I have looked through many of the restaurant threads on this site and have gone on many of the recommended restaurant's sites. It seems that many of the favorites are in the expensive/very expensive categories. Can someone recommend a good medium priced place in the downtown or nearby areas? How about a good chinese restaurant that is not as far away as Richmond?

Of course everyone's definition of "moderate" varies, but my recommendations in downtown would be Cactus Club and Cardero's.

Kirin would be my choice for Chinese downtown.

There are tons of sushi places that are reasonably priced or even cheap. Never found one that was not good or very good. Vancouver sushi is very, very good.

Another moderate restaurant is Zeffereli's on Robson Street. Entrees run anywhere from $16-$25 dollars....great food and nice atmosphere.

Joey's is another choice...always good when you can't think of anywhere else to go. There are two or three in the downtown core.

There are tons of sushi places around.....anywhere from cheap to higher end (like Kamei Royale on Burrard).....but none will really steer you wrong.

If you like Indian, try Salam Bombay on Burrard and Alberni. Buffet style for about $20 or so? Well, it's $15 for lunch....so can't swear what dinner prices would be. There is always a guy standing outside with coupons when I am heading home after work.....so maybe they have good dinner deals. food is great btw.

My favorite bargain is to buy a variety of food from the market on Granville Island, and eat at the picnic tables there. Good buns, good bread, lots of great cheese, fine fruits that always look clean enough to me, (but there are taps in the washrooms)and cooked / smoked salmon.

BAK

The rule in Vancouver is that restaurants are either 1) v. expensive, or 2) bad. I used to go there on business 2-3 times a year and disliked the dreadful choices. But I always like Earl's - comfortable, good menu and food and reasonably priced with good service. Sounds like a name Homer Simpson could remember (and me too), duh, gotta get to Earl's.

Thanks for your suggestions. I have looked them all up on their websites and found several that look interesting. BAK, we are planning on cooking one dinner in our condo with food purchased from Granville market, but a picnic lunch sounds good too.

Agree with merckxxx - food tends to be pricey. It is a major city, of course. Not New York City pricey, but still... I like your Granville Island idea. Of course, the sushi and noodle houses would be good. We have gravitated to the seafood houses downtown that cost too much. Let us know what you do.

I'd add Cactus Club and Milestones to the list of moderate restos.
Both serve seafood and I believe CC's fish is from sustainable
stock. Earls used to serve farmed salmon; hopefully they've
switched to wild.

merck....not sure how you can say we have either expensive or bad restaurants but then suggest Earl's (which is definitely moderate middle of the road). Earl's is along the lines of Cactus Club and Milestone's...it will get the job done (a full stomach) but won't wow anyone. There are many great restaurants in Vancouver, that are great, with moderate prices.

Like I mentioned before Zeffereli's
There is also Alibi Room which gets good reviews
La Bodega, which is a great spanish tapas bar (I took friends from Kansas there and they love, loved it - their sangria is to die for!)
Glowbal in Yaletown
Sandbar or Bridges patio pub on Granville Island
Steamworks Brewery at the edge of Gastown (near Canada Place)
The Lions Pub across from Canada Place
Jimmy's taphouse at Homer and Robson (near the library)

I would recommend staying away from the Earl's on Hornby and Smithe (near Sutton place hotel). It is a hot spot for tourists and Vancouverites alike (I go there about once a month or so for work lunch).....the food is alright, but not fabulous, and it overpriced for what you get (IMO). If you want something quick, yummy, with the same sort of vibe and more value for your money, go to Joey's on Burrard and Robson. practically the same menu as Earl's but a little cheaper...and more worth your buck I think.

Anyways, some options

Just have to add that I have been to the milestone's on Robson near.....Bute? a few times in the last two/three months and their food is quite good. They have great appy's....and the service is generally really good. Make sure to get their early on Friday/Saturdays since it fills up fast with local and tourists alike.

<i>"The rule in Vancouver is that restaurants are either 1) v. expensive, or 2) bad."</i>

Posted by someone who '<i>used to visit</i>' here?

More like someone who has no clue.

In fact there are countless budget places here and more opening all the time.

Try these on for delicious eats @ bargain prices

http://nuba.ca/ delicious Lebanese 3 different locations

http://thaibasilvancouver.ca/ fabulous tiny Thai take out

http://www.acaciafillobar.com/ Bulgarian of distinction very popular with locals and close to English Bay beaches

http://www.jollysindianbistro.com/ tidy Indian again full of locals and very reasonable

http://www.barefootkitchen.ca/ another popular under-the-radar spot Japanese style western food always full of Japanese expats

http://afghanhorsemen.com/ right @ the entrance to Granville Island long a city stalwart this unique place has delicious food and an entrancing atmosphere

http://www.darbyspub.ca/ almost certainly the Best Deal on the West Side of the city don't let the name pub put you off it's great again no tourists just locals

I have literally dozens more places bookmarked-all ethnicities/all flavours.

All are operations unique to Vancouver and accessible to anyone willing to leave the beaten path.

Having been to all 3 several times, IMO the food at Cactus Club is a step above Earl's & Milestone's.

That's a great list, Sam. I'll put it in my Vancouver file, thanks.

I agree w/NWM that Cactus Club's menu and food are somewhat better
than the other two. Rob Feenie's influence? Probably not.

"The rule in Vancouver is that restaurants are either 1) v. expensive, or 2) bad."

Who made this "rule"?? Vancouver is known for its diverse and fantastic choices for dining out.

If you insist on going to a chain restaurant then I'd go for Milestone's over Earl's or Cactus Club, but they are all perfectly fine.

You have given me tons of ideas. Thank you.

Not that I don't have all these options, but I wonder if anyone has an opinion on either Boneta or Bistrot Bistro? Some friends just recommended them to me.

Hon's on Robson Street is good for Chinese food. Always a line up, not fancy just good food. Farther down Robson (closer to Stanley Park) is a place called Gyoza - they also have excellent food and are not pricy.

Bistro Bistrot is a very nice -well, obviously - bistro on 4th Ave.
in Vancouver. It's owned and run by a lovely lady from Lille.
ALWAYS crowded b/c the food is always good! Rez are recommended.

Pastis down the street is also good - more expensive but good.
In fact, that part of Kitsilano is paved with small restos.

In East Vancouver "Le Faux Bourgeois" is an excellent bistro BUT
you MUST reserve at least 5 days ahead b/c of its popularity and
great prices. Very French.

Le Salade des Fruits on 7th by Granville is also a great place
for French food at a reasonable price. No rez and no CCs.

Go Fish is an outdoor patio on the waterfront by Granville Is.
On a sunny day it's fun to grab a delicious fish taco, etc.
and sit on the seawall in front. Very popular (written up
in Sunset, Bon Appetit, etc.) it's necessary to get there
early to avoid long line-ups. V. casual but v. good seafoo.