Where to Eat in Vancouver: The Galley Patio and Grill

Best Patio in Vancouver

Wondering where to eat in Vancouver this summer? If there is one restaurant in this city that epitomizes sunny weather, it’s the Galley Patio and Grill. In my book it’s the best patio in Vancouver. The view is outstanding: water, mountains, and the downtown core of Vancouver in the distance. For those of you who have never been or are wondering where this oasis of sunshine is, The Galley is in the Jericho Sailing Center. It’s on the second floor, so you need to pass by all the windsurfers, kayakers, and sailors as they are bringing in or taking out boats – it’s easy to miss the sign. Taking the elevator (tucked off to the side, near the phone booth) or a set of stairs leads you up to the second level and the Galley is just down the hall.

Where to Eat in Vancouver this Summer

If the sound of a freshly grilled burger, fries, and an ice cold beer or iced tea has you salivating, then this is where to eat in Vancouver. The Galley uses fresh ingredients and puts out consistently good food. I go for the salmon burger, the fish and chips, or the nachos. My kid eats their grilled salmon like it’s going out of style (he’s yet to really discover fries). You order at the counter, pay, take a number and then find a seat and enjoy the view.

Lots of Seating

There is seating indoors at the Galley, and a great bar to sit at and enjoy the scenery, but what puts The Galley on the map is the view. There is ample seating outside on the patio – which works for groups as small as two and as large as 10 (if you don’t mind pushing some tables together – the staff will even help). The tables and chairs are standard plastic patio fare, but it’s the perfect cheap and cheerful combination. Umbrellas are available if the sun is too much (and at the height of summer it often is), but be warned that sometimes the ocean breeze will pull them right out of your table! It’s best to find a shady spot if the weather is windy.

Keeping the Secret

I honestly thought twice about writing this article, as the Galley is sort of the West Side’s best kept secret. It’s rare that you can’t find a seat outdoors, which is not the case for most of the city’s best known patios, and it’s such a leisurely place to sit back and relax at. It’s great to see all the sailboats going by and watch tourists and recently married couples posing on the pier. The Galley means summer to me. It’s where to eat in Vancouver to celebrate the season, and part of me wanted to keep it to myself.

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The Galley is open daily from 9:00 am until 10:00 pm between Victoria Day and Labour Day. Spring / Winter / and Fall hours vary, so check the website before you go.