Discover Vancouver’s East Village During the World Cup

May 1, 2026

6 min read

FIFA Fan Festival™ will be happening in the East Village, one of the coolest and tastiest areas in East Vancouver. So, in between cheering on the teams, make time to eat and drink around this vibrant community.

You’ll find the East Village at the heart of two beloved historic neighbourhoods, Hastings-Sunrise and Grandview-Woodland. It runs roughly between Commercial Drive and Renfrew, with East Hastings as its bustling main street.

Look north and you’ll be greeted by views of the mountains and Burrard Inlet, while all around, you’ll come across lively eateries and breweries. Here are suggestions for discovering your new favourite local spots.

What Are Some Culinary Gems in the East Village?

If you ask any foodie in the know, they’ll tell you the East Village is the up-and-coming restaurant district, with new hot spots and long-running places.

Tamam: Fine Palestinian Cuisine

Lovingly run for over a decade by a husband and wife, Tamam is not only an ode to Palestinian cuisine, but also a place for sharing culture.

Cuisine: Palestinian
Vibe: Homey, with artwork to brighten the room
What to eat: Lamb kebabs with hummus

Motonobu Udon

Make sure to get to Motonobu Udon when it opens to snag a seat. This MICHELIN Bib Gourmand has developed a huge fan base for their fresh handmade noodles.

Cuisine: Japanese, specializing in handmade udon
Vibe: Modern and minimalist
What to eat: Mentaiko cold udon, perfect for slurping on a summer’s day

The Saigonville

Table with various Asian dishes including noodle soup, fried chicken wings, salad with rice crackers, iced drink, and rice with meat and egg at the restaurant The Saigonville in Vancouver.

The Saigonville, Vancouver.

Chef Kevin Nguyen honed his cooking chops at the renowned Lunch Lady on Commercial Drive before opening The Saigonville, an ode to Saigon food.

Cuisine: Vietnamese
Vibe: A bright, cheerful space
What to eat: Crispy soft shell crab vermicelli bowl

Dachi

Everything at Dachi tastes so fresh because they showcase the flavours of local ingredients. While the food is refined, you’ll feel relaxed, like you’re at a friend’s house.

Cuisine: Farm-to-table paired with natural wines
Vibe: A modern room with a big patio, complete with fairy lights
What to eat: Whatever is in season. Ask for wine recommendations

Nabi House

Chef Daniel Lee at Nabi House recreates the comforting dishes of his childhood, making you feel taken care of with his cooking.

Cuisine: Homestyle Korean food
Vibe: A basic room with lots of plants and hospitality
What to eat: Mushroom bibimbap with a truffle glaze

Nero Tondo

Mixed green and purple salad with creamy dressing and sprinkled crumbs on a decorative white plate at Todo Nero, Vancouver.

Photo Credit: Todo Nero, Vancouver.

The menu at MICHELIN-recommended Nero Tondo changes constantly, as chefs get inspired by local produce, meat, and seafood.

Cuisine: Dishes showcasing local, seasonal ingredients
Vibe: Intimate, with bar seats around an open kitchen
What to eat: A constant, wonderful surprise as the seasons change

Angela Pastificio

Angela Pastificio is so serious about pasta, they roll it out on the spot for you. You’ll leave impressed by their passion for their craft.

Cuisine: Italian fresh pasta
Vibe: Intimate and elegant with the chefs making pasta at the back
What to eat: Eight-course pasta tasting menu (yes, eight courses!)

Finding Sweet Treats in the East Village

If you’re craving a sweet treat, the East Village has you set, with all-natural ice cream shops and cafes with delectable desserts.

Innocent Ice Cream

Innocent Ice Cream, Vancouver.

True to its name, Innocent Ice Cream offers gluten-free baking and plant-friendly and dairy flavours, making their treats accessible to all.

Cuisine: Gluten-free ice cream sandwiches
Vibe: Soft-pink design accents with cozy indoor and outdoor seating
What to eat: Salted caramel ice cream between double chocolate cookies

Plain Jane Ice Cream

Plain Jane Ice Cream is a lesson on how to do the basics well. You’ll leave happy, cone in hand.

Cuisine: High quality soft serve
Vibe: Counter service with cute blue stools for chilling with your ice cream
What to eat: Organic vanilla soft serve, blended with real fruit

Emilee’s Sweet House

Ideal for a chat over pastries, Emilee’s Sweet House is enthusiastic about authentic traditional pastries.

Cuisine: Turkish
Vibe: A welcoming cafe, with multicoloured decorative lamps
What to eat: Pistachio baklava with cups of Turkish coffee

Where to Enjoy Craft Beer in the East Village

With all that chanting at FIFA Fan Festival™, you may want to unwind by going on a self-guided beer crawl. You’re in luck because they call it Yeast Vancouver for good reason.

Parallel 49 Brewing Company

Parallel 49 Brewing Company, Vancouver.

When the sun’s out, Parallel 49 Brewing Company is one of the best places to be. Relax at a picnic table in their large outdoor beer garden.

Vibe: A super relaxed crowd chatting at communal tables
What to eat and drink: A craft lager with a Cajun chicken sandwich

Powell Brewery

If you’re feeling indecisive, staff at Powell Brewery’s tasting room are happy to curate a flight of their best ales and IPAs.

Vibe: A laidback, basic room for easy chats over pints
What to drink: The Lazy D’Haze for when you’re in no rush

Threefold

You can end your impromptu beer crawl at Threefold, which brings together a trio of breweries (apparently, three isn’t a crowd when it comes to beer).

Vibe: A trip back to the late 70s, early 80s with wood accents and greenery
What to eat and drink: A cherry saison and pepperoni pizza

Where to Go When the Sun Sets in the East Village

Even when evening comes, you don’t need to leave the East Village since there are plenty of breweries and small-batch distilleries for drinking with the locals.