#YVRLIFE Kitsilano
District snapshot
CAFFEINE STOP: The Only Cafe (2678 West 4th Avenue) serves the best latte in town and delectable pastries.
LANDMARK: Inspired by bald eagles in the ’hood, the #kitswings mural (at the northwest corner of Burrard Street and West 4th Avenue) will have your likes soaring on the ’gram.
WATERING HOLE: Come to Local Public Eatery (2210 Cornwall Street) for the boozy, boot-shaped cocktails; stay for the incredible patio and view.
GO-TO GREENSPACE: It’s not green per se, but summer days don’t get much better than on scenic Kitsilano Beach.
For the fitness keener
Vancouver’s health-conscious reputation can largely be traced to this laid-back ’hood, a former hippie hub that’s home to more gyms, fitness studios, and plant-based juiceries than we can count.
Devotees of barre—an isometric workout that borrows balance-testing moves from ballet—can look to Pure Barre (1907 West 4th Avenue) and the Dailey Method (1735 West 4th Avenue), while yogis are spoiled for choice with spots like Semperviva (2201 West 4th Avenue and 2608 West Broadway) and YYoga (1915 West 4th Avenue).
Part café, part community space, and part gym, TurF (2041 West 4th Avenue) offers a selection of fun conditioning classes—including ab- and booty-targeting sessions—and the Class by Taryn Toomey, a cult New York City–born sweat sesh that’s described as a “heart-opening, body-strengthening release”.
Local athleticwear label RYU hosts the occasional workout at its airy Kits flagship (1745 West 4th Avenue), too, while Lagree West (2625 West 4th Avenue)—with its intense mix of cardio, balance, and core—offers, hands down, one of the most challenging exercises in town.
More personalized training plans are available at gyms like Ron Zalko Fitness (1807 West 1st Avenue) and Rep1 Fitness (3313 West Broadway).
For the foodie
Laid-back vibes and ocean views define this popular neighbourhood—which, naturally, results in a bounty of fresh seafood and no-fuss grub.
You’ll find shellfish at Oddfish Restaurant (1889 West 1st Avenue) and Chewies Smoke and Oyster Bar (2201 West 1st Avenue). Seasonal plates made with West Coast ingredients are offered at Bishop’s (2183 West 4th Avenue), Latin-American cuisine at Cacao (1898 West 1st Avenue), and contemporary Canadian fare resides at AnnaLena (1809 West 1st Avenue).
Don’t skip out on brunch—it’s an important ritual in the city (especially in sleepy Kits) and you can find hearty wake-me-up dishes at Fable Kitchen (1944 West 4th Avenue) and Oakwood Canadian Bistro (2741 West 4th Avenue).
Japanese-French culinary creations are served at Mak N Ming (1629 Yew Street), and find authentic Japanese food at Octopus’s Garden Restaurant (1995 Cornwall Avenue). If you want a casual Japanese bite, check out Raisu (2340 West 4th Avenue) for fun tapas-style eats. Vegetarians will find tasty menu items at the Naam (2724 West 4th Avenue) and Tractor Foods (1903 West 4th Avenue).
If you’re an ice-cream fan, make sure to stop by the perennially busy Rain or Shine Ice Cream (102–1926 West 4th Avenue), even if the line is out the door and stretches a couple shops down.