This is the place to ball out on caviar service, big seafood towers, and plates of soy-sake-glazed grilled sablefish with local bull kelp or seared scallops in a red curry sauce. If your celebration isn’t quite at the “eat an entire seafood store’s worth of fish” level, come for Happy Hour and get a dozen oysters. Archer is the spot for a big, fancy dinner that makes the most of Pacific Northwest ingredients. When ramen is cooked well, it is one of the most delicious things you can eat, in my opinion. Ramen Danbo, certainly cooks their ramen well, so much so that it is always packed when I visit! This is their first location outside of Japan and they bring authentic Fukuoka-style ramen to give us one of the best restaurants in Kitsilano.
With the Evergreen extension of the Millennium Line underway, it’ll be even more straightforward to visit these gorgeous city towns that offer diverse vistas. Langley’s past stretches back almost 200 hundred years ago, which if you know anything about Canadian history, is practically ancient times. Langley is a pastoral scene with endless berry fields, fishing trips and pony shows to partake in. Neighbouring the borders of East Vancouver, Burnaby is undergoing a modern transformation that’s driving a younger crowd into the city with highrise residential towers being built at a pace that exceeds even that of Vancouver’s. Burnaby occupies a central area that makes it a convenient drive to get to Vancouver, New Westminster or Richmond. It’s close enough to feel like you’re living in Vancouver without facing any of the realities about its housing market.
Many of their recipes are inspired by the South, so expect to see fried chicken and cornbread on the menu. Just south of downtown Vancouver is the suburb of Richmond, which has a high concentration of excellent Asian restaurants. The dim sum at Fortune Terrace Chinese Cuisine is highly recommended. At the time of this writing, some of their dim sum offerings include gold leaf poplar nectar parfait and steamed shrimp and lobster dumplings.
The restaurant also serves up a cracking brunch menu, with a weekend special on half-price bottles of prosecco and breakfast classics like eggs Benny and huevos rancheros. If you visit on a Tuesday or Wednesday, the restaurant offers a half-price deal on its selection of natural and vegan wines. The charming, casual vibe is ideal for a family get-together or a boozy brunch with pals. Diners can sample Tuscan schiacciata sandwiches made in the Florentine style with fillings like prosciutto, provolone cheese and spicy honey mustard glazed pork belly. If you’re more of a pasta fan, the spaghetti all’astice is loaded with lobster and butter, while the Nduja and speck carbonara is rich in flavour.
The private dining area can host up to 100 guests, making it an excellent choice for company parties or large family celebrations. ARC’s combination of modern Canadian cuisine and stylish decor creates a welcoming atmosphere for any special occasion. Known for its elegant yet lively atmosphere, Minami Restaurant in Yaletown offers a stylish setting for business lunches or team dinners. This modern Japanese eatery stands out for its unique flame-seared aburi sushi and fusion-inspired dishes. Diners love the stuffed salmon, a eatingvancouver.ca decadent steamed salmon fillet stuffed with prawns, crab meat, and roasted pepper, as well as the 7oz filet mignon topped with a rich peppercorn demi-glace. Favourite meat-free dishes include the green salad, featuring mixed greens, grape tomatoes, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds tossed in a white balsamic vinaigrette.
The best item to order is the Capricciosa Pizza, which comes with ham, mushrooms, artichokes, and olives. The flavors are well balanced and taste even better with a drizzle of olive oil. Captain’s Oven Pizza is one of those Italian restaurants in Vancouver that makes each pizza with attention to detail. This shop is devoted to making artisan crème brûlée and authentic Belgian liège waffles.
For dim sum, its standouts are the buttery barbecue pork cha siu bao with baked lemon, and the silky, wafer-thin dumplings stuffed with fresh shrimp, scallops, and black truffles. Dinner features a “24-hours notice” menu, with Cantonese delights such as mushroom-braised duck. Service skews more efficient than hospitable, but the food easily makes up for it. From the lemongrass-infused warm towels on arrival to the impeccable, personalized white glove service, elaborate pandan leaf garnishes, and Japanese-style warmed toilet seats, no detail is skipped at Baan Lao. Head to Vancouver’s nearby photogenic seaside neighbor, Steveston (which you may recognize if you’re a Hallmark movie fan), for a rare chance to revel in a Royal Thai food experience from chef Nutcha Phanthoupheng and her team. Book for afternoon tea service or the dinner tasting menu to experience something truly magical.
Whether you’re coming to get a snap of the pastel dream of a dining room, or you’re looking to nibble on these eats – there’s no denying that Botanist is a must-try. This Chinese brasserie is constantly on people’s to-eat and must-return lists. Offering a selection of drool-worthy small plates inspired by cuisine from Taiwan and Shanghai, it’s no wonder this Chinatown spot constantly has a waitlist. Patrons can finally head to the 905 Commercial Drive spot and try DownLow’s fantastic chicken sandos made from fresh potato buns, DL sauce, sweet n sour slaw, pickled red onion, and house bread and butter pickles.
Known as being the first brick-and-mortar spot in the city for Nashville Hot Chicken, DownLow also has some seriously tasty sides and memorable collabs with other city spots. These aren’t necessarily the trendiest restaurants in Vancouver (another list for another time), but they’re the ones that have stood the test of time. So, whether you need a $13 ramen bowl to cry into, the perfect spot to impress your parents (on their dime), or a place that never lets you down, this is the list of Vancouver’s 18 best restaurants (according to me). Rustic decor sets the stage for French-Canadian cuisine in this cozy Japantown spot. The ever-changing menu might include a lamb trio, grilled cod with spring vegetables, or a pork chop with potato purée. Pair with a glass of French wine, then finish with Calvados and rice pudding with salted caramel.