Archie MontroseStrathcona isn’t just Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood—it’s the one that always surprises me, no matter how many times I visit. One minute, you’re wandering past century-old houses, and the next, you’re in a cool park.
It’s where history meets nature, and somehow, it works. If you haven’t explored this mix of old-school charm and chill vibe, you’re missing out on one of the city’s best-kept secrets.
Trust me, I never leave without discovering something new (and usually grabbing a local beer or two).
Where is Strathcona?
Strathcona, nestled on Vancouver’s east side, is flanked by Downtown East, Hastings, Grandview-Woodlands, and Mount Pleasant East.
How to Get to Strathcona
By car: from Vancouver, head to W Georgia Street and keep left towards the Georgia Viaduct. Then, keep driving to Prior Street.
By public transit: board the 022 bus at Granville Street and get off at Hawks Avenue. From there, Strathcona is 21 meters away.
What is the history of Strathcona?
Dating back to 1865, the Hastings Lumber Mill opened near Strathcona, which immediately transformed the area to a working-class neighborhood where many different immigrant groups lived.
Then, in the 1950s, history was made when the city planned to take down homes in Strathcona. These homes were called a slum and they wanted to tear them down to build new houses and a freeway.
However, the people of Strathcona fought back and won. Today, Strathcona, Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood, is a vibrant, diverse place with a strong community spirit and easy access to city life.
The Legacy of Hogan’s Alley
Hogan’s Alley was a nickname for a street called Park Lane in the Strathcona neighborhood in Vancouver. It ran between Union and Prior Streets, from Main Street to Jackson Avenue.
However, it wasn’t just one street. It actually included an intersection, homes, and businesses at the edge of Strathcona.
This alley was the center of the black community in Vancouver. It was home to immigrants and is mostly known for its African-Canadian residents.
Then, in 1967, the city started to tear down buildings here as they’re building a new freeway. Thus, residents were forced to move, especially when the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts were built in 1972, which finished off the neighborhood.
It’s also worth noting that Nora Hendrix, grandmother of Jimi Hendrix, lived in Hogan’s Alley. She was very active in the community from the 1920s until the neighborhood disappeared.
What to Do and See in Strathcona
Check out the Heritage Homes and Restored Row Houses
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Strathcona is one of Vancouver’s oldest neighborhoods, where you’ll find charming, restored row houses and heritage homes that are a feast for the eyes. If you’re curious, you can even take a self-guided tour to check them out!
The Heritage House Tour lets you explore eight homes at your own pace, complete with a guidebook packed with historical tidbits about the houses and some bonus neighborhood trivia.
Using your guidebook, you can snag discounts at local breweries like the Strathcona Beer Company and Luppolo Brewing.
Visit MacLean Park
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Address: 710 Keefer Street
Phone: +1 604-609-7024
Pricing: Free
Operating hours:
- Monday and Tuesday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
- Wednesday: 8:30am to 8pm
- Thursday and Friday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
- Sunday: 8:30am to 8pm
MacLean Park is a cozy spot, perfect for families. Kids will love the water spout playground, along with the classic swings and play structures. With benches, picnic tables, and towering trees offering shade, it’s a great place to relax.
On the north side, you’ll find a handy cafe and grocery store for snacks. And the cherry on top? There’s a public washroom, making it even more convenient.
Head to Strathcona Park
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Address: 857 Malkin Avenue
Phone: +1 604-873-7000
Pricing: Free
Operating hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
Strathcona Park has no shortage of activities! You’ll find baseball diamonds, basketball hoops, a skate park, a playground, toddler swings, a rope climbing structure, a rock climbing feature, and even a natural area with old-growth tree stumps.
On weekends, the park buzzes with family barbecues and picnics. While seating can be scarce, most folks simply bring their own chairs and roll in their cookers to make the most of the space!
Explore the Strathcona Community Gardens
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Address: 759 Malkin Avenue
Pricing: Free
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 6am to 10pm
One of the highlights of Strathcona Park is its community garden, bursting with a colorful array of flowers and vegetables lovingly cared for by local residents. This delightful touch not only beautifies the park but also showcases the vibrant, tight-knit community that calls it home.
Be a Part of the Eastside Culture Crawl
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When: November 14th to November 17th, annually
Where: Victoria Drive, Columbia Street, First Avenue and the Burrard Inlet waterfront
Phone: 778-379-4545
Operating hours:
- Thursday and Friday: 5pm to 10pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 11am to 6pm
This festival is for the art lovers out there who are up for a 4-day celebration of the talents of hundreds of local artists across East Vancouver.
Here, you’ll have the chance to participate in a variety of workshops, demonstrations, talks, and studio tours featuring an array of artists, from painters and sculptors to potters.
You can also meet painters, sculptors, potters, and creators specializing in jewelry, woodwork, glass, and more!
In case you were wondering, this crawl is held in many venues in East Van. It’s bounded by Victoria Drive, Columbia Street, First Avenue, and the Burrard Inlet waterfront.
Join the Powell Street Festival
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When: August 3rd and 4th, annually
Where: Oppenheimer Park and surrounding areas in Paueru Gai (Powell Street), centered around the 400 block of Powell St. between Dunlevy Ave and Jackson Ave
Phone: 604-739-9388
The Powell Street Festival (PSF), Canada’s largest celebration of its kind, is an annual event that honors Japanese Canadian arts, culture, and heritage.
There are endless activities in this festival. It has live music, Japanese cuisine from over 40 vendors, films, dance performances, visual arts, martial arts demonstrations, an amateur sumo tournament, and fun activities for kids, among other attractions.
The festivities unfold across both outdoor spaces and indoor venues in the Powell Street area, nestled within Vancouver’s historic Japanese Canadian neighborhood.
Discover Chinatown
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Address: 106 Keefer Street
Phone: 604-632-3808
Vancouver’s Chinatown is the largest in Canada and a true gem, renowned for its fantastic restaurants, vibrant stores, the stunning Sun Yat-Sen Garden, and the lively annual Chinese New Year Parade.
The shops here are a highlight, featuring some of our personal favorites like Ochi, Bamboo Village, and The Tea Shop. There’s an abundance of charming, locally owned stores that will delight anyone curious about traditional Chinese culture and products!
Make a Detour to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden
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Address: 578 Carrall Street
Phone: +1 604-662-3207
Pricing: $$
Operating hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 9:30am to 4pm
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden is a serene oasis nestled right in downtown, showcasing an authentic Chinese garden constructed by skilled craftsmen from China, complete with materials like rocks from Lake Tai.
The beauty of the Suzhou garden style is on full display, from the intricately designed landscapes to the peaceful water features.
The rocks and cobblestones, sourced directly from China, lend an authentic charm that enhances the garden’s tranquility.
Where to Eat and Drink in Strathcona
Wilder Snail Café
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Address: 799 Keefer Street
Phone: +1 604-216-0640
Pricing: $$
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 9am to 6pm
Good to know: Good for brunch
Wilder Snail Café is a charming corner spot in Strathcona that’s a fantastic addition to the neighborhood. With a cozy café and a convenience area, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a latte and a sweet treat.
Inside, the spacious layout and inviting atmosphere make it a great spot to relax. Offering a delightful variety of food and plenty of seating options, it sits right across from a lovely park.
While their menu isn’t extensive, it’s an ideal stop for a quick snack or lunch while you’re on the go. Plus, it doubles as a market, making it a convenient place to shop!
La Casa Gelato
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Address: 1033 Venables Street
Phone: +1 604-251-3211
Pricing: $$
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 1pm to 10pm
Good to know: 238 gelato flavors
La Casa Gelato is the ultimate destination for ice cream lovers, boasting an astounding 238 flavors! With so many vibrant colors and intriguing names, you’ll find yourself delightfully overwhelmed as you choose your treat.
For those who are lactose intolerant, there’s a dedicated section of sorbets, so no one has to miss out. We tried the crème brûlée and the double espresso flakes with vanilla caramel chips, all served in a freshly made waffle cone with a generous scoop!
If you love discovering new flavors in a lively, colorful atmosphere, La Casa Gelato is a must-visit.
Phnom Penh Restaurant
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Address: 244 E Georgia Street
Phone: +1 604-682-5777
Pricing: $
Operating hours:
- Monday: 11am to 8pm
- Wednesday and Thursday: 11am to 8pm
- Friday to Sunday: 11am to 9pm
Good to know: Good for families
Phnom Penh is a celebrated Vietnamese-Cambodian restaurant nestled in the heart of Vancouver’s Chinatown. If you get the chance to dine there, don’t miss their must-try specialties: the fried chicken wings and the butter beef!
We opted for the classic butter beef and wings, both showcasing a perfect balance of flavors, with just the right amount of sweetness to complement the herbs and salt.
We suspect the butter beef earns its name from its incredibly smooth texture—it’s downright addictive and some of the best meat I’ve ever slurped down!
Strathcona Beer Company
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Address: 895 E Hastings Street
Phone: +1 778-379-9050
Pricing: $$
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 12pm to 10pm
- Thursday: 12pm to 11pm
- Friday and Saturday: 12pm to 12am
- Sunday: 12pm to 10pm
Good to know: Local and international beer
Strathcona Beer Company boasts an impressive food selection that perfectly complements their fantastic beer. With a delicious combo of beer and pizza, it’s an ideal spot for after-work drinks, a date night, or a fun evening out with friends.
It’s rare to find a brewery that excels in both craft beer and food, but Strathcona definitely hits the mark! Their craft beers are top-notch, and the food doesn’t disappoint either.
Hunnybee Bruncheonette
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Address: 789 Gore Avenue
Email: [email protected]
Pricing: $$
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 8am to 4pm
Good to know: Ideal dinner spot
Hunnybee Bruncheonette is the ultimate breakfast spot near the Central Pacific Railway Station, nestled in a peaceful residential neighborhood.
The menu is straightforward yet consistently delicious, and the coffee is quite tasty, too. Vegetarian options abound, with plenty of alternative milk choices available.
We indulged in the Breakfast Sandwich with Avocado, Granola Yogurt, and a Latte with oat milk—and everything was spot on and delicious!
Where to Shop in Strathcona
Benny’s Market
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Address: 598 Union Street
Phone: +1 604-254-2746
Pricing: $
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9am to 6:30pm
- Saturday: 9:30am to 5:30pm
Benny’s Market is an absolute gem, blending rich history with modern convenience. Having been around for over a century, it’s truly a one-stop shop for just about everything—from fresh food and flowers to household items and more.
If you’re a history buff, this place is a must-visit! We highly recommend checking out their deli, where they make incredible handcrafted sandwiches to order.
During the summer, you can grab a coffee or cool drink, sit out front, and soak in the neighborhood vibe while enjoying your food.
