Meat-Centric Entrees
There’s nothing quite like indulging in savoury meals as the weather gets chillier. Tuc Craft Kitchen is one of our favourite spots for satiated meat-loving entrees. The menu by Chef Roy Flemming reinterprets classic recipes with urban-peasant style cooking. A must-try dish is Tuc’s Hanger steak bourgouignon, served on a wood board in a skillet. On the other side of the comfort food spectrum is Pourhouse, a fancy joint offering back-to-basic mains like bangers & mash, roasted bone marrow and braised shoulder. Pamper yourself with satisfying dishes and original cocktails – and relish it all in their old-fashioned room filled with upbeat jazz music.
Mom & Pops Cooking
What could be more comforting than mom-and-pops cooking? Homestyle cooking is the perfect indulgence highlighting savoury ingredients and slow-cooked meats that melt in your mouth. If you’re looking for meal to go with your Guinness pour, The Irish Heather’s steak and ale potpie is a delicious and satisfying choice. The Greedy Pig’s duck shepherd’s pie is another savoury option, cooked with shredded duck leg and guinette cherry gravy. Over at The Flying Pig, you’ll find delicious Canadian bistro and sentimental comforts like beef short ribs and seafood pappardelle. Lily Mae’s has centered their menu on European cooking featuring mouthwatering mains like beef bourguignon with mashed potatoes and roasted trout amandine with confit potatoes. Everything on the menu is a feast for the senses.
Homemade Pastries
There’s something about homemade pastries that really hit the spot during the fall season. Brioche has a selection of delicious croissants, cinnamon buns, and fruit tarts, all baked fresh in house daily. More in house baked goods can be found at the Baker & Chef, who offers an incredible variety from Nanaimo bars to carrot cake. If you’re looking for healthy baked treats, Nelson the Seagull offers homemade sourdough breads and original treats like Coconut Almond Friand, Flourless Chocolate Cake, and Zucchini Raisin Cup Cake – all made with local and organic eggs and milk.
Slow-Pour Coffee
Arguably the best cup of coffee is made through the slow-pour method. It’s quite a science that only a few coffee shops have mastered. The coffee masters at Revolver brew some of the best using a rotating selection of exquisite beans from world-class roasters, all of which have been through a weekly blind taste test. Gastown’s newest coffee shop, Timbertrain, is becoming a local favourite for their signature coffee and espresso drinks. Watch talented baristas demonstrate their pour-over techniques at the slow bar using premium coffee gear by Kalita and coffee beans that are hand selected and roasted at Timbertrain’s roasting facility. If you love Timbertrain’s coffee, you can purchase a bag of their roasted beans to brew at home.
Spiced Cocktails
Craft cocktails are one of the highlights of Gastown’s bustling dining scene. Within four blocks, you can find some of the city’s most talented barmen and cocktailers mixing classic and original libations. Pourhouse, Clough Club, Chill Winston, and Notturno are a few spots offering an ever-changing cocktail list showcasing seasonal ingredients and exotic bitters; while cocktail gems like Bambudda, The Diamond and L’Abattoir offer an original menu of creative concoctions, presented as works of art, and taste as amazing as they look. All these gems serve delicious spiced cocktails for this season. Here’s a list of our favourites from each cocktail establishment below:
Bambudda ‘Ip Man’ – bourbon, lemon, lime and Chinese five spice
Pourhouse ‘Far from the Tree’ – Airdis applejack, St. Germain and house-made bokerís bitters
The Diamond ‘Pacific Spice Pirate’ – dark rum, early grey tea cordial & spiced sherry
Notturno ‘Leeloo’s Love’ – ginger infused bourbon, arugula and plum syrup and Umami bitters.
L’Abattoir ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ – Thai chili infused tequila, Aperol, fresh lime, agave nectar, mezcal
Chill Winston ‘Pious Pirate’ – El Jimador Blanco, Campari, lemon, Angostura Bitters and Tricycle Radler
Clough Club ‘O’leary Smolders’ – Hennessy VS cognac, Fernet Branca, Bittered Sling Moondog bitters, Ardbeg mist, and Peat-smoked mint.
