Nestled in Canada’s most culturally diverse province, Vancouver celebrates its heritage through cuisine, making it one of the best cities for global flavors, especially Chinese cuisine outside of China. The best restaurants in Vancouver highlight the city’s rich cultural mix, popping up everywhere from trendy hotel lobbies to vibrant street corners. Vancouver’s mild climate and nearby farms ensure the freshest ingredients grace these plates, while the Okanagan Wine Valley adds to the local flair. With the 2023 Michelin Guide now recognizing several star-studded venues, the best restaurants in Vancouver deliver both sophistication and that laid-back Pacific Northwest charm, creating an unforgettable dining experience that’s both refined and refreshingly fun.
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10 Best Restaurants In Vancouver That Prove This City Is a Food Lover’s Paradise
1. Published on Main
Defying the odds since its pre-pandemic opening, Michelin-starred Published on Main has secured its place among the best restaurants in Vancouver. Led by Chef Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson, the kitchen crafts dishes with a focus on locally farmed and foraged ingredients, highlighting the flavors of each season. Expect delights like wild nettle gomae, buttery roasted halibut, fresh cheese agnolotti, and lamb saddle wrapped in merguez. Guests can indulge in an 11-course tasting menu or opt for a la carte selections while dining in a lush solarium or cozy back room. Equally impressive, Published on Main’s wine and cocktail selection is thoughtfully curated, led by award-winning sommelier Jayton Paul, Michelin’s 2022 Sommelier of the Year.
2. AnnaLena
In the vibrant heart of Kitsilano, Michelin-starred AnnaLena combines playful décor—think toys and quirky collectibles—with a menu that’s all sophistication. The tasting experience is a showcase of expert flavors, featuring dishes like oysters topped with shaved foie gras, hickory-smoked tuna, dry-aged duck breast, and caramelized pear. Recognized as Vancouver Magazine‘s Restaurant of the Year in both 2023 and 2024, AnnaLena continues to redefine culinary creativity, delivering an unforgettable dining experience that’s as whimsical as it is refined.
3. The Acorn
A cozy gem on South Main, The Acorn elevates seasonal produce to new heights. Known for its veggie-forward menu, this restaurant caters to vegans and vegetarians but is beloved by even the most devoted carnivores. The menu changes with the seasons, showcasing standout dishes like the famous beer-battered halloumi, morels with mushroom velouté, and zucchini dressed in a kelp and stinging nettle glaze. Cocktails are crafted with fresh ingredients, while the wine list offers unique biodynamic selections, making The Acorn a must-visit for creative, plant-based dining in Vancouver.
4. St. Lawrence: French-Canadian Flair Among the Best Restaurants in Vancouver
Nestled in Japantown, St. Lawrence brings French-Canadian charm to Vancouver’s dining scene, making it one of the best restaurants in Vancouver. The cozy, rustic décor echoes a small Quebec café, with blue-painted wainscoting and nostalgic Quebecois touches. Chef JC Poirier’s unpretentious dishes feature favorites like grilled Fraser Valley duck, lamb trio, and scallop crudo, all elevated by expert technique. The restaurant’s exclusively French wine list complements the dishes perfectly, but for a down-to-earth touch, try a can of Labatt 50. With courteous service and a relaxed vibe, St. Lawrence offers a distinctive experience among the best restaurants in Vancouver, celebrating simple, satisfying cuisine without the fuss.
5. Step Into Another Era at Kissa Tanto
Hidden on the upper floor of a vintage Chinatown building, Kissa Tanto is among the best restaurants in Vancouver, blending Japanese-Italian flavors in a retro-inspired atmosphere. Modeled after Japan’s 1960s jazz cafés, Kissa Tanto whisks diners away to an era of vinyl records, whiskey, and jazz.
The design—complete with pink vinyl banquettes, Murakami-inspired tilework, and Italian modernist touches—creates an intimate, almost otherworldly experience. The dim lighting and unique low, high-gloss ceiling add to the ambiance, evoking a cozy parlor feel perfect for socializing over inventive, impeccably crafted dishes. As one of the best restaurants in Vancouver, Kissa Tanto offers a distinctive, nostalgic escape in the heart of the city.
6. Bao Bei
Welcome to Bao Bei, a vibrant brasserie nestled in the heart of Chinatown, standing out as one of the best restaurants in Vancouver. While Vancouver boasts an impressive array of traditional Chinese dining options, Bao Bei offers a refreshing modern take that’s anything but old-school. The lively atmosphere, complemented by expertly crafted cocktails, sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.
Must-try dishes include the legendary hand-made potstickers and inventive small plates like chickpea tofu drizzled with roasted walnut sauce. For a showstopper, indulge in the Kick-Ass House-Fried Rice, featuring turmeric and yogurt-marinated rockfish, topped with a delightful salted egg yolk-dusted fish chicharrón. Whether you’re sharing plates with friends or savoring cocktails at the bar, Bao Bei promises a memorable culinary adventure that captures the essence of Vancouver’s diverse food scene.
7. Bar Gobo: A Wine Lover’s Retreat
Bar Gobo is a hidden gem in Vancouver, blending a quiet ambiance with a commitment to hyper-local, seasonal cuisine, making it one of the best restaurants in Vancouver. Conceived by renowned chef Andrea Carlson and wine expert Peter Van de Reep, this intimate spot offers a constantly evolving menu that highlights fresh, local ingredients.
While the wine selection is limited, it’s thoughtfully curated, emphasizing natural wines and skin contact options available by the glass through Coravin, allowing guests to explore diverse flavors. The cocktail menu, crafted by one of the city’s top bartenders, offers expertly executed drinks but takes a backseat to the wine experience. Reservations are recommended for this small venue, but the bar seats are reserved for walk-ins, making it easy to enjoy a glass at one of the best restaurants in Vancouver. Whether you’re dining in or stopping by for a drink, Bar Gobo is sure to impress.
8. Burdock & Co.: A Celebration of Ethical Dining
At Burdock & Co., chef-owner Andrea Carlson showcases the vibrant flavors of British Columbia with a vegetable-focused menu that highlights the region’s finest farmers, foragers, and fishers. Nestled in Mount Pleasant, this restaurant prioritizes ethical ingredients and artisanal cooking techniques, making it one of the best restaurants in Vancouver for conscious diners.
The innovative Moon Menu Series features monthly themes that celebrate seasonal botanicals; for example, the spring menu, titled “Gathering RESINS Under a Budding Moon,” included delectable dishes like braised burdock stuffed with mushrooms, nettle and ricotta ravioli, and BBQ-glazed black cod with fermented spruce tip syrup. With its commitment to sustainability and creativity, Burdock & Co. offers an unforgettable dining experience that truly reflects the essence of British Columbia’s culinary landscape, solidifying its place among the best restaurants in Vancouver.
9. Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar: A Seafood Lover’s Delight
At Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar, located within the Sutton Place Hotel, West Coast seafood takes center stage, making it one of the best restaurants in Vancouver. This casually elegant spot is a favorite among actors filming in the bustling Hollywood North. Helmed by acclaimed chefs Alex Chen and Roger Ma, diners can savor exquisite dishes such as charcoal-grilled sablefish and housemade rigatoni with herb pesto and Puglia’s creamy burrata.
Classic favorites like steak frites also grace the menu, while pastry wizard Chef Kenta Takahashi entices with desserts like salted sesame praline bars and rhubarb crumble. Don’t miss the daily cocktail hour, featuring delightful bites like chorizo-stuffed peppers and lemongrass chicken wings, perfectly paired with a vesper glacé or an espresso martini.
10. Savio Volpe: A Taste of Rustic Italian Charm
Welcome to Savio Volpe, the classic neighborhood osteria that embodies rustic Italian cuisine, proudly ranking among the best restaurants in Vancouver. Here, the menu celebrates simplicity and tradition, featuring house-made pasta, wood-grilled meats, fresh vegetables, and seasonal fish—all crafted with locally sourced ingredients. Dishes are generously served family-style, inviting a communal dining experience that feels like home.
To elevate your meal, pair your selection with a glass from the extensive all-Italian wine list, curated by the talented Kristi Linneboe, named the 2024 Sommelier of the Year by Vancouver Magazine. And don’t forget to save room for dessert; the gelato is a perfect way to end your culinary journey. With its inviting atmosphere and commitment to quality, Savio Volpe is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore the best restaurants in Vancouver.
