5 Best Restaurants in Commercial Drive and Around, Vancouver

Inside this stylish and cozy space you'll find mouthwatering Lebanese and Mediterranean dishes (think mujadra, labneh, tabbouli, and more) alongside inventive cocktails. They also serve a yummy weekend brunch. There are two other locations.

This Vancouver institution is about 1 kilometer (½ mile) east of the main Commercial strip but is well worth the trek. Their famous breakfast—served with two eggs, toast, hash browns and meat—is just C$3. (And the price hasn't changed in years.) This place really showcases the East Side's gritty character: from the graffiti-covered walls to the no-frills, serve-yourself coffee bar. Weekend lines are long; get there as early as you can.

This quintessential Commercial Drive spot sells all-organic groceries and vegan food in a small café. Their smoothies, bowls, and sweet treats are all must-tries. We recommend the Incredi-bowl. Choose pan-fried tempeh or roasted veggies, and quinoa or brown rice, and it'll come mixed with miso ginger dressing, avocado, sprouts, and sesame seeds. Perfect for a quick bite or yummy picnic fare.

The name means "working together" in Swahili, and the family that owns this welcoming restaurant does just that as it introduces guests to traditional Ethiopian fare. Savory stews are served atop platter-size pancakes of injera, a tangy, spongy flatbread used to scoop up every morsel. The bread does the job of cutlery, so you won't find knives and forks here. Order a combination platter to sample a range of flavors. The vegetarian version, which includes spinach, lentils, peas, assorted vegetables, and salad, is especially tasty. The space is colorful, and the walls are hung with Ethiopian artwork. Unlike some Ethiopian restaurants with traditional low seating, there are regular tables and chairs here.

Old Havana meets new Vancouver in this lofty, energetic spot, where the kitchen puts a west coast spin on Cuban classics. Start with ceviche, avocado tostones, or birria tacos, then try the Cubano (porchetta, honey ham, and Swiss cheese on a Cuban bun), the paella, or the grilled octopus. It's easy to make an evening of it. After dark, Havana morphs into a lively hangout, with mojitos, margaritas, and sangria, plus rum flights, craft beer, and signature sippers like the Hemingway Daiquiri. The patio is one of the best on the Drive, and there's even an intimate 60-seat theater in the back room hosting an eclectic mix of music, dance, theater, and comedy.