OpenStack Summit kicks off next week in Vancouver and for those who haven’t spent much time in this amazing city, you’re in for a good time. Conference food is conference food horrible no matter where you go, so I’m sharing some tips for great eats within walking distance of the Convention Center and Canada Place.
We take coffee seriously in the Pacific Northwest. If you’re a fan, Revolver is a must-do in Vancouver. They bring in beans from roasters all over the world and offer a couple of espresso choices daily. This is coffee made with care — whether it’s pour over, Aeropress or your standard espresso drink. They also offer a selection of fantastic baked goods — get the raspberry coffee cake. Closed Sundays, so if you’re getting in early for Openstack Summit, I’ve got some other options for you.
Revolver Coffee
325 Cambie Street
Matchstick *is* open on Sunday. The location we usually go to is a little further afield, in Vancouver’s Chinatown, but it’s open on Sunday and open early at 7 a.m. Their lattes are solid.
Matchstick Coffee Roasters
213 E. Georgia St.
Vancouver
Meat and Bread – it’s what it says. It’s a simple operation offering 3-4 sandwich selections (check their twitter for the day’s offerings), you can’t go wrong the porchetta, but really, you can’t go wrong with much of anything here.
Meat & Bread
3 locations – Cambie St., Pender St, Yates
Vancouver is chock full of ramen shops, many of them down on the far end of Robson Street. Everyone’s got their opinions about the best in town, but Gyoza Bar has become a regular stop for us. Go for the tonkotsu pork or chicken miso ramen with teppan pork gyoza. Since our last visit, they’ve also added bao boards to the menu, so I can’t weigh in on those. Report back if you try ’em.
Gyoza Bar + Ramen
622 W. Pender St.
Vancouver
If you go in the middle of the lunch rush, the line will probably be out the door at La Taqueria Pinche, so plan accordingly. I tend to be a one-of-each taco eater, but the carnitas was the standout among the beef cheeks, pastor and mole.
La Taqueria Pinche
322 Hastings St.
Vancouver
Two other conference food survival tips:
-Whole Foods: If you just need some bottled water and bulk trail mix to get you through the show, there’s a Whole Foods on Robson. There’s also a Safeway and a small Urban Fare grocery.
-Tim Horton’s. They’re all over the place downtown, so you can get your Timbit fix, no problem. There’s also a Timmy’s at the airport, so if you wanna take those donut holes home with you, you’re all set.