East of Main and north of Hastings, Vancouver's oldest working-class quarter turned craft-distillery and bakery district. Livia, Lucky's Doughnuts, Bestie sausage and the Strathcona Beer brewery.
Dachi on East Hastings is a counter-style izakaya since 2018 with a deep sake list and seasonal fish, Michelin Bib Gourmand 2022 and a Vancouver Magazine top.
Signature: Daily fish crudo, Wood-grilled skewers, Sake selection
Order: The kitchen's fish crudo from the daily list, then yakitori skewers with a glass of sake.
Tip: Tock reservations open 30 days out; the counter walks in for the early seating.
Ask for Luigi in Railtown since 2013 is J-C Poirier's Italian handmade-pasta room, the same kitchen behind St Lawrence, Michelin Bib Gourmand 2022.
Signature: Tagliatelle bolognese, Cacio e pepe, Pappardelle with rabbit ragu
Order: Handmade pappardelle with rabbit ragu, the kitchen's reference pasta from chef J-C Poirier.
Tip: No reservations; walk-in line from 17:00. The bar opens 30 minutes earlier.
Ask for Luigi in Railtown since 2013 is J-C Poirier's Italian handmade-pasta room, the same kitchen behind St Lawrence, Michelin Bib Gourmand 2022.
Signature: Tagliatelle bolognese, Cacio e pepe
Order: Handmade pappardelle with rabbit ragu, the kitchen's reference pasta plate.
Tip: No reservations; walk-in line from 17:00. The bar opens 30 minutes earlier.
Dachi on East Hastings is a counter-style izakaya since 2018 with a deep sake list and seasonal fish, Michelin Bib Gourmand 2022 and Vancouver Magazine top.
Signature: Daily fish crudo, Wood-grilled skewers
Order: Fish crudo from the daily list, then yakitori skewers with a glass of sake.
Tip: Tock reservations open 30 days out; the counter walks in for the early seating.
Livia on Commercial Drive from baker Cynthia Rogerson is the city's reference Italian-leaning patisserie since 2018, sourdough panettone the calendar event.
Tip: Panettone pre-orders open in October for December; the daily ricotta cakes and brioche turnover sell out by lunch.
Worth the queue: Sourdough panettone
Nemesis Coffee Roastery on Triumph Street is the design-forward East Van roastery with a cafe and bakery counter, two more city branches including Gastown.
Tip: The Triumph roastery has the larger pastry counter and outdoor seating; Saturday cuppings open to the public 10:00.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Cold brew, Whole bean retail
The Mackenzie Room on Powell in Railtown since 2014 is a heritage-room wine bar from chefs Alex Tung and Sean Reeve, BC natural-leaning list and small plates.
Signature pour: BC pinot noir by the glass
Wine focus: Natural and organic, BC focus
Food: Seasonal small plates
Tip: Reservations on Tock for the dining room; the bar takes walk-ins for a glass and snacks.
Strange Fellows Brewing on Clark Drive since 2014 is an East Vancouver craft brewery with a Belgian-leaning program, plus a tasting room and gallery space.
Tip: Cask beer on Wednesdays; the Saison and Talisman pale ale are the gateway beers. The tasting room is also a gallery.
Powell Brewery on Powell Street since 2012 is one of the East Van breweries that built the Yeast Van strip, Old Jalopy pale ale the flagship pour.
Tip: Old Jalopy pale ale is the kitchen's flagship; the small lager pairs with the food trucks that rotate outside.
Parallel 49 Brewing on Triumph since 2012 is one of Vancouver's largest craft breweries, the Yeast Van Triumph strip's taproom plus a Filipino kitchen.
Tip: The Filipino kitchen pairs lechon and pancit with the rotating taps; family-friendly through dinner.
Callister Brewing Company on Franklin since 2015 is Canada's first collaborative craft brewery, four guest brewers under one roof and a rotating tap list.
Tip: Four brewers share the kitchen; the rotating tap list never repeats. Saturday afternoon is the busier seat.
Andina Brewing on Powell since 2017 is the East Van Colombian-Canadian brewery from brothers Andres and Nicanor Amaya, with South American-inspired beers.
Tip: Colombian arepas and ceviches pair with the rotating taps; the Tropical IPA is the brewer's calling card.
Vancouver Brewery Tours' Yeast Van tour visits 4 East Van breweries on the Powell and Triumph strip, including Parallel 49 and Powell Beer, in a guided van.