Vancouver Theatre and Dinner Pairings for a Romantic and Cultural Night Out
The night kicks off with a meal at one of the city’s best restaurants where the food is incredible, and you strike up a fun conversation with your server. After a stroll to a theatre, you laugh and cry with the actors on stage.
Dinner and a show go hand in hand in Vancouver. The theatre scene offers tons of different venues with shows bound to entertain. They’re found in neighbourhoods with romantic restaurants, which will set the stage for part two of your evening.
To max the romance, splurge on a meal at an upscale restaurant. Acquafarina is a grand space that features a lit up wine wall that goes to the ceiling. Meanwhile, you’ll swoon over premium dishes like a char-grilled Tajima wagyu striploin with porcini butter.
One of the city’s premier destinations for theatre is situated on nearby Hamilton Street. Queen Elizabeth Theatre is always a lavish night out under sparkling chandeliers. There, opera classics such as Rigoletto captivate the audience with their drama, while the casts for Broadway in Vancouver belt their hearts out in shows like Moulin Rouge.
When the show wraps up, it’s a short walk back to your hotel, perhaps L’Hermitage and Rosedale on Robson, to unwind after a great night out.
South Granville’s dining scene has become a foodie destination in the last few years, with neighbourhood darling Gary’s earning a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand. They won for good reason. Dishes like an heirloom tomato salad taste like the produce has come straight from the farmers’ market.
Another favourite is The Stable House Bistro, a charming wine bar for bonding over a glass from their well curated wine list and a plate of fresh pasta an Italian nonna would give a thumbs up.
After dinner, head to the Stanley Theatre, which retains the energy of another era. The heritage building used to be a theatre before it became the main stage of the Arts Club Theatre Company. Lean back into plush red seats, and let it go with Elsa from Disney’s FROZEN.
The Granville Island Stage is right on the waterfront of Granville Island, where Aquabus ferries merrily go up and down False Creek
Crowd-pleasing shows like The Golden Anniversaries are relatable, dishing on the ins and outs of the “joys” of marriage and aging.
And if you catch a matinee, you won’t have to rush dinner at one of the many delectable restaurants on Granville Island. Instead, savour (and slurp) local seafood, like a chilled platter with fresh oysters, at The Vancouver Fish Company. The restaurant’s patio gives views of shimmering water, best paired with an Okanagan sauvignon blanc.
The Sandbar Restaurant, also has a stunning waterfront location. Taking a selfie at sunset is optional, but recommended. And their Fresh Sheet is where it’s at for sustainable seafood, like silky Haida Gwaii sablefish with a miso marinade.
The energy of Commercial Drive is infectious. At Havana, sociable diners share generous plates of seafood paella while sipping on Cuban Old Fashioneds. It’s worth trying to score a seat on their street-facing patio, perfect for spotting inspiration outfits while watching the cool people go by.
Or, head to Kin Kao where blonde wood keeps the room simple, yet modern. Their Thai cooking is just as stripped down. Case in point: a dish of stir fried gailan with mushrooms that wows through the natural flavours of the veg.
Once you’ve concluded your satisfying dinner, you can devote yourself to the provocative shows at The Historic Theatre of the Vancouver East Cultural Centre, nicknamed The Cultch. The upcoming season includes ground-breaking productions like The Mush Hole, a dance performance that educates about the first Indigenous residential school in Canada.
Just a short jaunt from the beach lies a whimsical wooden building, the Jericho Arts Centre. Local talent enthusiastically takes to the stage in works by famous playwrights like George Bernard Shaw.
For pre-theatre dining, go to Zapoteca close by on 4th Avenue, where diners can indulge in flavourful Oaxacan cuisine among striking wall carvings. Spoon piping hot ingredients, like chorizo, from a hot stone mortar onto a tortilla for the freshest of tacos.
Your night will leave you with unforgettable memories of delicious bites and lively theatre.
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