The Drive - One Funky Neighbourhood

THE DRIVE

For Vancouverites born and raised on the Westside, we enjoy "visiting" the freewheeling, artsy-folksy-funky and offbeat eastside neighborhood every summer on Vancouver's Commercial Drive, aka The Drive. Admittedly, we look and feel a little out of place, but nevertheless, it's fun venturing on the wild side once in a while since it's where divas, dykes and "addicts" roam the streets. For this reason alone, it's fun to go to The Drive and just watch the people stroll by. This summer was no different when we headed down to The Drive, except this year we brought our cameras and captured the vibe digitally!

Once known as Vancouver's Little Italy, Italian immigrants first opened up shops here, with immigrants from around the world, artists and the countercultural moving in. It's a peculiar place where old-world bakery aromas mingle with patchouli wafting from psychics' parlors, and skateboarders reach for tomatoes beside little old Italian ladies at the produce stands. Wander a few blocks in one direction and you have to choose among 200 flavors, including extreme flavors like gorgonzola pear, lavender or chili, when you order up a dish of gelato from the neighborhood's well-stocked shrine to Italian ice cream, La Casa Gelato or wander in the other direction and you have the dilemma as to which of the two dozen or so cafes you'll wander into for a java jolt!

Caffeine addiction is one of Vancouver's lesser evils, and the Drive is the undisputed place to get a fix. The best coffee bingeing takes place in the half-mile stretch between 2nd Avenue and Napier Street at four Italian coffeehouses that brew espressos, lattes and cappuccinos with authentic Italian attitude. While the Cafe Abruzzo Cappuccino Bar, Continental Coffee and Cafe Roma offer the most traditional scene, with cap-wearing Italians shouting at soccer matches on old satellite TVs, our favorite spot is the Cafe Calabria (aka Calabria Bar) on the west side of Commercial Drive at East 1st Avenue in the heart of this lively district. Its kitschy decor with plaster nymphs frolicking throughout, and a Sistine Chapel-like fresco showing God passing Adam a cappuccino makes this one of the most popular spots for people watching on the Drive. For those who are not caffeine junkies, check out the selection of Panini or yummy Italian ice cream flavours.

Once buzzed at the Calabria, the Travelling Canucks stepped out and explored the street's funky shops on a leisurely afternoon stroll. Where else can dreadlock shampoo, belly-dancing supplies, a cape and a Che Guevara backpack be purchased? Granted, we wouldn't buy anything funky since we’re anything but funky, but it's still fun to window shop and stare at those offbeat buyers who love this stuff. We always check out Kalena's Shoes, the premier Italian shoe store in Vancouver, an alternative to shopping at the upscale Leone's at Sinclair Centre and Holt Renfrew in Vancouver's downtown core.

Although it was once free of chain stores and franchised fast-food joints until urban renewal and creeping gentrification hit the Drive, Starbucks and a few other recognizable storefronts are making their way onto this vibrant streetscape. But it still boasts an amazing array of eclectic, modestly priced and whimsically designed eateries, offbeat boutiques, welcoming music venues, and ethnic produce stands, bakeries and delis. In addition to the old-school Italian establishments, there is the cozy, family-friendly Uprising Breads Bakery, the ultra-hip Prado Cafe or check out the Cuban, Turkish, Ethiopian, or Vietnamese coffee at the amazing array of ethnic restaurants. Let's face it - one of the main reasons for visiting this unique Vancouver neighborhood is to enjoy eating sumptuous pastries at Fratelli Bakery, Belgian pommes frites and authentic Italian pizza. You just can't beat The Drive for great dining at great prices!

Recommended Restaurants & Cafes

The Drive offers an eclectic mix of cafes and restaurants from casual eateries to fine dining. Choose from Italian, Mexican, South Asian, South American, Caribbean, Japanese, and Indian. You can pretty well eat any ethnic food your taste buds desire.

Our favorite eateries include:

 • Memphis Blues Barbeque House - Carnivore's haven - it offers the best BBQ in town in a casual atmosphere.
 • Stella's Tap & Tapas Bar - Great beer selection and great vibe while enjoying brunch or tapas.
 • Belgian Fries - Delicious fries with lots of interesting dips, like curry or wasabi. Check out the best poutine in Vancouver.
 • La Grotta Del Formaggio - One of the best sandwich shops - take out only.
 • Lombardo's Pizzeria & Ristorante - Best wood oven pizza and fresh pastas too!

How to Get to The Drive

The Drive is easily reachable from downtown by car or via a short ride on Vancouver's SkyTrain. Once off the SkyTrain at the Commercial Drive Station, you may at first wonder if this rundown-looking area is the right place. But just head a block or two toward the mountains and water and you'll see why The Drive is so popular with locals!

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