Tim Hortons is an iconic Canadian brand of convenient fast-food restaurants that serve their famous coffee and donuts (the smaller donuts are called “Timbits”) as well as sandwiches and soups. Prices are reasonable, service is prompt, and there is a consistent level of quality across the franchise. Two downtown Vancouver locations of Tim Hortons are 947 Hornby Street, Vancouver – (604) 642-4272, and 607 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver – (604) 609-0865. Their web site www.timhortons.com has links to their other numerous locations across Canada. Below is pictured the turkey bacon club sandwich which was around $6.50 for a large. (This picture was taken at a Tim Horton’s near the Halifax airport.)

The Templeton (web site, address: 1087 Granville Street, Vancouver, phone: 604-685-4612) is an authentic 1950’s diner that serves modernized, surprisingly healthy food. They serve breakfast until 3pm and their “Big Breakfast” is enough for even the biggest appetities (well, maybe not the biggest, but the portions are very generous). Homemade pies, milk shakes, veggie and meat burgers, as well as fancy entrees such as Ahi-tuna, are all available at reasonable prices. Pictured below are the Mangled Eggs (under $10) which are a delicious breakfast item.

Vancouver’s Chinatown (web site: http://vancouverchinatown.ca) is located within walking distance just east of downtown Vancouver and is a great place to taste delicious dim-sum and pastries from one of the many bakeries, or stock up on fresh, very affordable vegetables such as those from the market pictured below (on Powell Street). A nice place to spend a few hours in tranquility is the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden (web site) which is a Ming-Dynasty style garden that is famous for its stunning architecture.