Vancouver Guest Guide: Mount Pleasant’s Essential Stops

Mount Pleasant is one of Vancouver’s central neighbourhoods with a mix of heritage buildings, art-focused events, and is home to Vancouver City Hall. This guest guide provides recommendations for the best restaurants, cafes, and sights to see in the neighbourhood.

Attractions and Sights to See in Mount Pleasant

Science World at TELUS World of Science
1455 Quebec Street 

Science World is one of Vancouver’s must-visit locations if you’re in town and have never been. For over 30 years, this non-profit organisation has featured a huge collection of interactive and educational exhibits and displays for people of all ages. Along with the various exhibits, fairs, and other events, Science World also features the iconic OMNIMAX theatre dome which is the largest OMNIMAX dome screen in the world at five stories tall and 27 meters in diameter. Located in one of Mount Pleasant’s most gorgeous areas, Science World can be found just on the edge of the False Creek seawall. 

Dude Chilling Park (Guelph Park)
453 West 12th Avenue

Actually a part of Guelph Park, Dude Chilling Park initially started as a prank, but has grown to be officially recognised by the city and loved by many Vancouverites. The prank began when local artist Viktor Briestensky created a fake sign in honor of the 1991 public art piece which resembles a laid back person chilling out. After a local petition in 2014, the city decided to permanently install an official “Dude Chilling Park” sign, celebrating the park and community’s relaxed vibe. With a Dude Chilling art exchange, a community garden, along with tennis courts, a jungle gym, and other areas for games and activities, Dude Chilling Park is a great place to stop by and hang out.

Top Restaurants in Mount Pleasant

Toshi Sushi
181 East 16th Avenue

Offering no reservations, only open for dinner, and closed on Sundays and Mondays, it might be tough to get a table at Toshi Sushi, but it’s well worth it once you finally manage to sit down and eat. Open since 2004, Toshi Sushi has been recognised as one of Vancouver’s top sushi restaurants since its inception due to its deliciously fresh sushi, fast service, and the restaurant’s continuous consistency. Using real crab in their california rolls and serving up a variety of house specials like miso black cod, baked salmon cheek, and box sushi, it’s no wonder that the lineup for this restaurant often stretches outside the venue! With seating at the sushi bar where you can watch chefs show off their skills as they prepare your food, you’ll want to visit Toshi Sushi if you’re in search of authentic Japanese cuisine.  

Burdock & Co.
2702 Main Street

Opened in 2013, Burdock & Co. specialises in creating flavourful dishes using seasonal and local ingredients found in British Columbia and the Canadian Pacific Northwest. This small restaurant is known for its thoughtful menu selection, impressive natural wine pairings, and inventive dishes taking inspiration from French cuisine. With their menu options best-suited for sharing “family style”, Burdock & Co. is highly flexible when it comes to dietary requirements and offering vegetarian and vegan options. With their eggs benedict considered by many as the best in town, this restaurant’s brunch options are just as loved as their dinner menu, making it a great place to stop by anytime for a fine-dining experience. 

Best Brewery Pubs in Mount Pleasant

33 Acres Brewing
15 West 8th Avenue

33 Acres Brewing is one of Mount Pleasant’s and Vancouver’s favourite microbreweries, with their West 8th Avenue location one of the trendiest spaces to sit down for a drink. While the space is compact and fairly minimalist, it retains 33 Acres’ rustic nature along with the brewery’s excellent selection of beer. At 33 Acres Brewing you can also get your growler refilled, even if they’re from a different brewing company, letting you take some fine craft beer back home with you. Open from 9am until 11pm, this spot also serves food throughout the day, with a light morning and midday menu during the week, hearty brunch options on weekends, and a selection of wood fired pizzas also available. 

Main Street Brewing Co.
261 East 7th Avenue

Found inside a historic brewery building that dates back to the 1900s, Main Street Brewing’s high ceilings and industrial decor provide a great location to enjoy some of Vancouver’s finest beer. Main Street Brewing also has a kitchen with a menu comprised mostly of dishes made for sharing like nachos, chicken wings, and a charcuterie board, along with tacos and sandwiches for those looking for something exclusively for themselves. Open 2-11pm from Monday to Thursday and from 12-11pm from Friday to Sunday, you’ll find a variety of year round beers along with seasonal selections to choose from.

Brassneck
2148 Main Street

Brassneck began as a small neighbourhood brewery in 2013 with a growler shop and tasting room looking to experiment and create “dangerously drinkable” beers. By keeping their batches small, Brassneck is able to ensure that all of their beer is freshly made for those that come down to their location on Main Street and East 6th Avenue. With a growler shop (they refill growlers from other breweries as well) and tasting room circled by the brew house and cellar, the beer they serve comes directly from the conditioning tanks. While Brassneck’s tasting room doesn’t have a kitchen, you’ll find various food trucks right outside (you can bring your food inside) along with a few light snacks available inside. Open from 2-11pm from Monday to Friday and 12-11pm on the weekends, the tasting room doesn’t take reservations, so be sure to get there early if you’re planning on finding a seat!

Grocery Stores in Mount Pleasant

Home on the Range Organics
235 East Broadway

Home on the Range Organics is a family-run grocery store committed to providing naturally raised and grass fed meat, with more than 75% of their products sourced from farms and locations 100 miles or less from the store. While the store focuses on providing meats, bone broths, and dairy products, they also stock various gluten-free products and health supplements, along with house-made pies, pâtes, and ready meals. Home on the Range Organics is the place to visit if you’re looking to find local and sustainable products that are certified organic, grass fed and grass finished. 

Nester’s Market
288 East Broadway

Nester’s Food Market is a Canadian and BC-based grocery store that stocks high quality goods at fair prices. With a selection of food products that emphasise healthy choices, the store has a wide selection of fresh meat and dairy, organic produce from local farmers, and a deli and bakery section stocked with ready-made meals, sandwiches, and desserts. A great place to stock up on any groceries or snacks while staying in Mount Pleasant, Nester’s Market is open from 7am until 9pm on weekdays, and from 8am-9pm on weekends. 

Late Night Snacks in Mount Pleasant

Lucy’s Eastside Diner
2708 Main Street

While late night cravings can usually be solved with a quick snack, when looking for something more filling restaurants like Lucy’s Eastside Diner come to the rescue. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Lucy’s Eastside Diner is a classic retro eatery which serves all-day breakfast with some fresh spins on classic dishes. From pulled pork pancakes topped with a fried egg to their chorizo breakfast poutine, there’s a huge selection of dishes including their renowned mac n’ cheese, old school hot dogs, and delicious shakes (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic). Definitely a must-visit if you find yourself hunting for a diner-style breakfast at any time of day or night. 

7-Eleven 
75 West Broadway

No matter the time of night or what day of the week it is, Broadway’s 7-Eleven is always stocked with a wide selection of tasty snacks, cold beverages, and hot food items like wings, pizza slices, and taquitos. Along with all the late night treats you could want, you’ll also find various household and electronic products along with a Scotiabank ATM and friendly service from staff. One of the few stores that’s open 24/7 in Mount Pleasant, this 7-Eleven always has your back when looking for a late night snack.   

Mount Pleasant’s Best Cafes and Bakeries

Kafka’s Coffee and Tea
2525 Main Street

Kafka’s Coffee and Tea is a local Vancouver coffee shop with various locations, including one on Mount Pleasant’s Main Street. Almost all of Kafka’s coffees are sourced directly from fair wage farmers, and Kafka’s roasts their coffee weekly to ensure its freshness, brewing each cup of coffee or tea individually. With a wide selection of savory and sweet pastries along with a variety of other baked goods, Kafka’s is worth stopping by if you’re looking for great coffee in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. Along with their other Kafka’s Coffee and Tea locations around the city, Kafka’s also has a coffee and breakfast truck that roams the streets of Vancouver for those wanting a coffee and breakfast bite on the go!

Waves Coffee
1095 West Broadway

Waves Coffee is one of Vancouver’s favourite coffee shops, with their Broadway location a great place to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee. Using 100% specialty grade coffee beans that are bought directly from small lot farmers, Waves supports ethically sourced coffee while providing the highest standard of flavour in every brew. With comfortable sitting chairs for those looking to relax along with a central seating around a work desk for those looking to get some writing done, this location even has a bitcoin ATM inside. With a huge selection of hot and cold drinks along with various breakfast and lunch options, Waves Coffee is a great place to stop by for a quick brew.