Explore Commercial Drive.
August 26 2021, Mercedes-Benz Vancouver
With dozens of locally-owned, non-chain restaurants, bars, and shops giving it life, Commercial Drive is charming, vibrant, and ever-energetic. Whether you’re looking to pack up the family and spend a day outside or sip a cappuccino in a quiet Italian cafe, it’s the perfect backdrop for any Saturday. Keep reading to discover the best that Vancouver’s Commercial Drive has to offer.
The Best of Little Italy
Enjoy high-end snacks and sips or an indulgent Italian meal at Bar Corso. With a picture-perfect patio, dining in the last of the warm rays of sunshine is the perfect way to spend an afternoon.
Pepino’s is “the house spaghetti built,” and it only takes one visit to understand why. This restaurant, the sister to other Vancouver favourites Savio Volpe and La Tana, has just the right amount of old-school charm and nostalgic comfort built-in.
Visit Oca Pastificio for fine, handmade pasta and the best Italian wine, but without the fine-pressed linens and mile-long menus. Run by long-time friends Greg and Antoine, stepping inside feels like being invited to a casual dinner party— if dinner parties were hosted by professional chefs.
Lively Drive Libations
Fets Whisky Kitchen is Vancouver’s premier whiskey bar. With over 1,000 varieties lining the walls from floor to ceiling — some accessible only by ladder — it laughs in the face of bars with only a handful of top-shelf options.
Currently finishing up renovations, this Commercial Drive staple will have a new look as well as a new name. Under the same management, BierCraft will be reopening as Community Taps and Pizza. With a sleek new look, an extended patio, and a focus on the local, they will be offering 40 taps of craft beer and BC wines, showcasing the best this province has to offer.
The Charlatan is a casual, inviting gastro-pub on the Drive, perfect for relaxed meals or Friday night drinks with friends. Their south-facing patio is the perfect place to spend a sunny autumn Saturday.
Coffee & Craveable Treats
With fresh sweet treats, perfectly roasted coffee, a daily sourdough feature, and a small-but-mighty selection of savory Italian dishes, Livia Bakery is a must-visit.
You can’t visit Little Italy without stopping for gelato (or at least, we can’t!) and there’s no better place to appease your sweet tooth than Dolce Amore. The “Gelato Mafia” boss, Daniela Cusano, has been making gelato since she was just 14 years old, so it’s no wonder this sweet treat is “criminally good.”
If you’re looking for an Instagrammable treat to feed a craving, the perfect dessert for your outdoor get-together, or a show-stopping special event cake, Oh Sweet Day should be first on your list. Just off of Commercial Drive on 1st Ave, it’s worth the stop.
Fratelli European Bakery, a Commercial Drive institution, does authentic Italian breads, cakes, and pastries like no one else can. Stopping in for takeaway is sure to make you the office (or Sunday brunch) hero!
Gifts & Perfect Finds
For that perfect, locally created art, gift or treasure, look no further than Arts off Main. This boutique, located just off the main drag, was founded by seven artists to create a collective of beautiful work. Their lively little shop is full of unique finds and personality-filled pieces.
Chic and beautifully curated, Gatley On Commercial is sure to lure you in with its lovely local pieces and intentional design. You’ll find exactly what you’re looking for— plus a few irresistible pieces you didn’t know you needed.
For a final stop that is as charming as it is nostalgic, visit Dilly Dally Toys & Delights. Filled with inspiring toys, dolls and activities that bring magic and wonder to people of all ages, this store will have the perfect gift for every child in your life.
