North Van is scenic, rugged and gorgeous. Soak up the scenery one glass at a time at these neighbourhood wine spots. [Photo © Yellow Pages / Pages Jaunes]
Treat yourself to a mini staycation in North Van by booking a room at the Holiday Inn. After you’ve gone for a refreshing dip in the spacious indoor pool, spend the evening in the restaurant, Churchill's, with the wine of your choice. It’s an intimate 32-seat room with a gorgeous patio which is especially beautiful in the summer when the garden is in bloom. Don’t bring your wallet – just charge it to your room.
This out-of-the-way spot on Mountain Highway offers French bistro classics at affordable prices and lets you bring your own bottle of wine. Tour won’t wow you with the decor or location, but it’s known to exceed expectations in every other way. The food is simple, yet delicious, with mouth-watering dishes like cassoulet, octopus three ways, short rib sandwich and charcuterie. Just don’t tell anyone about Tour de Feast so it stays a North Van secret.
All too often a pub provides only the space and drinks without delivering on atmosphere or service, but Queens Cross hits a home run on all counts. There’s a casual vibe with fast, attentive service, free WiFi, televised sports and a wine list that puts traditional wine bars to shame. About half the wines are local and the rest are from around the world.
Located in the Pinnacle Hotel, The Lobby is the ultimate combination of elegance and a relaxed atmosphere. It doesn’t hurt that you can sip your wine to live music featuring some of Vancouver’s best talent every Friday and Saturday night. Order from the house list or bring your own wine (corkage fees apply) to enjoy with dinner. Make sure you grab a table by the window for the best view.
There’s a glass of wine for everyone here, from every major producing country you can name. Australian, Italian, French, South African and South American wines are listed alongside local labels from the Okanagan Valley and California. If in doubt, ask a staff expert for a recommendation.