North Vancouver Day Trip: Deep Cove to The Shipyards

Today, I’m playing tourist in my own city as I take some visiting family around North Vancouver. Honestly, this might be one of my favorite ways to spend a day here as a local. From the scenic Quarry Rock Hike and the Best Sandwich in North Vancouver to coffee breaks and waterfront wandering in The Shipyards, we visited both well-loved classics and a few hidden gems. This itinerary is the perfect relaxed weekend getaway or a last-minute staycation!

North Vancouver: Being A Tourist in My Own City

Okay, so I’m not only super excited to show my family around North Vancouver, but I honestly love being a tourist in my own city. Today we’re spending the day in North Vancouver, exploring two of my favorite areas: Deep Cove and The Shipyards.

From scenic hikes and cozy cafés to seaside strolls and local hidden gem restaurants, this itinerary is all about slowing down and enjoying the kind of places that make Vancouver so special and cozy. Some spots hold personal memories for me, others are new discoveries, but all of them capture that perfect mix of nature, food, and community that I think really defines the North Shore.

Deep Cove

If there’s one thing I always recommend when visiting beautiful British Columbia, it’s to get outside and go on an adventure. Today’s plan in Deep Cove is the perfect mix of that. We’re starting the morning with North Vancouver’s best sandwiches, then headed out for the Quarry Rock hike, one of the North Shore’s most popular and beginner-friendly trails. After the hike, we’re taking some time to explore the little shops around the main area. It’s one of those relaxed, outdoorsy itineraries that really makes me proud to shows off what this corner of BC is all about.

Dip Co Sandwiches

Before we hit the trails, we headed to Dip Co. Sandwiches to fuel up. Known as Vancouver’s most delicious sandwich shop, this family-run deli is famous for the sandwiches and European imports. They’re particularly known for their freshly baked bread, a genius mix of Italian foccacia and Persian bread. Some of their sandwiches also include their signature sauce, which is a mix of Tomato, Olive, Basil, Roasted Red Pepper sauces.

We grabbed their top five sandwiches, including:

• Spicy Fabulosa ($16.99): Spicy Cappicolo Ham, Roasted Ham, Ricotta Cheese Sauce, Shredded Cheese, Spicy Roasted Eggplant, Red Pepper Salad, Mixed Greens, with Tomato Sauce
• El Clásico ($13.99): Roasted Ham, Dill Pickle, Tomato, Mixed Greens, Cheese Sauce, Olive Oil, Basil, with Basil Sauce
• Delicioco ($16.99): Italian Mortadella Meat, Florence Salami, Tomato, Cheese Sauce, Shredded Cheese, Mixed Greens, with Dip Co Sauce
• Manzo ($16.99): Roast Beef, Fresh Tomato, Roasted Eggplant and Red Pepper Salad, Ricotta Cheese, Shredded Cheese, Mixed Greens, with Tomato Sauce
• Suprima ($16.99): Italian Prosciutto & Ham, Fresh Tomato, Ricotta Cheese, Mixed Greens, Balsamic Glaze, with Dip Co Sauce

Honestly, I can say with full confidence that you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu here at Dip Co. Sandwiches. Everything was so fresh, packed with lots of flavor, and the portions here are huge. Even just looking at these photos right now, I am drooling all over again remembering their flavorful combos with that bouncy bread. Plus, the owner is super nice and passionate!

If you’re ever in Deep Cove and doing the Quarry Rock hike, make sure to stop by this 10/10 sandwich shop before or after. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.

Quarry Rock Hike

Now that we’re fully fueled from our sandwiches, let’s go on the Quarry Rock Hike! This 3.8 km round-trip trail is a North Vancouver favorite. It’s a coastal rainforest hike with wooden boardwalks and small bridges over creeks. It usually talks about 1 hour to 1.5 hours, and is completely beginner friendly.

I was so excited to share this hike with my family! Here’s a little fun fact. There was a whole summer where my mom and I went hiking every single weekend, and it was probably one of my favorite summers of my life. So, getting to bring my aunt and cousin along for one of our go-to activities felt extra special.

Even though we did 8K this morning, Quarry Rock’s steep stairs were easy. The hike does have some good incline, but there also plenty of shaded spots and places to rest along the way. But the real gem is the natural environment around us. We took our time admiring the trees and breathing in the mountain air, so it took around 40 minutes to reach the top. Once you’re here, I promise the view is absolutely breathtaking and so worth every step.

The Quarry Rock HIke is a 25-minute drive from downtown Vancouver, and the trailhead starts right near Deep Cove’s small main street. It does get pretty busy, but if you go on a weekday, it’s actually surprisingly super peaceful! If you’re visiting North Vancouver, I’d highly recommend giving it a try.

Honey Doughnuts & GOodies 

Honey Doughnuts & Goodies is a tiny, old-school café right in the heart of Deep Cove, just steps from the beach and the Quarry Rock trailhead. This local institution is iconic for their golden, pillowy honey donuts with a sweet honey glaze, as well as other flavors like cinnamon coconut and chocoreo. The cafe also serve sandwiches, soups, and other breakfast items.

When we visited, almost everything was sold out by the time we got there, so our choices were limited. We ordered 3 donuts, and 3 drinks to go along with our snacks. The flavors we got were definitely interesting, but honestly not really my cup of tea. They’re open 7 AM to 5 PM daily, but expect a long line on weekends! If you’d like to try their signature donuts in Deep Cove, make sure to come early, before they sell out!

Novel Books and Cafe

Deep Cove is full of locally-owned boutiques, galleries, and book stores like Novel Books and Cafe. This cozy, independently owned spot is right in the heart of Deep Cove. Part bookstore, part coffee shop, it’s the kind of place where you can wander through shelves of curated titles. It’s the perfect mix of community charm and book-lover’s haven. If you’d love to read like me, you’ll love this place! AND, you should join my book club on DISCORD!

Novel Books and Cafe open around 10 AM daily, sometimes earlier on weekends. While the cafe area get busy at times, the bookstore is a quiet and relaxing spot to shop for the next bestseller.

The Shipyards

Of course, if you’re visiting North Vancouver, you have to check out The Shipyards. This lively waterfront district in Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver, was built on the site of the city’s historic shipbuilding yards.  During the day you can check out the seasonal markets, or hang out by the splash park in summer. At night, the whole area lights up with string lights and live music.

Fun fact: Dom and I actually had our second official date here! It’s the perfect date location. You can stroll along the waterfront, grab something delicious to eat, and explore cute little shops along the way. I love wandering around here before dinner because there’s so many amazing restaurants nearby to choose from. 

KRAVE KULTURE YOGURT

Another spot that I absolutely have to recommend when you’re visiting North Vancouver is Krave Kulture Yogurt. Shout out to my sister for introducing us to this place. They’re all about handcrafted frozen yogurt made fresh every single day with organic milk and live probiotics. I love that they have so many fun variety of toppings, from fresh fruits to crunchy granola, and even some savory options as well.

The bowls here are so creative and they take it to the next level. We ordered 2 different ones at $10 each: Affogato and Mango Raspberry Swirl. Affogato is vanilla frozen yogurt with fresh brewed espresso, chocolate shavings, toasted coconut, pecan, almonds caramel, and chocolate sauce. The Mango Raspberry Swirl is topped with fresh strawberries, pineapples, chocolate shaving, toasted coconut, granola. Honestly, this might be one of the best frozen yogurts I have ever tasted in my life.

Krave Kulture Yoguty is a perfectly sweet and slightly tangy treat to cool down on a hot summer day, and an absolute 9/10 for me. They’re open daily from 10 AM – 9 PM, with plenty of seating, so definitely don’t’ miss this dessert spot in North Vancouver!

Caffè Artigiano

Caffè Artigiano is one of those coffee spots that feels perfectly at home in The Shipyards’ lively waterfront area. It’s got a warm, modern interior with big windows facing the plaza, so you can sip your drink while people-watching or listening to the live music that often plays nearby. 

I’m so hungry after the hike I needed a quick pre-dinner snack. So, I went for an oatmeal cranberry cookie ($5) made with toasted organic oats, oven-dried cranberries, and warm spices, along with an iced strawberry matcha ($9) made from premium matcha and strawberry syrup. It was exactly what I needed.

Caffè Artigiano is open daily, generally from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekdays and slightly shorter hours on weekends. It’s a popular grab-and-go spot in the mornings with commuters and cyclists, but in the afternoons, you can usually find a seat without trouble.

FishWorks Restaurant

Tonight, we’re headed to FishWorks Restaurant in The Shipyards, one of my brother-in-law’s family’s favorite spots. This cozy local gem is known for serving some of the freshest, locally sourced seafood. It’s a small, warmly lit space with wood accents and a compact dining room. It’s been part of the North Vancouver dining scene for years and has become a go-to for people looking for elevated seafood dishes.

I love that the menu changes seasonally. This visit we ordered a half dozen shucked oysters for $12, served chilled and fresh. We also ordered the North Atlantic Scallops Ravioli ($26), which came with homemade squash ravioli in a sage butter sauce, finished with toasted walnuts. The Northeast Pacific Wild Lingcod ($32) was served in a broth of ginger, lemongrass, mushrooms, chili aspic, mussels, and coconut milk. And finally, the FishWorks Paella ($32) was loaded with saffron rice, clams, mussels, chorizo, chicken, and prawns and so rich and deeply savory.

FishWorks Restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, closed Mondays. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, since the space is small and fills up fast!

Earnest Ice Cream

We ended our trip with our 2nd ice cream of the week at Earnest Ice Cream.  It’s part of a small, well-loved Vancouver-based chain known for small-batch, thoughtfully sourced ice cream. They rotate flavors often and also offer pints to go, so it’s an easy stop whether you’re passing through or ending a long day out.

It’s the kind of ice cream that’s worth coming back for. The flavors available included classics like London Fog, Salted Caramel, and Vegan Chocolate, alongside seasonal options listed on their flavor board. They usually have both dairy and non-dairy choices, with cones, cups, and take-home pints available. Trust me, you have to try the Whiskey Hazelnut!

Earnest Ice Cream in The Shipyards is generally open 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM daily, though hours can vary slightly with the season. Lines are common in the afternoon and especially after dinner, with weekend evenings being the busiest, but typically move quickly

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