A pilgrimage to the iconic Capilano Suspension Bridge has been on just about every Vancouver visitor's trip must-see list for over a century. Just recently, the venue operators opened a sit-down restaurant on site that pays tribute to the park's long and storied past.
The Cliff House Restaurant, situated within the park grounds, is a nod to the original Cliff House residence that was built in 1889 by George Grant Mackay, builder of the original Capilano Suspension Bridge.
The Cliff House (Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome)
Designed as a cabin-style hideaway, this new Cliff House operates from 11 am to 8 pm daily, serving up approachable West Coast-centric fare, and offering bridge-crossers a glimpse into the site's past through unique and thoughtful touches throughout the restaurant.
The bridge has been in a few hands since its earliest days, but its current owner, Nancy Stibbard of the Capilano Group, bought it from her father, Rae Mitchell, in 1983, and worked to turn it into the bucket list destination it is today.
Nancy Stibbard holds a photo of herself and her dad being used as a label on beer flights (Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome)
As a young girl, Stibbard worked scooping up dime servings of ice cream for visitors to the park; the place is deeply woven into her personal and professional history. If you order a flight of wine or beer, look for historic photographs and postcards used as the flags to tell you what's in your glass--you may spot a vintage snap of Stibbard and Mitchell.
Keep your eye out for other things like the old cash register Stibbard unearthed and is now on display on the bar. From the bar you can order classic cocktails, local beer and cider on tap, as well as B.C. wines.
Stibbard says this photo is of her relatives from around 1912, who happened to visit the bridge as out-of-towners. The photo was found among a relatives’ things. (Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome)
On the trim menu you'll find seasonal classics, from a berry-studded green salad to a hearty seafood chowder, along with crowd-pleasers like fish and chips, a chicken avocado club sandwich, or a belly-warming mushroom ravioli. Save room for a slice of key lime cheesecake for dessert. A kids' menu scales things down for tinier tummies.
Offering visitors a nice place to unwind before or after exploring the bridge and park, the Cliff House is a great addition to an already great attraction beloved by many.
Fish & Chips (Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome)
Salad (Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome)
Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome
Mushroom ravioli (Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome)
Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome
The Cliff House is located within the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park at 3735 Capilano Road in North Vancouver. Admission to the park is required, and the restaurant is walk-in only.
