Skip to main content
Vancouver
Photo: Mfield, Matthew Field, http://www.photography.matt · CC BY-SA 3.0

Restaurants

Best Restaurants in Vancouver

The best restaurants in Vancouver, from Michelin-starred tasting menus to fresh sushi, Cantonese dim sum, seafood on the water, romantic date spots, and buzzy new openings by neighbourhood.

Finding the best restaurants in Vancouver means embracing a city where the Pacific, the mountains, and immigrant kitchens all land on the same plate.

In a single day you can slurp fresh spot prawns off the boat at Fisherman's Wharf, chase them with cart-pushed dim sum in Richmond, and end the night at a Michelin-starred tasting menu on Main Street.

Vancouver's food identity is built on West Coast seafood, deep Cantonese and Japanese roots, a pioneering Indian fine-dining scene led by Vij's, and a farm-to-table ethos that treats local ingredients as the point.

At a glance

The top pick in each category, at a glance.

CategoryOur pick
Best overallSt. LawrenceReserve
By CuisineVij'sReserve
Fine Dining & Michelin-Starred RestaurantsPublished on MainReserve
Most Romantic RestaurantsBlue Water CafeReserve
Rooftop & View RestaurantsReflections: The Garden TerraceReserve
Vegetarian & Vegan RestaurantsThe AcornReserve
Sushi & Iconic Vancouver EatsTojo'sReserve
New & Trendy Restaurant OpeningsPublished on MainReserve

Top Picks

🍽️GetYourGuide food & wine tours, taste the best of Vancouver on a food tour. Affiliate slot (stub).

📍 Railtown

St. Lawrence

Québécois-French$$$$· Special occasion

Chef Jean-Christophe Poirier's Michelin-starred ode to Québec sits in a converted Railtown storefront dressed like a snug Montréal bistro. The French-Canadian menu leans into richness and heritage: tourtière, trout with brown butter, and duck raised to a glossy sheen, all served with warmth and old-world polish. Reservations vanish weeks ahead, and the fixed points on the menu rarely move because regulars would revolt. If you want to understand why Vancouver earned a Michelin guide, this is the essential table.

What to order: Tourtière

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Mount Pleasant

Published on Main

Contemporary Canadian$$$· Refined seasonal

Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson's Michelin-starred room helped redefine modern Vancouver dining with hyper-seasonal, produce-forward cooking rooted in Pacific Northwest ingredients. The menu shifts constantly with local farms and foragers, moving from delicate raw preparations to deeply savory wood-fired plates with intuitive rhythm. The room is calm and elegant, the service precise but genuinely warm. For refined tasting-style cooking that feels personal rather than theatrical, this is among the city's very best.

What to order: Seasonal tasting menu

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Downtown

Hawksworth

Contemporary Canadian$$$$· Polished & glamorous

Inside the historic Hotel Georgia, David Hawksworth's flagship has long set the benchmark for polished fine dining in Vancouver. The contemporary Canadian menu blends French technique with West Coast ingredients and subtle Asian accents, delivered in a glamorous, art-filled room. Impeccable service and a serious wine list make it a top choice for milestones and business dinners alike. It is refined without being stuffy, the kind of downtown room that makes any dinner feel like an occasion.

What to order: Chef's seasonal menu

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Cambie

Vij's

Indian$$$· Warm & buzzing

Vikram Vij's landmark reinvented Indian cooking in Canada with inventive, produce-driven dishes that draw on regional traditions without ever feeling like a template. The signature lamb popsicles in fenugreek cream curry are legendary, and the menu roams confidently across the subcontinent with local B.C. ingredients. The buzzing room, warm hospitality, and thoughtful wine pairings make it a joyful splurge. It remains one of the defining restaurants of the city and a genuine culinary institution.

What to order: Lamb popsicles

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Coal Harbour

Miku

Japanese$$$· Waterfront & modern

With a sweeping waterfront view, Miku popularized Aburi sushi in Vancouver: flame-seared nigiri and pressed oshi that add smoky, caramelized depth to pristine fish. The signature salmon oshi, torched and finished with a house sauce, is the dish everyone comes for. The bright, modern room draws both celebration diners and downtown regulars, and the harbour patio is a summer prize. It is the easiest introduction to the city's world-class Japanese scene.

What to order: Aburi salmon oshi

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Chinatown

Kissa Tanto

Japanese-Italian$$$· Romantic & moody

Up a flight of stairs in Chinatown, Kissa Tanto marries Japanese and Italian cooking in a dim, romantic room styled like a 1960s Tokyo jazz kissa. The kitchen fuses the two traditions with real conviction: tajarin with uni, agnolotti, and precise seafood plates that feel both familiar and new. Moody lighting, vinyl, and a sharp cocktail list make it a perennial date-night favorite. It is one of the most distinctive dining rooms in Vancouver and consistently ranks among its best.

What to order: Tajarin with uni

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Yaletown

Blue Water Cafe

Seafood$$$$· Lively & upscale

A soaring converted-warehouse temple to sustainable seafood, Blue Water Cafe anchors Yaletown with its raw bar, seafood towers, and celebrated 'unsung heroes' program spotlighting underused local species. The kitchen and the sushi bar work in tandem, from West Coast oysters to whole roasted fish, backed by one of the city's deepest wine cellars. The buzzing room and heated patio suit both special occasions and long celebratory dinners. It is a reliably excellent, deeply Vancouver choice for seafood done at a high level.

What to order: Seafood tower

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Chinatown

Phnom Penh

Cambodian-Vietnamese$$· Casual & bustling

This family-run Chinatown institution is beloved across the city for its Cambodian and Vietnamese home cooking, and the lines out the door speak for themselves. The garlic-butter chicken wings are the stuff of legend, and the butter beef, hot-and-sour soups, and fresh salads reward ordering widely. The room is no-frills and always packed, service is brisk, and the value is remarkable. It is a must for anyone wanting to taste the neighbourhood energy that defines Vancouver dining.

What to order: Garlic butter chicken wings

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Kitsilano

Maenam

Thai$$$· Refined & comfortable

Chef Angus An's modern Thai restaurant on West 4th elevates the cuisine with West Coast ingredients and a refined, balanced hand while keeping the flavors bold and complex. Curries, salads, and grilled dishes layer heat, sour, and umami with real precision, and the tasting menu is a smart way to explore the range. The warm, contemporary room and thoughtful drinks list make it comfortable for both casual dinners and celebrations. It is widely regarded as one of the best Thai kitchens in the country.

What to order: Northern Thai curries

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Chinatown

Bao Bei

Chinese$$· Buzzy & stylish

Tannis Ling's Chinese brasserie brought fresh energy to Chinatown with a share-friendly menu of reimagined classics and a killer cocktail program. The shao bing stuffed with beef, the mantou sliders, and the kick-ass fried rice keep the small, buzzy room full night after night. It is loud, stylish, and welcoming, exactly the kind of place that captures the neighbourhood's revival. No reservations for small groups means an early arrival or a patient wait, both well rewarded.

What to order: Shao bing

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Downtown

Japadog

Hot dogs$· Fast street icon

No Vancouver food tour is complete without Japadog, the cult street cart turned mini-chain serving Japanese-style hot dogs to downtown crowds. The Terimayo with teriyaki, mayo, and seaweed, and the Oroshi topped with grated daikon and soy, are essential rites of passage. Quick, cheap, and genuinely delicious, it is the easiest satisfying stop between sightseeing. It is a fun, affordable icon that turned a simple street snack into a beloved local tradition.

What to order: Terimayo dog

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Fairview

Salmon n' Bannock

Indigenous$$· Warm & meaningful

Vancouver's cherished Indigenous-owned bistro serves First Nations cuisine with pride, spotlighting wild B.C. salmon, game, and freshly made bannock. The menu celebrates traditional ingredients through dishes like the bannock burger, sockeye, and bison, all sourced with care and served with genuine warmth. The small, art-filled room offers a rare and important window into Indigenous foodways on the West Coast. It is one of the best restaurants in the city for understanding the cultural depth of the land.

What to order: Wild salmon and bannock

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Mount Pleasant

Osteria Savio Volpe

Italian$$$· Rustic & lively

A warm, rustic Italian osteria centered on a wood fire and rotisserie, Savio Volpe is a perennial favorite for handmade pasta and unfussy, soulful cooking. The campanelle in ragù and the spit-roasted chicken are standouts, and the Italian-leaning wine list is thoughtful and fair. The lively, comfortable room and gracious service make it ideal for both special occasions and casual splurges. It consistently ranks among the city's best for anyone who loves fresh pasta and open-fire cooking.

What to order: Campanelle ragù

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Downtown

Medina Cafe

Mediterranean$$· Bright & bustling

A pioneer of Vancouver's brunch obsession, Medina Cafe draws long morning lines for its Belgian-Mediterranean cooking and famous Liège-style waffles. The fricassée, tagines, and cardamom-scented lattes give the daytime menu real depth beyond the sweets. The bright, tiled room is bustling and welcoming, exactly the kind of place that defines the city's cafe culture. It is a must for travelers who want a serious brunch without a fine-dining commitment, so arrive early or plan to wait.

What to order: Liège waffles

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Crosstown

Chambar

Belgian-Moroccan$$$· Sultry & glamorous

A soaring, sultry brasserie in a converted Crosstown warehouse, Chambar blends Belgian and North African cooking with vintage glamour. The Congo mussels in coconut and lime, the moules frites, and the slow-cooked lamb tagine anchor a menu built for sharing, backed by a deep Belgian beer list. Moody lighting and a buzzing bar make it a top date-night and pre-event pick. It is clubby without being stuffy, the kind of room that makes any dinner feel like an occasion.

What to order: Congo mussels

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Mount Pleasant

The Acorn

Vegetarian$$$· Artsy & intimate

A pioneer of Vancouver's vegetable-forward movement, The Acorn proves plant-based cooking can be inventive, refined, and genuinely craveable. The beer-battered halloumi is a signature, and the seasonal menu treats vegetables with the ambition usually reserved for meat, alongside a smart natural-wine list. The artsy, intimate room and relaxed vibe capture the neighbourhood's independent spirit. It is a strong pick for a delicious dinner that happens to be meat-free, and a favorite well beyond the vegetarian crowd.

What to order: Beer-battered halloumi

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Kitsilano

AnnaLena

Contemporary Canadian$$$· Playful & refined

Chef Michael Robbins' Kitsilano restaurant delivers polished contemporary Canadian cooking with a playful streak, right down to the Lego figurines perched around the room. The seasonal menu is refined but approachable, moving from elegant seafood to rich, comforting mains with confident technique. The service is warm and the mood relaxed, making it a favorite for both date nights and special occasions. Its enduring quality has made AnnaLena a neighbourhood institution and a reliable top-tier recommendation.

What to order: Seasonal chef's menu

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Fairview

Tojo's

Japanese$$$$· Refined omakase

Master chef Hidekazu Tojo, widely credited with inventing the California roll, has run this revered omakase destination for decades. The best experience is to sit at the counter and say 'omakase,' letting Tojo guide a personal, ever-changing procession of pristine sushi and inventive small plates. The room is quiet and elegant, a counterpoint to the city's louder rooms, with service that feels like a private audience. For refined Japanese dining with genuine history, it is among Vancouver's essential tables.

What to order: Omakase counter

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

Best Restaurants in Vancouver by Cuisine

Vancouver's position as a Pacific gateway makes it one of North America's great cuisine cities, where a short transit ride can carry you from Cantonese dim sum in Richmond to Vietnamese pho along Kingsway and Persian kababs on Lonsdale in North Vancouver.

The best restaurants in Vancouver by cuisine reward exploration beyond downtown: neighbourhood specialists often outshine flashier destinations.

Whether you crave hand-pulled noodles, aburi salmon oshi, refined Thai curries, or a Cambodian butter beef, the city delivers depth and authenticity across price points.

This roundup highlights standout picks spanning the culinary map, from long-running institutions to modern reinventions, so you can build a week of eating that circles the Pacific and beyond without leaving the city limits.

  • Vij's

    Modern Indian $$$

    Vikram Vij's modern Indian landmark on Cambie Street remains a benchmark for inventive, ingredient-driven cooking rooted in South Asian tradition. The lamb popsicles in fenugreek cream curry are legendary, and the no-reservations room hums with energy nightly. It is the flagship that helped teach Vancouver to take Indian cuisine seriously as fine dining.

    What to order: Lamb popsicles in fenugreek cream curry

    Reserve

  • Phnom Penh

    Cambodian/Vietnamese $$

    A Chinatown institution run by the Chau family, blending Cambodian and Vietnamese cooking with a devoted following. The deep-fried chicken wings and butter beef (bo luc lac) are the reasons people line up down Georgia Street. It is unfussy, deeply satisfying, and essential for understanding Vancouver's Southeast Asian food culture.

    What to order: Butter beef; deep-fried chicken wings

    Reserve

  • Anh and Chi

    Vietnamese $$

    A stylish, family-run Vietnamese restaurant on Main Street serving refined versions of home-style dishes in a warm, plant-filled room. The banh xeo crepes and imperial rolls shine, and the cocktail program adds polish. It anchors one of the city's best strips for browsing shops and grazing your way down the block.

    What to order: Banh xeo; imperial rolls

    Reserve

  • Sun Sui Wah

    Cantonese $$$

    A Cantonese stalwart on Main Street famed for its cart-and-menu dim sum by day and roasted squab and Alaskan king crab by night. The generous, celebratory style makes it perfect for groups and family gatherings. It is a beloved anchor of Vancouver's deep Chinese dining scene and a reliable special-occasion spot.

    What to order: Roasted squab; dim sum; king crab

    Reserve

  • Maenam

    Thai $$$

    Chef Angus An reimagines Thai cooking on West 4th in Kitsilano with balance, seasonality, and local ingredients. The menu moves from familiar curries to bold, herbaceous plates built for sharing. Bright and confident, it is a modern neighbourhood standout that helped elevate Thai cuisine's reputation across the city.

    What to order: Crispy oysters; green curry; sharing plates

    Reserve

  • Kissa Tanto

    Japanese-Italian $$$

    A Japanese-Italian mashup in Chinatown that fuses handmade pastas with Japanese flavours in a dim, jazz-era room. The tajarin and agnolotti are playful, personal, and unlike anything else in the city. It reflects Vancouver's talent for cross-cultural cooking rooted in genuine skill and heritage.

    What to order: Tajarin; agnolotti

    Reserve

  • Miku

    Japanese $$$

    A Coal Harbour waterfront destination that popularized aburi, or flame-seared, sushi in Vancouver. The salmon oshi pressed sushi is the signature, torched to caramelize the top and served in tidy blocks. With harbour views and polished service, it is a strong pick for a memorable Japanese meal downtown.

    What to order: Aburi salmon oshi sushi

    Reserve

  • Bao Bei

    Modern Chinese $$

    A modern Chinese brasserie in Chinatown from Tannis Ling that reinvents classics with a small-plates sensibility and a lively bar. The shao bing sandwiches and kick-ass fried rice keep the room packed. Personal and inventive, it brings fresh energy to Chinese cooking beyond the banquet table.

    What to order: Shao bing; fried rice

    Reserve

  • Cazba / Lonsdale Persian corridor

    Persian $$

    North Vancouver's Lonsdale Avenue is the heart of the region's Persian community, lined with kabab houses, bakeries, and grocers. Come hungry for koobideh, saffron rice, and stews like ghormeh sabzi. A stroll and graze along the strip is the best way to experience the neighbourhood's warm, aromatic hospitality.

    What to order: Koobideh kabab; saffron rice; stews

    Reserve

  • Guu

    Japanese izakaya $$

    A boisterous Japanese izakaya with several locations across downtown, famous for shareable small plates and a shout-along welcome from the kitchen. Order the ebi mayo, karaage, and grilled skewers with cold sake or beer. Casual and convivial, it is a reliable go-to for a fun, flavour-packed group night out.

    What to order: Ebi mayo; karaage; skewers

    Reserve

Best Fine Dining & Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Vancouver

Vancouver joined the Michelin Guide in 2022, and its fine-dining scene has flourished ever since, anchored by a run of one-star kitchens and a deep bench of ambitious tasting-menu rooms.

The best fine dining restaurants in Vancouver lean on Pacific seafood, Fraser Valley farms, and the city's Pacific Rim influences, ranging from avant-garde theater to quiet, produce-driven precision.

Expect ticketed reservations at the most sought-after tables, seasonal menus, and thoughtful wine and non-alcoholic pairings. These are the rooms for milestone celebrations and once-in-a-trip splurges.

Book weeks or months ahead, arrive curious, and let the kitchen lead; Vancouver's top tables reward diners who surrender to the experience.

  • Published on Main

    Contemporary $$$$

    Vancouver's most celebrated tasting-menu room and a Michelin one-star fixture on Main Street. Chef Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson builds a seasonal menu of exacting, ingredient-forward plates, and the restaurant topped Canada's 100 Best list in 2022. It is the marquee Vancouver fine-dining pilgrimage for serious food lovers.

    What to order: Seasonal tasting menu

    Reserve

  • St. Lawrence

    French-Quebecois $$$

    A Michelin one-star ode to Quebecois and French cooking from chef J.C. Poirier, set in a snug Railtown room dressed like a Montreal bistro. The cooking is rich, precise, and deeply comforting, from foie gras parfait to game and classic sauces. It is a warm favorite for celebrations.

    What to order: Foie gras parfait; tourtiere

    Reserve

  • AnnaLena

    Contemporary Canadian $$$$

    A Michelin one-star Kitsilano favorite pairing refined contemporary Canadian cooking with playful, polished plating. The seasonal menu balances technique and warmth, and the service is friendly without losing precision. A top choice for special occasions that want polish over spectacle.

    What to order: Seasonal tasting; playful plating

    Reserve

  • Kissa Tanto

    Japanese-Italian $$$

    A Michelin one-star Chinatown jewel blending Japanese and Italian cooking in a romantic, 1960s-inspired room. Handmade pastas meet Japanese ingredients and technique in a menu that is both inventive and deeply satisfying. It is a perennial pick for anniversaries and date nights.

    What to order: Tajarin; Japanese-Italian plates

    Reserve

  • Burdock & Co

    Seasonal local $$$

    Chef Andrea Carlson's Michelin one-star room on Main Street champions organic, foraged, and hyper-local ingredients. The cooking is seasonal, quietly brilliant, and moves between delicate and deeply savory. Its calm elegance offers a refined, sustainability-minded experience.

    What to order: Foraged and local tasting

    Reserve

  • Barbara

    Contemporary $$$$

    An intimate Michelin one-star tasting-menu counter in Chinatown seating just a handful of guests each night. The kitchen works with pristine local product in a personal, quietly ambitious format. Book well ahead; seats are famously scarce and the experience feels close and personal.

    What to order: Chef's counter tasting menu

    Reserve

  • Botanist

    Pacific Northwest $$$$

    An elegant Pacific Northwest dining room inside the Fairmont Pacific Rim, celebrated for its produce-driven cooking and striking design. Impeccable service and refined West Coast plates make it a polished choice for special occasions, backed by an award-winning bar and wine program.

    What to order: West Coast tasting; local seafood

    Reserve

  • Hawksworth

    Contemporary Canadian $$$$

    Chef David Hawksworth's flagship inside the Rosewood Hotel Georgia sets the standard for downtown fine dining. The contemporary Canadian menu is polished and consistent, the room glamorous, and the service among the city's best. Ideal for business dinners and dressed-up celebrations.

    What to order: Refined seasonal menu; Pacific seafood

    Reserve

  • Blue Water Cafe

    Seafood $$$

    A Yaletown institution for British Columbia seafood, from a towering raw bar to sustainable local fish. The heritage brick-and-beam room is lively and refined at once, with a serious wine list and standout oysters. A dependable splurge for seafood lovers.

    What to order: Raw bar; BC seafood tower

    Reserve

  • Cioppino's Mediterranean Grill

    Italian-Mediterranean $$$

    Chef Pino Posteraro's long-running Yaletown temple to refined Italian and Mediterranean cooking. Silky handmade pastas, its namesake cioppino, and a deep cellar draw a loyal crowd of celebrants. Elegant, consistent, and beautifully composed.

    What to order: Handmade pasta; cioppino

    Reserve

  • Farmer's Apprentice

    Seasonal market $$$

    A tiny Kitsilano room serving inventive, market-driven tasting menus built around the day's best produce. Seasonal, thoughtful, and clean-lined, it offers ambitious cooking in a relaxed, intimate setting. A refined but welcoming neighborhood favorite.

    What to order: Market tasting menu

    Reserve

Most Romantic Restaurants in Vancouver

For date nights, anniversaries, and proposals, the most romantic restaurants in Vancouver pair intimate lighting and gracious service with food worth lingering over.

The city offers everything from candlelit French rooms and clubby steakhouses to warm Yaletown warehouses and waterfront tables with mountain views. Romance here leans on atmosphere: a moody bar, a shared bottle of BC wine, and a room that makes time slow down.

Whether you want harbour glamour or a tucked-away booth in a converted heritage building, these picks set the mood. Reserve ahead, request a quiet corner if you can, and plan a leisurely, unhurried evening.

  • Blue Water Cafe

    Seafood $$$$

    Set in a converted Yaletown warehouse with soaring beams and low, golden light, Blue Water is a top date-night seafood room. A glowing raw bar, an extensive wine list, and beautifully composed plates make dinner feel like an occasion, ideally at a booth along the brick wall.

    What to order: Raw bar towers; wild BC seafood

    Reserve

  • Cioppino's Mediterranean Grill

    Italian $$$$

    Chef Pino Posteraro's warm, gracious Yaletown room is a longtime special-occasion favourite. Handmade pastas, silky sauces, and attentive service in an elegant-but-comfortable setting make it a comfortable choice for couples who want refined food without stiffness.

    What to order: Handmade pasta; osso buco

    Reserve

  • Bacchus Restaurant

    French $$$

    Inside the boutique Wedgewood Hotel, Bacchus is a plush, clubby room with a fireplace, live piano, and deep leather chairs. French-leaning plates and a strong wine list make it a reliably romantic downtown option for lingering over dinner or a late glass.

    What to order: French-leaning plates; wine list

    Reserve

  • Le Crocodile

    French $$$$

    A polished, classic French dining room downtown, Le Crocodile has drawn couples for decades with chef Michel Jacob's Alsatian cooking. Elegant plating, crisp service, and an old-world mood make it a special-occasion standby for anniversaries and proposals.

    What to order: Alsatian classics; Dover sole

    Reserve

  • Gotham Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar

    Steakhouse $$$$

    A grand, dramatic steakhouse near the downtown core with soaring ceilings, dark wood, and a lively bar. Big cuts, a great martini, and celebratory energy suit couples who want a timeless, unhurried steak dinner with a sense of occasion.

    What to order: Dry-aged steaks; big cuts

    Reserve

  • Botanist

    Coastal Canadian $$$$

    Inside the Fairmont Pacific Rim, Botanist is an elegant, plant-filled room with a celebrated cocktail program and refined Coastal BC cooking. Warm lighting, plush seating, and inventive plates make it a sophisticated, flavour-rich date destination downtown.

    What to order: Coastal BC tasting; cocktails

    Reserve

  • Miku

    Japanese $$$

    Overlooking the harbour at Coal Harbour, Miku is famous for aburi, or flame-seared sushi, in a bright, contemporary room. Waterfront views, torched nigiri, and a great sake list make for a memorable, atmospheric evening beside the water.

    What to order: Aburi flame-seared sushi

    Reserve

  • Chambar

    Belgian $$$

    A moody, high-ceilinged Belgian room in Crosstown with warm brick and candlelight. Share moules frites and a fragrant tagine over Belgian beer or wine for a relaxed, low-pressure evening that still feels special.

    What to order: Moules frites; lamb tagine

    Reserve

  • Ancora Waterfront Dining

    Peruvian-Japanese $$$$

    Perched on the False Creek seawall, Ancora blends Peruvian and Japanese flavours with sweeping water and marina views. Sunset light, ceviche, and elegant plating make it an atmospheric, romantic pick for a leisurely waterfront dinner.

    What to order: Ceviche; nikkei plates

    Reserve

  • AnnaLena

    Contemporary Canadian $$$

    A warm, stylish Kitsilano neighbourhood room with a relaxed-romantic vibe and playful, seasonal Canadian cooking. Comfortable, intimate, and unpretentious, it works for a casual date night or an easygoing evening out together.

    What to order: Seasonal tasting plates

    Reserve

Best Rooftop & View Restaurants in Vancouver

Few cities reward dining with a view like Vancouver, where the harbour, the mountains, and False Creek create dramatic backdrops from spring through fall.

The best rooftop and view restaurants in Vancouver range from downtown garden terraces and Coal Harbour patios to Stanley Park perches and beachfront rooms perfect for golden hour.

Warm-weather months are peak season, when patios fill quickly and reservations or early arrivals become essential. Many focus as much on the setting and drinks as the food, so calibrate expectations accordingly.

Whether you want a signature cocktail above the skyline or a laid-back patio with ocean views, these spots deliver Vancouver's most photogenic dining.

  • Reflections: The Garden Terrace

    West Coast $$$

    Set on the fourth-floor terrace of the Rosewood Hotel Georgia downtown, Reflections is a lush garden rooftop for cocktails and shareable plates. Surrounded by greenery and heat lamps, it is a stylish warm-weather escape in the heart of the city.

    What to order: Cocktails; shareable plates; garden terrace

    Reserve

  • The Roof at Black + Blue

    Steakhouse $$$$

    Perched above the Black + Blue steakhouse on Alberni Street, this rooftop patio pairs downtown skyline views with a retractable roof and fire features. It is a see-and-be-seen spot for cocktails and grilled bites.

    What to order: Cocktails; grilled bites; skyline views

    Reserve

  • Lift Bar Grill View

    Seafood $$$

    On the Coal Harbour seawall, Lift offers sweeping views of the marina, Stanley Park, and the North Shore mountains. The upstairs patio is a prime golden-hour perch for cocktails and West Coast seafood.

    What to order: Seafood; cocktails; harbour views

    Reserve

  • Seasons in the Park

    West Coast $$$

    Atop Queen Elizabeth Park, Seasons serves West Coast fare with a panoramic outlook over the downtown skyline and the North Shore mountains. The elevated setting makes it one of the city's most scenic dining rooms.

    What to order: West Coast plates; skyline panorama

    Reserve

  • The Teahouse in Stanley Park

    West Coast $$$

    Tucked at Ferguson Point in Stanley Park, the Teahouse looks out over English Bay and the sunset. Its garden setting and ocean views make it a beloved spot for a leisurely lunch or evening meal.

    What to order: West Coast fare; ocean sunset views

    Reserve

  • Tap & Barrel Bridges

    Pub $$

    A yellow landmark on the Granville Island waterfront, this sprawling patio overlooks False Creek and the downtown skyline. Craft beer, wine on tap, and casual plates make it an easy warm-weather waterfront hang.

    What to order: Craft beer; casual plates; False Creek views

    Reserve

  • H Tasting Lounge

    West Coast $$$

    On the Coal Harbour waterfront at the Westin Bayshore, H offers a marina-side patio with views of the harbour and mountains. It is a relaxed setting for cocktails, tapas, and afternoon tea.

    What to order: Cocktails; tapas; waterfront patio

    Reserve

  • Cactus Club Cafe English Bay

    Casual $$

    Right on English Bay Beach, this Cactus Club patio is a sunset favourite with views over the water. Reliable crowd-pleasing plates and cocktails make it a busy warm-weather destination.

    What to order: Cocktails; shareable plates; beachfront views

    Reserve

  • Dockside Restaurant

    West Coast $$$

    At the Granville Island Hotel, Dockside sits on the False Creek marina with a patio at the water's edge. House-brewed beer and West Coast plates pair with views of the boats and the city beyond.

    What to order: West Coast plates; house beer; marina views

    Reserve

  • Prospect Point Cafe

    Casual $$

    High on the northern tip of Stanley Park, Prospect Point overlooks the Lions Gate Bridge and Burrard Inlet. The casual patio is a scenic stop for a bite while circling the seawall or park drive.

    What to order: Casual bites; Lions Gate Bridge views

    Reserve

Best Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants in Vancouver

Vancouver's plant-based scene has grown from a niche into a genuine strength, with dedicated vegetarian and vegan restaurants alongside omnivore kitchens that treat vegetables as headliners.

The best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Vancouver span comfort-food diners, refined seasonal tasting menus, and globally inspired spots serving everything from vegan Vietnamese to plant-based Ethiopian and Mexican.

Many of the city's produce-driven chefs source from local farms and the Fraser Valley, so vegetable dishes here are anything but an afterthought.

Whether you are fully vegan, vegetarian, or simply eating lighter, these picks prove that meat-free dining in Vancouver can be creative, satisfying, and celebratory rather than restrictive.

  • The Acorn

    Vegetable-forward $$$

    A stylish, plant-forward restaurant on Main Street offering an elevated vegetable-centric menu in a chic setting. It demonstrates how far Vancouver's meat-free dining has come, with refined plates and a sophisticated bar program that appeal to vegans and omnivores alike.

    What to order: Beer-battered halloumi; seasonal vegetable plates

    Reserve

  • MeeT

    Vegan Comfort $$

    A vegan comfort-food spot with locations in Gastown, Yaletown, and on Main serving plant-based burgers, poutine, and hearty bowls. Casual and welcoming, it is a reliable stop for satisfying vegan versions of familiar favorites.

    What to order: Vegan poutine; plant-based burgers

    Reserve

  • The Naam

    Vegetarian $$

    A pioneering Kitsilano vegetarian restaurant famous for its sesame fries and dragon bowls. A long-running institution from the vegetarian scene's early days, it remains a beloved go-to for wholesome, hearty meat-free comfort food.

    What to order: Sesame fries with miso gravy; dragon bowl

    Reserve

  • Chau Veggie Express

    Vegan Vietnamese $$

    A vegan Vietnamese restaurant serving vibrant, deeply flavored plant-based dishes and noodle soups. Its creative, produce-driven cooking and loyal following make it one of the city's standout meat-free destinations.

    What to order: Golden temple noodle soup; crispy wontons

    Reserve

  • Heirloom Vegetarian

    Vegetarian $$

    A vegetarian and vegan spot in South Granville serving creative plant-based comfort food and brunch. Inventive dishes and a warm, polished vibe make it a strong choice for those seeking hearty, flavorful meat-free meals.

    What to order: Plant-based comfort food; brunch

    Reserve

  • Bandidas Taqueria

    Vegetarian Mexican $

    A Commercial Drive taqueria with a largely vegetarian menu and plenty of vegan options. Casual, friendly, and beloved by locals, it offers Mexican-inspired meat-free comfort food and an all-day breakfast worth seeking out.

    What to order: Veggie tacos; all-day breakfast

    Reserve

  • Virtuous Pie

    Vegan Pizza $$

    A vegan pizza and ice-cream spot in Chinatown serving creative plant-based pies and craft drinks. Its neighborhood charm and inventive menu make it a comfortable, reliable meat-free destination.

    What to order: Plant-based pizza; cashew-based ice cream

    Reserve

  • Harambe Ethiopian

    Ethiopian $$

    A Commercial Drive Ethiopian restaurant with an excellent range of vegetarian and vegan combination platters served on injera. The spiced lentils, greens, and vegetable stews make it a naturally plant-friendly, communal dining experience.

    What to order: Veggie combo on injera; spiced lentils

    Reserve

  • All India Sweets

    Vegetarian Indian $

    A longtime vegetarian Indian restaurant on Main Street serving a generous thali and buffet of curries, dosas, and sweets. Its dedicated, value-driven approach has earned a loyal following over many years.

    What to order: Vegetarian thali; dosas and sweets

    Reserve

  • Buddha-Full

    Vegan Cafe $

    A vegan cafe on Lonsdale in North Vancouver serving plant-based smoothies, acai bowls, and wholesome light bites. Casual and health-focused, it is a bright neighborhood stop for satisfying meat-free breakfasts and snacks.

    What to order: Smoothie bowls; plant-based light bites

    Reserve

Best Sushi & Iconic Vancouver Eats

You cannot claim to know the best restaurants in Vancouver without diving into the city's iconic hometown foods: West Coast sushi, wild Pacific salmon, Japadog street dogs, and dim sum.

Sushi is the headline act, a Vancouver obsession that gave the world the salmon-skin BC roll and the flame-seared aburi and pressed oshi styles locals crave, while wild BC salmon and sweet spring spot prawns anchor the region's seafood identity.

Beyond the raw bar, the Japanese-style hot dogs of Japadog and the sprawling Cantonese dim sum scene are essential rites of passage. These dishes are affordable to splurgy, multicultural, and deeply tied to Vancouver's Pacific and immigrant roots.

Come hungry, embrace the variety, and taste the foods that define the city's culinary identity.

  • Tojo's

    Sushi $$$

    The definitive West Coast sushi for many, run by chef Hidekazu Tojo, who is widely credited with inventing the salmon-skin BC roll. His omakase is refined, seasonal, and pristine, a landmark stop for anyone serious about Vancouver's sushi legacy.

    What to order: Omakase; Tojo roll

    Reserve

  • Miku

    Sushi $$$

    Beloved for popularizing aburi flame-seared sushi in Vancouver, with its signature pressed oshi salmon topped with a torched-on sauce. The polished Coal Harbour waterfront setting makes it a go-to for a memorable sushi splurge.

    What to order: Aburi salmon oshi sushi

    Reserve

  • Japadog

    Street Food $

    The essential stop for Vancouver's own Japanese-style hot dogs, born as a downtown street cart. The Terimayo dog with teriyaki, mayo, and seaweed, plus shredded-cabbage okonomi versions, is an affordable, only-in-Vancouver rite of passage.

    What to order: Terimayo Japadog

    Reserve

  • Sun Sui Wah

    Cantonese Dim Sum $$

    A classic Cantonese institution serving the cart-pushed dim sum and roasted meats that define the region's huge Chinese food scene. The roasted squab and Alaskan king crab are showpieces of a genuinely satisfying banquet experience.

    What to order: Dim sum; roasted squab

    Reserve

  • Vij's

    Indian $$

    Chef Vikram Vij's modern Indian landmark, famous for its wine-marinated lamb popsicles and inventive, market-driven curries. Warm, buzzy, and endlessly popular, it is a defining pillar of Vancouver's celebrated dining culture.

    What to order: Wine-marinated lamb popsicles

    Reserve

  • Salmon n' Bannock

    Indigenous $$

    Vancouver's beloved Indigenous-owned bistro, plating wild BC salmon, bison, and game atop pillowy fry bread. A meaningful, delicious introduction to First Nations cuisine that connects the city's food to the land it sits on.

    What to order: Wild salmon on bannock; bison pot roast

    Reserve

  • Phnom Penh

    Cambodian-Vietnamese $

    A Chinatown legend serving Cambodian-Vietnamese cooking, famous for its garlicky butter beef and addictive deep-fried chicken wings. The lively, no-frills room and long-standing lines are a quintessential Vancouver experience.

    What to order: Butter beef; deep-fried chicken wings

    Reserve

  • Go Fish

    Seafood $

    A no-frills seafood shack near Granville Island serving impeccably fresh fish and chips and wild-salmon tacones from a dockside window. Eating a crispy fillet by the water is a quintessential, unpretentious Vancouver meal.

    What to order: Fish and chips; wild salmon tacone

    Reserve

  • Meat & Bread

    Sandwiches $

    A Gastown favorite built around one perfect sandwich: crackling-topped porchetta with salsa verde on a crusty roll. Simple, fast, and consistently excellent, it represents Vancouver's casual lunch scene at its best.

    What to order: Porchetta sandwich

    Reserve

  • Anh and Chi

    Vietnamese $$

    A modern Vietnamese gem on Main Street run by the Nguyen family, elevating home-style classics in a stylish, welcoming room. The crispy rice cakes and fragrant pho showcase Vancouver's deep, everyday love of Vietnamese food.

    What to order: Crispy rice cakes; pho

    Reserve

Best Restaurants in Vancouver by Neighborhood

Vancouver is a city of distinct neighborhoods, and the best restaurants in Vancouver are scattered across them rather than concentrated in a single dining district.

Gastown and Chinatown form the historic core where chefs blend West Coast and global cooking, while Mount Pleasant and Main Street reward those who explore the independent, creative east side.

Kitsilano and Granville Island offer relaxed waterfront eating, and Yaletown anchors the polished downtown scene. Using neighborhoods to plan your meals lets you pair dining with sightseeing, walkable strolls, and a genuine sense of local life.

This roundup spotlights a signature restaurant in several key areas to help you eat your way across the city.

  • Gastown, L'Abattoir

    French West Coast $$$

    A polished French and West Coast restaurant tucked into a historic corner near Blood Alley, with an airy back room and skilled cocktails. Gastown is the city's oldest neighborhood, full of cobblestone streets and design shops, and this is one of its most reliable tables. Reservations are recommended.

    What to order: Seasonal plates; charcuterie; steelhead

    Reserve

  • Mount Pleasant, Anh and Chi

    Vietnamese $$

    A warm, modern Vietnamese restaurant run by the Nguyen family that anchors the buzzing Main Street strip. Bright interiors, a leafy patio, and thoughtful cooking make it the ideal introduction to Mount Pleasant's independent food culture.

    What to order: Banh xeo; imperial rolls; pho

    Reserve

  • Yaletown, Blue Water Cafe

    Seafood $$$$

    A glossy converted-warehouse seafood house with a raw bar and one of the city's deepest wine lists. Yaletown's brick loft district turned dining destination is best captured here, over oysters and Pacific fish.

    What to order: Raw bar; sablefish; oysters

    Reserve

  • Chinatown, Kissa Tanto

    Japanese-Italian $$$

    A Michelin-starred, jazz-era room marrying Japanese and Italian cooking in the heart of historic Chinatown. Dim, romantic, and inventive, it captures the neighborhood's blend of heritage and new energy along Pender Street.

    What to order: Agnolotti; sashimi; tajarin

    Reserve

  • Kitsilano, Maenam

    Thai $$$

    Chef Angus An's refined take on Thai cooking anchors the laid-back, beachy west side. Fragrant curries and balanced tasting menus make it a compelling reason to plan a meal around Kitsilano's shops and shoreline.

    What to order: Green curry; wild boar; tasting menu

    Reserve

  • Cambie Village, Vij's

    Indian $$$

    A landmark Indian restaurant famous for its no-reservations buzz and inventive dishes rooted in South Asian tradition. Vikram Vij's flagship is the essential reason to plan an evening around the Cambie corridor near Queen Elizabeth Park.

    What to order: Lamb popsicles; jackfruit curry

    Reserve

  • Coal Harbour, Miku

    Aburi Sushi $$$

    The waterfront home of aburi, or flame-seared, sushi with sweeping views of the harbor and mountains. Miku put Vancouver's signature pressed oshi sushi on the map and is a standout for a special downtown meal.

    What to order: Salmon oshi; flame-seared nigiri

    Reserve

  • Commercial Drive, Via Tevere Pizzeria

    Neapolitan Pizza $$

    A certified Neapolitan pizzeria with a roaring wood oven on the city's most eclectic street. Commercial Drive, long the heart of Italian Vancouver, is best explored with a blistered margherita and an espresso.

    What to order: Margherita; wood-fired pizza

    Reserve

  • West End, Kingyo

    Izakaya $$

    A lively, characterful izakaya on Denman Street that captures the dense, diverse energy of the West End. Small plates, stone-grilled dishes, and sake make it a fun, affordable outing near English Bay and Stanley Park.

    What to order: Ishiyaki rice; skewers; sashimi

    Reserve

  • Granville Island, The Sandbar

    Seafood $$$

    A bustling seafood house under the Granville Bridge with rooftop patios and False Creek views. Pair a visit with the neighborhood's public market and artisan studios for a full afternoon on the water.

    What to order: Oysters; salmon; seafood tower

    Reserve

Best New & Trendy Restaurant Openings in Vancouver

Vancouver's dining scene never stands still, and the best new and trendy restaurant openings in Vancouver keep the city on the national radar year after year.

Recent momentum has centered on Mount Pleasant's continued rise, ambitious debuts along Main Street and in Chinatown, and chefs branching out from acclaimed flagships to launch second and third concepts.

New openings tend to book up fast on buzz alone, so flexibility with dates and early or late seatings helps. Because the freshest spots evolve quickly, it is always worth checking current local coverage before you go.

These picks highlight recently opened and buzzy restaurants that capture where Vancouver dining is heading right now.

  • Published on Main

    Contemporary Canadian $$$$

    A Mount Pleasant standout from chef Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson, serving ingredient-driven West Coast cooking with house-made breads and a wood-fired edge. Named Canada's best restaurant, it remains one of the city's most sought-after and talked-about tables.

    What to order: Seasonal West Coast plates; house bread

    Reserve

  • Osteria Elio Volpe

    Italian $$$

    The buzzy Riley Park osteria from the Savio Volpe team brings handmade pasta, wood-grilled meats, and a lively Italian energy to the Cambie corridor. Its polished yet convivial room quickly made it one of the city's hottest Italian tables.

    What to order: Handmade pasta; wood-grilled meats

    Reserve

  • Burdock & Co

    Contemporary Canadian $$$

    Chef Andrea Carlson's intimate Mount Pleasant room is a Michelin-starred showcase for hyper-seasonal, foraged, and locally sourced cooking. Its tiny size and singular point of view make it a hard-to-book favorite among serious diners.

    What to order: Seasonal tasting menu; foraged ingredients

    Reserve

  • St. Lawrence

    Quebecois-French $$$

    Chef JC Poirier's Railtown restaurant channels classic Quebecois cooking through refined French technique in a warm, wood-panelled room. Its Michelin star and rich, comforting plates keep it firmly among the city's most coveted reservations.

    What to order: Tourtiere; classic Quebecois plates

    Reserve

  • Les Faux Bourgeois

    French Bistro $$

    A cozy, long-loved French bistro near Fraser and Kingsway serving rustic classics at gentle prices. Warm, unpretentious, and reliably good, it exemplifies the neighborhood-bistro comfort that keeps regulars coming back.

    What to order: Steak frites; rustic bistro classics

    Reserve

  • Maenam

    Thai $$$

    Chef Angus An's modern Thai restaurant in Kitsilano reinvented Thai dining in the city with layered, market-driven flavors and shared plates. Its lively atmosphere and generous menu keep it popular for groups and special nights.

    What to order: Modern Thai shared plates

    Reserve

  • Kissa Tanto

    Japanese-Italian $$$

    A moody, romantic Chinatown room blending Japanese and Italian cooking into one of Vancouver's most distinctive experiences. Its Michelin recognition and singular concept make it a perennial favorite that is well worth booking ahead.

    What to order: Japanese-Italian plates

    Reserve

  • Elisa

    Steakhouse $$$$

    A glamorous Yaletown steakhouse with a wood-fired grill, an elegant room, and a see-and-be-seen crowd. It represents the polished, upscale dining that continues to draw buzz downtown.

    What to order: Wood-fired steaks; glamorous room

    Reserve

  • Bar Susu / natural wine newcomers

    Wine Bar $$

    A wave of natural wine bars building on Grapes & Soda's success has energized the scene, from Bar Susu to Dachi and Say Mercy. Together they reflect one of Vancouver's most exciting current movements, pairing low-intervention wines with inventive small plates.

    What to order: Natural wine; inventive small plates

    Reserve

  • Anh and Chi

    Vietnamese $$

    The Nguyen family's stylish Main Street restaurant elevated Vietnamese dining with vibrant, authentic cooking and a beautiful, plant-filled room. Its enduring popularity reflects one of the city's most beloved culinary success stories.

    What to order: Modern Vietnamese; vibrant shared plates

    Reserve

Frequently Asked Questions

What food is Vancouver most famous for?

Vancouver is most famous for fresh sushi and Japanese cuisine, thanks in part to the local Aburi and pressed oshi style. Locals also love Cantonese dim sum, wild BC salmon and spot prawns, the Japadog street hot dog, and Indian fine dining at Vij's.

Where can I get the best sushi in Vancouver?

Top sushi spots include Miku and Minami for Aburi flame-seared nigiri, Tojo's, where the BC roll and the original inside-out roll were created, and Sushi Bar Maumi for omakase. Book ahead for the counter seats.

Do I need reservations for top Vancouver restaurants?

Yes. Michelin-starred spots like Published on Main, AnnaLena, Kissa Tanto, and Barbara need reservations released weeks ahead. Vij's is famously walk-in only. Book early or sit at the bar.

Which Vancouver neighbourhoods are best for dining?

Mount Pleasant and Main Street are the buzziest hub for chef-driven spots. Gastown has cocktail bars and destination tables, Chinatown and Commercial Drive offer affordable eats, Yaletown draws date-night crowds, and Richmond is unbeatable for Chinese food.

How expensive is fine dining in Vancouver?

Vancouver's top tasting menus are a splurge, typically $$$$ per person before pairings and wine. Neighbourhood izakayas, dim sum houses, and food trucks like Japadog offer great value. Check current menus.

Are there good vegetarian and vegan options in Vancouver?

Yes. Vegan and vegetarian spots include The Acorn, MeeT in Gastown, and Chau Veggie Express. Many fine-dining kitchens accommodate plant-based menus with notice, and the city's Indian and Ethiopian restaurants offer rich vegetarian platters.