Grab an old-school vinyl booth and tuck into a slice of kitsch-cool nostalgia at The Templeton. Despite the museum élan — jukebox terminals and 1950s postcards laminated into tables — the nosh includes organic and vegetarian options and modern classics like salmon omelettes and blueberry-and-banana pancakes. Alternatively, try Kitsilano's Sophie's Cosmic Café, with its memorabilia-lined interior and hearty eggs Benedict. Or consider going the whole hog with a heaping plate of diner-style biscuits and gravy at Gastown's excellent and well-priced Deacons's Corner. Finally, art deco fans will enjoy the décor (and the U-shaped counter) at the cool new Acme Café

If you're dining on a strict budget, the city's shopping mall food courts are a great bet for a smorgasbord of hearty helpings around the CDN$6 mark. Alternatively, check out the three stands and storefront location of for Japa Dog, a wildly popular fusion hot dog purveyor where the tube steaks come with nori and teriyaki twists. the city is also in the early stages of expanding its street food scene, with new cart vendors selling everything from dim-sum to barbecued pork sandwiches. Check the City of Vancouver website for the latest locations. For a sit down treat, the city's three Nuba outlets serve well-priced Lebanese nosh including finger-licking lamb kafta. And if it's a cheap beer and burger special you're after, you can't beat the grungy-but-friendly dive bar Cambie, where CDN$6.50 is all it takes to fill up.

If you're here between May and September, make a hungry beeline for one of Vancouver's bustling farmers markets. They're a great place to meet the locals and dip into a fresh-picked smorgasbord of taste-tripping BC flavours. Depending on the month, you might find lush peaches, blueberries or cherries from the Okanagan; crisp apples or carrots from Salt Spring Island; and squash or heirloom tomatoes from the Fraser Valley. Also look out for piquant regional cheeses and the kind of home-baked treats that will have you wishing you'd missed breakfast.

Undoubtedly North America's leading city for Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese dining, you'll be spoilt for finger licking choice here. Sushi fans will find plenty of mid price options to tempt, but for a special night out head to the legendary Tojo's, arguably Canada's best. If you fancy some ramen action instead, check out the tiny-but-excellent Motomachi Shokudo on Denman Street — don't worry if it's packed, there are lots of tempting izakaya alternatives nearby. For Chinese dining, the two main Hon's Wun-Tun House outlets have more than enough to offer most diners, especially hungry dim-sum fans.

It's hard to walk past Denman Street's True Confections without staring at the top hat-sized cakes winking at you inside. Resistance is futile, so consider a sweet fix of banana cream pie, strawberry shortcake or chocolate orange cake, riddled with Grand Marnier. Next, un-notch your belt and head to La Casa Gelato where the hundreds of ice-cream flavours include exotic combinations such as mango-macadamia and strawberry-champagne. Yum.

Most Vancouver pubs are as much about dining as drinking, but some have moved successfully beyond the typical greasy and nachos menu. Among the city's leading gastropubs is the Irish Heather, where perfectly-poured Guinness is complemented by gourmet bangers and mash and the kind of steak and ale pies that will keep your well-lagged for winter. Check out their regular Long Table special, when beer and dinner is served for around CDN$10. Alternatively, the excellent Three Lions Cafe is a pub-style joint serving a level of hearty, homecooked nosh that puts many fancy restaurants to shame: try their Indian-style curries and excellent, locally-sourced lamb burgers.