Gastown Christmas Culinary Tour

Tour Kick-off with Warm Drinks and Sweet Treats

After putting on our wireless headsets, so as not to miss a word ol’ Gassy Jack had to say, we were treated to festive caramel brulee lattes and the classic West Coast dessert, the Nanaimo bar.

Nothing like a big sugar rush to kick things off!

Look Up, Look Way Up

This tour was a great reminder to stop and smell the roses—well, to stop and admire the stunning, historic architecture that we pass by, unaware, every day.

Take Waterfront Station and the story behind the grand hall’s artwork, and the significance of its coffee shop: it’s fascinating stuff that you’ll have piped right to your ear.

Craft Brewery Powered by Gastown’s Steam Line

Next we made our way down the stairs of another landmark building to whet our whistles with their Nirvana nut brown ale, which is brewed on-site and powered by the steam line that the establishment is named for.

Canada’s First Chocolatier Celebrates 125

Rich in history (and chocolate) our next stop was founded in 1885, and many of the shop’s original recipes remain the same, like the chocolate caramel nut square we greedily gobbled down.

Pictured is one of the commemorative 125th anniversary tins from Canada’s very first chocolatier.

Explore Gastown’s Unique and Historic Architecture

Our guide helped us admire the exterior and interior detailing of some of Vancouver’s oldest buildings. Nicknamed for his propensity to talk, Gassy Jack had plenty of stories to share about his neighbourhood’s colourful past.

Step Inside This Inviting Eatery for Authentic, Homemade Pasta

Have you ever been in a place, but never had the chance to really experience it?

I’d popped into our next stop—watched over by Zeus himself—for a coffee before, but I didn’t know about the secret, cozy room in the back, or the story of the passionate Italian owner whose made-from-scratch pastas, breads and baked goods are said to be some of the best in town.

Taste the Featured Flavour of Vancouver’s Best Cheesecake

I’ve written about Vancouver’s best cheesecake before, but I hadn’t tried this month’s feature flavour: the sinfully delicious chocolate orange.

This Gastown Landmark Lets Off A Lot Steam

Next we paused to admire the world’s first steam-powered clock. Right on cue, its whistle blew as we stopped to appreciate its design and hear the story of its upkeep.

Crab Cakes Have Graced this Restaurant’s Menu Since Opening in 1988

We were served delectable crab cakes on the second floor of this restaurant that resides in the only building that didn’t burn down during the great fire of 1886.

Fortunately, we were spared from meeting the ghosts that are rumoured to haunt the staff late at night.

Gassy Jack’s One-Time Saloon Burned to the Ground in the Great Fire of 1886

Gassy Jack stands next to a statue of himself atop a barrel of whiskey, and over his shoulder(s) is the site of his former saloon. As you can see, its present-day incarnation still has a little flavour from the Wild West.

Sit Down to Some Slow-Cooked, Southern-Style BBQ

And flavour abounded in the lip-smacking Carolina-style beef brisket and pulled pork we excitedly sat down to.

Warm Up with Gourmet Teas at the Site of Vancouver’s First Jail

For our last stop we warmed up with gourmet tea and a sliver of hot-out-of-the-oven cheese scone that was unbelievably good.

With the warm and inviting brick and wood beams, you’d never guess this building was the site of Vancouver’s first jail.