Discover our locals' 191 hidden gems in Vancouver
Let's explore Vancouver’s hidden spots with Spotted by Locals! From scenic parks and cozy cafes to local breweries and historical buildings, our Spotters share the city’s true character. Experience Vancouver through the eyes of true locals.
City guides by those who know Vancouver best!
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Check out our latest hidden gems in Vancouver
Things to do in Vancouver
La Grotta del Formaggio – A taste of Italy
La Grotta del Formaggio, a Vancouver classic, offers hefty custom sandwiches, unique pastas, and diverse cheeses in Little Italy since the 1970s. Enjoy!
By
Rebecca
Heggs
Gifts and Things – Cute gift shop
My personal favourite parts of this shop are their tote bag wall and their section of mushroom themed merchandise.
By
Rebecca
Heggs
Vancouver Library Rooftop – Garden and viewpoint
It has a calm, family friendly atmosphere, where children run around next to university students searching for study motivation in a different atmosphere.
By
Rebecca
Heggs
The Dominion Building – Standout piece of history
At the time, it was built in the finance district to house the Dominion Bank. When it was constructed, it was the tallest building in the British Empire.
By
Rebecca
Heggs
Catfe – Cat lovers heaven
Regular special events such as art classes, meowditation, and cat yoga also give you unique ways to spend time with the cats.
By
Rebecca
Heggs
Mr. Sushi – Simple neighbourhood sushi shop
The asparagus or mushroom rolls are ideal choices for vegans and vegetarians. For meat eaters, the beef teriyaki or spicy tuna and salmon rolls!
By
Rebecca
Heggs
Mr. Red Cafe – Fresh Northern Vietnamese food
"Mr. Red Cafe" is the 'quintessence of Vietnamese cuisine'. This restaurant is just simply delicious. Let me tell you, it's not typical Vietnamese fare...
By
Adelina
Wong
Jingle Bao – Colourful dumplings in the West End
Magnificent Seven—seven soup dumplings with different colours and flavours and their giant soup dumplings, which are served with a straw for easy slurping.
By
Rebecca
Heggs
Fun Alley – A hidden colourful hangout spot
Benches to sit on and watered plants show that Fun Alley was designed as a place for people to hang out, not just a place to glance at and keep going.
By
Rebecca
Heggs
Exhausting Machine Mural – Important reminder
Spot a mural near Main Street Skytrain: an orange bottle with a trapped polar bear by Nevercrew. It highlights global warming and human greed.
By
Rebecca
Heggs
Grounds for Coffee – Best cinnamon buns in the city
While they are a cafe selling coffee and various baked goods, the main reason people come through the doors is to get one of their delicious cinnamon buns.
By
Rebecca
Heggs
Dolce Amore – The gelato mafia
They have a dedicated affogato bar that lets you customize your affogato with whichever ice cream you want and you can even add a shot of liqueur.
By
Rebecca
Heggs
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What to do in Vancouver?
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Our local Spotters share personal tips and secrets about their city. Nothing sponsored! These unique insights can’t be found in traditional guidebooks. Discover the city through the eyes of a local!
Go off the Beaten Path Gems
We focus on hidden gems and unique places that aren’t crowded with tourists. Our Spotters’ tips help you avoid the crowds and have truly special experiences, far from the tourist masses.
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We are Spotted by Locals. An online travel community publishing city guides in 80+ cities. Our hand-picked local writers and photographers create all the content.
Our 488 Spotters (and counting) live in the cities they write about, speak the local language, and regularly update their tips. Their insights help around 1.4 million travelers each year discover the hidden gems of cities.
With insider advice from locals, we offer a unique, sustainable travel experience, allowing travelers to slow down and immerse themselves in the local culture, beyond the tourist hotspots.