South Main

Hipster Alert! Sure, some of the people cruising the south end of Main Street are scoping the boutiques that form the epicentre of Vancouver’s local fashion design scene, but take our word for it: most are scoping out each other. This neighbourhood is hot, and doesn’t it know it.

Longtime residents bemoan gentrification that has seen the price of real estate soar in recent years, but on the plus side an infiltration of young professionals has led to artist-run galleries, quirky cafés and tons of furniture and nostalgia shops along Antique Row between 16th and 25th Avenues. We dare you to leave this ’hood empty-handed.

EAT:

Caribbean cuisine (go for the signature quarter jerk chicken) with an imported Red Stripe beer at The Reef (4172 Main St., 604-874-5375).

DRINK:

An espresso at the midcentury rec-room-themed JJ Bean, which features 1950s masonry, cute baristas and retrostriped walls. Did we mention the cute baristas? (3010 Main St., 604-879-2326).

BROWSE:

The girly-girl haven of all things that sparkle and shine at Barefoot Contessa (3715 Main St., 604-879-1137)