10 wheelchair-accessible restaurants and cafes in Vancouver
From famous bakeries to legendary coffee bars and award-winning fine dining, these 10 Vancouver hot spots are also wheelchair-friendly, making them accessible options for all. [Image courtesy of Chambar Restaurant. Photo credit: Ema Peter]
Aburi Restaurant
1118 Mainland St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2T9Yaletown’s elevated, cobblestoned streetscapes may be tricky to manage for those with mobility issues, but this elegant sushi restaurant on Mainland Street is a great choice for diners who are looking for an accessible spot to experience the vibrant neighbourhood. With a wide, stair-free entry way and three wheelchair-friendly bathrooms in the main dining area, guests won’t have to fret about accessibility and can instead focus on the modern Japanese cuisine. Flame-seared aburi-style pressed sushi rolls are the highlight here, but the West Coast inspired lunch and dinner menus also offer meaty entrees like pork, lamb and duck breast.
Chambar Restaurant
568 Beatty St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2L3You may not have heard that one of the city’s most esteemed fine-dining restaurants is also one of its most accessible. Known for its award-winning Belgian cuisine, impeccable service and contemporary decor, Chambar recently underwent renovations, adding more space and a wheelchair-friendly entryway and washrooms, among other accessibility features.
Butter Baked Goods Ltd
4907 MacKenzie St, Vancouver, BC V6N 1G8A bakery as accessible as its cupcakes are delicious, Butter’s colourful and extremely well loved Dunbar location specializes in cakes, cookies and all things sweet. Whimsical interiors and creative decorating techniques (cupcakes that look like ladybugs, anyone?) will make you feel like Charlie in Willy Wonka’s factory – with even more sprinkles and icing.
Cafe Du Soleil
1393 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3X5Home to poetry readings, book launches, Open Mic nights, and occasional concerts, this laid-back Commercial Drive café doubles as a community space many nights of the week. With lots of room between tables for maneuvering, it’s also an ideal spot to grab brunch, lunch or dinner – and it’s healthy, too, with plenty of tofu, tempeh and kale on the menu.
Gene Coffeebar
2404 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3E2Straddling the corner of Kingsway and Main Street, this minimalist café may be tiny and wedge-shaped, but one can easily access its coffees, teas, treats and croissant sandwiches (and beautiful hipsters) from the main doors, which are entirely wheelchair friendly.
GIOVANE CAFFE
1038 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC V6C 0B9This gorgeous and tasteful Euro-inspired café specializing in Italian breakfast, lunch, and sweets is attached to the Fairmont Pacific Rim, which means guests can enter through the hotel’s accessible doors and descend a carpeted ramp to the café’s cafeteria-style dining area. Tip: order a Panini stuffed with your choice of savoury fillings (roasted turkey, braised pork, herb-roasted mushrooms are all on offer), and don’t forget to try the candy bar for dessert.
The Irish Heather
210 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2J1This raucous and inclusive Irish pub in Gastown welcomes guests of all walks of life, including those in search of accessibility. Scottish and Irish expats will find comfort in the Heather’s 200 + whiskey varieties, while anyone can enjoy local and imported craft beers, wines and the traditional-yet-elevated pub fare in a relaxed, vibrant setting.
Nomad Restaurant
3950 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3P2Nomad is a food lover’s paradise. Located on the ground floor of a modern building, the West Coast-ish, farm-to-table restaurant boasts smooth concrete floors, high ceilings and well-spaced tables, which make for easy maneuvering within the industrial dining room. Intimate table settings and delicately plated dishes make up for such expansive decor. Tip: make a reservation ahead of time and request a table on the lower level.
Save On Meats
43 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 1G4For a cheap and cheerful breakfast, this loveable diner’s window service offers classic breakfast sandwiches for just under $4, right off the street. Alternatively, head inside for a sit-down meal of corned beef hash, steak and eggs, fried chicken and waffles and other southern-inspired dishes.
