Vancouver has many fitness centers, places of worship, restaurants, and several stores to accompany specific dietary restrictions. Check out the list of resources below. While this is not a full list of what’s available, it can give Vancouver newcomers a head start.
GEC Viva and GEC Pearson both have gyms open to all residents. Currently, the gyms operate with a booking system due to COVID-19. Until further notice, you need to book a time slot for your session. See below for other fitness center options.
Fitness and Rec Centers Near GEC Viva
Fitness World – 1214 Howe St
Robert Lee YMCA – 955 Burrard St
Fitness and Rec Centers Near GEC Pearson & Marine Gateway
Marpole Oakridge Community Centre – 990 W 59th Ave
Fitness World – 477 Interurban Way
Fitness and Rec Centers Near GEC Burnaby Heights
The Next Step Training Centre – 4680 Hastings St
Eileen Dailly Leisure Pool & Fitness Centre – 240 Willingdon Ave
There are many places of worship across Metro Vancouver. See below for places of worship that welcome Vancouver newcomers nearby our residences:
Places of Worship Near GEC
Christ Alive Community Church – 1155 Thurlow St
Sikh Temple (1980 – 1970) – 1866 W 2nd Ave
Al Masjid Al Jamia – 655 W 8th Ave
Places of Worship Near GEC Pearson and Marine Gateway
The Church in Vancouver – 990 W 59th Ave
Kenf Temple – 8532 French St
Fraserview Muslim Community Services – 6436 Fraser St
Places of Worship Near GEC Burnaby Heights
Christ Worship Centre – 124 St
Providence Maitreya Buddha – 3495 E Hastings St
Mangalam Mandiram – 2133 Dundas St
Brentwood Jummah – 2055 Rosser Ave
*Please note that a quick Google search can give you more options.
Grocery Stores Near GEC Viva
Fresh St. Market – 1423 Continental St
Farm to Table – 1312 Richards St
Choices Markets – 1202 Richards St
Grocery Stores Near GEC Pearson & Marine Gateway
T&T Supermarket – 458 SW Marine Dr
Persia Foods Produce Markets – 6437 Main St
Garden Fresh Food & Grocery – 6529 Fraser St
Grocery Stores Near GEC Burnaby Heights
De Benedetto Import Foods From Italy – 4684 Hastings St
Triple A Fresh Produce – 4356 Hastings St
Sungiven Foods – 4106 E Hastings St
Eating Halal in Vancouver
You can
Halal Stores in Vancouver
Foodness – 927 Seymour St, Vancouver (GEC Viva)
Wescadia Halal Foods – 150 – 1651 Patrick Street, Richmond (GEC Pearson & MG)
Persia Foods Produce Markets – 6437 Main St, Vancouver (GEC Pearson & MG)
Al Safa Halal Meat – 6953 Kingsway, Burnaby (GEC Burnaby Heights)
Eating Vegan in Vancouver
Check out Happy Cows to find Vegan options (Vegetarian options can also be found)
Vegan-Optioned Stores in Vancouver
Whole Foods Market – 1675 Robson St, Vancouver (GEC Viva)
Collective Market – 1156 Bute St, Vancouver (GEC Viva)
Grand Marpole Market – 8460 Granville St (GEC Pearson & MG)
Tama Organic Life – 2828 E Hastings St #102 (GEC Burnaby Heights)
Costco is a wholesale grocery and retail chain in Canada. There are several Costco stores in Vancouver. You can buy bulk items at Costco for a cheaper price and save money compared to your regular grocery store runs.
Costco memberships typically cost $60 annually. You can get a Costco membership card with a valid BC ID at a local Costco store or through their website.
Chinese and Japanese Food
Patterson Wonton House – 917 Davie St
Super Chef Grill – 280 Robson St
Kiku Sushi Downtown – 1368 W Pender St
Ebi-Ten – 388 Robson St
Indian Food
A Taste of India Restaurant – 1282 Robson St
Crave India Restaurant – 1019 Granville St
Middle Eastern Food
Manoush’eh – 620 Davie St
Mediterranean Grill – 1152 Denman St
Pizza
Fantastico Pizza 2001 – 595 West Pender St
Freshslice Pizza – 663 Abbott St
Chinese Food
Pho 37 – 11666 Steveston Hwy
Northern Café – 1640 East Kent Ave S
Korean Food
Andamiro Korean Bistro – 2568 Kingsway
So Hyang Korean Cuisine – 6345 Fraser St
Vegan Food
Vegan Pizza House – 2119 Kingsway
Chickpea Restaurant – 4298 Main St
Mexican Food
Quesada Burritos & Tacos – 4297 Hastings St
Sal y Limón Mexican Cuisine – 701 Kingsway #5
Italian Food
La Fontana Caffe – 3701 Hastings St #101
Fast Food
Stan’s Pizza Joint – 4527 Hastings St
McDonald’s – 4801 E Hastings St
A&W Canada – 4605 Hastings St
Thank you for reading. If you liked this article, you may find this one useful as well: Cheat Sheet For Newcomers: Settling In Vancouver
