Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
blocks has extended almost all the way down Robson Street to the West End's Denman
StreetandhasgrowntobecomeoneofVancouver'smostfashionableshoppinganddining
precincts. If you like to shop in designer boutiques, sample European delicacies, and sip
lattes at sidewalk cafés, then this is the place to do it.
The downtown end of this upmarket commercial corridor is glass-topped Robson
Square (at Hornby Street). From this point, cross Robson Street to Vancouver's original
courthouse (now the Vancouver Art Gallery), a grand stone edifice designed by Francis
Rattenbury. Heading east, the next few blocks hold the largest concentration of boutiques,
cafés,andrestaurants.Ifanywhereinthecitycouldbecalled“coffeerow,”thenthiswould
beit.LocalcompaniesBlenzandBagelStreetCaféarewellrepresented,andSeattle-based
Starbucks has four outlets, including two kitty-corner to each other at Thurlow Street. Of
themanybarsandrestaurantsalongthisstrip,thebestplaceforabeerorafullmealis
Joe
Fortes
(777 Thurlow St.), which offers some of the city's best seafood and a rooftop patio
overlooking Robson Street. Those with a sweet tooth are not forgotten; head to
Daniel
le Chocolat Belge
(1105 Robson St., 604/688-9624) for chocolate treats and
Candy Isle
(625 Robson St., 604/669-7898) for a huge selection of sweet treats.
FromtheintersectionwithJervisStreet,RobsonStreetbeginsitsgradualdescenttothe
West End. The hustle and bustle is behind you, and the corridor is lined with hotels and
motels that offer some of the best value to be found in Vancouver, a variety of restaurants,
and apartment buildings from the 1960s and 1970s.
Robson Public Market
(1610 Rob-
son St., 604/682-2733) occupies an impressive atrium-topped building filled with meat,
seafood, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, nuts, flowers, craft vendors, fresh juice and
salad bars, and an international food fair.
Two blocks farther west you find yourself at Denman Street: Turn left and you'll reach
EnglishBayBeachafterpassingthroughanotherrestaurant-filledsectionoftheWestEnd;
turn right and you'll find bike rental outlets catering to Stanley Park-bound cyclists.
