Commercial Drive
Commercial Drive
4
About
A culturally rich and authentic neighbourhood, Commercial Drive - also known as "The Drive "- is one of the best and most colourful shopping, dining and nightlife districts you will find in Vancouver; and boasts home to eight blocks of officially designated Little Italy, representing more than 60 years of Italian heritage. Day or evening, The Drive offers 22 full blocks to explore with over 300 distinct merchants, including quaint boutiques, an eclectic collection of restaurants, a vibrant live music, lounge, pub, and bar scene, dinner and dancing, theaters, coffee houses, specialty food stores and bakeries. Vancouver's one of a kind experience. Welcome to The Drive.
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2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Grandview-Woodland
How to get there
- Commercial–Broadway • 9 min walk
- VCC–Clark • 10 min walk
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Restaurants
2,482 within 3 miles
Attractions
514 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
308 reviews
Excellent
140
Very good
118
Average
39
Poor
8
Terrible
3
Chris D
New Westminster, Canada3,136 contributions
Aug 2021
What a surprise to see no one has added a comment since I was here about a year and a half ago. Must be Covid, because this neighbourhood has not lost a step or a vibe. The new construction that concerned me in my last report appears to be blending in well, and has not affected the general atmosphere. People continue to dress like they want to, and fresh food markets outnumber candy stores. I noted a few USA license plates along the way, and it occurred to me: travelers - if you miss Haight-Ashbury, I bet you'll have some recall if you drop by here.
Very cosmopolitan, great restaurants, bars, and boutiques. Tourists, please take the Skytrain from downtown so you can spend an afternoon.
Very cosmopolitan, great restaurants, bars, and boutiques. Tourists, please take the Skytrain from downtown so you can spend an afternoon.
Written August 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Goal100Countries
Cheltenham, UK615 contributions
Sep 2019
Commercial Drive is located in East Vancouver and hosts hundreds of small independent businesses and shops. There are also a number of events hosted on 'the drive' such as Italia Day, which is a great time. The street has a lot of character and is easily accessible via the Commercial-Broadway skytrain station on the Expo and Millennium line.
Written September 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
smfische
Vancouver, Canada64 contributions
Nov 2013 • Couples
So, I visited commercial drive for the first time in 2011, and I was indifferent to it.
"WHY would I come here? Kensington Market (my current home) is SO MUCH COOLER."
In 2012, I found myself moving away from the Market in Toronto, and to Vancouver. It was really a coin toss between Kits and Commercial drive. We picked commercial drive because we wanted to be around the queer culture.
Now, The Drive isn't somewhere I'd put on a "must-see" list if you're on a tight budget. You don't "see" the Drive like you would Kensington Market in Toronto, or some of the other neighbourhoods in Vancouver (like Kits). You "experience" The Drive.
There's not much to "see," but there's lots to experience.
Grab a coffee in a cafe, and strike up a conversation with someone.
Sit in the park, and join in on someone's jam session.
Find someone you think looks cool in the park ("cool" is subjective - this is one of the most diverse places I've ever been, and you will find someone who meets your unique brand of cool in gradview park). Tell anybody in the park that it's your first time on The Drive, and they'll probably let you hang out with them.
Grab food from all over the world (which is notably absent in Vancover, compared to Toronto, in many other parts of the city).
Walk around the streets, and check out the amazing backyard farms. Ask someone to show you around. They will.
If you have time, spend at least 2-3 days here. If you are "passing through," try chatting with some of the people who live here. Commercial drive isn't about the shops.
Commercial drive is about the people, and not the places. here, you'll find young people, artists trying to make it, old people who have lived here for 60 years, people of all linguistic/cultural backgrounds, hippies, computer programers, lawyers, students, bank tellers...everybody. The one thing they all have in common is a love for this neighbourhood, and the desire to live a bit more communally.
So, yeah, if you just walk around, you'll think it's awful here. I was bummed out when I first moved here, and walked around. I was unimpressed when I visited. But, now, I call this place home. Any tourist who has come to stay with us on the drive for more than a few days has been enchanted by it.
Come visit us. We'll like you, and we'll be happy to see you. :)
"WHY would I come here? Kensington Market (my current home) is SO MUCH COOLER."
In 2012, I found myself moving away from the Market in Toronto, and to Vancouver. It was really a coin toss between Kits and Commercial drive. We picked commercial drive because we wanted to be around the queer culture.
Now, The Drive isn't somewhere I'd put on a "must-see" list if you're on a tight budget. You don't "see" the Drive like you would Kensington Market in Toronto, or some of the other neighbourhoods in Vancouver (like Kits). You "experience" The Drive.
There's not much to "see," but there's lots to experience.
Grab a coffee in a cafe, and strike up a conversation with someone.
Sit in the park, and join in on someone's jam session.
Find someone you think looks cool in the park ("cool" is subjective - this is one of the most diverse places I've ever been, and you will find someone who meets your unique brand of cool in gradview park). Tell anybody in the park that it's your first time on The Drive, and they'll probably let you hang out with them.
Grab food from all over the world (which is notably absent in Vancover, compared to Toronto, in many other parts of the city).
Walk around the streets, and check out the amazing backyard farms. Ask someone to show you around. They will.
If you have time, spend at least 2-3 days here. If you are "passing through," try chatting with some of the people who live here. Commercial drive isn't about the shops.
Commercial drive is about the people, and not the places. here, you'll find young people, artists trying to make it, old people who have lived here for 60 years, people of all linguistic/cultural backgrounds, hippies, computer programers, lawyers, students, bank tellers...everybody. The one thing they all have in common is a love for this neighbourhood, and the desire to live a bit more communally.
So, yeah, if you just walk around, you'll think it's awful here. I was bummed out when I first moved here, and walked around. I was unimpressed when I visited. But, now, I call this place home. Any tourist who has come to stay with us on the drive for more than a few days has been enchanted by it.
Come visit us. We'll like you, and we'll be happy to see you. :)
Written November 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sandy c
Copenhagen, Denmark653 contributions
Apr 2014 • Solo
I lived here for a time, but now I only come back if I need some cheap fruit and veg. The whole strip just gives me the creeps now. Lots of beggars crying poverty, yet somehow they have the funds to smoke drugs and drink in the parks all day, when they aren't taking up half the sidewalk. At least one guy has a knife in his hands at all times- for the arts and crafts he sometimes carves, I'm sure. Dope is openly sold outside the post office; convenient for some I suppose.
On the other side of the coin are the Yuppie Hiptser types who thrive on the gluten free organic vegan paleo hand-picked by Tibetan virgins coffee shops and fishmongers who will tell you the name of the captain of the boat where this overpriced fish was caught, but I ramble. If you're familiar with Vancouver, the Drive is kind of like Robson Street, with slightly less known brands (but the same high prices). But hey, if people want to spend $32 (plus tax and tip) for a thin crust pizza who am I to be critical.
Be careful if you're driving, as the denizens of this area tend to walk into traffic as is they're daring you to hit them.
On the plus side, there are a few good takeaways and fruit and veg shops left, though I'd advise browsing them all to see which has the better prices or quality on any given day.
Tacky, certainly. Funky, maybe- but not cheap.
On the other side of the coin are the Yuppie Hiptser types who thrive on the gluten free organic vegan paleo hand-picked by Tibetan virgins coffee shops and fishmongers who will tell you the name of the captain of the boat where this overpriced fish was caught, but I ramble. If you're familiar with Vancouver, the Drive is kind of like Robson Street, with slightly less known brands (but the same high prices). But hey, if people want to spend $32 (plus tax and tip) for a thin crust pizza who am I to be critical.
Be careful if you're driving, as the denizens of this area tend to walk into traffic as is they're daring you to hit them.
On the plus side, there are a few good takeaways and fruit and veg shops left, though I'd advise browsing them all to see which has the better prices or quality on any given day.
Tacky, certainly. Funky, maybe- but not cheap.
Written April 16, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TaysTea
Courtenay, Canada75 contributions
...Which is why I love it. For years I didn't get why people loved the drive so much, but that was because I lived and worked downtown. Moving out of the monoculture it still has taken a while to adjust. There are beggars. There are poor people. There are a fair few people who should probably not drink so early in the day and yes you can always smell someone smoking something 'fragrant'.
But there is a fantastic community that lives and works together that is culturally, ethnically and socially diverse. That means you have a complete range of shops and services along the drive, and after a year there I am still discovering new gems all the time.
Coming from London, it reminds me of Hackney in that sense. Not overly pretentious (you will find posers in all of Vancouver of course), it has a strong sense of heritage but not in a precious way - the Drive is constantly evolving.
Come for great restaurants, fun bars with live music, excellent cheap grocery shopping and some fancy Italian coffee shops and ludicrously priced cheese emporiums. Get a haircut or a tattoo and just enjoy being in a neighbourhood that is relaxed and fun.
But there is a fantastic community that lives and works together that is culturally, ethnically and socially diverse. That means you have a complete range of shops and services along the drive, and after a year there I am still discovering new gems all the time.
Coming from London, it reminds me of Hackney in that sense. Not overly pretentious (you will find posers in all of Vancouver of course), it has a strong sense of heritage but not in a precious way - the Drive is constantly evolving.
Come for great restaurants, fun bars with live music, excellent cheap grocery shopping and some fancy Italian coffee shops and ludicrously priced cheese emporiums. Get a haircut or a tattoo and just enjoy being in a neighbourhood that is relaxed and fun.
Written December 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter F
Vancouver, Canada122 contributions
Apr 2018
Commercial Drive spans the neighbourhoods of Grandview and Woodland, and is much like the main drag of small-city Anywhere, Canada. You could make comparisons to Toronto's Leslieville, or even some neighbourhoods in London England.
The unique feature of Commercial Drive is the lack of big box or chain stores. This is an area where even MacDonald's failed to survive, though there is one Starbucks and a MacDonald's right beside the SkyTrain station at Commercial & Broadway.
The storefronts are mostlly housed in buildings that made up the original 1910 era urban landscape, though sadly this is changing with the increasing pressure to build bigger, taller, and glitzy structures that would ruin the cache of "the Drive." Nearly all of the businesses are unique enterprises, dominated by a large number of restaurants. You like to eat? This is certainly the place to come, with probably the greatest variety of quality eats and local atmosphere to be found anywhere in Vancouver.
How do you get there? Caution--parking is limited, especially on weekends in the evening. Solution? Transit is easy from downtown Vancouver. Take the Skytrain to Commercial / Broadway station. There are some good eateries in the immediate area--Bandidas to the south, and Broadway Station Sushi to the west (see my reviews). While you're at it, you might even take in a bit of entertainment at the famous Rio Theatre, a quirky bastion of East Van counter-culture. Nearly are two pubs, Toby's and St. Augustine's (60 taps! Great food!). Generally, if you walk north from Broadway, you will be immersed in foodie heaven, with choices like Jam Jar (Lebanese) and Sweet Greek (recommended!).
If you have time, you can spend hours ambling between Broadway and Venables, and maybe a bit farther. Bomber Brewery on Adanac St. comes to mind, as does the new kid on the block, East Van Brewery on Venables.
If visiting, you might want to arrive a bit before noon, and spend the whole afternoon drinking in the ambiance.
It's always good to come hungry. You won't be disappointed.
The unique feature of Commercial Drive is the lack of big box or chain stores. This is an area where even MacDonald's failed to survive, though there is one Starbucks and a MacDonald's right beside the SkyTrain station at Commercial & Broadway.
The storefronts are mostlly housed in buildings that made up the original 1910 era urban landscape, though sadly this is changing with the increasing pressure to build bigger, taller, and glitzy structures that would ruin the cache of "the Drive." Nearly all of the businesses are unique enterprises, dominated by a large number of restaurants. You like to eat? This is certainly the place to come, with probably the greatest variety of quality eats and local atmosphere to be found anywhere in Vancouver.
How do you get there? Caution--parking is limited, especially on weekends in the evening. Solution? Transit is easy from downtown Vancouver. Take the Skytrain to Commercial / Broadway station. There are some good eateries in the immediate area--Bandidas to the south, and Broadway Station Sushi to the west (see my reviews). While you're at it, you might even take in a bit of entertainment at the famous Rio Theatre, a quirky bastion of East Van counter-culture. Nearly are two pubs, Toby's and St. Augustine's (60 taps! Great food!). Generally, if you walk north from Broadway, you will be immersed in foodie heaven, with choices like Jam Jar (Lebanese) and Sweet Greek (recommended!).
If you have time, you can spend hours ambling between Broadway and Venables, and maybe a bit farther. Bomber Brewery on Adanac St. comes to mind, as does the new kid on the block, East Van Brewery on Venables.
If visiting, you might want to arrive a bit before noon, and spend the whole afternoon drinking in the ambiance.
It's always good to come hungry. You won't be disappointed.
Written April 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jennifer s
Tacoma, WA1,015 contributions
Oct 2015 • Family
Commercial Drive is well removed from the main shopping areas downtown. You'll get a good taste of more workaday Vancouver here.
At one end is the Croatian Cultural Centre, which hosts many great, funky events. There are high end flea markets here every month, craft shows, concerts, etc. It's definitely worth checking the Cultural Centre's calendar if you're coming to town.
As you walk further along Commercial Drive, you will find many coffee houses, vintage clothing stores, used book stores, ethnic shops. It is home to Kishimoto Sushi - one of the best sushi joints in the city.
It is not uncommon to see film crews along Commercial Drive. Vancouver is a hub for tv production.
At one end is the Croatian Cultural Centre, which hosts many great, funky events. There are high end flea markets here every month, craft shows, concerts, etc. It's definitely worth checking the Cultural Centre's calendar if you're coming to town.
As you walk further along Commercial Drive, you will find many coffee houses, vintage clothing stores, used book stores, ethnic shops. It is home to Kishimoto Sushi - one of the best sushi joints in the city.
It is not uncommon to see film crews along Commercial Drive. Vancouver is a hub for tv production.
Written May 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bitler
Newport Beach, CA406 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
We have been to Vancouver numerous times but this was the first time it was on our radar. We were concerned it would be too far away, but by taking the Sky Train, it is a piece of cake. I don’t think I have ever seen seen so many intriguing restaurants of different countries and ethnicity ever! It was fun to walk and look at the varied shops, eateries, coffee houses and book stores. We spent hours poking around. I would recommend this area highly!
Written October 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris D
New Westminster, Canada3,136 contributions
Dec 2018 • Solo
This little area, stretching a dozen blocks north of the Skytrain stations at Broadway, is a true distinct neighbourhood. The atmosphere is one of counter-culture attitude, reminiscent of the 1960's. The strong influence of "Little Italy" adds to the distinct tone of the area I can't find anywhere else in Vancouver. Don't bring your car, do take either train line to Broadway; and enjoy the walk, the shops, and the cafes.
Written December 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claudio M
Vancouver, Canada108 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
Been to this area three times because it does have interesting restaurant options, however it is one of those areas where you just don't feel very safe. Asked a few friends and most of them got the same feeling.
Written March 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingCommercial Drive - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Commercial Drive
- Hotels near Commercial Drive:
- (0.03 mi) Cozy One Bedroom Suite Heart of Commercial Drive
- (0.03 mi) Commercial Drive Accommodations
- (0.15 mi) Quiet Retreat Near Trendy Commercial Drive
- (0.22 mi) Bright, New, Mid-Century Modern Style 1Br, in Hip, Live, Eclectic Commercial Dr.
- (0.22 mi) Bright, New, 1BR Character Apt, Steps From Hip, Live, Eclectic, Commercial Drive
- Restaurants near Commercial Drive:
- (0.01 mi) Take Thai Home
- (0.01 mi) Osita
- (0.02 mi) Starbucks
- (0.02 mi) Cobs Bread Bakery
- (0.02 mi) Mr. Greek Donair Store
- Attractions near Commercial Drive:
- (0.01 mi) Craft Maison
- (0.03 mi) Mintage
- (0.03 mi) Turquoise KIngdom
- (0.05 mi) Doctor Vigari Gallery
- (0.14 mi) Spartacus Books
Commercial Drive Information
Excellent Reviews | 140 |
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Very Good Reviews | 118 |
Commercial Drive Photos | 54 |