A group of retired professionals, calling themselves "The Lunch Bunch," meets monthly in Kerrisdale to explore its surprisingly affordable and international dining scene. Donna Battye, a member, notes the area has changed "in a good way" since the 1990s, when the Cheshire Cheese pub dominated. Now, 41st Avenue between West Boulevard and Balsam offers green tea, bubble tea, and jasmine tea instead of Earl Grey.
A Culinary Transformation
Kerrisdale, once a Scottish and British enclave, now boasts a world of flavours. The Lunch Bunch knows every hidden gem, from the newly opened @26 Viet Cafe with its salad rolls and rare beef noodle soup to the family-run Baan Wasana Thai Restaurant, where lunch combos start at $15. Battye recommends the quarterly Kerrisdale Insider guide for navigating the neighbourhood.
Youth-Driven Dining
Local students from Point Grey Secondary, Saint's, and Crofton House flock to affordable spots like Big Way Hot Pot, where diners fill bowls with vegetables and proteins, paying by weight. Battye's granddaughter taught her to choose leafy greens and thinly sliced meats to keep costs low—her bowl is often just $9.
Must-Try Eateries
Golden Ocean Seafood Restaurant offers push-cart dim sum and sauteed pea tips. Burrata Pizza serves Neapolitan pizza with a constant lineup of kids—a sure sign of quality. Moore's Delicatessen and Bakery, founded in 1930, remains a family-run favourite for sugar cookies.
Ramen Danbo specializes in Fukuoka-style Tonkotsu ramen, with a careful queuing system. Nakamura Japanese Cuisine recently reopened after a fire, offering sushi and Kaiseki sets. Nando's Peri-Peri also reopened in a new location with spacious booths.
Baoguette Vietnamese Bistro serves Banh Mi for under $10, while Asa Sushi offers rolls for $8 to $12. 41 Noodle And Rice Pot House is a casual Chinese spot where Ovaltine is available. Minerva's, a family-owned landmark since 1975, serves pizza and Greek specialties.
Side Street Gems
On West Boulevard, White Spot and Sandeul Korean are Lunch Bunch favourites. For traditional high tea, The Secret Garden Tea Room on West 40th offers scones, lemon tarts, and Earl Grey tea.
Eat Streets: Kerrisdale at a Glance
- Number of restaurants: 47
- Parking: Two-hour paid street parking from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
This article is part of a series highlighting Metro Vancouver's must-visit Eat Streets. Know of a great Eat Street? Email artslife@vancouversun.com.
Read more: Eat Streets on Victoria Drive, Langley City, Scott Road, and more.
