Best Guide to See Spring Flowers and Dine Out in Vancouver
As the sun stays up longer and flowers start to peek out of the ground, it’s time to celebrate the bloom of spring. On days when sunshine is abundant, why not spend them admiring the spring flowers and eating out afterward? For your next spring outing, I’ve paired up some of the best places to see spring flowers and hidden gem restaurants in Greater Vancouver to enjoy nearby.
Spring Flowers Garden and Eatery 1 of 9: VanDusen Botanical Garden & Shaughnessy Restaurant
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VanDusen Botanical Garden is one of the best places in Vancouver to see spring flowers. Packed with 40 theme gardens, numerous lakes and ponds, a fun maze, and a treasure trove of trees, VanDusen Garden offers a serene spot to spend a sunny spring day. Keep your eye out for cherry blossoms, magnolias, tulips, and other spring blooms as the weather warms up.
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Located in VanDusen amongst the spring flowers is Shaughnessy Restaurant. This elegant space has stunning views of the gardens and vista from both inside and outside. Grab a seat on their coveted patio for lunch and take in the expansive views as you munch on a classic like their Hot Crab and Shrimp Croissant. Served with a salad on the side, this croissant sandwich pairs well with a glass of white wine.
Where to see spring flowers: VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak St., Vancouver
Where to eat: Shaughnessy Restaurant
Can’t-miss dish: Hot Crab and Shrimp Croissant
Spring Flowers Garden & Eatery 2 of 9: Queen Elizabeth Park & Seasons in the Park
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Often flocked by tourists and wedding goers, Queen Elizabeth Park is a spring flower haven you can’t miss. This lush 52-acre park stands 152 metres above sea level to give you incredible views of the gardens, city skyline, and North Shore mountains. Stop and smell the roses at the Rose Garden, take in the colourful perennials and annuals at the Quarry Garden, or experience the tropical rainforest inside the Bloedel Conservatory.
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After exploring the vast park, make your way to Seasons in the Park for a meal. Located in QE Park, Seasons lets you dine amongst the trees and flora. If you’re there on a Sunday evening, you have to try the Sunday Night Prime Rib Dinner.
Where to see spring flowers: Queen Elizabeth Park, 4600 Cambie St., Vancouver
Where to eat: Seasons in the Park
Can’t-miss dish: Sunday Night Prime Rib Dinner
Spring Flowers Garden and Eatery 3 of 9: Stanley Park Rose Garden & The Teahouse in Stanley Park
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Known as the crown jewel of Vancouver, Stanley Park is packed with an array of spring flower gardens. From the Ted and Mary Greig Rhododendron Garden to the Shakespeare Garden, there are plenty of gardens and flowers to see in this vast park. The Stanley Park Rose Garden is especially impressive with over 3,500 rose bushes. A stunning arbour is also home to climbing roses and clematis.
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For a Stanley Park meal with waterfront views, head to The Teahouse in Stanley Park. This stunning but casual spot has an outdoor patio perfect for soaking in the sun and views. Exploring Stanley Park on a weekend? Try out the Belgian Waffles from the Teahouse’s brunch menu. Packed with an abundance of fresh fruit, these waffles are the right way to start your weekend.
Where to see spring flowers: Stanley Park Rose Garden, 610 Pipeline Road, Vancouver
Where to eat: The Teahouse in Stanley Park
Can’t-miss dish: Belgian Waffles
Spring Flowers Garden and Eatery 4 of 9: UBC Botanical Garden & Seedlings
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UBC Botanical Garden is home to plants and spring flowers from every corner of the world. Take in the sights and scents of Asian plants, vines, and perennials at the David C. Lam Asian Garden, or head to the E.H. Lohbrunner Alpine Garden to marvel at plants and flowers from across the globe.
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For a cheap and cheerful meal after exploring UBC Botanical Garden, head to Seedlings on the northwest corner of campus. This vegetarian café serves fresh, local organic food generously made by volunteers. Available all day, the pancakes from Seedlings are a sure thing. They’re topped with honey, granola, and apple slices for a sweet but hearty meal.
Where to see spring flowers: UBC Botanical Garden, 6804 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver
Where to eat: Seedlings
Can’t-miss dish: Pancakes
Spring Flowers Garden and Eatery 5 of 9: Nitobe Memorial Garden & Sage Bistro
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Another UBC garden that’s worth exploring is the Nitobe Memorial Garden. Considered one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in North America, this tranquil place is populated with cherry blossom trees, maple trees, azaleas and irises. Meander through the garden and admire the symbolic lanterns, bridges, bamboo gates, and alarm rock at this peaceful place.
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For lunch, pop into Sage Bistro in the Leon and Thea Koerner University Centre at UBC. Focused on local, seasonal West Coast fare, this modern restaurant boasts stunning views and creative dishes. From their light lunches menu, go for the 36hr sous vide pork belly. A generous portion of pan-seared pork belly sits atop a vibrant pea puree in this stunning dish.
Where to see spring flowers: Nitobe Memorial Garden, 1895 Lower Mall, Vancouver
Where to eat: Sage Bistro
Can’t-miss dish: 36hr Sous Vide Pork Belly
Spring Flowers Garden and Eatery 6 of 9: Art Phillips Park & Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar
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Right outside Burrard SkyTrain Station is an idyllic spot to see cherry blossoms in the spring. Known as Art Phillips Park, this charming area is home to pretty flower beds, cherry blossom trees, and a turquoise-coloured fountain. Take in the ambience from one of the many benches in the area before joining the hustle and bustle of downtown Vancouver.
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Not far from Art Phillips Park is Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar. Part of the Sutton Place Hotel, this upscale restaurant features a seafood-focused menu. From their dinner menu, try the seared ling cod. Adorned with mushroom relish, confit potato, yu choy, grilled shiitake mushrooms and bonito crème fraiche, this ling cod is finished off tableside with a ham hock dashi.
Where to see spring flowers: Art Philips Park, 625 Burrard St., Vancouver
Where to eat: Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar
Can’t-miss dish: Seared Ling Cod
Spring Flower Garden and Eatery 7 of 9: Momji Gardens and Le Petit Saigon
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Completed in 1993 as a memorial to the internment of Japanese-Canadians, Momji Garden is a place of peace. Here, you’ll see Japanese maple trees, spring flowers, and waterfalls that evoke a quiet solitude. Stroll through the gardens to soak in the beauty and tranquility, and make sure to stop by the historical plaque on the edge of the gardens to read up on this important slice of Canadian history.
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Not far from Momji Gardens in Hastings-Sunrise is a hidden gem Vietnamese restaurant – Le Petit Saigon. This unassuming restaurant offers Vietnamese favourites like pho, vermicelli bowls, and rice dishes. If you’re a fan of salad rolls and spring rolls, then you have to try the Saigon Roll. It’s a spring roll wrapped with lettuce and vermicelli, giving you the best of both worlds.
Where to see spring flowers: Momji Gardens, 2901 East Hastings St., Vancouver
Where to eat: Le Petit Saigon
Can’t-miss dish: Saigon Roll
Spring Flower Garden and Eatery 8 of 9: Park & Tilford Gardens and Mumbai Masala
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Located on 2.8 acres of land in North Vancouver, Park & Tilford Gardens is a stunning spot to see an array of spring flowers. This expansive European-style garden is separated into eight themed areas, including the Rose Garden, Herb Garden, and Bog Garden. Soak in the sights and scents of various spring flowers, tropical plants, trees, and more in this spectacular North Vancouver garden.
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Near Park & Tilford Gardens is a low-key Indian restaurant great for lunch or dinner. Family owned and run since 2006, Mumbai Masala serves everything from butter chicken to lamb tikka. From their tandoor menu, their house speciality tandoori chicken is a must-try. It’s charcoal-fried in a clay oven for authentic flavours.
Where to see spring flowers: Park & Tilford Gardens, 333 Brooksbank Avenue, North Vancouver
Where to eat: Mumbai Masala
Can’t-miss dish: Tandoori Chicken
Spring Flower Garden and Eatery 9 of 9: Argyle Village Gardens & Cafe Crema
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Located near Ambleside in West Vancouver, Argyle Village Gardens is a community garden where you can catch spring flowers blooming against an ocean backdrop. Filled with garden plots galore, this garden is a nice spot to pop into if you’re in the area.
Just a block away from Argyle Village Gardens is a hidden gem café – Café Crema. Stop here for a latte to fuel you for a beautiful walk around the gardens and neighbouring Millennium Park.
Where to see spring flowers: Argyle Village Gardens, 1534 Argyle Ave., West Vancouver
Where to eat: Cafe Crema
Can’t-miss dish: Latte
