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Locally run 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters sources and roasts their own coffees, which they feature at their flagship café on Main Street. It's always packed with neighborhood residents and shoppers enjoying the top-notch brews and the house-made Lucky's Doughnuts, which come in flavors from simple vanilla-glazed to salted caramel to decadent triple chocolate. Centered on a wood-framed counter, this large airy space has walls of windows on two sides. Its three other locations help keep the rest of the city caffeinated.
2902 Main St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V5T 3G3, Canada
Known For
- Direct-sourced coffee
- Exceptional doughnuts
- Neighborhood hangout
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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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$$$$ | Kitsilano |
Before "local" and "seasonal" were all the rage, this highly regarded restaurant was serving West Coast cuisine with an emphasis on organic regional produce. Menu highlights include starters like tuna tartare with pickled garlic scapes and arugula seed pods, while Haida Gwaii halibut with broccoli puree, roasted cauliflower, and crispy potato, and heritage pork with clams are among the tasty main dishes. All are expertly presented and impeccably served with suggestions from Bishop's extensive local wine list. The split-level room displays elaborate flower arrangements and selections from owner John Bishop's art collection.
2183 W. 4th Ave., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6K 1N7, Canada
Known For
- Impeccable service
- Extensive local wine list
- West Coast cuisine
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch, Credit cards accepted
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Looking for a great steak? This two-level steak house has its own meat locker for dry aging, and the house specialty is certified Kobe ribeye and striploin. Several dishes include showy, table-side service. Vegetarians and pescatarians will also find plenty of options. If you can, head to the rooftop patio, a garden-inspired space filled with pergolas adorned with lights and flowers for a very romantic, happening space. Happy hour runs every day, all afternoon, so it's the perfect place to stop into after a shopping spree along Alberni and Robson Streets.
1032 Alberni St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 1A3, Canada
Known For
- Great steaks
- Attentive service
- Happening vibe
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends
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Granville Island has several coffee places, but only the Blue Parrot provides sweeping views of False Creek. If you haven't eaten your fill elsewhere in the market, accompany your espresso with a sticky hot strudel or gooey cinnamon bun. Early birds, take note: you can perch at the Parrot starting at 7 am, before the rest of the market stalls open. There's a second location at Hillcrest Centre, near Queen Elizabeth Park.
1689 Johnston St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3R9, Canada
Known For
- Unbeatable views
- Good coffee
- Hearty sandwiches
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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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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In this hip, brick-walled eatery, classic Belgian dishes are reinvented with flavors from North Africa and beyond. The moules (mussels) are justifiably popular, either steamed in white wine or sauced with exotic smoked chilis, cilantro, and coconut cream. Those seeking a more adventurous option might select the barbecued frog legs, curried mushrooms, or ostrich carpaccio. Unusual, perhaps, but definitely delicious. Meanwhile, a smartly dressed crowd hangs out at the bar sipping imported beer or delicious cocktails like the Blue Fig (gin infused with oven-roasted figs and served with a side of blue cheese). An easy walk to theaters and sports arenas, it's a good spot for a pre-event bite.
568 Beatty St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B2L3, Canada
Known For
- Moules frites
- Belgian beer
- Specialty meats
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Book ahead to nab one of the 30 or so seats in this cozy bistro, voted one of Canada's 100 Best restaurants, where Chef Alden Ong and his team in the open kitchen craft wildly creative vegetable-forward menus. Here, fresh local ingredients, organic produce, and ethically sourced meats play a starring role. There is a set menu served family style for the table (C$80) and Happy Hour on Friday and Saturday. For cocktails and a lighter meal, head next door to the sister wine bar, Grapes and Soda. Reservations are essential.
1535 W. 6th Ave., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6J 1R1, Canada
Known For
- Family style dining
- Seasonal ingredients
- Great vegetarian dining
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun and Mon., Reservations essential
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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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$$$$ | |
Owner Umberto Menghi is one of Vancouver's most favored and venerable restauranteurs, and his upscale, charming, fine-dining venue is usually the choice to celebrate anything special. High ceilings with wooden beams, ochre walls, and an inside garden courtyard offer plenty of private corners. Tuscan flavors abound whether in pasta or dishes like oven-roasted sablefish with horseradish crust, or slow oven-braised veal osso buco with saffron risotto. Reservations are a must. If you like what you find, Umberto runs a hotel and cooking school in the heart of rural Tuscany.
1328 Hornby St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 2L8, Canada
Known For
- Upscale Italian fare
- Romantic
- Gets booked up fast
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon., Recommended
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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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With sleek white tables and sparkling chandeliers, Chef David Hawksworth's modish restaurant welcomes locals toasting new clients or celebrating a romantic anniversary. The food (and the crowd) is suave and swanky, too. You might start with hamachi tartare dressed with chili lime vinaigrette, or a simpler heirloom tomato salad with burrata and preserved cherries. Although the menu changes frequently, mains might include wild salmon with lobster agnolotti, or duck breast with turnip and loganberry jus. Everything is superbly presented, including, for dessert, the delicious mushroom ice-cream. Don't knock it until you've tried it.
801 W. Georgia St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 1P7, Canada
Known For
- Upscale dining
- Seasonal menus
- Flavor combinations and presentation
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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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Chefs prepare classic Alsatian-inspired food—including the signature onion tart—at this long-established Downtown restaurant that sets the standard for French cuisine in Vancouver. Despite the white-tablecloth sophistication, the breezy curtains, golden yellow walls, and burgundy banquettes keep things cozy. Favorite dishes include a signature foie gras tasting followed by classics such as lobster with beurre blanc, veal medallions with morel sauce, and grilled Dover sole. Service is attentive and professional.
100–909 Burrard St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6Z 2N2, Canada
Known For
- Lobster with beurre blanc
- Veal medallions
- Excellent service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Sat.
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Chef Angus An's modern Thai menu brings this Asian cuisine to a new level. Although some of his dishes may sound familiar—think green papaya salad, pad Thai, and curries—they're amped up with local ingredients, fresh herbs, and vibrant seasonings. Look for delicious innovations like Thai "cupcakes" with grilled scallops or the three-flavor lingcod that balances sweet, salty, and sour flavors. The bar sends out equally exotic cocktails. The sleek dining room is stylish enough that you could dress up a bit, but you wouldn't be out of place in jeans.
1938 W. 4th Ave., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6J 1M5, Canada
Known For
- Modern Thai food
- Sleek dining room
- Exotic cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Sun. and Mon.
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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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In a city filled with hundreds of sushi spots, it can be hard to pick one to try. Look no further than Minami—the Japanese restaurant's space and menu is just as stylish as the neighborhood it's in. This upscale eatery specializes in Aburi ("flame-seared") sushi, and all their fish is sustainably caught. Try the Oshi Sampler. It comes with two pieces each of their salmon, prawn, and saba Aburi sushi, as well as the Aburi lobster with green onion and yuzu ginger salsa.
1118 Mainland St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 2T9, Canada
Known For
- Flame-seared sushi
- Top-notch service
- Extensive sake menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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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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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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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
