Calhoun’s Cafe and Catering (web site, 3035 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, phone 604-731-7062) is a popular hangout and studying place for UBC students that is open 24 hours. They have a good selection of ready-to-eat entrees as well as delicious made-to-order sandwiches, alcoholic beverages, ice cream, cakes, and gourmet coffees. They have free wireless internet access, as well as live music several nights a week. Calhoun’s recently installed wide screen televisions that are tuned to the sports channels.

I usually order a shrimp and avocado sandwich ($6.50, pictured below); it’s huge, and is served with freshly baked sourdough bread and lots of toppings. (They do all their own baking at Calhoun’s and the quality of the bread is really evident.)

Bistro Sakana Japanese Restaurant (web site, 1123 Mainland St, Vancouver, BC, phone 604-633-1280) is a popular lunch (and dinner) spot in Yaletown; it’s a more upscale version of the ubiquitous family-owned Vancouver sushi restaurant, but is not as wild as some of the higher-end Izakaya or fusion Japanese restaurants. At lunch, Bistro Sakana offers healthy Japanese box combos that are cleanly and attractively presented, such as the Lunch Box A (some of which is pictured below, around $14).

 

Falafel House (902 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC, phone 604-806-0045) is a fast food restaurant that serves Lebanese cuisine. Choose from a chicken or beef donair, a chicken schwarma plate, a falafel plate, or a vegetarian plate (pictured below). The vegetarian plate comes with rice wrapped in grape leaves, a samosa, some falafel, humus and pita bread, as well as two kinds of salads. It is around $6.00 plus tax.

Falafel House is big enough to seat maybe around 10 to 15 people comfortably, but is also popular for take out. The restaurant is located near the many night clubs on the Granville Strip downtown, and is open late.

Update June 1st 2008: The Falafel House restaurant has changed to a pizza place, which is also open late.