Street scene at dusk with pedestrians, cars, a pharmacy on the left, and a red building with a bright 'Red Burrito' sign.

Commercial Drive Vancouver

Always Iconic. Always The Drive.

Home to Vancouver's historic Little Italy

For generations, Italian families and entrepreneurs have shaped The Drive. Today, family-run cafés, bakeries, delis, restaurants and boutiques continue that legacy while bringing fresh energy to Vancouver's historic Little Italy.

Two people walking on a colorful crosswalk from left to right, and two people walking from right to left on a sunny street with shops and cars.

Three people walking on a street in front of a vintage store with bay windows above and a red storefront to the left.

Hip by default, The Drive is fiercely independent and proudly expressive — a place where coffee shops, used bookstores, record stores and street-side patios create the best people-watching show in town. That same spirit comes alive through signature events including East Side Pride, the Vancouver Dyke March, Car Free Day and the Eastside Culture Crawl.

The Drive is home to Vancouver’s officially designated Little Italy—eight vibrant blocks formally recognized by the City honouring more than 70 years of Italian culture, community and tradition. Each June, Italian Day transforms 14 blocks into Vancouver’s largest free cultural street festival and a signature celebration of Italian Heritage Month.

Man playing guitar on stage outdoors with crowd watching and colorful triangular flags overhead.

Woman playing guitar and singing outside a restaurant with a mural of people eating and serving pho on the wall.

People sitting and standing around picnic tables with umbrellas on a street decorated with string lights and flags at dusk.

Commercial Drive is one of Vancouver's most vibrant dining destinations, where global flavours and community spirit meet. Italian family-run cafés, traditional bakeries and delis sit alongside acclaimed restaurants representing cuisines from around the world. Michelin Bib Gourmand recipients Lunch Lady and Magari by Oca call The Drive home, while Lunch Lady carries forward the legacy of Vietnamese street-food icon Nguyễn Thị Thanh, made famous by Anthony Bourdain.

This is Commercial
Drive

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Enjoy Nature Nestled within the Community at Trout Lake

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Rio Theatre

Havana Vancouver

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Commercial Drive

Three people looking at a large mural of a face on a building wall; a street scene with a pedestrian crossing under a red traffic light and a Commercial Dr street sign.

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Left side shows colorful frozen desserts in glasses; right side shows a person doing a yoga stretch indoors near a plant and window.

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Go where

you’re called

Walk score

20 min to Hastings Sunrise
27 min to Strathcona
38 mins to Gastown

Bike score

See Vancouver Cycling Map

Driving

11 min to Davie Village
14 min to Coal Harbour
16 min to Granville Island

Transit score

See Translink Skytrain
See Translink Bus