When it comes to eating out on a budget, you don’t need to sacrifice taste or quality.
The Heights is a vibrant residential neighbourhood located in North Burnaby, between Boundary Road and Gamma Avenue along Hastings Street. This 11 block strip is home to some of the best eateries in the Lower Mainland.
From gigantic portions of pastas to old-school homemade ice cream sundaes–this neighbourhood guarantees a few gems that won’t break your budget. Here are a list of my favourites.
X-Site Bar and Grill
This restaurant has gained a large following for offering one of the best daily lunch and dinner specials. Where else can you find a large plate of chicken souvlaki for $5.95 for a Wednesday night dinner? Besides the specials, their regular meal items are well-priced. You will often see a lot of students from Simon Fraser University grabbing a quick bite to and from campus.
Address: 4625 Hastings St.
Phone: (604) 298-7483
Chad Thai Restaurant
Chad Thai is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant serving delicious Thai food including Pad Thai and Khao Soi Gai. In 2013, they were voted Best Thai Restaurant by the readers of the Burnaby Now. At lunch you can get a special served with soup and an appetizer for just $10.
Address: 4010 East Hastings St.
Phone: (604) 677-1489
King Mahal
From crispy veggie pakoras to super spicy butter chicken–King Mahal has been heating up Burnaby Heights with North Indian cuisine for over 20 years. Their food is fresh, simple and healthy. If you can’t make it out to the restaurant they also do home delivery. Their veggie pakoras and palak paneer is a perfect combination for two.
Address: 4051 Hastings St.
Phone: (604) 222-2253
Glenburn Soda Fountain and Confectionery
Just try to say no to the sodas, milkshakes, and ice cream sundaes at this nostalgic, 1940’s-style confectionery. The retro vibe and fresh, local ingredients at this dessert only spot run by the LaQuaglia family is too tempting.
Address: 4090 Hastings St.
Phone: (604) 500-4548
Broken Rice Vietnamese Restaurant
Broken Rice offers Vietnamese cuisine with fresh, local, and sustainable ingredients in each dish. Their contemporary approach transforms traditional Vietnamese dishes by using modern cooking techniques. Check out their lunch menu as most items are under $10. Rare beef and brisket ph?? Yes please!
Address: 4088 Hastings St.
Phone: (604) 558-3838
Chez Christophe Chocolate Patisserie
You can taste the love and passion (and cholcolate) in each of Chez Christophe’s treats. The Swiss trained “Confectioner” has earned several accolades at the International Chocolate Awards in 2013 and 2014. Stop by for some pastries and coffee as a mid-day pick me up.
Address: 4712 Hastings St.
Phone: (604) 428-4200
Anton’s Pasta Bar
Best known for gigantic portions that draw huge crowds every evening. Long waits are standard at night as locals and tourists stand shoulder to shoulder watching piles of pasta and sauce go by. Anton’s Pasta Bar is priced slightly higher than most restaurants on this list, but because of their large portions there is definitely value since you will have leftovers for the next few meals.
Address: 4260 East Hastings St.
Phone: (604) 299-6636
Burgers Etc BBQ House
Burgers here are simple and full of flavour, and there are other BBQ meats to drool over. They have won Best Burger in both the Burnaby’s A-List Awards and by Burnaby Now readers in 2014. Burgers Etc., has been operating in the Burnaby Heights area for the past 10 years, and yuo can’t go wrong with a BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich which comes with a side for about $10.
Address: 4091 Hastings St.
Phone:(604) 299-8959