What to know
- Established in the late 1800s, Robson Street has been Downtown Vancouver’s premier commercial district for over a hundred years.
- The area spans two-and-a-half kilometres and has over 100 retail stores and restaurants.
- Among its stores are Aritzia, Nike, Indigo, Nike, and MUJI.
- Robson Street also has award-winning and heavily hyped restaurants, including Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House, Dinesty, and Ramen Danbo
Robson Street is Vancouver’s best destination for a casual afternoon stroll and shopping until you drop.
Stretching two-and-a-half kilometres from BC Place Stadium near False Creek to Stanley Park, Robson Street has stood the test of time since the late 1800s. Its commercial status dates back to 1895, when a smattering of shops established their presence to serve a growing population.
Over a hundred years later, Robson Street now boasts over 100 stores and restaurants with lines stretching down the block. Go shopping at Indigo and Nike before getting dinner at Dinesty or Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House.
Here are five businesses that embody the best retailers and restaurants on Robson Street.
Roots
- Location: 929 Robson St., Unit 155
Founded in 1973 by Michael Budman and Don Green, inspired by a summer camp they went to in Algonquin Park, there’s no clothing brand in Canada more Canadiana than Roots. Known for its varsity jackets, salt and pepper sweatpants, and high-quality leather goods, Roots marries made in Canada pride with clothing that lasts. The brand carries clothing and accessories for women, men, and kids.
Dinesty Dumpling House
- Location: 1719 Robson St.
Dinesty Dumpling House is the restaurant to go to for award-winning soup dumplings (xiao long bao) and Shanghainese cuisine. Located further down Robson Street just past Bidwell Street, Dinesty offers an extensive menu of pork and seafood soup dumplings, pan fried dumplings, stir fry dishes, fried rice, and desserts. With reasonable prices and fast service, Dinesty is the perfect place to rest your legs after a long day of shopping.
Fantacity
- Location: 1133 Robson St.
Looking for a fun night of karaoke with friends? Fantacity is the place to go. Practically a Vancouver institution, it’s one of the few karaoke bars with private rooms in the city. Located on Robston Street on the second floor of a small plaza next to MUJI and Bailey Nelson, Fantacity also offers a drink menu with craft beer, soju, mixed drinks, and a small food menu.
MUJI
- Location: 1125 Robson St.
MUJI is a brand that brings minimalism to a whole new level with simple and quality clothing, stationary, home goods, and travel necessities. Robson Street boasts the second largest MUJI store in Canada, at 14,507 square feet and carries specialty items, such as food and dishware. With its peaceful atmosphere, MUJI might just bring out the Marie Kondo in all of us.
Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House
- Location: 777 Thurlow St.
Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House, located just off Robson Street on Thurlow Street, is the celebrity hotspot in Downtown Vancouver — for good reason. Modelled after the San Francisco style seafood grill, Joe Fortes serves some of the best steak and seafood in the city. The restaurant won Best Seafood and Best Patio in 2024 at the Stars of Vancouver Readers’ Choice Awards and has achieved a 95 per cent quality score. Celebrities who have visited Joe Fortes include John Cena, Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, and Jeff Bridges.
