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From inventive neighborhood bistros to glamorous Downtown dining rooms to ethnic restaurants that rival those in the world capitals, Vancouver has a diverse array of gastronomic options. Many cutting-edge establishments are perfecting what we call Modern Canadian fare, which—at the western end of the country—incorporates regiona
From inventive neighborhood bistros to glamorous Downtown dining rooms to ethnic restaurants that rival those in the world capitals, Vancouver has a diverse array of gastronomic options. Many cutting-edge establishments are perfecting what we call Modern Canadian fare,
From inventive neighborhood bistros to glamorous Downtown dining rooms to ethnic restaurants that rival those in the wor
From inventive neighborhood bistros to glamorous Downtown dining rooms to ethnic restaurants that rival those in the world capitals, Vancouver has a diverse array of gastronomic options. Many cutting-edge establishments are perfecting what we call Modern Canadian fare, which—at the western end of the country—incorporates regional seafood (notably salmon, halibut, and spot prawns) and locally grown produce. Vancouver is all about "localism," with many restaurants emphasizing the provenance of their ingredients and embracing products that hail from within a 100-mile-or-so radius of the city, or at least from within BC.
With at least 40% of the region's population of Asian heritage, it's no surprise that Asian eateries abound in Vancouver. From mom-and-pop noodle shops, curry houses, and corner sushi bars to elegant and upscale dining rooms, cuisine from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and India (and to a lesser extent, from Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia) can be found all over town.
Start with an eclectic Chinatown storefront, stir in funky Asian-flavored cocktails, then add a creative take on traditional Chinese dishes, and the result is this hip and happening hangout. Load up your table with nibbles like Chinese pickles and steamed prawn, scallop, and chive dumplings, or tapas-size dishes like shao bing (sesame flatbread with cumin-scented lamb, pickled red onion, cilantro, and chilis), mantou (steamed buns stuffed with pork belly and preserved turnip), or steelhead trout with kabocha cumin gnocchi, rapini, and shiso butter clam sauce. To drink, perhaps a Mr. Miao (bourbon, Martini Bianco, beet juice, rosemary, and lemon) or a Plum Flower Paw (rum, sherry, plum juice, peppercorn, bitters, and dark lager). Old Chinatown may have been tasty, but it never cooked up anything this fun.
163 Keefer St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6A 1X3, Canada
Watch the dumpling makers at work in the open kitchen, and you'll know what to order at this bustling Chinese eatery specializing in traditional Shanghainese and Taiwanese-style food. From xiao long bao (delicate pork-and-crab-filled soup dumplings) to freshly steamed vegetable buns, you'll find plenty of doughy deliciousness here. Handmade Shanghai-style noodles, fresh greens quickly stir-fried with garlic, and salted vegetables with pork and green beans are tasty options, too. Their original location in Richmond is larger and more upscale.
1719 Robson St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6G 1C9, Canada
A striking silver mural of a kirin (a mythical dragonlike creature) presides over this elegant two-tier restaurant, one of the best choices for Chinese food Downtown. Specialties here are northern Chinese and Szechuan dishes, which tend to be richer and spicier than the Cantonese cuisine served at Kirin's other locations. If you're adventurous, start with the spicy jellyfish, redolent with sesame oil. Then try the Peking duck or a fresh seafood dish. Or make your choice from the live seafood tanks. Dim sum is served daily at midday.
1172 Alberni St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 3Z3, Canada
As you'd expect from the name, this compact storefront specializes in noodles, and they're made by hand in the open kitchen, so you can watch. The choices are simple—noodles in soup or in straight-up stir-fries—but you can also order a plate of garlicky pea shoots or a steamer of dumplings to accompany your meal. The restaurant is just a short stroll from English Bay.
1074 Denman St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6G 2M8, Canada
Authentic Northern Chinese dishes are the specialty at this friendly storefront restaurant. Particularly good are the hand-pulled noodles that the cooks knead and stretch in the open kitchen and the popular spicy dan-dan noodles. Vegetarians have plenty of options, including many of the dumplings. Dim sum dishes are also on offer, and the helpful staff is happy to guide you to more authentic Mandarin fare. There is another West Side location at 2394 West 4th Ave. in Kitsilano.
532 W. Broadway, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 1E9, Canada
Dim sum aficionados make the trek to this upscale Cantonese restaurant for some of the tastiest tidbits in town, served daily for brunch or lunch. Order from the menu (there are no carts circling the dining rooms), or just point at what the other tables are having. In the evenings, Hong Kong–style seafood and other subtly seasoned southern Chinese dishes are the specialties. The multilevel restaurant, which is popular with Asian families, is in a shopping plaza, set back from No. 3 Road at Leslie Road.
4540 No. 3 Rd., Richmond, British Columbia, V6X 4E4, Canada
This bustling Cantonese restaurant is best known for its excellent dim sum (served 10:30 to 3 weekdays and 10 to 3 weekends), which ranges from traditional handmade dumplings to some adventurous fare. Dinner specialties include roasted squab marinated in the restaurant's secret spice blend and king crab plucked live from the tanks, then steamed with garlic. If you can, come with a group, so you can sample more dishes. There's an additional location in Richmond.
3888 Main St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V5V 3N9, Canada
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