13 Best Restaurants In Vancouver You Must Visit Once

From picturesque beaches to lush oases, Vancouver not only boasts a stunning landscape but also a diverse culinary scene. Whether for exceptional dining affairs or local flavours, the popular restaurants in Vancouver focus on classic favourites, innovative cuisine, and beyond.  Thanks to the strategic location, from fresh seafood to organic farm produce, feasting your senses has never been this appetising.  

If you are ready to tantalise your taste buds, we have just the list for you. Here are the 13 best restaurants in Vancouver for anyone looking for an elegant spread or a casual eatery.

A Gastronomic Adventure with Top Restaurants in Vancouver 

Vancouver is among one of the ten best cities to live in Canada for all good reasons. The city is surrounded by mountains and the Pacific Ocean, and thus, the best restaurants in Vancouver can serve delectable seafood. However, if you are new to the city, we understand the challenge of finding some great places to eat. 

To put an end to your worries, this handpicked selection of popular restaurants will not only satiate your taste buds but also brighten your day. Some of them are Michelina-approved; some of them are famous for their traditional menu. So, here’s a look at the restaurants in Vancouver you cannot afford to miss! 

1. Blue Water Cafe 

Address: 1095 Hamilton St., Vancouver, BC V6B 5T4

Signature Dishes: Jellyfish Wonton Tacos, Mackerel Filet Sesame Carrot Rice, Red Sea Urchin Trifle

Price Range: $$$$

Info: +1 604-688-8078, bluewatercafe.net 

If you are in for an authentic Vancouver experience and the touch of fine dining, Blue Water Cafe is the one. Chef Frank Pabst heavily relies on locally sourced seafood to come up with innovative dishes. Their "raw bar" featuring sushi, sashimi, and nigiri is another reason for making it to the list of the best restaurants in Vancouver. 

The old sailboat interior, superb service, and expansive wine list are other ingredients you need for a perfect weekend date. Just make a reservation ahead if you want to avoid the queue at the best seafood restaurant in Vancouver. 

2. Vij's

Address: 3106 Cambie St., Vancouver, BC V5Z 2W2

Signature Dishes: Lamb Popsicles, Jackfruit in Black Cardamom and Cumin Curry

Price Range: $$$

Info: +1 604-736-6664, vijs.ca  

Funky cocktails and ambrosial dishes coupled with friendly service await you at one of the best Indian restaurants in Vancouver. Chef Vikram Vij has acquired much fame on the reality show, and with his partner, Meeru Dhalwala, Vij's once caught the attention of Harrison Ford and Pierre Trudeau. 

Though a few reservations are accepted nightly, the team will reward you with complimentary hors d'oeuvres and hot chai if you wait in line. To grab your table at one such top restaurant in Vancouver, arrive before it opens at 5:30 pm. 

3. St. Lawrence  

Address: 269 Powell St., Vancouver, BC V6A 1G3

Signature Dishes: No fixed menu, but try Lamb Confit and Salted Caramel Rice Pudding if available. 

Price Range: $$$$

Info: +1 604-620-3800, stlawrencerestaurant.com 

Aptly finding its spot as one of the great places to eat in Vancouver, Chef Jean-Christophe Poirier arranged a marriage between old-school French technique and Québecois cuisine at St. Lawrence in the summer of 2017. To witness his passion for clean and lean cuisine, you should step into this one-starred Michelin restaurant in Vancouver and soak into the vintage French decor. 

The menu keeps changing, the staff are mostly French, and scoring a reservation is a challenge. In case you secure a table, you will have to prepay your order at one of the top restuarants in Vancouver. 

4. Bar Susu 

Address: 2650 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3E6 

Signature Dishes: Duck Liver Parfait, Hashbrowns with McChicken Sauce 

Price Range: $$$

Info: +1 604-428-6711, thisisbarsusu.com 

Started as a pop-up, then secured a permanent spot, but this popular restaurant in Vancouver is back to being a pop-up again after a fire accident. Chef Marc Marayag hosts a gorgeous menu infused with Italian, pan-Asian, and French inspirations. 

Accompanying the spread, cocktails and wines are there to add colour to your evening at one of the best restaurants in Vancouver. Since Susu has taken over Novella’s space, the place is open from 5 pm to late, seven days a week. 

5. Bao Bei 

Address: 163 Keefer St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1X4 

Signature Dishes: Mantou Buns filled with Braised Pork, Kick Ass House Fried Rice, Braised Pea  

Price Range: $$

Info: +1 604-688-0876, bao-bei.ca 

For anyone looking for the best Chinese restaurants in Vancouver, Bao Bei offers a contemporary touch to the brasserie experience. Chef Joël Watanabe mixes his Japanese background and traditional Chinese cuisine to come up with original dishes. 

From thoughtfully curated cocktails to non-GMO meat dishes, Bao Bei makes you feel you are indeed at one of the best restaurants in Vancouver. Regardless of what you are ordering, do not leave without trying Helen's handmade potstickers and dumplings. 

6. Miku  

Address: 200 Granville St #70, Vancouver, BC V6C 1S4

Signature Dishes: Aburi-style Sushi, Oysters on the Half Shell 

Price Range: $$$

Info: +1 604-568-3900, mikurestaurant.com

By now, you have probably got that your search for the best Japanese restaurants in Vancouver will never go in vain. Especially when at Miku, you can appreciate Executive Chef Kazuhiro Hayashi's strategic thinking of bringing fresh and local ingredients for a lavish menu. 

Plus, a Kyoto-trained pastry chef is also there to delight you with Green Tea Opera and more. Don't worry if you are not a fan of sushi; the surf and turf roll with steak and the view of Coal Harbour can perfect your evening at one of the top restaurants in Vancouver. 

7. Hy's 

Address: 637 Hornby St., Vancouver, BC V6C 2G3

Signature Dishes: Steaks paired with Creamed Spinach 

Price Range: $$$$

Info: +1 604-683-7671, hyssteakhouse.com

There is no shortage of great places to eat in Vancouver, but you can never ignore old-school steakhouses. Step into a classic steakhouse decorated in wood & leather and transport yourself into the mid-1950s.  

The attentive staff will not only bring the best steak in Vancouver to your table but they will also ensure a great steakhouse experience. Of course, the classic charm requires multiple visits, but the cocktail lounge justifies its spot on the list of the top restaurants in Vancouver. 

8. Savio Volpe 

Address: 615 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5T 3K5

Signature Dishes: Agnolotti del Plin, Salumi Board, Kale Salad

Price Range: $$$

Info: +1 604-428-0072, saviovolpe.com 

Whether for lunch or dinner, Savio Volpe will not disappoint you with their traditional and rustic Italian spread. After taking one bit, you will see how their grilled meat & vegetables and house-made pasta play a role in becoming one of the best Italian restaurants in Vancouver. 

From artisanal baked goods, fresh fish, and local produce to the Italian wine list, the simple menu is sometimes what the heart wants. No matter whether you go for Curried Shrimp or Crab Cake at this popular restaurant in Vancouver, save room for gelato. 

9. Botanist 

Address: 1038 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 0B9

Signature Dishes: Crab and Avocado Eggs Benedict, Pan-seared Sirloin with Cabbage Roulade 

Price Range: $$$$

Info: +1 604-695-5500, botanistrestaurant.com

Chef Hector Laguna embraces his passion for sustainability, and he focuses on local agriculture to transform Botanist into one of the best restaurants in Vancouver. Similar to the touch of organic ingredients on the menu, the decor plays with greenery and floral prints. 

Ultimately, Botanist welcomes its patrons with a lively outdoor space. Being one of the popular restaurants in Vancouver, their commitment is undoubtedly seen in the warm service and sumptuous meals. 

10. Suyo 

Address: 3475 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3M9

Signature Dishes: Scallop Tiradito, Peruvian Trifle 

Price Range: $$

Info: +1 604-322-1588, suyo.ca 

The list of the best restaurants in Vancouver is endless, owing to the evolving culinary landscape. Hence, Suyo appears as the brainchild of ex-botanist Max Curzon-Price (bartender), James Reynolds, and Chef Ricardo Valverde to add a radical touch to the city's food scenes. In case you were wondering why Vancouver is one of the five best cities in Canada for abroad studies, Suyo’s Peruvian Staples gives you the perfect answer. 

From reimagined dishes to imaginative cocktails infused with the landscape of Peru, Suyo has a lot to offer. Not only does that make it to one of the top restaurants in Vancouver, but also the pocket pinch being around $50-$60 is another factor. 

11. Chambar 

Address: 568 Beatty St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2L3

Signature Dishes: Mussels Congolaise with Frites, Lamb Shank Tagine

Price Range: $$$

Info: +1 604-879-7119, chambar.com

A cheeky, quaint fine dining weaves the tapestry of Mediterranean, North African, Belgian, and Persian inspirations. At this popular restaurant in Vancouver, you will slightly find a rebellious vibe. Yet, the core theme well accommodates intimate gatherings. 

Chef Nico Scheurmans and his team are all about the attention-to-detail and it shows clearly on the spread and atmosphere. They are open every day from 8 am, but like other best restaurants in Vancouver on the list, they accept online reservations. 

12. Au Comptoir 

Address:  2278 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6K 1N8

Signature Dishes: Buttered Brioche with Vanilla Custard, Honey-glazed Duck Breast 

Price Range: $$$

Info: +1 604-569-2278, aucomptoir.ca

For flaky Pain au chocolat or Steak Frites, nothing can go wrong at this popular restaurant in Vancouver. Au Comptoir screams everything French, from the decor to its staff, while flaunting the casual style of a classic Parisian bistro. 

Whether for a laid-back breakfast or weekend brunch, the patrons are transported right back to France. The range of exquisite cocktails is another reason for finding their place in the compilation of the best restaurants in Vancouver. 

13. Ancora 

Address: 1600 Howe St #2, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2L9

Signature Dishes: Crab Causa, Sea Urchin Taglierini, Arroz con Pato

Price Range: $$$$

Info:  +1 604-681-1164, ancoradining.com

Crowned as one of the best restaurants in Vancouver with a view, Ancora offers a private dining area and patio alongside False Creek seawall. The picturesque waterfront, the Peruvian and Japanese menu, and the traditional seafood are enough to light up your evening when you are with a group or special one. 

Featuring such a sophisticated fine-dining setting, Ancora deserves to snatch a place as one of the great places to eat in Vancouver. Don't miss out on indulging in their Glacier, a true embodiment of diverse cultures. 

Now that you know all about the best restaurants in Vancouver, start making plans with your friends right away! 

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