When looking into the best restaurants in Vancouver, it’s clear that natural beauty and diverse culinary traditions are the not-so-secret recipe to this city’s one-of-a-kind food scene. Surrounded by stunning landscapes, from soaring mountains to the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is home to some of the freshest seafood in the world. Its rich East Asian food culture, shaped by a large immigrant population, also adds depth and variety to the city’s extensive dining options.
Whether you’re strolling through Granville Island’s bustling food market or enjoying a meal with a view of the water, Vancouver’s culinary options are a feast for the senses. With Taylor Swift choosing this very spot to wrap up her Eras Tour here, it’s clear that Vancouver has so much to offer.
In this post, we’re sharing our personal roundup of the 10 best restaurants in Vancouver that capture the very essence of this gastronomical paradise. Let’s dive in!
10 Best Restaurants in Vancouver
Don’t know where to eat in Vancouver? These are the 10 best restaurants in Vancouver in our opinion, listed in no particular order. You’ll find gems that feature rich Asian cuisines and, you guessed it: lots of seafood. And, since Vancouver has its own Michelin guide, you’ll also find many Michelin-recommended selections. The list features the best Vancouver restaurants downtown, in Kitsilano, Chinatown, and elsewhere around the city.
- Maenam
- The Farmer’s Apprentice
- Karma Indian Bistro
- Yuwa Japanese Cuisine
- Bar Haifa
- Sushi Hil
- Tacofino Hastings Commissary
- Nammos Estiatorio
- Published on Main
- Phnom Penh
1. Maenam
Since 2009, Maenam has been blending authentic Thai flavors with Vancouver’s best local ingredients. Located in the trendy Kitsilano neighborhood, Maenam is one of the top Vancouver, B.C. restaurants due to its Michelin nod and incredible menu. The gem showcases top-tier produce and seafood from nearby waters, elevating traditional dishes to new heights.
Maenam delights with its balance of bold flavors, aromatic spices, and artful presentation. You have to try the chef’s tasting menu, which offers a curated journey through the restaurant’s standout creations. If you’d rather choose your own adventure and need recommendations, pad Thai, rich green curry, spiced ling cod, and crispy rice sausage salad are some of this spot’s most popular dishes.
The restaurant’s warm, contemporary ambiance add to the dining experience, making it perfect for date nights, special occasions, or group dinners.
2. The Farmer’s Apprentice
Are the crowds of tourists at Granville Island too much for you? Are you looking for a more upscale pre-Taylor Swift restaurant? Located just a kilometer from Granville Island in Vancouver’s Fairview neighborhood, the Farmer’s Apprentice brings a unique fusion of French and Asian flavors to the city’s dining scene.
The restaurant has earned a spot on our list of top Vancouver restaurants and Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list for its outstanding quality and value. Known for its ever-changing, seasonal menu, this intimate eatery caters to diverse tastes and has something for everyone. Popular dishes like hawaij roasted cauliflower with red pepper walnut muhammara, and BBQ beef cheek with hazelnut brown butter beef jus and quince relish showcase the kitchen’s creativity. On select weekends, the Basta Barbecue lunch, which is inspired by Tausug-Filipino traditions, is a must-try.
The Farmer’s Apprentice’s cozy atmosphere, enhanced by vinyl records playing in the background, make it ideal for a memorable night out or hosting private events.
3. Karma Indian Bistro
Nestled in Kitsilano, Karma Indian Bistro is another Vancouver Michelin guide Bib Gourmand awardee that delivers great bang for your buck. Renowned for its traditional Indian dishes, the bistro’s menu features many vegetarian options and fantastic flavors.
Not sure where to start? Karma’s signature butter chicken (complemented perfectly by its soft, pillowy naan), tandoori wings, and chili chicken come highly recommended by Yelpers as some of the best food in Vancouver.
The restaurant’s heated patio makes it an inviting spot for year-round dining, while the welcoming ambiance and attentive staff enhance your meal. Karma Indian Bistro stands out for its authentic flavors and a menu that suits all tastes, making it a favorite for both casual meals and special occasions.
4. Yuwa Japanese Cuisine
Yuwa Japanese Cuisine is yet another Michelin-recognized gem situated in Kitsilano. However, this restaurant isn’t just Michelin recommended. It’s also earned spots on Michelin’s lists of best Japanese restaurants and top Vancouver restaurants for seafood, which speaks volumes in a city known for its fresh fish and Asian restaurants.
Yuwa provides an exceptional dining experience with an ever-evolving menu that highlights the freshest seasonal, local seafood. For a truly memorable occasion, book the Kaiseki Course, a seven to eight course culinary journey served at the chef’s table. You can’t go wrong with the a la carte route either. The menu sources its albacore tuna, sea urchin, Dungeness crab, and sablefish from local British Columbian waters.
If someone in your party isn’t a seafood fan, they’ll find plenty on the menu that suits their tastes, like deep-fried chicken kara-age, duck udon soup, and red wine miso stew made with wagyu rib finger and local B.C. nugget potatoes.
The restaurant’s white table cloths give it an upscale feel. However, if you want a more casual meal, while still enjoying some of the best food in Vancouver, sit at the counter and watch the sushi chefs work their magic in the open kitchen.
5. Bar Haifa
There’s nothing like food to bring people together and one of the best Vancouver restaurants downtown is doing just that. Bar Haifa, located in downtown Vancouver (with a sister location in Toronto), is serving up exceptional Middle Eastern cuisine crafted by a Jewish and Palestinian duo. Named after the city where one owner’s father grew up, the restaurant is a tribute to unity and heritage.
The menu features dishes like Nazareth hot chicken, falafel, loaded eggplant stuffed with farro, pine nuts, chilies, and tahini, and a refreshing watermelon and feta salad. Don’t skip dessert – the knafe, a traditional cheesy Middle Eastern sweet, is a must-try. On weekends, the brunch menu shines with dishes like the za’atar tater-tot brisket bowl and Biscoff and strawberry French toast.
With its rich flavors and heartwarming story, Bar Haifa needs to be on your list of must-try Vancouver, B.C. restaurants.
6. Sushi Hil
Still don’t know where to eat in Vancouver? Sushi Hil is yet another local hotspot for seafood. This Mount Pleasant establishment is one of the best Vancouver restaurants for sushi lovers, earning recognition on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list and Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list.
Renowned for its fresh seafood, the restaurant highlights local ingredients like sea urchin (uni) and crispy salmon skin in its signature king B.C. roll. Sushi enthusiasts will also savor specialties such as the bluefin tuna, oyster motoyaki, and king salmon roll.
With its dedication to quality and local ingredients, Sushi Hil earns a spot among the finest Vancouver restaurants for serving up an elevated sushi experience that keeps diners coming back for more.
7. Tacofino Hastings Commissary
Tacofino Hastings Commissary brings West Coast surfer vibes and incredible tacos to Vancouver, earning a nearly five-star rating from more than 1,600 reviews on Google. The local chain originally began as a food truck in Tofino, a beach town known for its laid-back atmosphere. Tacofino now has locations throughout Vancouver, Victoria, and other B.C. cities, but the Commissary holds a special place as its first brick-and-mortar outpost.
The Mexican-inspired menu features fresh, flavorful ingredients, with options like tacos and burritos that satisfy every craving. The Commissary also keeps things exciting with daily specials, like all-day happy hour on Mondays, Taco Tuesday deals, and discounted sangria pitchers on Saturdays.
Whether you’re looking for a quick solo bite, restaurant catering, or a leisurely meal with friends, Tacofino Hastings Commissary is one of the best Vancouver restaurants to enjoy great food and good vibes.
8. Nammos Estiatorio
Tired of the Pacific Ocean and want to be transported to warmer waters? Nammos Estiatorio can do that without the passport and long flight. The restaurant highlights the vibrant flavors of the Aegean Sea, earning its place in the Vancouver Michelin Guide and winning the prestigious Authentic Greek Cuisine Award.
This Kensington-Cedar Cottage restaurant offers a culinary journey to Greece, where traditional dishes meet modern flair. The menu features mouthwatering Greek classics like moussaka, souvlaki, and saganaki. The restaurant’s family-style dishes encourage sharing, making Nammos Estiatorio the perfect setting for gatherings.
Don’t miss the cocktail menu, which combines both classic concoctions and inventive house creations. Try the fraola, a refreshing strawberry-infused tequila cocktail with rhubarb cordial, lemon, and egg white and the Santorini spritz, a light and bubble blend of vodka, kiwi, melon liquor, lemon, and bubbles.
With its elegant-yet-casual ambiance, Nammos Estiatorio is an ideal destination for diners looking up where to eat in Vancouver.
9. Published on Main
While we’ve already shared a lot of Michelin-recognized recommendations with you, Published on Main is the only restaurant on this list that has a Michelin star. In fact, it’s only one of 10 restaurants with a Michelin star in the city, making it objectively one of the best restaurants in Vancouver.
Published on Main elevates Vancouver’s culinary scene with its playful contemporary cuisine. Its menu is a true work of art, as each dish is crafted to please the palate and captivate the eye. Prepare to let your phone eat first, as you won’t want to miss snapping photos of salmon adorned with delicate flower petals or scallops meticulously cut into flower-like shapes.
While this upscale restaurant takes its food seriously, it also has fun. Take for example the Foie Gras Disco Party: thin circular slices of foie gras are paired with colorful beet discs, gingerbread, and burnt orange that result in a kaleidoscope of colors.
With its artistic approach to contemporary cuisine and playful twists on classic ingredients, Published on Main is one of those bucket list Vancouver restaurants you’ll always remember.
10. Phnom Penh
Located in Chinatown, Phnom Penh is a beloved family-run Cambodian-Vietnamese restaurant that has been serving up some of the best food in Vancouver since 1985. Owned by the Huynh family, which fled war-torn Cambodia for Vietnam, and then escaped to Canada, the restaurant is reflective of the immigrant story that has made Vancouver a melting pot of flavors.
Recognized by Michelin Bib Gourmand, Phnom Penh has earned well-deserved attention, inviting tourists to taste what locals have long adored. Just don’t come too hungry, because you’ll likely have to wait for a table at this hotspot.
The extensive menu features standout dishes like Phnom Penh’s famed chicken wings, which have more than 1,000 reviews on Yelp, and are known for their garlicky flavor and lemon pepper sauce. The butter beef – rare beef topped with cilantro – is another crowd pleaser, with 775 Yelp reviews.
Whether you’re a Vancouver local or a tourist, you’ll have an unforgettable meal that captures the heart of the city’s culinary diversity when you visit Phnom Penh.
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Which of these foodie destinations do you want to try next? Narrowing down our list to just the 10 best restaurants in Vancouver was a challenging feat. Did we miss your restaurant? Shoot us a message!
Katherine is the Content Marketing Manager at TouchBistro, where she writes about trending topics in food and restaurants. The opposite of a picky eater, she’ll try (almost) anything at least once. Whether it’s chowing down on camel burgers in Morocco or snacking on octopus dumplings in Japan, she’s always up for new food experiences.
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