Vancouver has some amazing food and drink options available. This page lists some of my recommendations, split by category and by whether it is near the convention center or further afield.
Coffee
The essential fuel of conference activities at the Academy of Management and life in general. Starbucks coffee is easy to find in most of the hotel lobbies, so here I will list some Starbucks-alternatives with a focus on Canadian chains:
Near the Convention Center:
- JJ Bean Coffee Roasters at 353 Burrard Street. Great coffee. Some seating in the upper level.
- Blenz Coffee at 232 Howe Street. Small shop, good for a takeaway.
- Tim Hortons at the Waterfront Center, just across the road from the Convention Center.
Further afield:
- Revolver, 325 Cambie Street
- 49th Parallel Café & Lucky's Doughnuts, 2902 Main Street
Quick lunch
Where should you go to make the most of that short gap between conference sessions? Vancouver has some great bakeries and sandwich shops as well as decent quality fast food options
Near the Convention Center:
- Meat & Bread, excellent sandwich shop, 1033 West Pender
- Tractor Everyday Healthy Foods, 335 Burrard Street
- Urban Fare, supermarket with takeaway deli counter options, 305 Bute Street
For a convenient budget option check out the Food Court in the Waterfront Center, just next to the Convention Center on the lower floor.
Further afield:
- Breka Bakery, multiple locations. The one at 812 Bute Street is closest to the convention center (15 mins walk) and the one at 855 Davie Street is convenient if you are downtown
- Manoush'eh Lebanese flatbreads, 620 Davie Street
Casual sit-down meal
This is a category where Vancouver really excels. We have a wealth of casual dining restaurants with varying cuisines. Here are some of my favorites:
Near the Convention Center:
- Cactus Club Convention Center, 1085 Canada Place
- Cactus Club is a local chain with great food, friendly service, and a relaxed atmosphere. This location has great views, and the location at 588 Burrard Street is also really close to conference activities.
- Tap & Barrel Convention Center, 1055 Canada Place
- Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba noodle bar, 551 Seymour Street
Further afield:
- Cactus Club English Bay, right on the beach!
- Prospect Point Bar & Grill, Stanley Park
- Catch 122 on West Hasting for brunch. Expect to wait in line if you visit on a weekend!
Sweet treats
For your mid-afternoon sugar boost consider one of these...
Near the Convention Center:
- Bella Gelateria, 1001 West Cordova - it turns out the best ice cream in Vancouver is right next to the Convention Center!
- Cartems Donuts, 534 West Pender - worth the ten minute walk for fresh donuts in innovative flavors
- Trees Organic Coffee, 450 Granville Street - great cheesecake
Further afield:
- Rain or Shine Ice Cream, 1926 West 4th Avenue (Kitsilano area)
- 49th Parallel Café & Lucky's Doughnuts, 2198 West 4th Avenue (Kitsilano area)
Upscale dining
The flip side of having excellent casual dining options is that Vancouver has fewer high-end, fine-dining options than you might expect. However, the following choices are great for celebratory meals with co-authors to mark a new job or a recent publications:
Near the Convention Center:
- Miku Vancouver, 200 Granville Street. An iconic Vancouver sushi restaurant adjacent to the Convention Center, boasting views of Vancouver Harbor
- Nightingale, 1017 West Hastings. High-end Canadian cuisine from the same chef as Hawksworth (see 'further afield')
- A fine dining restaurant is likely to open at the Pan Pacific Vancouver with views across to the North Shore. Stay tuned.
Further afield:
- Hawksworth at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, 801 West Georgia Street. Probably Vancouver's best known restaurant, this venue on the ground floor of the Hotel Georgia serves Pacific Northwest cuisine. You might also drop by for a glass of wine or a cocktail in its elegant lounge bar.
- Blue Water Cafe, 1095 Hamilton Street is the best place for some fine seafood dining. It is part of the Toptable Group which also includes CinCin (known for its wood fire grilled fish and meat) and Thierry (a patisserie just a few minutes' walk from the Convention Center).