7 Late-night Vancouver Restaurants

When you’ve got a post-pub food craving, stick to these seven late-night restaurants for no-regret eating

Late-night Lox — Kitsilano

To some, a bagel might sound boring, but not the wood-fired ones at Siegel’s Bagels, just off the Burrard Bridge on the edge of Kitsilano. Who wouldn’t want some late-night lox (wild sockeye salmon!) and cream cheese done right, with red onion and capers sprinkled on top? Ravenous? Carnivorous? Go for the Rueben, with hot Montreal smoked meat, Swiss cheese and the obligatory sauerkraut and mustard.

1883 Cornwall Avenue; open 24 hours

Posh Poutine — Granville Entertainment District

Sure, “poutineries” have popped up all over Vancouver (look no further than the telltale gravy drips and discarded containers on downtown sidewalks), but Fritz European Fry House has one of the few doorways we’d darken in the wee hours. First off, Fritz takes its fries seriously, hand-cutting quality potatoes fried to a crisp in vegetable oil (vegans and vegetarians, this place is for you). Add the classic Dutch mayo – Fritessaus – and we’d be sublimely satisfied. But if you can’t resist adding gravy and curds, poutine options abound, with pulled pork, Montreal smoked meat, bacon, or chili. And there’s even vegan cheese and soy “bacone” bits.

Hours and location: 718 Davie St.; open until 4 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Credit: Breka

Doughnuts With a Difference — Downtown and East Vancouver

When you have a hankering for something sweet in the wee hours, Vancouver is a wasteland. Until Breka Bakery & Cafe locales started surfacing around town. Our late-night go-to is the doughnut, the right balance of decadence (Boston cream) and restraint (glazed), depending on what we’re in the mood for. But the sheer choices of sweets (apple strudel, red velvet cake, cookies, breads – the list goes on and on!) in the chic and comfortable cafes will have you wondering if you’re dreaming. Rest assured, you’re wide awake. Need some caffeine? Breka’s has got you covered there too, with everything from Americanos to Caramel Macchiatos.

Hours and locations: 812 Bute St., 855 Davie St. and 6533 Fraser St.; open 24 hours

Breakfast All Day (or Night) — Mount Pleasant

You know the saying about breakfast being oh-so-important. Then why not have it late at night? Lucy’s Eastside Diner doesn’t just offer the typical bacon-and-egg combos for midnight noshing – it goes all out with offerings such as breakfast burritos, eggs Benny, biscuits and gravy, and virtually anything breakfasty you can dream up. Enjoy the throwback atmosphere and perch yourself on a stool at the counter feeling smug that you found this joint.

Hours and location: 2708 Main St.; open 24 hours

Natural Foods Focus — Kitsilano

We never tire of the The Naam and neither do Vancouverites, who have been coming to this award-winning vegetarian – and vegan-friendly – haunt since it opened back in 1968. And while West 4th’s tie-dye days have faded, The Naam has stuck true to its roots. Our comfort food choices include chowing down on the massive daily curry dinner special, or gooey grilled cheese sandwich. But when we’re being good, a hearty-healthy salad full of ingredients such as sunflower seeds, grated beets, crunchy cabbage and sprouts hits the mark and fills the belly – guilt free. We can taste the miso-ginger dressing already.

Hours and location: 2724 West 4th; open 24 hours

Late-night Craving Grab Bag — Kitsilano

How would we forget about Calhoun’s, another Kitsilano institution that’s been fortifying students and other late-night denizens for more than two decades? What we love about Calhoun’s, aside from its rambling space, free Wi-Fi, and street-front seating, is that its menu is massive and varied. It’s an ideal spot for satisfying that craving you didn’t know you had until you sidle up to the counter and check out the choices. Will you go for the spicy Thai noodle salad, Tiramisu, or roasted chicken wrap? It’s all here.

Hours and location: 3035 West Broadway; open 24 hours

Credit: A&W

Bring on the Beef — Downtown

If you’re starving at 4 a.m., you’re probably not thinking about your Paleo regimen. But the 100 per cent hormone and steroid-free beef burgers at A&W can help keep you stay on track, just in case. Most burgers, which promise to be free of additives and preservatives, are topped with Paleo-friendly tomato, lettuce and onion, but you’ll have to hold the bun, sauce and condiments. Or make it a cheat meal and go for a side of the massive crispy-and-salty onion rings – best in the city, hands down.

Hours and locations: 603 Dunsmuir, 778 Robson St.; open 24 hours