East VancouverEast Vancouver spreads east of Main Street and Broadway, anchored by Commercial Drive and the neighbourhoods of Grandview-Woodland and Mount Pleasant. The area is a patchwork of small businesses, colourful murals, community parks and ethnic restaurants stretching along Commercial, Victoria and Kingsway.
By day you’ll find busy cafes, bakeries and Vietnamese restaurants, plus occasional street markets and independent boutiques. Evenings lean toward relaxed pubs, craft breweries and late-night diners on The Drive; it’s lively but more low-key than downtown.
East Vancouver at a Glance
Affordable eats, indie shops and a lively pub and brewery scene along Commercial Drive.
- Best for: Food-adventurous travellers and budget stays
- Vibe: Bohemian, community-focused, lively by night
- Nearest station: Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain station
- Price level: $ - $$ (mostly affordable)
- To the main sights: 15-25 minutes to downtown by SkyTrain
- Safety: Generally safe; usual city precautions at night
Who's East Vancouver For?
Great for:
- Food explorers hunting affordable international cuisine
- Travellers who like neighbourhood coffee shops and bars
- Budget-conscious visitors wanting characterful streets
Maybe skip it if:
- You want luxury hotels and five-star dining
- You need a quiet, suburban resort feel
Getting Your Bearings in East Vancouver
East Vancouver lies east of downtown across False Creek, centered on Commercial Drive, stretching toward Trout Lake and Victoria Drive. Commercial-Broadway is the main transit hub; downtown is a short SkyTrain ride west.
Plan Your Visit to East Vancouver
- Transit card: Get a Compass card for easy SkyTrain and bus travel.
- Market mornings: Trout Lake Farmers Market is best early Sunday mornings.
- Cash and cards: Many small cafés accept cards, but some market stalls prefer cash.
- Noise: The Drive can be lively late; choose back-street rooms for quiet.
- Explore on foot: Leave time to wander side streets for murals and hidden cafés.
Things to Do in East Vancouver
- Walk Commercial Drive: Explore independent cafés, vintage shops, murals and a dense strip of eateries spanning several blocks.
- Trout Lake Park and market: Relax at Trout Lake (John Hendry Park) and visit the Trout Lake Farmers Market on market days for local produce and crafts.
- Craft-beer crawl: Try neighbourhood breweries and craft pubs dotted around The Drive and nearby streets.
- Eat through the neighbourhood: Sample Vietnamese, Indian and casual global options on Commercial, Victoria Drive and Kingsway.
- Street art and murals: Stroll side streets to find colourful murals and community art projects.
- Parks and sport: Visit Hillcrest Park for sports fields and green space, or wander smaller community parks.
How to Get to East Vancouver
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR): Public transport: Take the Canada Line from YVR to Waterfront, change to the Expo Line eastbound to Commercial-Broadway; total about 35-45 minutes, fare roughly $3-5. Taxi/ride-hail: about 25-35 minutes to East Vancouver in normal traffic, fare roughly CAD 35-60.
- Abbotsford International Airport (YXX): Public transport: Regional coach/shuttle services run to Vancouver (Pacific Coach or other operators) taking around 90-120 minutes to downtown, then SkyTrain to Commercial-Broadway; total journey 2-3 hours. Taxi/ride-hail: taxi is simplest for door-to-door, about 75-100 minutes and substantially more expensive than a coach.
- From the main sights: Public transport: From downtown take the SkyTrain Expo Line east to Commercial-Broadway (about 12-20 minutes) or frequent buses along Broadway/Commercial; fares are local transit rates. Taxi/ride-hail: typically 10-20 minutes depending on traffic.
Getting Around East Vancouver
- Walking: The Drive and nearby streets are compact and very walkable; many cafés and shops sit close together.
- SkyTrain and buses: Commercial-Broadway connects to the Expo/Millennium network; frequent buses run along Commercial Drive and Broadway for local hops.
- Cycling: Bike lanes and quiet back streets make cycling an efficient way to get around.
- Taxi and ride-hail: Useful late at night or for luggage; fares vary with distance and traffic.
Where to Stay in East Vancouver
East Vancouver is mainly budget to mid-range for accommodation, with guesthouses and small hotels near Commercial Drive and the Broadway corridor. Expect practical rooms rather than boutique luxury, and good value if you don’t mind simple digs. Book near Commercial-Broadway for the best transit links.
Budget
- Aboriginal Patients’ Lodge: Lodge-style accommodation; basic facilities and simple rooms, a low-cost option.
Where to Eat in East Vancouver
Dining runs from no-frills ethnic eateries to friendly cafés along Commercial Drive, Victoria Drive and Kingsway. Most places are inexpensive to mid-priced ($ to $$). Best spots cluster around The Drive and the stretch between Commercial-Broadway and Trout Lake.
- My Chau Restaurant: Vietnamese; $
- White Spot: Burger; $$
- Trees Organic Coffee: Cafe; $
- Pallet Coffee Roasters: Cafe; $$
- House of Dosas: Indian; $
- Pho Duy Vietnamese Restaurant: Vietnamese; $
- MeetRice Noodle: Chinese - noodle (Yunnan); $
Nightlife in East Vancouver
Nightlife is low-key and local: pubs, craft houses and late-night diners predominate along Commercial Drive and nearby streets. Bars open late on weekends and you’ll find live music occasionally. Expect a friendly crowd rather than clubbing-heavy scenes.
- St Augustine’s: Traditional pub atmosphere with neighbourhood crowds.
- East Side Craft House: Craft-beer focused pub with rotating taps.
Shopping in East Vancouver
Shopping is independent: boutiques, vintage stores and small grocers line Commercial Drive and side streets. For local produce and artisanal goods head to the weekend farmers market around Trout Lake. Prices skew affordable with unique finds rather than big malls.
- Trout Lake Farmers Market: Weekend market for local produce, food stalls and crafts.