North Van is scenic, rugged and gorgeous. Soak up the scenery one glass at a time at these neighbourhood wine spots. [Photo © Yellow Pages / Pages Jaunes]
Treat yourself to a mini staycation in North Van by booking a room at the Holiday Inn. After you’ve gone for a refreshing dip in the spacious indoor pool, spend the evening in the restaurant, Churchill's, with the wine of your choice. It’s an intimate 32-seat room with a gorgeous patio which is especially beautiful in the summer when the garden is in bloom. Don’t bring your wallet – just charge it to your room.
This out-of-the-way spot on Mountain Highway offers French bistro classics at affordable prices and lets you bring your own bottle of wine. Tour won’t wow you with the decor or location, but it’s known to exceed expectations in every other way. The food is simple, yet delicious, with mouth-watering dishes like cassoulet, octopus three ways, short rib sandwich and charcuterie. Just don’t tell anyone about Tour de Feast so it stays a North Van secret.
All too often a pub provides only the space and drinks without delivering on atmosphere or service, but Queens Cross hits a home run on all counts. There’s a casual vibe with fast, attentive service, free WiFi, televised sports and a wine list that puts traditional wine bars to shame. About half the wines are local and the rest are from around the world.
There’s a glass of wine for everyone here, from every major producing country you can name. Australian, Italian, French, South African and South American wines are listed alongside local labels from the Okanagan Valley and California. If in doubt, ask a staff expert for a recommendation.