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$$$ | |
Neighborhood residents queue before opening to secure one of the 30 seats in this cozy Italian bistro serving up house-made pasta and Prosecco on tap. Antipasti like burrata, fried cauliflower and—of course—meatballs, are served family style, so bring some friends for the best experience. It can take up to two hours to get a table, so plan to head elsewhere for drinks; the friendly staff (none of whom are named "Luigi") will text when your name hits the top of the wait list, or come for lunch if time is of the essence. Regardless of the hour, don't miss the house-bottled Spritz.
305 Alexander St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6A 1C4, Canada
Known For
- Family style dining
- Italian antipasti
- House-bottled Spritz
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$$$ | |
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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$$$ | |
This is fusion sushi, so purists be warned. The restaurant introduced Vancouver to flame-seared aburi and also pressed oshi sushi to Canada. And its imaginative combinations since then have certainly made their mark. Try the Aburi prime platter of nine rice bites topped with everything from pressed prawn with a lime zest to jalapeño-spiced salmon to Japanese Wagyu. Or go for Raisu: a bamboo box containing 12 multicolored rice squares. Only 10 boxes are made each night, so get there early to snag one. The place can get noisy, but its location next to Canada Place gives unrivalled views of cruise ships coming and going.
200 Granville Square, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 1S4, Canada
Known For
- Extraordinary sushi
- Stunning views
- Sake pairings
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$$$ | |
A former gentlemen's club that has evolved into an upscale, tapas-style bistro, this restaurant turns shared dining (think generous small plates) into a deliciously classy experience. Roasted cauliflower, orange-braised fennel, and buttermilk fried chicken with spiced maple syrup come alongside oven-fired pizzas with toppings such as zucchini, mint lemon, and cashew béchamel. Save room for a dessert finale, especially if it's espresso cake. Large, full-plate options are available. But why choose one dish when multiple flavors await? Besides, this is David Hawksworth's second restaurant, and that endorsement alone puts it in the winner's circle.
1017 West Hastings St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 0C4, Canada
Known For
- Great sharing plates
- Historic location
- Renowned chef
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$$$ | |
You can make a meal of meze—appetizers like falafel, tabbouleh, or crispy cauliflower served with tahini—at this subterranean Lebanese restaurant. If you're looking for something heartier, the kitchen serves roast chicken, lamb kibbeh, and other meat dishes, but much of the menu is vegetarian-friendly. You'll also find Nuba locations in Kitsilano, Mount Pleasant, and Yaletown.
207 W. Hastings St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 1H7, Canada
Known For
- Vegetarian dining
- Lebanese cuisine
- Small plates
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$$ | |
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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$$$ | |
Long lauded as Vancouver's most innovative Indian restaurant, this dining destination, run by genial proprietor Vikram Vij and his ex-wife Meeru Dhalwala, uses local ingredients to create exciting takes on South Asian cuisine. Dishes such as lamb "popsicles" in a creamy curry or British Columbia rainbow trout in coconut masala served with a wheat berry pilaf are far from traditional—but are beautifully executed. Vikram frequently circulates through the room, which is decorated with nods to India's diverse cultures, greeting guests and suggesting dishes or cocktail pairings. Expect to sip chai or an aperitif in the lounge while waiting for a table if you walk in, or make a reservation—they're now accepted. In the summer, head to the rooftop patio for pre-dinner snacks and a collection of inventive tropical cocktails.
3106 Cambie St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 2W2, Canada
Known For
- One of the best Indian restaurants in North America
- Rooftop patio
- Warm, welcoming service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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$$$ | |
This is one of the most authentic restaurants in town when it comes to Syrian Lebanese flavors. And its waterfront location doesn't hurt either, although in winter, you may want to wear a sweater if seated next to the window. Enjoy stuffed grape leaves, smoked eggplant with pomegranate molasses, and a signature hummus. Shish tawouk (yogurt-marinated chicken) is a winner, as is the mashawi, a mixed grill of eight kebabs (C$110) geared for sharing. Burgers (lamb, of course) get the nod, too. The small bar is elegant and the cocktails imaginative. It's one of the few place to enjoy imported arak. The wine list is decent, too.
550 Denman St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6G 3H1, Canada
Known For
- Knowledgeable staff on food and culture
- Waterfront views
- Authentic flavors
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch
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$$$ | |
Tucked away inside the Vancouver Art Gallery, the 1931 Gallery Bistro and rooftop (weather-dependent) terrace are quiet retreats from the Downtown bustle. Food is very west coast modern-fusion as in Szechuan prawns with papaya slaw, coconut and carrot soup, and flavorful flatbreads. The poke bowls are excellent as is the selection of eggs Benedict.
750 Hornby St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 2H7, Canada
Known For
- Fresh, organic food
- Private patio amid glassy high-rises
- Eggs Benedict
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$$$ | |
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
Known For
- Asian-inspired cocktails
- Creative Chinese tapas
- You tiao (donuts)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations not accepted
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$$$ | |
Located on the pier next to Fisherman's Wharf in Steveston Village, this popular eatery's "canoe-sized" fresh local seafood platters, featuring snow crab legs, smoked salmon, and Salt Spring Island mussels, are designed for sharing. In summer, grab a seat on the deck overlooking the busy boardwalk, and watch the marina and river traffic sail by.
140-3866 Bayview St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V7E 4R7, Canada
Known For
- Fresh seafood
- Waterfront dining
- Local craft beer and wine
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$$$ | |
Located adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, and within a few minutes walk of the city's Rogers Arena and BC Place, what better place for a pre-theater/pre-event meal? Choices are wide and varied, from social hour morsels (crispy cauliflower and parmesan garlic chips) to soups, salads, burgers, Asian-inspired bowls, pasta, and a decent kids' menu. Save room for house-made desserts. Bonus: there's underground parking.
675 Cambie St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 2P1, Canada
Known For
- Expansive patio
- Pre-post theater
- Menu selection
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$$$ | |
This small, family run restaurant cooks up traditional Italian fare as in calamari (served with truffle garlic mayo), scallop carpaccio, slow-braised lamb shank, and of course, pasta. House-made gnocchi and spinach ravioli are specialities. There's live music Friday and Saturday evenings (for a cover charge of C$2.50).
780 Thurlow St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 1V8, Canada
Known For
- House-made pastas
- Romantic courtyard patio
- Live music
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch Sat.
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$$$ | |
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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$$$ | Mt. Pleasant |
On a dark block near the Main St.–Science World SkyTrain station, just north of Mount Pleasant proper, this relaxed trattoria lights up the neighborhood with its welcoming vibe and casually contemporary Italian fare. House-made pastas include a simple tagliatelle with pork and beef ragú and basil, and a more unusual ricotta gnudi, made with sweet corn and pancetta succotash and leek ash. The kitchen cures its own salumi, which makes a good starter,as does the addictive crispy chickpeas with lemon, chili, and mint. For drinks and a shorter menu of bar-friendly eats (including the popular Dirty Burger), choose the door to the right of the main entrance for the bustling Upstairs at Campagnolo.
1020 Main St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6A 2W1, Canada
Known For
- House-cured salumi
- Fresh pasta
- Trendy bar
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends, No reservations at Upstairs, Credit cards accepted
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$$$ | 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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$$$ | Granville Island |
At this contemporary bistro with a patio for people-watching, you can sample foods from BC and across Canada. Smaller appetites might gravitate toward the bison tartare, while hungrier travelers can sup on wild Pacific salmon with sunchokes, fennel, beets, and a butter sauce. Other great picks include the famous duck poutine (duck confit, Québec cheese curds, duck egg, crispy onions) and the bouillaisse (halibut, squid, shrimp, clams, celeriac, fennel, tomato, grilled bread). The adjacent retail store sells regional jams, chocolates, and other treats to take home.
1596 Johnston St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3R9, Canada
Known For
- Canadian cuisine
- Duck-fat fries
- Seasonal menus
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$$$ | |
Relax, you're in Spain—or at least you'll feel like it when you enter this narrow West End nook, a traditional Spanish tapas bar that serves classic (and not so classic) small bites and daily variations of paella. Order a sherry or a glass of Spanish bubbly, then graze on anchovies on toast, crispy squid with mint yogurt and jam, or fried zucchini flowers stuffed with potato and salt cod. As in the best Iberian tapas joints, you can come in for a nibble or three, or keep ordering more dishes as you linger into the evening, often accompanied by flamenco guitar.
1118 Denman St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6G 2M8, Canada
Known For
- Spanish tapas
- Intimate atmosphere
- Fabulous paellas
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations not accepted
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$$$ | |
Chicken is the specialty at this classy bistro where the juicy rotisserie-roasted birds are served with potato salad, coleslaw, and biscuits. Other creative comfort foods include Arctic char with an annatto seed crust and lamb shank with cauliflower ragu. And save room for dessert—they always have something worth ordering. The space is interesting, too. Half the restaurant is in a restored historic structure (with details like mosaic tiles and a tin ceiling), while the other side of the dining room is set in a new condo building.
898 Homer St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 2W5, Canada
Known For
- Rotisserie chicken
- Interesting space
- Notable brunch
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$$$ | |
A standout amid the crowded dining scene on Denman Street, Khaghan's varied menu has piled assorted Middle Eastern flavors into traditional fare: a multitude of kebabs, a tasty ghormeh sahzi beef stew loaded with greens and fresh herbs, a lamb shank with dill rice, and a pomegranate walnut stew for vegetarians. Locals keep this place cooking, so reservations are essential.
851 Denman St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6G Z49, Canada
Known For
- Selection of kebabs
- Cozy atmosphere
- Generous portions
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: reservations recommended
