Grotrian, 910-207 W Hastings Street
  3. Devil May Wear, 3957 Main Street
  4. Dream Apparel And Articles For People, 356 Water Street

Best vintage/consignment/second-hand clothing store

  1. Front & Company, 3772 Main Street
  2. Value Village
  3. Mintage, 1714 Commercial Drive

Best shoe store (independent)

  1. gravitypope , 2203 West 4th Avenue
  2. John Fluevog, 837 Granville Street
  3. Umeboshi, 3638 Main Street

Best fashion-accessory store

  1. Blue Ruby Jewellery
  2. ALDO
  3. Forever 21

Best baby/toddler store

  1. Hip Baby, 2110 West 4th Avenue
  2. Babies R Us
  3. TJ's The Kiddies Store
  4. Crocodile Baby

Best custom-jewellery store

  1. Era Design, 1795 Venables Street
  2. Sonja Picard
  3. Cavalier, 217 West Hastings Street

Best eyewear store

  1. Bruce Eyeware, 219 Abbott Street
  2. Della Optique, 2589 West Broadway
  3. Clearly Contacts

Best place for a beach-ready tan

  1. SunScape Tanning Studios
  2. Banana Tans
  3. Fabutan Sun Tan Studios

Best women's clothing store (chain)

  1. Aritzia
  2. H&M
  3. Zara

Best men's clothing store (chain)

  1. H&M
  2. Harry Rosen
  3. Hudson's Bay

Best place to buy cosmetics

  1. Sephora
  2. M.A.C
  3. Shoppers Drug Mart

Best place to buy yoga wear

  1. lululemon athletica
  2. One Tooth Yoga
  3. Semperviva

Best wedding registry

  1. Hudson's Bay
  2. Crate & Barrel, 650 West 41st Avenue
  3. Pottery Barn

Best wedding photographer

  1. Randal Kurt Photography, 210-1737 West 3rd Avenue
  2. Josh Bowie Photography, 610-138 West 1st Avenue
  3. Angela Hubbard Photography

Best baby photographer

  1. Bopomo Photography, 2631 West Broadway
  2. Bemoved Pictures, 328–1085 Homer Street
  3. Rhonda Dent Photography, 215–1610 Pandora Street

Best shoe store (chain)

  1. ALDO
  2. Browns
  3. Ronsons

Best teens and tweens clothing store

  1. Forever 21
  2. H&M
  3. Garage

Best store for spotting the next trend

  1. Aritzia
  2. Holt Renfrew, 737 Dunsmuir St.
  3. H&M

Best ferry destination

  1. Victoria
  2. Sunshine Coast
  3. Bowen Island

Best interior destination

  1. Kelowna
  2. Osoyoos
  3. Penticton

Best local tourist attraction

  1. Stanley Park
  2. Granville Island
  3. Grouse Mountain
  4. Capilano Suspension Bridge

Best hotel–Metro Vancouver

  1. Fairmont Pacific Rim, 1038 Canada Place
  2. Vancouver, 801 W. Georgia
  3. Rosewood Hotel Georgia, 900 W. Georgia

Best boutique hotel–Metro Vancouver

  1. Loden Hotel, 1177 Melville Street
  2. OPUS Vancouver, 322 Davie Street
  3. Wedgewood Hotel & Spa, 845 Hornby Street

Best weekend getaway

  1. Whistler
  2. Tofino
  3. Harrison Hot Springs

Best romantic hideaway (besides your home)

  1. Tofino
  2. Whistler
  3. Harrison Hot Springs

Best B.C. summer destination

  1. Okanagan
  2. Tofino
  3. Kelowna

Best winter destination

  1. Whistler
  2. Hawaii
  3. Mexico

Best out-of-town spa getaway

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

Best resort/hotel–Okanagan

  1. Delta Grand Okanagan Resort & Conference Centre, 1310 Water Street
  2. Sparkling Hill Resort, 888 Sparkling Place, Vernon
  3. Watermark Beach Resort, 15 Park Place, Osoyoos

Best resort/hotel–Vancouver Island

  1. The Fairmont Empress, 721 Government Street
  2. The Wickaninnish Inn, 500 Osprey Lane
  3. Black Rock Resort, 596 Marine Drive

Best resort/hotel–Gulf Islands

  1. Poets Cove Resort & Spa, 9801 Spalding Road
  2. Galiano Oceanfront Inn, 134 Madrona Dr., Galiano Island
  3. The Harbour House Hotel on Salt Spring Island, 121 Upper Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island
  4. Hastings House Country House Hotel, 160 Upper Ganges Road

Best resort/hotel–Whistler

  1. Fairmont Chateau Whistler, 4599 Chateau Boulevard
  2. Four Seasons Resort Whistler, 4591 Blackcomb Way
  3. Westin Hotel, 4090 Whistler Way

Best B.C. golf resort

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

Best local travel agency

  1. Flight Centre, Various locations
  2. ATC Adventure Travel Company, 120 W. Broadway
  3. Travel Best Bets , 201-3011 Underhill Avenue, Burnaby

Best B.C. wilderness resort

  1. West Coast Wilderness Lodge, 6649 Maple Road
  2. Tyax Wilderness Resort & Spa, 1 Tyaughton Lake Road
  3. Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, 380 Main Street

Best adventure-tour company

  1. Ziptrek Ecotours, 4282 Mountain Square, Whistler
  2. G Adventures, 109-1965 W. 4th
  3. Landsea Tours & Adventures, 680 Industrial Avenue
  4. Finisterra Travel, 820–1111 Melville Street

Best B.C. bike-tour company

  1. Great Explorations, 102-1529 West 6th Avenue
  2. Endless Biking, 1401 Hunter Street
  3. BikeHike Adventures, 200–1807 Maritime Mews
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