Top lunch spots in Vancouver’s Marpole neighbourhood
Located near the banks of the Fraser River, Marpole is one of Vancouver’s oldest suburbs. With its rich multicultural history, it’s also home to an array of worldly dining options; you’ll find everything from gourmet vegan fare to spicy Thai dishes to authentic Indian curries. These lunch spots are some of the finest in the area to enjoy during your next visit.
Gigi Blin Market Cafe
1400 70th Avenue W, Vancouver BC V6P 2Z2Located inside a restored heritage building, this serene, white-walled café is ideal for enjoying a secluded meal away from bustling Granville Street. In addition to its stylish coffee bar, Gigi Blin’s revolving daily menu of European-inspired lunches includes grilled sandwiches on sourdough, ham and cheese croissants, and soups with playful names like Rockin’ Moroccan and Nonna's Chicken Fettuccini. For those with dinner preparations in mind, the café doubles as a gourmet market and is well stocked with a variety of pastas, fresh sauces, olives, spreads, and even hand-
Talay Thai
8369 Granville St, Vancouver BC V6P 4Z8Much loved throughout the neighbourhood, Talay Thai delights midday diners with impeccable service and traditional Thai dishes. Once you’ve settled into an ornate wooden booth, choose from an array of lunch options, including green and red curries, fresh salad rolls, pad Thai – made any way you like it – and hot-and-sour soups, all prepared in-house. Many dishes are designed for sharing (the crunchy lettuce wraps are a must), which makes Talay Thai the perfect venue for an extended lunch with loved ones in a relaxed yet colourful setting.
Cravings Restaurant & Lounge
8804 Osler St, Vancouver BC V6P 4G2Originally a small sandwich shop, Cravings has since grown into a spacious restaurant and lounge complete with a full cocktail bar that’s unmatched in the neighbourhood. Created with all tastes and sensitivities in mind, Cravings serves up an array of vegetarian and vegan meals, including quinoa salad, squash and kale pasta, and veggie patties with homemade gluten-free bread. And no matter what dish strikes your fancy, chefs cook almost entirely from local ingredients. This remarkable fact (and the weekend brunch, of course) makes the restaurant well worth the trip up Oak Street.
Sushi Hoon Ltd
7974 Granville St, Vancouver BC V6P 4Z2Traditional Japanese dishes are excellent here, but one visits this stylish Japanese bistro not for the tuna sashimi, but for the towering specialty Roles. For the affordable price of $10 or less, these are a meal in and of themselves, containing such unexpected ingredients as blackened rice, deep-fried cream cheese, and sweet mango-sesame salsa. In keeping with such creative flavour combinations, talented chefs have a penchant for presentation; each plate emerges from the tiny kitchen looking as unique and compelling as it will soon taste.
Wick's Cafe
1300 73rd Ave W, Vancouver BC V6P 3E7On your next journey to the Vancouver Airport, consider making a pit stop at Wick’s Café. Located at the north foot of the Arthur Laing Bridge, the eclectic eatery offers specialty drinks, deli-style breakfast and lunch items, gooey treats, and a cozy atmosphere that captures the community spirit of Marpole. A Caesar wrap paired with a fruit smoothie makes for a balanced meal, while those in search of something new must try the Red Symphony, an African Rooibos tea that’s pressed in Wick’s gorgeous Italian espresso machine and added to steamed milk.
Mirchi Restaurant
7964 Granville St, Vancouver BC V6P 4Z2Don’t let Mirchi’s unassuming yellow storefront fool you. Nestled between a gift shop and a spa, this local hot spot is home to an impressive menu of Indian cuisine that will keep you coming back for more. With nearly 20 different curries of both the vegetarian and meat variety, Mirchi’s signature dishes include smokin samosas, Mirchi naan wraps with homemade chutney, and a special butter chicken recipe that is truly the talk of the neighbourhood. Come for a quiet lunch with friends in the cozy yellow dining room, and stay for the seemingly never-ending, home baked naan bread.
