224 Best Restaurants in British Columbia, Canada

With amazing views overlooking Okanagan Lake, Home Block, the restaurant located inside Cedar Creek Estate Winery, serves a locally inspired menu alongside limited-edition wines. The menu is always changing, but past favorites include crispy artichokes with mushrooms or sockeye salmon with charred asparagus. In the summer, snag a seat on the amazing outdoor terrace.

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.

This pub offers good eats in a lively atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating. The extensive menu ranges from a daily special, crowd-pleasing appetizers like chicken wings, to Asian stir-fries and curries, soups, salads, burgers, and pub classics like Philly cheesesteak; pasta half-portion options are available. It's the only place in Radium with live shows, hosting regular free Sunday live music jams from 7–9 pm and regular ticketed events like drag and comedy shows. A pub shuttle can be booked for a safe ride home.

If beef's your passion, then you don't get much better than Hy's, a hard-core steak house that's famous for the quality of its Alberta Prime fillets, porterhouses, and New York strips. Beef Wellington comes in a handmade flaky crust, and there are steak and lobster combos. This menu will appeal to everyone, even vegetarians. The place is dark, moody, and just right for a candlelit dinner, a secret rendezvous, or a more formal affair. Service is impeccable and discreet.

Located in the same former Stock Exchange building as the luxe EXchange Hotel, Hydra Estiatorio transports you to the Greek islands. Check in at the long bar for mezzes and cocktails, including items from the raw bar such as ceviche, or linger over specialties that include forno-roasted leg of lamb, pan-roasted salmon, and the catch of the day—either grilled or baked. Sharing platters are flavor-packed. Globally sourced vintages include a rare nod to the home country, including Moschofilero, Assyrtiko, and Xinomavro. The contemporary mood is a big hit with the after-work crowd and millennials.

A cute redbrick terrace edged with potted greenery, and warmed by fireplaces and overhead heaters, makes Il Terrazzo—tucked away off Waddington Alley near Market Square and not visible from the street—the locals' choice for romantic alfresco dining. Starters might include steamed mussels with sun-dried tomatoes and spicy banana peppers, while mains range from such traditional Northern Italian favorites as breaded scaloppini of pork tenderloin to a more local-leaning red snapper with blackberries. Thin-crust pizzas come piping hot from the restaurant's open-flame stone oven.

You can't miss this beautiful timber-frame restaurant located right next to the roaring Kicking Horse River in downtown Golden. They serve Canadian Rocky Mountain cuisine with Asian/European influences, but on Monday and Tuesday, there's a "Mexican Madness" menu.

There might be other places in the world that sell Japanese-style hot dogs but the phenomenon is so very multiculti Vancouver, and this tiny storefront is the sit-down-at-cramped-counter spin-off of a wildly successful food cart with a loyal following. Bratwurst and wieners are topped with teriyaki sauce, nori, and other Asian condiments. You can still find the carts (usually) at two Burrard Street locations—one at the corner of West Pender Street between Robson Street and Smithe Street, and another near Waterfront Station on West Cordova Street at Granville. Keep an eye out for the JAPADOG food truck, which may be found in Kitsilano, South Granville, or the Olympic Village.

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.

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.

Behind its ornate wooden door, this izakaya occupies the stylish end of the spectrum, with a carved wood bar, lots of greenery, and sexy mood lighting. The intriguing Japanese small plates, from salmon carpaccio to grilled miso-marinated pork cheeks to the spicy tako-wasabi (octopus), are delicious. And the vibe is bustling and fun. To drink, choose from several varieties of shochu (Japanese vodka) or sake.

With thin, fresh egg noodles and homemade broth (it's a meat stock, so vegetarians won't find much on the menu), a bowl of noodle soup here is cheap, filling, and oh so tasty. Expect long lines, but you can use the wait to decide between lean or fatty pork, and rich, medium, or light stock. Once you're inside the bare-bones storefront, the harried staff doesn't tolerate any dithering. Kintaro is owned by the same people as Motomachi. They're both top-notch ramen shops, but this one is more of a quick eat-and-run stop—not the place for a leisurely meal.

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.

On the site of Vancouver's first jail, this two-level restaurant with exposed brick walls and classic black-and-white floor tiles has a bold collection of cocktails and an intriguing modern menu. From the restaurant's name—French for "slaughterhouse" (the surrounding neighborhood was once a meatpacking district)—you'd expect a meat-focused menu. And although you'll find veal sweetbreads on toast, seafood shines as well in dishes like the grilled lobster tail or baked Pacific oysters with Burgundy truffle. Before plotting your escape into the night, dally over the mille-feuille or the chia spice-infused rice pudding.

This wine and cheese bistro feels as if it should be in the French countryside, not only for its casual ambience but for its offerings: small plates of cheese and cured meats, simple salads, and imaginative "morsels" that are so good, they often become a meal. Try the flight of three wines paired with three cheeses (C$35).

"The Brass," as it's known, has one of the area's best patios, situated in the square where people-watching is as entertaining as the street performers and free concerts. Get well-priced bistro fare, from burgers to steaks. It opens for breakfast with an assortment of egg dishes and keeps going until the après-ski crowd finally departs. As popular as this place is, tables turn over quickly so getting a seat doesn't take long.

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.

With an eclectic assortment of knickknacks on every brightly painted wall, this fun, fast-food taco place grabs your attention as soon as you walk through the door. Here you can also play a game of mini-golf, indulge your sweet tooth with some house-made gelato, or order a bag of movie theater–style popcorn from the popcorn machine.

A sunny patio, intimate balconies, and a wall of windows take in sweeping views across the Inner Harbour at this seaside spot in the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort. Casual mains and shared plates, such as local-brew battered halibut, maple bourbon pork ribs, and spiced-grilled Angus beef striploin, along with simple desserts with a twist (try vanilla cheesecake with pickled cherries) are served all day and into the evening. Creative cocktails, wines by the glass, beer tasters, sunset views, and a lively bar scene make this a great choice for a casual night out.

This circular room with art deco rosewood booths and a 180-degree view over the sailboats of Oak Bay Marina. Ocean Wise savvy, food is all about sustainably sourced seafood including wild salmon and Dungeness crab, all of which are teamed with local organic vegetables. Starters include spot prawn bisque or spiced calamari and fresh shucked oysters. A lunch menu of salads, burgers, and fish and an evening-only sushi bar also favor local ingredients. An attached marina-side coffee bar makes a handy stop for a seaside drive or cycle tour.

You know a chef cares about local food when his menu lists how far each ingredient has traveled to reach your plate. At this historic seaside roadhouse in Cowichan Bay, the mussels and clams come from within 5 miles of the restaurant, and the poached Dungeness crab is from the bay outside the door. Many other ingredients—bison, wild salmon, duck breast—are sourced from within 200 miles. The 1863 wood-paneled room offers sea views throughout, but waterside deck tables are favored by the loyal clientele. The long wine list has a good selection of Cowichan Valley labels. There is live jazz on Saturday nights.

There's a distinctly European vibe to Maxine's. In part, because of the central display of wines and spirits around which you can sip and savor. And in part, because of the menu that goes from croissants and cafe au lait in the morning, to a slow-cooked pork collar or risotto for dinner. And the brunches in between are legendary. Then there are the floor-to-ceiling glass walls that seem to bring the outside in, making the outside patio very much part of the eatery.

At this trendy sandwich shop, you simply wait in line (there's almost always a queue), and choose from the short daily menu of five sandwiches. The rich and crispy house-made porcetta (Italian-style roast pork) with salsa verde on a freshly baked ciabatta bun is a must-try. Who knew simplicity could taste so good? There are now four Vancouver locations to choose from; all close at 3 pm.

This charming little bistro in downtown Vernon serves up delicious local fare amid beautiful artwork, feel-good music, and warm colors. The pear and goat cheese salad is just divine.

Ever wondered what a Nepalese nightclub might look like? Well, this subterranean space is as close as it gets, with good, affordable Nepalese and Tibetan dishes, from the traditional—butter chicken curry, spicy lamb curry, and Tibetan dumplings—to the less strictly Himalayan, such as naan pizzas and cheese plates, as well as various appetizer platters to share. With DJs playing up-tempo lounge music most nights and food served until 2 am, the Mint appeals to off-duty restaurant workers, students, and anyone looking for an after-hours meal in Victoria, where restaurants tend to close early. 

Run by chef Francisco Higareda, this modern and stylish Mexican restaurant in the heart of Gastown is serving up everything from ahi tuna tostadas to chicken enchiladas to prawn tacos and more. A must-try is the eatery's signature Monarca margarita, complete with tequila, Curaçao, Valencia orange, and lime.