Don’t let its size or proximity to Main fool you — South Cambie is a gem of a neighbourhood with its own fair share of local dining, shopping, patio lounging, and green spaces to explore.
Upon first glance, the neighbourhood stands out for its wealth of medical facilities, situated between Queen Elizabeth Park (once an open pit mine) and Shaughnessy Heights. You’ve got the B.C. Children’s Hospital, B.C. Women’s Hospital and Health Care Centre, Canadian Blood Services — and that’s just for starters — but you don’t need to book a doctor’s appointment as an excuse to stroll down its tree-lined streets.
There are tons of “hidden” coffee shops, quirky stores, and Michelin-recognized restaurants calling your name. But first, let’s dive into a bit of local history.
Named after CPR engineer Henry Cambie, South Cambie was once home to an intriguing mix of elk, oxen, loggers, ranchers, and Chinese vegetable gardeners.
The oldest part of the neighbourhood can be found in its northern half, bounded by West 17th, 23rd, Cambie, and Oak. The City says that this area is home to a number of heritage homes from the 1910s and 1920s, as well as “excellent examples of Moderne buildings” including the Jean Matheson Pavilion and the former Shaughnessy Hospital’s main building.
Douglas Park
According to the City of Vancouver, the first non-native resident to settle in the area was William Mackie, a logger and gold miner. In 1875, Mackie claimed 65 hectares of land surrounding what would later become the lush Douglas Park, one of the largest and most notable green spaces in South Cambie.
Before it became a designated city park in 1926, it had several stints as a small milk ranch, and later, a Chinese vegetable farm. Today, it houses South Cambie’s community centre, complete with a gym, preschool, licensed day camps, and an array of activities like adult pottery and strength and balance classes.
There are also a handful of live music performances lined up at the park on Thursdays this July and August.
So, whether you want to take advantage of its spray park this summer, lie under the large Willow tree, or bring your mat for some outdoor yoga, there’s plenty to do here.
The heart of Vancouver
Considered the heart of Vancouver, Cambie Village is the commercial core of the neighbourhood. Stretching from West 6th Avenue to King Edward Avenue, the area consists of a variety of vibrant shops and food spots, including local boutique and gift shop Walrus Design, The Golden Horn Turkish Bakery, and the Original New Town Bakery.
From weekly wine tastings to live music Saturdays at its public plazas, plenty is going on in the village this summer.
Planning the perfect day in the neighbourhood? We say start your morning off right with a stroll and a coffee from Mighty Oak or Velo Star Cafe. The former is a charming cafe-grocery tucked away from the busy streets on West 18th Avenue and Columbia Street, selling local goods, flower bouquets, and an array of tasty sips and bites.
Neighbourhood coffee shops
The latter is another neighbourhood coffee shop that doubles as a bike repair store — so if you prefer cycling to steps, this is an adorable spot to lounge at as you sip your morning brew.
For a cold beverage and sweet treat, you can’t go wrong with the iced matcha, hojicha, or cardamom buns from Cowdog’s OG location. No tips, no oat milk charge, and a convenient take-out setup — what’s not to love?
Other fantastic cafe options include the cozy Comma Cafe, long-time fixture Max’s Bakery & Delicatessen, Willow Cafe Bakery, and Ele Cafe, which specializes in tea beverages.
South Cambie’s popularity among foodies lends itself to its central location, though you might be surprised to learn that the neighbourhood is teeming with international culinary options.
Something for every foodie
For a casual meal out or take-out order, there’s Hachibei (Japanese) on West 16th, and Joon’s Kitchen (Korean) on Oak. Both offer generous helpings of flavourful dishes that come at a surprisingly affordable price point.
For something a little more special occasion-oriented, check out Michelin and celebrity-recommended Indian restaurant Vij’s, or Osteria Elio Volpe, which never misses with its contemporary Italian brunch and dinner — a cappuccino here is transformational.
Ready to transition to nightlife? The recent addition of June (by the team behind Keefer Bar) and its accompanying vinyl speakeasy, LaLa, have transformed their corner of Cambie into a slice of what feels like Toronto or New York as opposed to Vancouver.
Daily live music at 8 p.m. and a soon-to-be-announced happy hour make this brasserie a must-visit.
The highest point in the city
Ready to take in the views from the highest point in Vancouver? Little Mountain is exactly that, providing rare 360-degree views of the entire city. No visit to South Cambie is complete without a stop here!
Stay tuned for more neighbourhood happenings coming to South Cambie. And if you haven’t ventured out to the area for a while, consider this your sign.
Recent Posts:
Canada’s largest Japanese Canadian summer festival is coming to this historic Vancouver neighbourhood
A historic boardwalk village in B.C. sits on one of the last untouched areas of North America
