Spring in Kitsilano: Floral & Edible Highlights
I’ve had two housesits in the Kitsilano area of Vancouver in the past year and will happily return. Here’s why.
Land and Water
Kitsilano is an established neighbourhood beside False Creek and English Bay and stretching uphill to West Broadway. My most recent housesit was a second-storey apartment surrounded by trees – apple, oak, horse chestnut, and more. The rhododendrons and irises were flowering throughout the neighbourhood as were the lilacs.
The Arbutus Greenway runs alongside West 6th Avenue from Arbutus to Fir, and it’s a delight. The wide pathway for cyclists and pedestrians is bordered by community gardens with a children’s playground at one end and lots of seating.
You can also walk from Kitsilano Pool all the way to Granville Island mostly beside the water. On a sunny evening, Kitsilano Beach was bustling with hundreds of young people playing beach volleyball and enjoying picnics on the lawn.
Stores and Restaurants
Kitsilano is designed for pedestrians and cyclists. West 4th Avenue runs through the neighbourhood with a huge range of restaurants and stores.
I had a couple of meals at Tractor where you can choose salads, stews, or sandwiches containing lots of vegetables and a choice of proteins (from tofu to chicken). I had a couple of meals on their patio, but I also took salads home with me on several occasions. I’ve just discovered a branch of Tractor in Victoria – excellent news!
Almost kitty corner from Tractor is Purebread with a huge range of cookies, cakes, and assorted goodies. They have a branch in the international terminal at Vancouver airport as well, which is very convenient.
You’ll find larger chains on West Broadway alongside restaurants and small independent stores.
Coffee Shops
There are so many coffee shops to choose from. Arbutus Coffee is in a heritage building (formerly Arbutus Grocery). Their lemon loaf was delicious, and another time I’d like to try their falafel sandwich. I enjoyed the friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere and went back several times.
Another favorite was Beaucoup Bakery on Fir Street at the far end of the Arbutus Greenway. They have an excellent range of teas and French pâtisseries and friendly staff.
Pâtisserie Lebeau is on West 2nd Avenue. It’s quiet and off the beaten track but almost next door to Les Amis du Fromage so well worth visiting. They offer Liège waffles iced with different kinds of chocolate, nuts, and coconut. Their baguette sandwiches looked good too.
I’ve now learned that Liège waffles are made from a raised dough and are served warm and cold, while Brussels waffles are made from a liquid batter and are best served warm as they soften when cool. The Liège waffle dough contains pearl sugar that caramelizes when grilled.
I visited Platform 7 with a friend. The hot chocolate was made with real chocolate (usually a good sign if you’re looking for good coffee) and the décor is remarkable as it’s been designed with an arched glass ceiling like you’d find in a European train station.
Very close to Platform 7 is Edible Flours, a vegan bakery with gluten-free options. I can recommend the apple cinnamon buns. It’s another quiet place if you want to have a drink and read a book.
Kitsilano Farmers Market
Kitsilano Farmers Market runs every Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm beside the Kitsilano Secondary School (indoors in winter). There was a stem bar where you could assemble your own bouquet of flowers, a stand selling big bunches of peonies, and lots of international prepared foods (pupusas, tamales) alongside the vegetables and baked goods. It’s beside a park so lots of places to sit and enjoy the lunch choices.
Housesitting
Last but certainly not least, I had a sweet little cat buddy thanks to Trusted House Sitters.
