Cradled by majestic mountains, the Pacific Ocean, and the wild West Coast rainforest, Vancouver boasts beauty that is hard to overlook. For starters, a scenic drive along the edge of Stanley Park and over the Lions Gate Bridge will take explorers to North Vancouver, where an abundance of fresh air and nature awaits. Each year, 1.2 million visitors venture to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park for a taste of the exhilarating outdoors and rich local history. And now, guests have another thing to savour at one of the most iconic tourist attractions in the province: Cliff House Restaurant.
Named after the forest retreat built by the park’s first owner, George Grant Mckay, in 1889, the Cliff House is Capilano’s first sit-down restaurant. Striking the perfect balance between healthy West Coast tastes and homemade indulgences, executive chef Mark Holland, formerly of Capilano Group’s Moraine Lake Lodge, prepares a casual introduction to the best of B.C. fare.
From the restaurant’s sun-soaked, 74-seat patio that is surrounded by a canopy of weeping willows, imagine lazy afternoons spent sharing a paddle of Okanagan wine beside a slice of key lime pie and a scoop of Rocky Point’s Vanilla Bean ice cream. Or after a crisp day trekking through the treetops, picture being comforted by a bowl of Ocean Wise seafood chowder inside the bright indoor space. Complete with a river-rock fireplace, the Cliff House is a completely new addition to the original amenities building constructed in 1911 that remains true to the park’s colourful heritage.
Capilano welcomes locals just as much as it does international visitors. British Columbia residents can purchase a special annual pass that grants unlimited visits for one year at the cost of just one day’s ticket, which allows them to partake in thrilling activities including the Cliff Walk, Treetops Adventure, and winter’s magical Canyon Lights as many times as they want. With a complimentary shuttle departing from Canada Place to Capilano park every 10 minutes, and now a cozy onsite restaurant that serves comforting domestic eats, there are many reasons to become a temporary tourist and discover home with fresh eyes.
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