Water St. Café

Water St. Cafe is a long-running Gastown restaurant serving Pacific Northwest cuisine with Italian influences in a bright, window-lined dining room on one of Vancouver's most historic streets. It's the kind of place that works for a nice family lunch without being so formal that you're stressed about your toddler dropping a fork.

The menu leans toward Italian-inspired West Coast cooking: fresh pastas, risottos, seafood, and seasonal salads. For kids, the pasta dishes are the obvious choice. They're well-made and familiar enough to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. The kitchen is generally willing to do simpler preparations if you ask.

Location is a big selling point for families. The restaurant sits right on Water Street in the heart of Gastown, steps from the famous steam clock that goes off every 15 minutes. Kids love watching it, and it's a natural before-or-after activity. The cobblestone streets, old brick buildings, and independent shops make the whole neighborhood fun to walk around.

Lunch is the better bet for families. The atmosphere is lighter, prices are lower, and the patio (in warmer months) offers great people-watching along Water Street. Dinner service shifts toward a more romantic, adult-oriented atmosphere. Reservations are a good idea regardless of when you visit.