Where to eat and drink in Burnaby Heights
One of Burnaby’s most culturally rich neighbourhoods, the Heights looks back to a time before corporate uniformity triumphed over the Greater Vancouver area. Small businesses dominate, carrying on traditions and giving true value to their customers. Among those businesses are these eateries, each of them not only lip-smackingly good, but also owned and operated locally.
Sushi Uomo
4280 Hastings St, Burnaby, BC V5C 2J6Hey, this is the Lower Mainland – there are sushi spots everywhere, right? Not quite like this one, there aren’t. Visit Sushi Uomo for chef’s special maki rolls for as low as $4.95, cheap-but-high-quality nigiri, a huge selection of maki, and, on the level of dazzling invention, sushi pizza! That’s right, folks: deep-fried rice, dough, crabmeat, avocado and three pieces of salmon or tuna. You owe yourself this taste adventure.
Cioffi's Meat Market & Deli
4156 Hastings St, Burnaby, BC V5C 2J4Cioffi’s is the number one spot in the Heights for meat and groceries. Cuchina is their small in-house deli, where you can sit and feast on a pork sausage and peppers sandwich – trust me, they’re to die for. Also highly recommended is their cheese ravioli that’s served warm to enjoy right away or to take home. Shopping for dinner? They’ve got you covered with more choice selections from the hot serve deli, plus artisan-made pizzas and a fridge full of soups, stocks, sauces and gravies. Their motto is Mangia Bene, Vive Bene – Eat Well, Live Well.
Butchers Block BBQ
4091 Hastings St, Burnaby, BC V5C 2J1This local barbecue house and burger joint is the go-to spot to satisfy your inner carnivore. In addition to juicy burgers, this restaurant serves up sandwiches (pulled pork, brisket and beef dip) and Southern-inspired sides like coleslaw, macaroni salad, corn or baked beans – all at an affordable price. For the really hungry or really hearty there are the platters: brisket, ribs, BBQ chicken and pulled pork, by themselves or in combos. Ribs and chicken are smoked daily, and the brisket and pork are done overnight for 12 to 15 hours.
Glenburn Soda Fountain And Confectionery
4090 Hastings Street, Burnaby, BC V5C 2H9Glenburn specializes in Old School flavour; everything from here is straight outta the 1950s – from the decor to the soda jerk hats worn by staff to the dozen-plus sundaes on the menu. This is a nostalgic soda shop of hedonistic delight; besides the sundaes, you can indulge your sweet tooth with egg cream, malts, decadent slices of pie, house-made candy bars, and ice cream cones. The staff are as friendly as can be, and the whole place has a time-machine feel to it. It’s the good old days brought back to life.
Fortuna Bakery Ltd
4240 Hastings St, Burnaby, BC V5C 2J6Head to Fortuna Bakery for that quick coffee and bite on the way to work or, better yet, for the hours you have to spend relaxing over a latte and some pastries. About those pastries: tiger brownies, custard cream balls, éclairs, tarts, croissants, cookies and more – they’re all delicious. Fortuna has tables for lounging and barista service is in effect. And if you’re there to shop, the place is stocked with delicious homemade cakes, as well as cheeses, meats and imported Italian fare.
Anton's Pasta Bar
4260 East Hastings St, Burnaby, BC V5C 2J6This pasta bar is a local legend. Remember to come on an empty stomach because the portions here are huge – you’re sure to leave sated and sedated. Anton’s has been around for more than 25 years, and in that time they’ve grown from the neighbourhood’s best-kept secret into one of the biggest names in Lower Mainland dining. There are more than 70 pasta options available, ranging from traditional Italian classics (spaghetti Bolognese, fettuccini Alfredo) to Anton’s own original creations.
Siam Le Bien Thai Cuisine Inc
4217 Hastings St, Burnaby, BC V5C 2J5This restaurant is renowned for their classic breakfast menu: cheap, filling and full of all the time-honoured staples. They’ve also got a lot of standard Western fare on offer later on in the day: Caesar salads, burgers, poutine and more. So far, so good, but a flip of the page and you’ll cross the ocean! The extensive menu also features a variety of Chinese and Southeast Asian dishes, from pad Thai to BBQ pork and much more. Eclectic is the watchword here, where East meets West and your beef can come with ketchup or ginger.
