The 11 Best Commercial Drive Restaurants in Vancouver
If you’re into people-watching, vintage, incense, eclectic architectural styles, mid-century modern furniture or really good food, Vancouver’s Commercial Drive is for you. Known by locals simply as “the Drive,” it was recognized as one of the coolest streets in the world by Time Out Magazine in 2024.
Commercial Drive in Vancouver’s history is as old as the city itself, dating back to its creation as a track for transporting felled lumber to the waterfront. A post-WWII influx of Italian residents led to its designation as “Little Italy” in the 1960s, and since then, it’s become known as a hub for consignment clothing shops, hippie boutiques, coffee shops and counterculture.
These days, Italian fare still features prominently in the Commercial Drive dining scene, with an excellent selection of sit-down restaurants, bars and cafés, but it’s not the only option. You’ll also find plenty of fantastic dining options serving up diverse international flavours.
Commercial Drive Bars & Cafés
LIVIA Forno e Vino
Stop by LIVIA for excellent coffee and pastries in the morning, grab a loaf of sourdough to go or settle in for a satisfyingly rich brunch.
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired bakery, café and wine bar
- Vibe: Design-forward, light and airy.
- What to eat: The breakfast sandwich
Bar Corso
Three Italian families came together to found Bar Corso, a nod to the neighbourhood’s heritage. Enjoy espresso on the small roadside patio turned garden getaway, sip negronis at the bar or snag a table and linger over rare amari and authentic, beautifully executed small plates.
- Cuisine: Modern Italian bar serving cicchetti (tapas) and small plates
- Vibe: Black, wood, backlit bar. A dark and cozy getaway with warm, personal service.
- What to eat: Don’t miss the crostini.
La Grotta del Formaggio
La Grotta del Formaggio is a must when visiting the Drive. This authentic Italian deli has been serving some of the best sandwiches in town since 1979. Don’t be deterred by a lineup, the freshly-made ingredients are well worth the wait. While you’re here, stock up on top quality sliced meats, cheese, olives, preserves, olive oil, pasta…
- Cuisine: Italian deli
- Vibe: Bustling, timeless deli: think checkered floors, milk glass lighting and limited bar seating.
- What to eat: A panini, certamente! Select from their menu or build your own
Pax Romana
Catch up with friends over snacks or nurse a bespoke cocktail with a date in this stylish European-style spot. Pax Romana is open Thursday through Sunday for dinner until late.
- Cuisine: Mediterranean tapas, cocktails and wine by the glass.
- Vibe: Warm, mysterious spot serving small bites and great drinks.
- What to eat: Cocktails, beef tartare and anchovies
International Cuisine on Commercial Drive
The Lunch Lady
Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thanh (the “Lunch Lady”) has been serving up legendary noodle soups to hungry guests in Vietnam since 1995. Her cuisine was launched to stardom when Anthony Bourdain featured it in No Reservations, and the Vancouver location of the Lunch Lady opened in 2020.
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
- Vibe: MICHELIN Bib Gourmand fare in an industrial chic space
- What to eat: beef carpaccio, wagyu pho, garlic noodles
Havana
If you’re looking to linger over a hearty brunch, snag a spot on the patio at Havana and watch the characters of Commercial Drive stroll by. Come back in the evening for great energy, a cocktail or three and a wide-ranging menu of tacos, bowls, sandwiches, share plates and more.
- Cuisine: Hybrid Latin with Pacific Northwest style
- Vibe: Energetic, eclectic space with an iconic patio
- What to eat: Paella
Kin Kao
Everything about Kin Kao is minimalist, from the short, well-executed menu to the crisp decor in their compact space. Expect bold, authentic flavours crafted with local ingredients and hand-selected spices imported directly from Thailand.
- Cuisine: Simple, intentional Thai
- Vibe: A clean, minimalist, compact space
- What to eat: Crispy pork belly
La Mezcaleria
Pull up an old schoolhouse chair and enjoy a range of Mexican dishes and agave-forward cocktails at La Mezcaleria. No need to decide which margarita to order, just get a flight!
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Vibe: Bold neon, Mexican tilework and casual seating
- What to eat: Cocktails and ceviche
Classic Commercial Drive Italian Food
Caffè La Tana
The sister restaurant to Pepino’s, Caffè La Tana is located right next door and features a few of the same dishes along with a selection of fresh pasta and Italian grocery items to take away.
- Cuisine: Italian small plates, cocktails and a niche all-Italian wine list
- Vibe: Intimate space heavy on the marble and checkered tiles
- What to eat: Spicy Radiatori alla Vodka
Magari by Oca
Peruse the chalkboard menu, watch pasta in progress at the rolling station, then enjoy your meal of exceptional handmade pasta. The well-received successor to Oca Pastificio, Magari by Oca focuses on simplicity and excellence. No phone, no website and no reservations! Arrive by 4:30pm to get your name down for the first seating.
- Cuisine: Simple, well-executed Italian
- Vibe: Casual elegance
- What to eat: Pasta tasting menu
Pepino's Spaghetti House
You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu at Pepino’s, the successor to the long-standing Nick’s Spaghetti House at 631 Commercial Drive. Classic dishes, solid portions, reliable quality.
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Vibe: Spacious, classy, old-school spot
- What to eat: The reviews say spaghetti and meatballs, but for me, it’s the gnocchi with marsala and mushroom sauce.
Why the Commercial Drive Dining Scene is So Good
From coffee shops to consignment stores and home decor to haircuts, the vibe on the Drive is fiercely independent. Mediocre chain restaurants are nowhere to be found. Every spot you enter is someone’s life’s work, and they care passionately about doing it right.
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