Shawn Conner

In recent years, Vancouver restaurants have upped their brunch game, importing the ever-popular fried chicken and waffles from down south and integrating avocado toast, mimosas, and Caesar flights into their menus. Meanwhile, brunch-forward joints like Yolks and Daybreakers have opened to fill the voids in hungry bellies, whether looking for a heap of post-night-out pancakes or a family get-together over eggs and bacon. So how do you choose? Brunch, finally, is in the eye of the beholder. So we’ve selected several options, ranging from basic, git-‘er-done-but-with-panache-type places to higher-end eateries. After reading our guide to the best brunch in Vancouver, you will probably agree that choosing just one is hard. But who says you can’t have two (or even three!) brunches in a weekend? This guide was updated by Vancouver-based writer Shawn Conner. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Vancouver 🍽️ The best restaurants in Vancouver 🍷 The best bars in Vancouver 🍝 The best Italian restaurants in Vancouver🪩 The best clubs in Vancouver

Ticking off the main tourist attractions on a city break is all well and good, but it’s only when you veer off down a side street or stumble across a leafy avenue that you really get a glimpse of a city’s true character. Streets are the heart of local life; they’re where communities come together, where new local businesses become go-to staples and where urbanites go out, hang out and have fun.  So what are the world’s coolest streets worth a stroll right now? To find the answer, we reached out to our global team of local expert editors and contributors, who each made a case for the coolest street in their city. We then narrowed down the selection to create a definitive ranking of the best avenues, thoroughfares, backstreets and boulevards on the planet. And so you have it: the coolest streets in the world’s best cities. Over the last few years, street life has gone through something of an evolution. Outdoor drinking and dining, at one point a temporary measure, has become a staple on many of the streets on our hotlist; only bolstered by green initiatives like pedestrianisation and low-traffic avenues. In other words, these streets have become much more walkable and pleasant places to spend our time. On every street on this list, there are bold, creative new ventures in food, drink, nightlife and culture: from listening bars to repurposed heritage buildings, these streets are where you’ll find a city’s most exciting cultural trends. Ready for a wander?  RECOMMENDED: 🏘️ The w

What makes a city great? Some would say it’s all about buzzing neighbourhoods, affordable food and drink and a mighty selection of things to do, from art galleries and museums to live music and theatre. Others might highlight things like the happiness of its locals, access to green space and strong community vibes. We factor in all that and more in our annual survey, which asks city-dwellers around the world to tell us what it’s like to live, work and play in their hometowns right now. Thanks to the opinions and insights of locals on the ground and our global network of city experts, we’re able to create a global ranking of the world’s best cities – and the 2024 results are in. As in previous years, the basis of the ranking remains our global survey of the people who know their city best: the locals. Working with research company Potentia Insight, we surveyed thousands of city-dwellers about the quality and affordability of food, culture and nightlife in their city. We also asked locals how their city makes them feel: are they happy there? Is it a beautiful place? Is it easy to make social connections? Their thousands of responses gave us a unique insight into the reality of living in the world’s greatest cities right now. Now that international travel is forecast to bounce back to the highest levels since 2019, many travellers will be planning a city break this year – so in 2024, we added a little extra weight to a city’s global appeal. Each survey respondent was asked which

What’s the vibe at Yolks? Just plain Yolks. With white-painted walls and yellow highlights, Yolks is like dining inside a big egg. The restaurant is all about the Cult of Brunch and prides itself on its hollandaise sauce made from locally sourced cage-free organic egg yolks. There are three locations, all suitable for everyone, from groups of hungover millennials to families looking for something to please moms, dads, kids, and grandparents. What are the prices like at Yolks? Moderate. It’s next to impossible to find brunch under $20 these days, and that’s just a straight-up fact. What should I order at Yolks? In the savory category, diners gravitate towards the pork belly and maple-smoked ham bennies, while the sweet-toothed crowd goes for the double blueberry pancakes and Nutella cheesecake waffle (to go with your Nutella latte). Recommended options include the house-cured wild BC salmon, fresh avocado benny, or an intimidating stack of cinnamon roll pancakes topped with caramel pecans and Philly cream cheese icing. Smoothies, milkshakes, three kinds of mimosas and breakfast cocktails are also available. What’s worth visiting nearby? The West End location is close to downtown and the seawall, as well as neighboring shops and boutiques on Davie Street. Near the Broadway Yolks, you’ll find City Hall (which is not worth the walk unless you have a traffic ticket to pay for) and big-box shopping. For those determined to keep a post-brunch buzz on, the East Van edition is close t

What’s the vibe at Daybreakers? The whimsical logo doesn’t quite reflect the wood-paneled, arty interior, which belies the new Commercial Drive brunch addition’s origins as a restaurant that once hosted evening jazz. That said, Daybreakers is an up-and-coming player in an area that has lost too many brunch go-tos in the last couple of years. What are the prices like at Daybreakers? Reasonable, with specials like $2 bottomless drip coffees with a meal (Mondays), 10 percent off for seniors (Tuesday) and 10 percent off for kids (Friday). What should I order at Daybreakers? The smashed avocado and tomato benny is a winner for the veggie set, but Daybreakers also serves up meatier fare like fried chicken and pulled pork waffles. Drinks-wise, the mimosa and Caesar flights will ease you into your day, while The Shaft is a booze-and-espresso pick-me-up imported from Alberta’s service industry. What’s worth visiting nearby? Daybreakers is on Commercial Drive, known for its vintage clothing, record, and book stores as well as ethically sourced imported goods. If it’s spring, check out some yard sales. Or take the kids bowling at nearby Grandview Lanes.

What’s the vibe at Carlino? Located on the third floor of the Shangri-La Hotel in downtown Vancouver, Carlino is a tastefully decorated Italian-themed restaurant that whispers “class” from its circular foyer to its tan-and-caramel banquettes. Live acoustic music and (if you’re lucky) sun streaming through the windows add to the airy ambiance. What are the prices like at Carlino? It's not bad considering the central location, splendid service, and top-notch cuisine, but it's still a few bucks above your basic brunch joint tab. What should I order at Carlino? If there are two or more, go for the Carlino brunch board. This thing is immense, meant for two (for $69), but with enough food to feed four people. The selections change weekly but always include four bennies (chef’s selection). Also not to be missed: the Italian baked eggs (with Italian meat ragu) and stuffed cornetto (with caprese, prosciutto, and bacon). Wash it all down with a Smoke & Sand (mezcal, tequila, Strega, passion fruit) or, if you’re driving, the Café’ Racer (ginger, cardamom, cold brew). What’s worth visiting nearby? Shop-lined Robson Street is a block away, and the Vancouver Art Gallery is close as well. The Coal Harbour seawall offers spectacular views of the water and the North Shore, or you can burn off a few more calories by going the extra distance and walking the seawall around Stanley Park.