Mount Pleasant

Savio Volpe takes Italian food back to basics with strictly house-made pasta dishes like potato gnocchi with gorgonzola and whole wheat orecchiette, plus, a small but mighty mains offering (we've heard amazing things about the meatballs). This spot doesn’t try too hard—there are no cocktails available, the wines are Italian-only, the coffee is good, and the gelato is hand-made in small batches to delicious results. The space is all wood—tables, chairs, and walls, with red-tile floors and an open kitchen that's best enjoyed from the bar.

33 Acres has elevated the traditionally drab taproom, infusing the space with a Scandinavian aesthetic: floor-to-ceiling windows flood the room with light, all the surfaces—walls, floors, even the counters—are stark-white, softened-up with a few hints of natural wood and greenery. Aside from the dozens of beers on tap, a full menu is available (including brunch), spotlighting the hearty foods that go so well with beer—beef stew, salty perogies, and sticky ribs.

Vancouver’s micro-brewery scene is booming and the ever-popular Main Street Brewery occupies one of the last-standing heritage industrial buildings in the city. The tasting room is cooly minimal—long wood communal tables, exposed brick, with a few fairy lights and plants to warm the bare-bones space up. Stop in on a Sunday afternoon, try a few beer flights, and wander down the street to equally good 33 Acres for another round.

With its blush pink accents and hints of greenery, Umeboshi is a store you want to spend time in for the atmosphere just as much as the selection. The edit consists mainly of leather goods and footwear from the likes of Maryam Nassir Zadeh, Veja, and The Stowe, with a handful of art house magazines, cases of delicate jewelry (the tiny Muraco Wolfe studs are perfect for multiple piercings), and fragrances sprinkled through the store.

Open through the spring only, founder—and former architect—Alicia started brewing kombucha as a relaxing hobby and healthy beer alternative. In 2015, Alicia’s pastime moved onto the bricks-and-mortar incarnation that is Oddity Kombucha. The flavors are all derived from local ingredients, and range from classic ginger to jasmine and elderberry, all served out of taps into quaint glass bottles. The space itself is pared-back and serene, just a few stools at the counter and no additional decoration.

There’s nothing whimsical or cute about Earnest Ice Cream; instead, the space is clean and modern, with a white tile counter and polished stone floors. While the usual suspects (chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry) are certainly available, Earnest is where you go to try something unusual, like elderflower-or spruce-flavored ice cream. Each flavor—made in small batches—is creamy perfection, and pints come packaged in returnable (and reusable) glass jars as part of the company’s commitment to zero waste.