Siegel’s Bagels on Cornwall in Kits offers one of Vancouver’s only options for the Montreal style bagel enthusiast. They have a big wood fire burning oven, and serve up the routine poppy / sesame seed selection, along with an assortment of other wild and wonderful treats (rugella, Montreal smoked meat, lox, homemade cream cheese etc). They serve breakfast all day, and have a great selection of full meals. Nothing is cheap, in fact the place is downright pricey, and the service leaves a little something to be desired – but c’mon, you’re there for the bagels!

On Tuesday the bagels are cheap – $6.50 a dozen. Other days they are just over $9 for 12. They also usually have a few bags of day old bagels in the far corner. For just 5 bucks these are ready to pop in your freezer. While they aren’t quite as chewy as when they come fresh from the oven, they are cheap, quick, and still darn good!

Siegels, while no longer open 24 hours, is still open late each night, and opens early in the morning. Be forewarned, weekdays during prime commuting time can be BUSY. Be prepared to wait in line for your schmear.

UPDATE: Siegel’s in Kit’s is now open 24 hours again! Kitsilano’s late night carb cravings have found a cure.

Try: the rosemary rock salt bagels.

Address:

1883 Cornwall Ave.
Tel: 604 737 8151
Fax: 604 737 2180

(They are also available on Granville Island at 1698 Johnston St.)

http://www.siegelsbagels.com/

The Naam is one of Vancouver’s oldest vegetarian restaurants. Now before you carnivores, or omnivores with heavily carnivorous tendencies (we’re all on a spectrum, they say) click on your browser’s back button, I must announce that as an omnivore who dearly loves red meat, this place was thoroughly satisfying. I was not converted, but I will think twice before dismissing tempeh ever again.

The Naam is pretty laid back, kind of rustic, with old wooden tables and chairs. Some might venture as far as to use the word hippy-ish (is that even a word??) but this would be unfair. It’s casual, and no fluff or nonsense. Probably one of the best aspects of this place is that it is open 24 hours a day and because of this, it’s probably one of the only places to get a full service, good meal in Kitsilano- even Vancouver. Every time I have been there are 2 am (and these number many), there have been a surprising number of people munching on garden burgers.

Food at the Naam is an adventure in vegetarianism. I never would have imagined that so many of the items we enjoy as carnivores could be replicated in vegetable matter with so much accuracy. The ruben sandwich I enjoyed was very tasty, and the salad that accompanied it was fantastic. The Naam does a hell of a job of salads. It also does gravy well- very well. I dare say that it is borderline famous for its miso gravy- perhaps it has crossed the line even. Food for thought. Be sure to check it out for live jazz music in the evening.

Address:

2724 West 4th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
(604) 738-7151

Hamburger Mary’s is a step up from your average diner, but still maintains that 1950s style charm- with added flair. Unlike the restaurant chain in the USA, there is no buxom woman in a wig to serve you dinner here; our server, not a bad looking chap, was far less flamboyant.

You can get typical diner fare here- although some of it has been adapted to west-coast tastes (vegetarian options, etc.) and it’s some of the best as well. Good burgers here, although I wasn’t too fond of the barbeque sauce. If you’re like me, and appreciate a good strawberry milkshake, this is absolutely the place to be- we actually ordered another.

Hamburger Mary’s is located at Davie and Bute in the West End, and is a neighbourhood fixture.

Address:

1202 Davie Street
Vancouver, BC
(604) 687-1293

The best and the most happening Denny’s in all of Vancouver is the one located at the corner of Burrard and Smithe. You can’t miss it — it’s right across from the Scotiabank Theatre. On most morning’s Denny’s is packed — but the service is fast and you’ll get a table and your food in no time flat. We usually visit on Saturday morning, because we know that Jason will be our server, and he’ll let us order off the kids menu and make a zillion substitutions because we are cheap.

Denny’s is not necessarily a cheap option for breakfast, but if you do it right it can be. First things first, ask for a kids menu. At breakfast our eyes are usually A LOT bigger than our stomachs, and the kids menu offers some similar options, with smaller, portions (although not THAT much smaller), and a heck of a smaller price tag. I usually order the Kids Grand Slam, which comes with bacon, sausage, eggs and three silver dollar pancakes. It’s just over three bucks! You can’t make that kind of food at home for that price .. and if you can it takes way too much effort.

Also, check out the kids lunch and dinner options, they have a great selection — even a Thanksgiving Dinner all year round. Take THAT steamrollers.

Another way to save big is to mix and match side dishes .. don’t get roped into buying that whole elaborate pancake meal when all you really want are some flapjacks and syrup. Those are on the side dish menu, for half the price.

In summary, for a greasy Saturday morning brunch, Denny’s has got you covered. You can go there and know exactly what to expect. Sure they don’t have the kind of atmosphere you might find at a place like Melriches, but they’ve got one of those dollar-claw machines in the lobby, so it more than makes up for it!

Address:

101-888 Burrard (across from the Scotiabank theatre)
Vancouver, BC