Fun fact! North Road, which is the main thoroughfare through Burquitlam, was the first road built in the Lower Mainland. Fast forward to today and this area is easily reached by car, bike or SkyTrain and attracts visitors from throughout Metro Vancouver due to its culinary and shopping attractions. Wear some good walking shoes and away you go.
How North Road was Born
North Road was constructed in 1859 to connect the capital city at the time (New Westminster) with port facilities in Port Moody. The road was cleared for wagon traffic in 1861 and today marks the boundary between Burnaby and Coquitlam.
Hop off at Burquitlam SkyTrain station to explore this bustling commercial hub. While exiting the station, be sure to take a look at the public art featured throughout. You’ll find a mixture of retail shops, restaurants and services in the area including the Burquitlam Safeway and Papa’s Shish Kabab. Across the street from the Burquitlam SkyTrain station you will find a few more places to eat including the brand new hot spot BjornBar Bakery Coquitlam, Connected Minds Coffee and Roastery, Grand Seasons Restaurant and Me + Crepe.
A couple spots new to the North Road scene include Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba and Pho Super Bowl be sure to check them out!
Afterward, take a stroll heading south down North Road, which is dotted with restaurants and retailers including Euro Food Tri City for a unique European treat, Jujube Restaurant , CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice and Jimmy’s Place Restaurant.
Eat & Drink
Coquitlam is home to one of the largest Korean communities in Canada – and consequently one of the best places in B.C. to sample Korean dishes.
The area around North Road is unofficially known as Koreatown, home to a hub of Korean businesses including restaurants and cafés, clothing shops, pharmacies and grocery stores including Hanahreum Mart (known as H-Mart).
You’ll find a huge selection of Korean restaurants near the intersection of North Road and Lougheed, including those located in Hanin Village (329 North Road) and Lougheed Village Shopping Centre (403 North Road).
With so many Korean restaurants in the area it’s tough to choose just one, some to try include Insadong, Hongdae Korean, Kimbab Cheonguk and Bukchigo Jangguchigo. Learn more about Korean Cuisine and find the full list of Korean Restaurants in Coquitlam from our Foodie 101 blog on Korean Food.
Burquitlam isn’t just about Korean food. You’ll find cuisine from many nationalities. Scope out the foodie map at visitcoquitlam.ca/eat-drink.
See & Do
Here are some highlights of other things to do in Burquitlam.
Happy Hour: Check out The Taphouse Coquitlam’s happy hour from 3-6 p.m. daily or simply pop in for some great food and beverages.
History Walk: Visit the Robinson Memorial Cemetery to learn some interesting historical facts about Coquitlam. Among its first burials in 1937, there is a large area of unmarked graves where many patients from Essondale (Riverview Hospital) were buried during the Depression. You’ll also find the grave of Emery Barnes (one of the first black politicians elected in British Columbia).
Picnic and Play: Burquitlam is home to several neighbourhood parks including three that were extensively renovated in 2019: Brookmere, Cottonwood and Mountain View Parks. Enjoy the varied amenities such as playing fields, sport courts, a spray park, baseball diamonds, playgrounds and nature walks. Check out your park options using Coquitlam’s Park Finder
Stay Local: Have a quick getaway close to home at the Executive Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre Metro Vancouver located on North Road giving you quick and easy access to all there is to do in Coquitlam.
Are we missing your local favourite? Tell us about it! Share your photos with us on social media by tagging #explorecoquitlam or email us your suggestions to tourism@coquitlam.ca.