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Located on the border of Chinatown and Gastown, Calabash Bistro is a laid-back Caribbean eatery known for their flavorful food, rum-forward drinks, and late-night weekend music. Appetizers include guacamole made with plantain chips, fried coconut dumplings, and jerk-marinated wings. Entrees include a variety of curries and rotis (chicken, fish, etc.) alongside slow-braised oxtail and jerk fried chicken.
428 Carrall St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 2J7, Canada
Known For
- DJs every Friday and Saturday night
- Rum flights
- Some of the best Caribbean food in the city
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed.
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If the weather's fine, head for this seafood stand on the seawall, overlooking the docks beside Granville Island. The menu is short—highlights include fish-and-chips, grilled salmon or tuna sandwiches, and fish tacos—but the quality is first-rate. It's hugely popular, and on sunny summer days the waits can be maddening both to order and to wait on its cooked-to-order delivery. So try to avoid the busiest times: noon to 2 pm and 5 pm to closing (usually around 7). Because there are just a few outdoor tables, be prepared to take your food to go.
1505 W. 1st Ave., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6J 1E8, Canada
Known For
- Seaside location
- Fresh-off-the-boat fish
- Long lines
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Closes at 7 pm
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Inside this stylish and cozy space you'll find mouthwatering Lebanese and Mediterranean dishes (think mujadra, labneh, tabbouli, and more) alongside inventive cocktails. They also serve a yummy weekend brunch. There are two other locations.
2290 Commercial Dr., Vancouver, British Columbia, V5N4B5, Canada
Known For
- Fresh, local ingredients
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian and vegan options
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Here you'll find house-made pasta, antipasto, and out-of-the-ordinary wood-fired pizzas with out-of-the-ordinary toppings such as burrata with prosciutto apple. Reservations aren't available. Instead you'll be asked to write your name in chalk on a blackboard. But the food is worth the wait. There are lots of gluten-free options, a good selection of craft beers, and a reasonable wine list. You'll also find Nook in Olympic Village, Kitsilano, and at North Vancouver's Shipyards.
781 Denman St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6G 2L6, Canada
Known For
- Flavorful small plates
- Fun atmosphere
- Enthusiastic service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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This floating fish-and-chips stand, the original location of the popular local eatery, draws crowds all summer long.
12351 Third Ave., Vancouver, British Columbia, V7E 2Z1, Canada
Known For
- Fresh fish
- Fun dining experience
- On the water
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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Run by the same team that oversees the adjacent Hawksworth Restaurant, this upscale little café at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia serves fine coffee, a few salads and sandwiches, and exquisite pastries, from colorful macarons to beautifully crafted fruit tarts. Downtown business types like to meet here, and both shoppers and sightseers stop in to recharge. It's opposite the Vancouver Art Gallery and just a short stroll from Robson Street's boutiques.
801 W. Georgia St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3G1, Canada
Known For
- Great coffee
- Beautiful pastries
- Busy meet-up venue
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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The staff at this no-frills storefront explains that Bob is just an average guy. And if he likes the authentically prepared Thai fare, then so will you. The menu includes all the classics, from green papaya salad to laabmoo (minced pork with roasted rice, mint, fish sauce, and lime) to pad si ew (fried rice noodles with pork and egg). There's an assortment of curries, including fish with a creamy yellow curry. Some dishes are on the small side, so if you're hungry ask your server to recommend the right number of plates to share. For the best deal, come for the lunch specials. There's a second location at 1521 West Broadway in the South Granville neighborhood and a quick-service version at 1660 Robson in the West End.
3755 Main St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V5V 3N8, Canada
Known For
- Authentic Thai dishes
- Tasty curries
- Lunch specials
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Lots of warm woods, booths, and faux antiques here and there create a modern, pub-like atmosphere where comfort food is the name of the game. Think shepherd's pie, chicken pot pie, beef bourguignon, jambalaya, and a perennial favorite: mac and cheese. Big bowls of soup and sandwiches are also on the menu. A great place for early family suppers and for livelier crowds as the evening progresses. Service is friendly and efficient.
1100 Burrard St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 1Y7, Canada
Known For
- Pubby atmosphere
- Friendly service
- Comfort food
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Watch the dumpling makers at work in the open kitchen, and you'll know what to order at this bustling Chinese eatery specializing in traditional Shanghainese and Taiwanese-style food. From xiao long bao (delicate pork-and-crab-filled soup dumplings) to freshly steamed vegetable buns, you'll find plenty of doughy deliciousness here. Handmade Shanghai-style noodles, fresh greens quickly stir-fried with garlic, and salted vegetables with pork and green beans are tasty options, too. Their original location in Richmond is larger and more upscale.
1719 Robson St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6G 1C9, Canada
Known For
- Handmade dumplings
- Shanghai-style noodles
- Stir fries
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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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Serving small plates designed for sharing, this spirited Japanese tapas bar is known for the seared mackerel sashimi. Also worth trying are the ebi mayo (tempura shrimp with spicy mayonnaise), the ishi-yaki (a Korean-style stone bowl filled with rice, pork, and vegetables), and anything on the daily fresh sheet. Sake and Japanese beer are the drinks of choice.
1193 Hamilton St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 5P6, Canada
Known For
- Seared mackerel
- Daily fresh sheet menu
- Japanese tapas
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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The name means "working together" in Swahili, and the family that owns this welcoming restaurant does just that as it introduces guests to traditional Ethiopian fare. Savory stews are served atop platter-size pancakes of injera, a tangy, spongy flatbread used to scoop up every morsel. The bread does the job of cutlery, so you won't find knives and forks here. Order a combination platter to sample a range of flavors. The vegetarian version, which includes spinach, lentils, peas, assorted vegetables, and salad, is especially tasty. The space is colorful, and the walls are hung with Ethiopian artwork. Unlike some Ethiopian restaurants with traditional low seating, there are regular tables and chairs here.
2149 Commercial Dr., Vancouver, British Columbia, V5N 4B3, Canada
Known For
- Vegetarian-friendly menu
- Colorful Ethiopian artwork
- Family-style shared plates
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Thurs.
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This hip yet neighborhood-cozy Chinatown eatery is the sister restaurant of Burdock & Co. Enjoy health-conscious dishes that are delicious and hearty, like rice noodles with charred chili and almond-hazelnut sauce, ramen with squash and miso broth, and udon with sake kazu chicken, all of which incorporate the very best of seasonally available produce. Harvest is also a minigrocer, offering urban produce and small-production vegan and local foods.
243 Union St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6A 2B2, Canada
Known For
- Signature noodle soups
- Vegan dishes
- Community-supported agriculture
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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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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.
871 Denman St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6G 2L9, Canada
Known For
- Japanese small plates
- Shochu and sake
- Stylish room
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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.
788 Denman St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6G 2L5, Canada
Known For
- Top-notch ramen
- Fast-paced dining
- Value for money
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Reservations not accepted
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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.
1074 Denman St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6G 2M8, Canada
Known For
- Handmade noodles
- Open kitchen
- Local fave
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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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.
370 Cambie St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 2N3, Canada
Known For
- House-made porchetta
- Friendly staff
- Hearty soups
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner, Reservations not accepted
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Tucked down a tiny alley in the middle of the island, this espresso bar and bistro offers a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of the busy public market. The ethos here is all about organic, sustainable, and local ingredients. Try a pistachio latte or lavender white hot chocolate to-go, or grab a seat on the garden patio or in the upstairs loft for a hearty sandwich or breakfast offering from the bistro menu. Everything is made from scratch in house.
1363 Railspur Alley, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 4G9, Canada
Known For
- A favorite with the locals
- Locally roasted beans
- Baked goods made fresh daily
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Authentic Northern Chinese dishes are the specialty at this friendly storefront restaurant. Particularly good are the hand-pulled noodles that the cooks knead and stretch in the open kitchen and the popular spicy dan-dan noodles. Vegetarians have plenty of options, including many of the dumplings. Dim sum dishes are also on offer, and the helpful staff is happy to guide you to more authentic Mandarin fare. There is another West Side location at 2394 West 4th Ave. in Kitsilano.
532 W. Broadway, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 1E9, Canada
Known For
- Tasty dim sum options
- Vegetarian-friendly menu
- Fast service
