15 perfect restaurants in Vancouver, Canada
Welcome to Vancouver, where mountains meet the sea and belly meets belly! This article will tantalize your taste buds as we journey through the city's culinary delights. From hole-in-the-wall gems serving mouthwatering dumplings to fancy establishments dishing out succulent seafood, Vancouver has restaurants to please every palate. So, grab your fork and elastic waistband - it's time to embark on the delicious adventure of discovering the top 15 dining hotspots in this foodie paradise!
Save destination1. L'Abattoir
217 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2J2, Canada
Hidden within the vibrant streets of Vancouver, culinary bliss awaits at L'Abattoir. This cozy little gem manages to transform an old brick vintage building into a gastronomic utopia, with an atmosphere that's rustic yet chic. The ever-charismatic staff goes above and beyond to ensure diners have a fantastic experience, leaving you convinced they moonlight as stand-up comedians. Prepare yourself for an electrifying journey through French-inspired cuisine, with each plate offering a harmonious dance between flavors and textures. From their legendary charcuterie board, bursting with an assortment of cured meats, to their mysteriously addictive foie gras parfait, your taste buds will undoubtedly pledge an undying allegiance to L'Abattoir. Just don't be surprised if you find yourself contemplating how to smuggle the pastry chef home to replicate their tantalizing desserts.
Learn more2. Vij's
3106 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2W2, Canada
Welcome to Vij's, acclaimed as Vancouver's culinary haven and the de facto hangout spot for all food enthusiasts. Prepare to have your taste buds dance a wild tango as you enter this exotic Indian restaurant, where even the most devout carnivores leave with newfound vegetarian vows. Don't be alarmed if the line snakes around the block; it's merely a testament to the food's tantalizing ability to love-strangle your senses and make you crave more.
Learn more3. Bishop's
2183 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6K 1N7, Canada
Welcome to Bishop's in Vancouver, where the food is so good it will make you forget all about your pesky dietary restrictions and indulge like a gluttonous panda. With its cozy ambiance and elegant decor, this restaurant is the perfect place to take a date and feel like you're in a fancy episode of The Bachelor - cue the romantic music! Plus, it's so fancy, you'll have a hard time pronouncing "au jus" correctly without sounding like a snooty French aristocrat.
Learn more4. AnnaLena
1809 W 1st Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 5B8, Canada
Welcome to AnnaLena, Vancouver's delightful culinary haven where whimsical dishes and culinary inventiveness meet. Nestled in Vancouver's Kitsilano neighborhood, AnnaLena is the glorious result of a talented chef's boundless imagination and a dash of quirkiness. With its eclectic blend of flavors, unexpected ingredient combinations, and amusingly presented plates, dining at AnnaLena is like embarking on a whimsical journey through a mad scientist's lab, but with stunningly delicious results.
Learn more5. Acorn
3995 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3P3, Canada
Welcome to Vancouver, where you'll find the charming neighborhood of Acorn! Located amidst the picturesque coastal city, Acorn offers a delightful dining experience that will make your taste buds dance like no one's watching. Prepare to indulge in their innovative vegetarian and vegan dishes that will have even the most fervent carnivores questioning their life choices. With its cozy atmosphere and creative menu, Acorn is a must-visit for food enthusiasts looking to satisfy their veggie cravings while embracing the inner squirrel within.
Learn more6. Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar
1095 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5T4, Canada
Welcome to Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar, where even Poseidon himself would be impressed by the aquatic extravaganza! Located in the heart of Vancouver, this underwater wonderland offers an unforgettable dining experience that will have you singing "Under the Sea" while chewing your sushi. With an impressive selection of raw delicacies, this charming seafood haven is a true catch for both adventurous foodies and those who prefer to play it safe with a fish 'n chips frenzy.
Learn more7. Botanist
1038 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 0B9, Canada
Welcome to Vancouver, where Botanist is not just a fancy title for your imaginary herbalist alter ego, but an extraordinary dining experience. Nestled in the heart of the city, this culinary paradise delights both your taste buds and your Instagram followers. With its chic interior resembling a greenhouse, it's like dining in a garden, except with fewer bees and better lighting for those food pics you desperately need to capture.
Learn more8. Miku
200 Granville St #70, Vancouver, BC V6C 1S4, Canada
Welcome to Vancouver, the city of breathtaking landscapes and quirky attractions! And speaking of quirky, let me introduce you to Miku, a charming Japanese-inspired restaurant that will transport your taste buds on a mouthwatering adventure. Known for their delectable sushi creations, this spot has earned a cult following, with locals and tourists alike flocking to indulge in their signature Aburi sushi, where the fish is lightly torched for an irresistible smoky flavor. So, whether you're a foodie seeking an unforgettable dining experience or just someone who loves sushi, Miku in Vancouver will have you saying, "Arigatou, Miku!"
Learn more9. Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar
845 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2K6, Canada
Nestled in the vibrant heart of Vancouver, Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar is a culinary oasis that delights both seafood lovers and those in desperate need of a little boulevardin' (totally a word now) adventure. With its posh yet welcoming atmosphere, this hidden gem invites you to indulge in a symphony of delectable flavors, ranging from succulent oysters that taste like a love affair on Mount Olympus to innovative seafood dishes that could charm even Poseidon himself. So, grab your sunglasses, because this culinary journey will leave you shining brighter than the sun reflecting off the Pacific Ocean.
Learn more10. Kissa Tanto
263 E Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1T8, Canada
Nestled in Vancouver's vibrant Chinatown, Kissa Tanto offers a delightful blend of Japanese and Italian cuisine, making it a truly cosmopolitan hotspot for taste buds suffering from monotony syndrome. The sleek and retro interiors transport you to a realm where Luciano Pavarotti belts out tunes while sipping sake. Revel in the magic of their fusion dishes, like the elusive love child of tempura and pasta, where crispy meets al dente, resulting in a harmonious symphony of flavors that will make you wonder why the gastronomic world didn't think of it sooner.
Learn more11. Savio Volpe
615 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5T 3K5, Canada
Welcome to Savio Volpe, a whimsical Italian eatery that will transport you straight to the heart of Italy, without the hassle of actually getting on a plane. With its rustic yet chic decor, charming waitstaff, and mouthwatering cuisine, this lively spot guarantees a dining experience that's more Italian mamma's house dinner than any ordinary restaurant. Prepare your taste buds for fresh pasta that's as satisfyingly toothsome as your favorite holiday sweater, and don't be surprised if you find yourself belting out Italian opera after downing a few Negronis.
Learn more12. Homer Street Cafe and Bar
898 Homer St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2W5, Canada
Welcome to Homer Street Cafe and Bar in Vancouver, where the food is so tantalizingly delicious that it will make your taste buds do a victory dance like nobody's watching. Nestled cozily in the heart of the city, this place is a charming haven for both locals and wanderers alike, offering a quirky blend of delectable eats and drinks that will make even the most serious food critic crack a smile. Prepare to be greeted by friendly staff who know their stuff and be prepared to have your culinary expectations elevated to new mouthwatering heights.
Learn more13. Chambar
568 Beatty St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2L3, Canada
Welcome to Chambar, Vancouver's culinary wonderland tucked away in the heart of the city. This cheeky establishment effortlessly combines Belgian charm with West Coast coolness, leaving your taste buds in a state of delicious confusion. Indulge in their hearty Moules Frites and let their delectable waffles transport you to a world where brunch is a warm and fluffy affair.
Learn more14. Hawksworth Restaurant
801 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1P7, Canada
Nestled in the heart of Vancouver's bustling downtown, Hawksworth Restaurant is a culinary oasis that caters to sophisticated taste buds and ravenous stomachs alike. With its sleek and modern atmosphere, you'll feel like you're dining in the swanky den of a millionaire seagull. Prepare to be dazzled by their creative and artfully plated dishes that combine flavors in ways you never thought possible, leaving you wondering why you ever settled for a plain old chicken nugget in the first place.
Learn more15. Bao Bei
163 Keefer St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1X4, Canada
Welcome to the vibrant city of Vancouver, where culinary wonders are tucked away at every corner. One such gem is Bao Bei, a charismatic eatery that will have you embracing your inner foodie with open arms. Step into this unassuming establishment, and prepare to be whisked away on a delightful adventure of flavors and textures that will leave your taste buds begging for more.
Learn moreHow to get there
Plane
The best way to get to Vancouver, Canada by plane is to fly into Vancouver International Airport (YVR), which is approximately 12km from downtown Vancouver. There are plenty of major airlines that operate flights to YVR from around the world.
Car
You can drive to Vancouver, Canada by taking Highway 1 from the east or west, or Highway 99 from the south. Vancouver is approximately 240km from Seattle, USA, and 145km from the US-Canada border.
Train
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service to Vancouver, Canada. However, you can take the Amtrak Cascades Train from Seattle, USA to Vancouver which takes around four hours.
Boat
Vancouver has a large port with many international cruise ships stopping there. You can also take a ferry from some parts of British Columbia to Vancouver Island, which is just a short drive from Vancouver.
Bus
Greyhound Canada operates intercity bus services that connect Vancouver, Canada to several major cities in the USA and Canada. The bus station in Vancouver is located downtown at Pacific Central Station.