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In this hip, brick-walled eatery, classic Belgian dishes are reinvented with flavors from North Africa and beyond. The moules (mussels) are justifiably popular, either steamed in white wine or sauced with exotic smoked chilis, cilantro, and coconut cream. Those seeking a more adventurous option might select the barbecued frog legs, curried mushrooms, or ostrich carpaccio. Unusual, perhaps, but definitely delicious. Meanwhile, a smartly dressed crowd hangs out at the bar sipping imported beer or delicious cocktails like the Blue Fig (gin infused with oven-roasted figs and served with a side of blue cheese). An easy walk to theaters and sports arenas, it's a good spot for a pre-event bite.
568 Beatty St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B2L3, Canada
Known For
- Moules frites
- Belgian beer
- Specialty meats
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$$$ | |
Watch floatplanes take off and land at this buzzy pub on the Fraser River, near YVR's south terminal. A shuttle service runs from the main terminal.
4760 Inglis Dr., Vancouver, British Columbia, V7B 1W4, Canada
Known For
- Unique location
- Great atmosphere
- Tasty pub grub
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$$$$ | |
With sleek white tables and sparkling chandeliers, Chef David Hawksworth's modish restaurant welcomes locals toasting new clients or celebrating a romantic anniversary. The food (and the crowd) is suave and swanky, too. You might start with hamachi tartare dressed with chili lime vinaigrette, or a simpler heirloom tomato salad with burrata and preserved cherries. Although the menu changes frequently, mains might include wild salmon with lobster agnolotti, or duck breast with turnip and loganberry jus. Everything is superbly presented, including, for dessert, the delicious mushroom ice-cream. Don't knock it until you've tried it.
801 W. Georgia St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 1P7, Canada
Known For
- Upscale dining
- Seasonal menus
- Flavor combinations and presentation
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$$$$ | |
A perennial favorite with locals for special occasions, this restaurant boasts spectacular views overlooking the city and mountains from its perch at the highest point in Queen Elizabeth Park. Service is excellent in the white-tablecloth dining room, and the menu showcases regional West Coast cuisine. Weekend brunch and Sunday night Prime Rib dinner are popular. Valet parking is available for lunch and dinner. Once in the park, follow the signs to the top of the hill to the restaurant.
West 33rd Ave. at Cambie, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Y 2M4, Canada
Known For
- Panoramic views
- Special occasions
- Fine dining
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$$$ | |
With a seafood restaurant, a sushi bar, and live music nightly in the wine bar, this venue under the Granville Bridge has something for everyone. For dramatic views over False Creek, reserve a table on the rooftop patio, which is open year-round. Make sure to try their to-die-for crab cake!
1535 Johnson St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3R9, Canada
Known For
- Made-to-order sushi
- Quintessential Vancouver location
- Sunday night seafood boil
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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Whether inside the terraced dining room or on the heated beachside patio, almost every table at this 1912 seaside house has views over Burrard Inlet and Stanley Park. The Pacific Northwest menu focuses on unpretentious seafood dishes, such as sea bass or roasted salmon, along with steak, burger, and pasta choices. Lunch is a particularly good option here, followed by a stroll along the pier or the seaside walkway.
150 25th St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V7V 4H8, Canada
Known For
- Pacific Northwest menu
- Seasonal fish dishes
- Exceptional views
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$$$ | |
Located on the pier next to Fisherman's Wharf in Steveston Village, this popular eatery's "canoe-sized" fresh local seafood platters, featuring snow crab legs, smoked salmon, and Salt Spring Island mussels, are designed for sharing. In summer, grab a seat on the deck overlooking the busy boardwalk, and watch the marina and river traffic sail by.
140-3866 Bayview St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V7E 4R7, Canada
Known For
- Fresh seafood
- Waterfront dining
- Local craft beer and wine
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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This Vancouver institution is about 1 kilometer (½ mile) east of the main Commercial strip but is well worth the trek. Their famous breakfast—served with two eggs, toast, hash browns and meat—is just C$3. (And the price hasn't changed in years.) This place really showcases the East Side's gritty character: from the graffiti-covered walls to the no-frills, serve-yourself coffee bar. Weekend lines are long; get there as early as you can.
2451 Nanaimo St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V5N 5E5, Canada
Known For
- C$3 breakfast
- Distinctly East Van vibe
- Unlimited coffee
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Chef Andrea Carlson previously manned the stoves at locavore destinations Bishop's and Raincity Grill, and she's kept her focus on seasonal local ingredients at her own Michelin-starred storefront bistro. Though she changes the menu regularly, about half of her inventive sharing plates are vegetarian, like the squash cannelloni with chanterelle mushroom cream or the grain "risotto" with potato, miso, and quinoa. Set menu starts at C$89 per guest.
2702 Main St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V5T 3E8, Canada
Known For
- Locavore menu
- Vegetarian options
- Cozy space
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues.–Wed.
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For Mediterranean-inspired breakfast and lunch fare, from skillets piled high with eggs, roasted potatoes, and caramelized onions to paella, try this casually chic (and always busy) Downtown café just off Robson Street. Don't leave without sampling their specialty: Belgian waffles, with toppings like dark chocolate or salted caramel. The address is misleading; the building's configuration means the entrance is actually half a block north.
780 Richards St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 0C8, Canada
Known For
- Belgian waffles
- Breakfast skillets
- Friendly service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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A favorite with locals for their hearty pub fare and craft beers, it is also one of South Granville's best places for brunch or a late-night snack.
2975 Granville St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3J6, Canada
Known For
- Great for happy hour drinks and snacks
- Huge beer selection on tap
- Great breakfasts
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$$$ | Mt. Pleasant |
Ceviches, causas, and other classic Peruvian dishes get a west coast spin at this lively, relaxed bistro just off Main Street. Your ceviche may include local whitefish or BC salmon, while your causa (whipped potatoes topped with seafood or vegetables) may feature local tuna with wasabi cream and passion fruit ponzu. Other dishes to try: the Locra de Zapallo, an empanada stuffed with butternut squash, kale, corn, and cheese, or any of the anticuchos, skewers of grilled meat or veggies. The beverage of choice is the classic pisco sour but you might also sip the house-made sangria or the chicha morada, a nonalcoholic brew made from purple corn.
136 E. Broadway, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5T 1V9, Canada
Known For
- Peruvian dishes
- Tapas
- Creative cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Thurs.
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Overlooking False Creek and Yaletown, the Dockside's patio is the big draw, especially for owners of chic yachts moored alongside. Because it faces east, sunsets are behind the building, and cool shadows come early, so grab a table beneath a heater. Floor-to-ceiling windows make the inside feel like the outside with decor that exudes a modern vibe and includes a 50-foot aquarium. House-brewed ales and lagers are served from the adjoining casual brewpub.
1253 Johnston St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3R9, Canada
Known For
- Fabulous views
- Great for weekend brunch
- Daily happy hour also features tasty bites
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues.
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$$$ | Granville Island |
At this contemporary bistro with a patio for people-watching, you can sample foods from BC and across Canada. Smaller appetites might gravitate toward the bison tartare, while hungrier travelers can sup on wild Pacific salmon with sunchokes, fennel, beets, and a butter sauce. Other great picks include the famous duck poutine (duck confit, Québec cheese curds, duck egg, crispy onions) and the bouillaisse (halibut, squid, shrimp, clams, celeriac, fennel, tomato, grilled bread). The adjacent retail store sells regional jams, chocolates, and other treats to take home.
1596 Johnston St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3R9, Canada
Known For
- Canadian cuisine
- Duck-fat fries
- Seasonal menus
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This quintessential Commercial Drive spot sells all-organic groceries and vegan food in a small café. Their smoothies, bowls, and sweet treats are all must-tries. We recommend the Incredi-bowl. Choose pan-fried tempeh or roasted veggies, and quinoa or brown rice, and it'll come mixed with miso ginger dressing, avocado, sprouts, and sesame seeds. Perfect for a quick bite or yummy picnic fare.
1025 Commercial Dr., Vancouver, British Columbia, V5L 3X1, Canada
Known For
- Sugar-free desserts
- Smoothies and juices
- All-organic groceries
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The name doesn't have to do with fairy tales. It's about the farm-to-table movement, which encapsulates the philosophy of this bustling Kitsilano bistro. The idea is creative comfort food. And while the menu looks straightforward, with dishes like wild British Columbian salmon and smoked duck breast, it's full of surprising twists. The Spaghetti and Meat Ball turns out to be tagliatelle topped with a single oversized duck meatball that spills out the sauce when you cut into it, while zucchini "tagliatelle" contains no pasta at all. The moral? Don't judge this always-entertaining book by its cover (and order dessert when the lemon meringue parfait is available).
1944 W. 4th St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6J 1M5, Canada
Known For
- Inventive menu
- Local ingredients
- Weekday brunch
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The two-level, bustling eatery never seems to lose its energetic vibe in the seasonal fare it presents or in the patron it attracts. Whether it's a seat at the bar beside the open kitchen, a gathering by the fire, a cozy meal in a booth, or joining the throng on the heated outdoor patio, this place rocks. It's no wonder, given happy hour starts at 2:30. The broad (and sometimes pricey) menu includes a mouthwatering and hearty seafood bouillabaisse, a delicious lobster paella, pasta, and poultry. Beef items run the gamut from a prime Tomahawk (C$149) or a 280-ounce prime rib eye double entrecôte (C$120) to a C$16 burger. The wine and cocktail list is just as diverse. For people watching, head to the mezzanine that overlooks all the action. Glowbal is in the TELUS Garden building, one of Vancouver's greenest buildings. Look up. The glass-ribbed canopy resembles a whale.
590 West Georgia St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 1A3, Canada
Known For
- Happening vibe
- A please-everyone menu
- 2:30 happy hour
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Old Havana meets new Vancouver in this lofty, energetic spot, where the kitchen puts a west coast spin on Cuban classics. Start with ceviche, avocado tostones, or birria tacos, then try the Cubano (porchetta, honey ham, and Swiss cheese on a Cuban bun), the paella, or the grilled octopus. It's easy to make an evening of it. After dark, Havana morphs into a lively hangout, with mojitos, margaritas, and sangria, plus rum flights, craft beer, and signature sippers like the Hemingway Daiquiri. The patio is one of the best on the Drive, and there's even an intimate 60-seat theater in the back room hosting an eclectic mix of music, dance, theater, and comedy.
1212 Commercial Dr., Vancouver, British Columbia, V5L 3X4, Canada
Known For
- Cuban food
- Mojitos
- On-site theater
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Chicken is the specialty at this classy bistro where the juicy rotisserie-roasted birds are served with potato salad, coleslaw, and biscuits. Other creative comfort foods include Arctic char with an annatto seed crust and lamb shank with cauliflower ragu. And save room for dessert—they always have something worth ordering. The space is interesting, too. Half the restaurant is in a restored historic structure (with details like mosaic tiles and a tin ceiling), while the other side of the dining room is set in a new condo building.
898 Homer St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 2W5, Canada
Known For
- Rotisserie chicken
- Interesting space
- Notable brunch
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Named for a much-loved English Bay bartender and lifeguard from the city's early days (he arrived in Vancouver in 1885), this lively brasserie has a piano bar, bistro, oyster bar, and a covered rooftop patio. The menu is diverse, but steaks, chops, and generous portions of fresh seafood are the main draw. Select some fresh oysters from the lengthy list, then try the wild salmon, the cioppino (a seafood stew), or the seafood tower on ice—a lavish assortment that's meant to be shared. Locals and visitors recommend Joe's for the great food matched with excellent service. And Joe's is now open in Whistler, too.
777 Thurlow St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 3V5, Canada
Known For
- Fresh oysters
- Seafood tower
- Exceptional service
