Timbertrain | Image courtesy of Scout Magazine

Get a good start to your day with a cup of single-origin coffee at Timbertrain (311 W. Cordova St). This unique cafe was designed to resemble the interior of a train. Seat yourself at Timbertrain’s carriage booth and watch their baristas demonstrate their coffee making skills at the slow bar.

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Spirit Wrestler

Now that you are properly caffeinated, stop by Coastal People (312 Water St) to discover museum-quality artwork by some of the finest master carvers and emerging artists on the West Coast. Inuit Gallery of Vancouver (206 Cambie St) displays an incredible collection of Inuit and Northwest Coast First Nations art and highlights new works by senior and emerging artists in their exhibitions of Canadian aboriginal art.

Newcomers and collectors alike can enjoy Hill’s Native Art (165 Water St), to experience a breathtaking collection of authentic artifacts and creations by the finest artisans on the Northwest Coast. Spirit Wrestler Gallery (47 Water St) is another unique place to visit. The internationally acclaimed gallery hosts cross-cultural art exhibitions and showcases artworks from the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest Coast, the Inuit of the Canadian Arctic and the Māori of Aotearoa (New Zealand). 

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Chill Winston | Image courtesy of Vancity Buzz

Take a lunch break and relax at Chill Winston’s patio to enjoy a stellar view in the heart of Gastown. During lunch hours, Chill Winston (3 Alexander St) features a 12 for $12 menu that includes locally sourced wild meats, organic vegetables and sustainable seafood.

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East Van Roasters

After soaking up the sun at Chill Winston’s patio, head to East Van Roasters (319 Carrall St) for a little dessert. This bean-to-bar chocolatier offers lush single-origin chocolate bars, hand rolled truffles, and other creative chocolate creations made in house. 

Want to see how chocolate is made? All of their chocolate is prepared on site, so you can always catch the East Van Roasters team roasting, winnowing, and forming the chocolate.

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Gallery Gachet

Continue gallery hopping at Artspeak (233 Carrall St) to view the latest modern art exhibitions. If you enjoy vivid colours and abstract paintings, visit Choboter Fine Art (23 Alexander St) where local artist, Donald Choboter showcases his stunning collection of contemporary artworks.

Over at Gallery Gachet (88 E. Cordova St) you will find a range of exhibitions from unique installations to experimental performance art. From now until May 25th, the multi-faceted art gallery is co-presenting ‘10 years of State of Emergency’ a multidisciplinary visual exhibition based on the retrospective works from during État d’urgence. This incredible exhibition features artwork by over 20 artists––local and international––who made original contributions which include unconventional paintings, collaborative illustrations, photo projects, a survival handbook, and more.

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The Irish Heather | Photo credit: Charles Zuckermann

Now that your gallery hop is complete, sit back and enjoy a Guinness and a hearty meal at Vancouver’s only Irish-owned gastropub, The Irish Heather (210 Carall St). There are plenty of mouthwatering plates to satisfy your appetite including meatloaf with potatoes and steak and ale pot pie. Be sure to pop by on Tuesday and Thursday nights for live Celtic music!

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Guilt & Company

It’s time to wrap up the evening with live performances at Guilt & Company (1 Alexander St). The underground tavern-lounge features live entertainment every night of the week with a stellar lineup of eccentric acts from neo burlesque to fusion style bell dance. Grab a seat near the stage and sip on their crafted cocktails as local musicians and dynamic dance troupes perform live.

Related posts:

How to Spend a Family Day in Gastown
How to Gastown Like a Local: The Gentlemen’s Edition
How to Spend a Ladies Day and Night Out in Gastown