Eat Your Lunch Out: Gastown

Sandwiched between breakfast (the alleged “most important meal of the day”) and dinner (the meal that seems to get all the attention), there’s no good reason to overlook lunch.

Lunch can be the midday bright spot in the workday, or where you linger on a day off. From where to settle in for a marathon chat sesh with the ladies who lunch, to handy spots for quick bites, we’re exploring lunch of all kinds, all around Vancouver.

Here’s where to eat lunch if you’re in Gastown.

Tacofino

From Tofino to their truck to a growing empire of charming Vancouver eateries, Tacofino has mastered the California cool vibe of Mexican-inspired fare. Sit down at their Gastown Taco bar for a memorable feast. Among Tacofino’s menu hits are their fish tacos (really, all their tacos), nachos, and burritos. If lunch on the go is more your thing, grab a burrito from the eatery’s take-out burrito bar. 

Address: 15 Blood Alley Square, Vancouver
Phone: 604-899-7907
Twitter: @TacofinoVAN

Catch 122

Brunch at Gastown’s Catch 122 is not just limited to the weekend. From Monday to Friday 8 am to 4 pm, this contemporary Canadian eatery dishes up a range of delicious breakfast-driven plates (all priced at a very reasonable $13), including a truffle-scented mushroom omelette, Eggs Benedict, brioche French Toast, a classic big breakfast, and more.

Address: 122 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-731-3474
Twitter: @Catch122

The Flying Pig

Our round-up of great lunch spots in Gastown would not be complete without The Flying Pig. Like its sibling restaurants, the Water Street location offers up a reliable menu with a range of appetizing dishes. Grab a seat in the restaurant’s chic surrounds and tuck into plates like the West Coast Salmon Sampler, Beef Stroganoff Baked Macaroni, BC Honey Mussels and Frites, Bone Marrow Cheezy Bread, and more.

Address: 102 Water Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-559-7968
Twitter: @FlyingPigVan

MeeT in Gastown

The menu at this recent Gastown addition is much like the one found at the original MeeT on Main, showcasing meat and dairy substitutes and vegan and vegetarian “plant-based” ingredients delivered in creative comfort-food oriented dishes. Look for easily shared appys like their Sweet-Chili Cauliflower, mountains of crispy fries, and “Chiggin Things” (think chicken wings, but, like, not chicken) in either a BBQ or spicy Buffalo-style sauce.

Address: 115 – 12 Water Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-688-3399
Twitter: @MeetGastown

Nelson the Seagull

A concise and solid menu, irresistible baked goods, great coffee, and good vibes make this Gastown cafe an obvious choice when it comes to picking a place to plonk yourself for 30 minutes or so to enjoy a bite to eat. Expect to find breakfast inspired plates, like the unmissable Avocado on Toast, in addition to charcuterie-style boards.

Address: 315 Carrall Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-681-5776
Twitter: @gastownseagull

Chill Winston

If a little bit of patio action is what you’re after at lunch be sure to head to Chill Winston. With close to 100 seats, sun umbrellas, and a bustling atmosphere, Chill Winston’s sprawling patio is the perfect place to relax, slow down, and enjoy a bite to eat at lunch.

Address: 3 Alexander Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-288-9575
Twitter: @chillwinston

Water St. Cafe

Come here for an upscale nosh. Expect to find a range of Pacific Northwest cuisine on the menu, an elegant dining room, and a sidewalk patio, which is excellent for people watching.

Address: 300 Water Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-689-2832

Peckinpah

Located near Maple Tree Square, Peckinpah is a laid-back spot perfect for enjoying the Carolina-style BBQ plates dished up. Expect to find pulled pork, beef brisket, BBQ pork ribs, and other equally tempting dishes on the menu. Grab a seat on the patio or pull up chair inside.

Address: 2 Water Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-681-5411
Twitter: @PeckinpahBBQ

Six Acres

Six Acres offers a great menu (full of comforting gastropub classics) and drinks list to be enjoyed out on its street-facing patio — a casual open air spot to chill out with cocktails and beers in hand. That is if your lunch hour allows it!

Address: 203 Carrall Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-488-0110
Twitter: @sixacres

Nuba

Offering a reliably good menu, Nuba dishes up traditional Lebanese appetizers and main plates, with pita and pickled cabbage, soups, salads, falafel, stews, kebabs, and more. With such satisfying fare expect this Gastown favourite to be packed to capacity at lunch.

Address: 207 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-688-1655
Twitter: @nubatown

The Birds & The Beets

The Birds & The Beets prides itself on being a food-focused counter-service cafe. The eatery’s all-day breakfast eats, hearty sandwiches, and green salads are a selling point in themselves, but there’s also the added bonus that the cafe offers a range of caffeinated beverages, using beans from Bows & Arrows and Matchstick Coffee.

Address: 55 Powell Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-893-7832
Twitter: @birdsandbeets

Meat & Bread

The line out the door every lunch is your first clue that Meat & Bread serves some truly delicious grub. While the sandwich shop whips up a variety of roasted meat sandwiches, it is their signature porchetta that steals the spotlight. Imagine a juicy sandwich of sliced then chopped up roasted pork, salsa verde, crackling crumbs, and a side of mustard. Yum!

Address: 370 Cambie Street, Vancouver
Phone:  604-566-9003
Twitter: @1meatandbread

Jules Bistro

This charming French bistro is known for its chic ambience and delectable French-inspired food offerings, which come lunch (served Tuesday to Sunday) includes an array of a la carte options (French Onion Soup, homemade country style pate, Salad Nicoise, and more). Jules’ Steak Frites is as real as it gets. Order it a la carte, or as part of their table d’hote offering.

Address: 216 Abbott Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-669-0033
Twitter: @julesbistro

Nicli Antica Pizzeria

Open from 11:30 am daily, Nicli’s is the perfect place to stop by at lunch if you’re in the mood of pizza. The pies at this Neapolitan-style pizzeria are so authentic, they actually come whole, arriving at the table uncut, so not to compromise the soft centre and toppings. Handmade and baked in a wood-fire oven, Nicli’s pizzas are presented with a perfectly charred crust and topped with the seasons freshest, local ingredients.

Address: 62 East Cordova Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-669-6985
Twitter: @NicliPizzeria

Acme Cafe

At Acme Cafe you will find a range of comfort-driven plates, all aimed at satisfying your belly at lunch. There are soups, salads, and sandwiches, as well as stuff-your-face worthy mac and cheese, meatloaf, and shepherd’s pie. With a range of homemade pies prepared daily, you’ll want to make sure you leave room for dessert.

Address: 51 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-569-1022
Twitter: @Acme_Cafe

Tuc Craft Kitchen

With dishes like a Beef Brisket and Pork Belly Crackling Sandwich, a Savory Bread Pudding with greens, and Tuc Craft Kitchen’s signature Crispy Bacon and Egg on the menu, you best start making plans to visit this modern tavern at lunch soon.

Address: 60 West Cordova Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-559-8999
Twitter: @TucCraftKitchen

‘ONO Raw Bar

Served from 11 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday, lunch at ‘ONO Raw Bar features a small but mighty menu. Here you can scarf down Kalua Pig Lettuce Wraps, Hawaiian Fried Chicken, Loco-Moco Rice Bowl, a Tuna Poke Bowl, and more.

Address: 221 Carrall Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-569-2215
Twitter: @ONOrawbar