Commercial Drive

“The Drive” as it is affectionately known to locals, was Vancouver’s first suburb, long referred to as the city’s Little Italy. While many of the original Italian, Spanish and Portuguese immigrants have since moved to other areas of town, you’ll still find a number of family-owned cafés serving authentic food and drink, and televising satellite soccer matches from around the world (careful who you cheer for!). This area used to be exclusive home territory for vegetarians, artists, environmental activists and hemp lovers, but young families and professionals have also been drawn to the Drive’s eclectic atmosphere: the result is a refreshingly diverse neighbourhood, offering an infinite variety of tastes, sights and smells.

EAT:

The spicy and satisfying jambalaya at restaurant/gallery Havana Café. The patio offers the Drive’s best people-watching (1212 Commercial Dr., 604-253-9119).

DRINK:

A refreshing lychee-lemongrass martini at WaaZuBee, a longrunning wateringhole on the Drive and a magnet for the neighbourhood’s counterculture scenesters (1622 Commercial Dr., 604-253-5299).

BROWSE:

Dream Designs for 100-percent natural, organic and Vancouver-made décor, textiles and yoga products (956 Commercial Dr., 604-254-5012)