This document provides information for German speakers who are new to Vancouver, including websites to get started, areas to live, German schools, where to find German bread and spiritual counselling, schnitzel restaurants, and types of housing. It discusses neighborhoods in Vancouver and various cities in Metro Vancouver. It also lists several German schools and provides details about their locations and programs. It provides many options for finding German bread and schnitzel restaurants throughout Vancouver and BC. Finally, it briefly outlines different types of housing such as apartments, houses, duplexes, and co-op housing.

1. A F E W W E B S I T E S T O G E T Y O U S T A R T E D .
W I L L K O M M E N ! W E L C O M E !
Newcomers to
Vancouver

2. F R O M G E R M A N Y ? A U S T R I A ? S W I T Z E R L A N D ?
W H E R E S H O U L D I L I V E ( I N W E L C H E R G E G E N D ) , W E R E
C A N I S I G N M Y C H I L D U P F O R G E R M A N S C H O O L , T Y P E S
O F H O U S I N G , W H E R E C A N I F I N D G E R M A N B R E A D ,
W H E R E C A N I G E T S P I R I T U A L C O U N S E L ? W H E R E I S
S C H N I T Z E L ? W H A T T Y P E O F H O U S I N G I S T H E R E I N B C ?
New to Vancouver

3. V A N C O U V E R H A T V I E L E G E G E N D E N :
K E R R I S D A L E , K I T S I L A N O , S O U T H
V A N C O U V E R , E A S T V A N C O U V E R , D O W N T O W N
Where Should I live?

4. Areas of Downtown Vancouver
— Downtown (Central Business District)
— West End (mixed commercial/residential area)
— Yaletown (heritage part of city)
— Coal Harbour (former port area)
— Gastown (also heritage with cobblestones)
— Chinatown (where Chinese immigrants first settled)
— Downtown Eastside (rundown area of City)
— Crosstown (connects Chinatown, Vancouver,
Gastown and Yaletown/Stadium District

5. Top Nine Neighbourhoods in Vancouver
— Westend (Stanley Park & Davie Village)
— Kitsilano (Kits & Jericho Beach)
— Yaletown (Seawall Walkway & Bike Path)
— False Creek (Granville Island & David Lam Park)
— Fairview/Olympic Village (Creekside Community)
— Downtown (Canada
— Main Street
— Kerrisdale
— UBC Endowment Lands

6. Cities of Metra Vancouver – Part 1
— Vancouver
— Surrey
— Burnaby
— Richmond
— Coquitlam
— Maple Ridge
— New Westminster
— Port Coquitlam
— North Vancouver

7. Cities of Metro Vancouver – Part II
— Port Moody
— Langley
— White Rock
— Pitt Meadows
— The regional district comprises 23 local authorities
as members; 21 municipalities, one electoral area
and one treaty First Nation

8. District Municipalities of Metro Vancouver
— Langley
— Delta
— North Vancouver
— West Vancouver
— Electoral Area A – comprises all unincorporated land
within the regional district boundaries. Most are
isolated dwellings on Howe Sound between Lions
Bay and Horseshoe Bay. Other areas include
Barnston Island, Passage island and urban
communities of UBC and the Endowment Lands

9. Miscellaneous
Villages
— Anmore
— Lions Bay
— Belcarra
Island Municipality
— Bowen Island
Indian Reserve (Treaty First Nation)
— Tsawwassen

10. N O R T H S H O R E , W E S T S I D E , S U R R E Y , E A S T V A N
German Schools

11. North Star German Academy
— http://www.northstargermanacademy.com
— The school is located in North Vancouver and has
one instructor, Claudia Estlin whose motto is “Learn
how to speak German the fun way”

12. Vancouver Westside German School
— https://www.vwgs.org
— This school offers a K to 12 German after-school
language program for German as a foreign language
(DaF) and German as a second language (DaZ). They
are currently located in Prince of Wales Secondary in
Vancouver

13. Surrey German Language School
— http://www.surreygermanschool.com
— This school offers an internationally recognized
Saturday morning language class for children from
Preschool to Grade 12, as well as for adults. They
meet at Kwantlen Park Secondary.

14. German School North Shore
— http://germanschoolns.ca
— This school offers classes for Kindergarten to Grade
12 programs, which follow the prescribed curriculum
for German heritage schools. They meet at the
Lynnmour Elementary in North Vancouver on
Thursdays.

15. Kindergruppe in der Sankt Markus Kirche
— https://sites.google.com/site/
deutschekindergruppe/home
— Open playgroup for children ages o to 5 years and
who meet Monday mornings at the St. Mark’s
Evangelical Lutheran Church. They offer “Preschool”
classes for children older than 2.5 years.

16. Victoria German School
— http://www.victoriagermanschool.org
— Recognized heritage language school that offers
German language classes for children and adults,
and organizes numerous cultural events within the
community. Classes take place in the Clearihue
Building at the University of Victoria Campus.

17. W H E R E C A N I F I N D G E R M A N B R E A D I N
V A N C O U V E R – R E A L G E R M A N B R E A D !
German Bread

18. Andys Bakehouse
— https://www.facebook.com/andysbakehaus/
— Fresh rye breads since 1957, along with German style
cakes & pastries – artisan bread, buns & pretzels

19. Batard Bakery
— http://batardbakery.com/new-page/
— Batard Boulangerie & Café Modern is a French style
Bakery, and Café & Grocer, although they also sell
Rye Bread on Fraser Street.

20. Artisan Bake Shop
— http://artisanbakeshoppe.ca
— Not sure if it exists anymore, but it is located in
North Vancouver.

21. European Breads
— http://www.europeanbreads.com/new-products/
— Light rye, spelt bread, Euro Flax Bread, Barley with
Chia Seeds found at 4320 Fraser Street.

22. Hofstede’s Country Barn
— https://hofstedes.ca/bakery/
— Their bakery offers a wide selection of breads and
buns, baked fresh every day to ensure the best
quality and taste. Located in Chilliwack.

23. Gesundheit Bakery
— http://www.gesundheitbakery.ca
— The breads we make contain no sugar, oil or
preservatives. Sell in Abbotsford, Agassiz, Mission,
Chilliwack, Aldergrove, Langley, Delta, Vancouver,
South Surrey/White Rock, Richmond, Coquitlam,
Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge
— Vancouver: Santa Barbara Market or Donald’s
Market

24. Sardis Bakery
— https://www.facebook.com/Sardis-
Bakery-123455397664657/
— They have a Wholesale location in Chilliwack and
supply restaurants/special events with bread, cake
and pastry

25. Breka Bakery
— http://www.breka.ca/bread/
— They sell Bauernbrot, Sesame/Poppyseed Challah,
Sunflower Flaxseed and Heide Bread, among others
— Can be found on Fraser Street, Bute Street
downtown, Davie Street & 4th Avenue

26. The Valley Bakery
— http://www.valleybakery.com/breads-and-buns
— Naturally leavened breads for old-fashioned flavour
or robust multi-grain, loaded fruit or seasoned
breads can all be found here

27. Steveston Bakery
— https://www.stevestonbakery.com/freshly-baked/
fresh-bread/
— German Rye, Sourdough Baguette, Flax Seed Yeast
Free Bread, Multigrain etc.

28. Richlea Bakery
— http://www.richleabakery.ca/page/page/
955055.htm
— The family originally moved from Germany in 1971
and they offer European Light Rye, Kaiser Buns,
Brioche Hamburger Buns & Bavarian Pretzels

29. Swiss Bakery
— http://swissbakery.ca/retail-menu/artisan-breads/
— They sell Artisan breads, Bavarian pretzel, and at
Christmas, an assortment of almond kipfel,
chocolate stollen, Mandelhonigkuchen (almond
honey cake) and Eigelbmakronen (French
macaroons)

30. Klaus’s Kaffeehaus
— https://www.klauskaffeehaus.com/menu
— Although they don’t sell German Bread per se, they
offer Landbrot with some of their menu choices,
along with Strudl and Austrian apple pie

31. Terra Breads
— http://www.terrabreads.com/artisan-products/
— They make Organic rye (dark German-style rye),
organic sourdough, organic whole wheat, along with
other delicious options

32. Altmaerker German Sausage House & Deli
— http://www.altmaerker.ca/deutsch/
— They are a family run deli, grocery store & sandwhich
shop, who offer German products & services,
including bread, pretzels and lots of meat.

33. The Gluten Free Epicurean
— http://www.glutenfreeepicurean.ca
— They are located at Fraser & Kingsway and provide
100% gluten free delights for celiac, gluten sensitive,
and health conscious clientele. They also offer some
treats that are dairy free, nut free, refined sugar free,
grain free and vegan.

34. Thomas Haas
— https://www.thomashaas.com/collections/cakes-
and-tarts
— Ok, maybe this place does not offer bread, but boy do
they offer decadent desserts, tarts, confections,
cookies, macaroons, handcrafted chocolates etc.

35. G E R M A N – A U S T R I A N - S W I S S
Spiritual Counsel

36. Evangelisch-Lutherische St. Markusgemeinde
— http://www.stmarkschurch.ca
— Gegründet wurde die St. Markusgemeinde vor über
40 Jahren von deutschsprachigen Einwandern.
Sunday German sermons are at 9:30 and English at
11 am. They offer communion classes, a widows
circle, men's breakfast & even a German playgroup.

37. Martin Luther Evangelical Lutheran Church
— http://www.martinlutherchurchvancouver.com
— They offer services in English and German. Their
services use traditional Lutheran liturgies. Their
Pastor is currently Manfred Schmidt.

38. V A N C O U V E R & B C
Schnitzel Places

39. Vancouver Alpen Club – Deutsches Haus
— http://www.vancouveralpenclub.ca
— Traditional German cuisine with a multicultural
menu, in the heart of Vancouver since 1935.

40. Austria Vancouver Club - Richmond
— http://www.austriavancouverclub.ca
— They enjoy family evenings on almost every Friday.
They have a live band playing Austrian and dance
music, while the kitchen is open serving Austrian
food. Friday evenings you can have dinner, play
cards and socialize.

41. The Bauhaus Restaurant
— http://bauhaus-restaurant.com
— Owned by former German film director Uwe Boll,
this restaurant is known for its take on German
cuisine and exceptional service. Located in Gastown,
one of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods.

42. The Blenheim Pub
— http://www.blenheimpub.com
— The Blenheim offers seasonal pub fare-inspired
menu, a wide range of craft and local beers and an
excellent wine list. They offer group bookings with
over 4,000 sq. feet and also has a variety of items on
their takeout menu.

43. La Brassierie
— http://labrasserievancouver.com
— West End cozy Franco-German restaurant allows
you to watch their Chefs prepare their meals in their
open Kitchen.

44. Klaus’s Kaffeehaus
— https://www.klauskaffeehaus.com
— Klaus’s Kaffeehaus brings the most authentic
Austrian cuisine accompanied by world famous
Viennese Style Coffee in a contemporary setting in
the heart of Chinatown. Apple Strudel, yum!

45. Jägerhof
— http://www.jagerhof.ca
— Enjoy food from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and
South Tyrol in North Vancouver. They offer live
entertainment most Friday or Saturday nights!

46. The Old Bavaria Haus Restaurant
— http://www.oldbavariahaus.com/home.html
— This nationally acclaimed restaurant is nestled in a
century old home that has been transformed into one
of the lower mianlands most popular eating
establishments

47. The Black Forest Restaurant
— http://www.blackforest-restaurant.com
— They offer authentic German food right at Harrison
Hot Springs. It overlooks Harrison Lake and is
located just 10 km off Highway one. Their menu
includes Herring Salad Bismarck, Spatzle Nordsee,
among the typical Wiener Schnitzel items

48. Garys European Sausage & Deli
— http://www.garyseuropeansausage.ca
— For over 38 years, Gary (Gerhard) and his wife Helga
have been building their European sausage business
based on the success of high quality fresh sausages.
Their son Jurgen joined the business 25 years ago.

49. Edelweiss Restaurant
— http://whatdoino-steve.blogspot.ca/2010/09/
edelweiss-restaurant-lac-la-hache-bc.html
— Real Austrian/Hungarian Food in Lac La Hache. The
main room has a view of the lake (Lake of the Axe)

50. Schnitzelz Restaurant
— http://www.schnitzelz.ca/#restaurant
— This is Aldergrove’s preferred Pizza & Burger
restaurants, and they offer Schnitzels, Main Meals,
Salads and pizza – Their Schnitzels include hunter’s,
logger’s, neptune, champignon, curry & Vienna…
among others

51. Herb Niemann’s Steak & Schnitzel House
— http://www.herbniemannssteakhouse.com
— Just south of the Border, in 1999, Herb Niemann
brought his culinary talents to Everson, Washington.
Now Matt & Angel Goering own the restaurant and
they have employed Head Chef Joashua McConnel
and John Vance as their Sous Chef.

52. H Ä U S E R , W O H N G E M E I N S C H A F T E N ,
W O H N U N G E N U N D Z I M M E R
Types of Housing

53. Housing Options
— Apartment/Hochhaus
— House/Haus
— Duplex oder Triplex
— Row House/Reihenhäuser
— Room/Zimmer
— Social or Co-op Housing (Familien, Rentner, Arme)
— City-owned market rental Housing
— Housing Swap (temporary only)
— Laneway Housing (smaller detached home)

54. Real Estate Agents & Websites
— https://www.bchousing.org/home - core purpose to
create safe, affordable & quality housing. They
administer the Provincial Rental Housing
Corporation
— https://vancouver.craigslist.ca - helps you find apts,
housing, office/commercial, parking/store, real
estate, rooms/shared, sublets, vacation rentals etc.
— https://www.rew.ca/about-us - Real Estate Weekly
online helping to create connections for you.

55. I N T E R E S T E D I N V O L U N T E E R I N G , M E E T I N G
P E O P L E O R P R O G R A M S F O R F A M I L I E S ?
Resources to Help you Settle In

56. Safety – Call 911
— https://www.ecomm911.ca
— When calling 9-1-1 know your location where you are
calling from – nearby streets & other landmarks; if
you call by mistake, stay on the phone and let the
operator know. They will ask you if you need police,
fire or ambulance. Small communities may have a
different number.

57. Volunteering
— www.volunteerbc.bc.ca
— Volunteering is an important part of Canadian life.
It is a good way meet new people, learn new skills
and get Canadian Work Experience. Contact
VolunteerBC for a list of volunteer Centres…

58. Vancouver German Language & Culture Group
— https://www.meetup.com/german-21/
— They offer fun evenings speaking German and
meeting new people. Everyone is welcome. They
meet at the Vancouver Alpen Club in East Van or in
Kitsilano at the Simpatico Restaurant

59. Need Dirndl or Lederhosen to Rent?
— http://www.GermanyInVancouver.com
— Karin Mueller has gathered more than 150 outfits in
all sizes, colours and styles. You can also reach her
at 778 688 7648 or find her on Facebook.

60. Quark
— http://www.farmhousecheeses.com/cow-milk-
products/
— They offer the fresh, unripened, European-style soft
spreadable cheese in 5634 McCallum Road, Agassiz,
BC. While you drive all the way out there, you can
take tours if you have a large group and you have
booked it before-hand – interactive farm tour &
cheese tasting etc.

61. Auto Repair for Mercedes Benz & BMW
— http://www.hennekenauto.com
— Since 1965, Henneken Auto Repair has specialized in
Mercedes Benz and BMW Service. Found on 8914
Oak Street, they also look after VW, Audi’s and
Porsche’s.

62. German Collection Deutsch
— https://www.vpl.ca/collection/german-collection-
deutsch
— The Vancouver Public Library located at 350 West
George Street, Vancouver, BC has material in
German for all ages.

63. Ski Resorts
— Big White – Kelowna
— Cypress Mountain – West Vancouver
— Grouse Mountain – North Vancouver
— Manning Park Resort – Cross Country
— Mt. Seymour – North Vancouver
— SilverStar - Okanagan
— Sun Peaks - Kamloops
— Whistler/Blackcomb – Squamish/Whistler

64. Parks & Tourist Destinations
— Tofino
— Whistler Village
— Yoho National Park
— Okanagan Valley
— Quarry Rock
— Free Spirit Spheres (Qualicum Beach)
— Joffres Lakes (north of Pemberton)
— Luisser Hot Springs
— Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

65. Newcomers School Registration
— http://go.vsb.bc.ca/schools/drpc/Pages/default.aspx
— In Vancouver all new children have to register with
the District Reception and Placement Centre. A
parent or legal guardian must accompany the
student when registering.

66. Welcome BC – Driving in BC
— https://www.welcomebc.ca/Start-Your-Life-in-B-C/
Daily-Life/Driving-in-B-C
— In Canada, people drive on the right side of the
board. You must have a valid driver’s license to
drive. The vehicle you are driving must be licenced
and insured. You must know and follow the rules of
the road – you must not use a cellphone etc.

67. German Canadian Business Association
— http://www.germancanadianbusiness.com/
— They offer yearly memberships starting at $280.
They also have corporate memberships, associate
members & students memberships. Their AGM is
coming up in February 2018. See website or
Facebook Page for updates.

68. German Business Network
— http://www.gbn.ca/germanportal.php
— The German Business Network in Victoria offers its
online portal for German businesses, German Clubs,
German organizations and Germans in Victoria, BC
and on Vancouver Island.

69. German Consulate General Vancouver
— http://www.canada.diplo.de/Vertretung/kanada/
en/01/GK__Vancouver/0-vancouver-
hauptbereichsseite-eng.html
— Their Consular district covers British Columbia,
Alberta, Saskatchewan, as well as North Territories
and Yukon. At the moment, the Consul General is
Josef Beck.

70. CIC Website for Immigration/Citizenship
— https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-
citizenship.html
— How to apply for, resume or prepare for the
citizenship test and get proof of citizenship. It can
also help you find a permanent resident card,
immigrant services or about your first tax year in
Canada. Also learn how to get your credentials
recognized etc. Please visit site for more…

71. Government of Canada – Deutschland.gc.ca
— http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/germany-
allemagne/media/Media_ExpressEntry.aspx?
lang=deu
— Express Entry bietet zuküfntigen qualifizierten
Einwanderern aus Deutschland eine schnell
Alternative, sich in Kanada niederzulassen.