Located midway between Metrotown and Mount Pleasant in central East Vancouver, Norquay Village boasts a thriving community rich in culture and laden with culinary gems ripe for discovery. Made for families, café-goers, and social butterflies alike, an abundance of welcoming green spaces lay the foundation for this connected community tucked around Kingsway.
We already love this quintessential East Van neighbourhood, and we’ve outlined a variety of our favourite places in and around it in hopes that you will love them too!
CAFES, COFFEE, BAKERIES
Needing your morning wake-up call or looking for a weekend breakfast spot? We’ve got an insight into the best places to go!
- Pallet Coffee Roasters – At Knight and Kingsway, Pallet Coffee provides clean, aesthetic, quality-focused coffee, and foods. Pallet Coffee offers a welcoming atmosphere that focuses on creating experiences for the entire community.
- Milk and Sugar Caffe – Enjoy beverages handcrafted with passion at Milk and Sugar Café. With weekly specials and the ability to mix and craft your very own drink, Milk and Sugar Café provides a new experience for everyone. This is the perfect spot to step out of your comfort zone and try something new!
- Gram Café and Pancakes – Known for its souffle-like pancakes along with fresh tea and coffee, Gram Café and Pancakes provide a taste of Japanese culture. This café’s charming appeal is reflected by its simplistic and traditional customs. These famous pancakes are first come, first serve, so we suggest getting there early!
GOOD EATS, GREAT DRINKS
With an abundance of places within the neighbourhood for a bite to eat, Norquay Village showcases a diverse palette of foods. Check out our go-to spots!
- Do Chay – As the winner of Vancouver Magazine’s 2020 Restaurant Awards for Best New Restaurant and Best Vegetarian, Do Chay provides a beautiful presentation with great flavour and a welcoming atmosphere. With a dedication to providing modern Vietnamese cuisine, Do Chay’s focus on Vegetarian specialties allows for creating dishes for everyone.
- House of Dosas – On the opposite side of Knight and Kingsway is an all-in-one destination for South Indian cuisine. Open 365 days a year, at House of Dosas, you’ll be met with delicious food, and friendly service!
- Purdy’s Chocolatier Factory Store – As a staple in the community, Purdy’s Chocolatier provides bestselling chocolates, gift baskets and ice cream. At the factory store, you purchase chocolate right where Purdy’s manufactures its products. This location offers a taste of nostalgia for Vancouverites served up by welcoming staff!
- Come Along Chinese Seafood – Whether you dine in or order online, Come Along Chinese Seafood is a lively dining spot featuring bright décor and delicious Chinese cuisine. A very localized restaurant that’s a great spot to bring the family, you can enjoy breakfast dim sum and taste many traditional dishes!
- Oiso Kimchi Café – Perhaps one of the most “Instagram-able” cafes in Vancouver, this new Korean-styled restaurant is serving up a kimchi-focused menu. Enjoy simple-yet-delicious food, a comfortable atmosphere, and some soft K-pop tunes.
- The First Dessert – Showcasing a blend of traditional and modern desserts, The First Dessert specializes in Cantonese delights. This locally owned dessert shop presents vintage-styled presentations with an extensive range of options. Immerse yourself in a classic dining experience!
TAKE IN THE SIGHTS
With lush parks and abundant green space throughout the nearby neighbourhood – weekends in Norquay Village mean fresh air, and countless places to spend the day.
- Check out Norquay Park – Bordering Kingsway and just steps away from Earles St, Norquay Park provides a water park, playground, basketball court, and a large open field – perfect for throwing the football, a round of spike ball, or a quiet picnic. Watch for regular Tai Chi classes in the park!
- Slocan Park – Just a few streets north of Norquay Park, Slocan Park is situated beside the SkyTrain station, making it an accessible meeting point. For those passionate about organized sports, many clubs and organizations use this space for activities. With tennis courts, open fields, and a playground, this park offers additional opportunities with a focus on exercise.
- Visit Central Park, between Boundary and Kingsway. Tucked against the border of East Van and Burnaby, Central Park is the largest park on this list boasting a family-orientated recreation area, where you will find beautiful greenery, hiking and cycling trails, an outdoor swimming pool, relaxing picnic sites, and much, much more. This park is also home to Swangard Stadium, so you can enjoy local sporting events held year-round!
- Renfrew Ravine Park is a hidden jewel in the city and a must-visit destination. This vast natural gorge extends eight blocks north of the 29th Avenue SkyTrain station. Renfrew Ravine Park is defined by its public art installations, outdoor labyrinth and sanctuary garden plus, the park is home to over 60 species of birds, squirrels, and raccoons!
Looking for an opportunity to make this neighbourhood your home? Earl is waiting for you! Chard Development’s latest condo offering, Earl is a community of one-to-three-bedroom apartments and townhomes in Norquay Village. Earl offers residents a place to grow roots within this vibrant East Van neighbourhood.
Learn more about this upcoming community here.
