Vancouver is having a week. A moderate rainfall warning is in effect, a photo of the city's newly sworn-in mayor taking a head of lettuce to the face has gone viral, and a revolving sushi restaurant has just opened downtown. If you're heading to the city soon, here's what's worth knowing.
First, the weather. Environment Canada is forecasting up to 50 mm of rain across Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam and Maple Ridge from Tuesday through Wednesday morning, with a brief lull before it picks up again later in the day. After a soggy weekend, locals are bracing for more of the same — the classic "Raincouver" stretch where the October sunshine feels like a distant memory. Water pooling on roads and in low-lying areas is expected, so visitors should pack proper rain gear and waterproof shoes rather than trusting any optimistic forecast.
On the stranger side of the news cycle: Mayor Pete Fry was sworn in, then photographed getting smacked in the face by a flying lettuce head. The shot, taken by Rich Lam, racked up nearly 3,000 upvotes on Reddit, with commenters celebrating it as an early-2010s-style meme. Political drama aside, it's the kind of odd local moment that makes the city's news cycle worth a skim before you visit.
Food-wise, Vancouver's dining scene just had a genuine growth spurt, and several openings are worth adding to an itinerary. Downtown now has Zumi, a new revolving sushi spot — a fun, casual dinner option. Yaletown welcomed Rosalia Osteria, an Italian restaurant open daily that doesn't take reservations, so arrive early or expect a wait. Strange Fellows Brewing has revamped its space and added Creatures Coffee, pouring espresso, batch brews, nitro cold brew and pastries. And the Burrard Food Court has reopened with five new vendors: Zab Bite Thai Express, Little Seoul, TORI, Indish and Four Bite Burger — a solid budget lunch stop.
One quirky deal to flag: Chipotle is running its "Tatted Like a Chipotle Bag" BOGO promotion across Canada on Friday from 3 to 4 p.m. only. Anyone with a tattoo — permanent, temporary or drawn on that morning — gets a free burrito bowl with purchase. When the offer last hit Canada in March, queues formed outside restaurants nationwide, so a doodle on your arm could genuinely pay off if you're in town.
The city's free-events calendar is also packed this week: a pearl earring-making workshop and a Music of Iran concert at the Vancouver Public Library on Tuesday, a singles night at Slice of Life Gallery and a clothes-mending circle on Thursday, a watercolour seascape session and zine-making on Friday, a beginner coffee workshop at Be Cafe on Saturday, an open art social on Sunday, and a free outdoor light festival running Thursday through Saturday. Most cost nothing and welcome drop-ins, which makes them an easy way to see the city like a local between rainy spells.
The takeaway for travellers: bring a rain jacket, book nothing at Rosalia and go early, and squeeze in that light festival between downpours.
Story via Curiocity.
