13 of the best restaurants in Vancouver

Annabelle Schweineberg

As Assist. Marketing & Communications Manager Annabelle knows the concept of Le Petit Chef like no other. If you have any questions, she is the right person to contact.

The city of Vancouver impresses its visitors in many ways. Vancouver, which is located directly on the coast of the Western Pacific, has mountains that are ideal for skiing as well as a famous skyline. If you get hungry while visiting the city, you can look forward to a wide range of restaurants. See our choice of Vancouver’s best restaurants below.

Tip #1: Blue Water Cafe

Restaurants in Downtown Vancouver have even more highlights to taste: The Blue Water Cafe will satisfy your craving for seafood and give you the best the sea has to offer. You will find the best fish dishes and sushi on the menu, as well as alternatives with and without meat.

You can be sure to notice dishes with rather unknown fish species. While they are considered rather uninteresting by the majority of restaurants, Blue Water Cafe proves the opposite and creates dishes that you have never seen anywhere else.

5 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Le Petit Chef

Continue reading to find out how Le Petit Chef will turn your next evening into an extraordinary experience you’ll be talking about for years to come.

Tip #2: Osteria Savio Volpe

If you’ve just googled “best restaurants Vancouver”, you’ve probably come across Osteria Savio Volpe. As the name suggests, you can look forward to the best, and at the same time simple Italian food at this place.

Those who want to, order the right wine pairing with the meal. The pasta is homemade every day and ingredients such as meat, fish, or poultry are cooked in the wood fired oven to give them that smoky touch!

Inside, the walls are decorated with wood, which gives the entire dining room its special charm.

Tip #3: Gotham Steakhouse

Downtown Vancouver restaurants are very diverse. Next, we would like to introduce you to Gotham Steakhouse in this district. This old-school American chophouse impresses as soon as you enter with its meter-high walls, red accents, intricate carvings, and remarkable art.

Dining here is during lunchtime and in the evening. The menus depend on the time of day, and list well-known steakhouse classics such as Caesar salad, Beef Bourguignon, Porterhouse steak or lamb chops as well as specialties from the sea. A vegan pasta alternative is also offered here.

Tip #4: Chambar Restaurant

You can also look forward to the best food in Vancouver at Chambar Restaurant, which serves European dishes with a focus on Belgian cuisine.

Belgian cuisine, because the owner and head chef of the restaurant, Nico Schuermans, enjoyed excellent training in Belgium to become a top chef.

In his Chambar restaurant, he now offers the finest dishes in a relaxed atmosphere. Belgian beer must not be missed. But it’s not just in the evening that you can enjoy yourself here, as the doors are also open for brunch on weekends!

Tip #5: Alouette Bistro

Another of the top restaurants in Vancouver we have discovered is the Alouette Bistro! The bistro is a restaurant for true gourmets, lovers of French cuisine and all those who are looking for a really stylish place to eat in Vancouver!

French classics are combined with typical British Columbia offerings. In addition to their colorful dishes, they have a stunning cocktail menu, including popular classics as well as other fancy creations.

The drinks do not only taste delicious, but also look incredibly elegant. Breakfast is also served here, but with a more international direction.

5 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Le Petit Chef

Continue reading to find out how Le Petit Chef will turn your next evening into an extraordinary experience you’ll be talking about for years to come.

Tip #6: Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House

Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House is also one of the best restaurants in Vancouver. It is a very large building with a popular terrace on the roof.

The restaurant is named in memory of a famous and beloved Vancouver resident who was a sailor and brought people together with his ideas and support for the city.

This philosophy was an inspiration for the founders of the restaurant, which is why great importance is attached to hospitality and personal service. Various fish dishes are served, of course, but there is also a large selection of meat dishes and steaks.

Tip #7: BOTANIST

Are you looking for an elegant but modern restaurant in Vancouver? Then the Botanist should be on your agenda. This Vancouver restaurant is also recommended by the Michelin Guide.

Let your gaze wander from an elegant, unagitated interior to soothing greenery both inside and out to your culinary highlight on the plate. The menu features dishes from the Pacific Northwest coast.

If you like, you can enjoy a delicious drink with a tempting aroma. If you already have plans for the evening, you can also make a reservation for brunch or lunch.

Tip #8: AnnaLena

If you want to celebrate a special occasion or simply want to taste or experience top-class gastronomy, we recommend looking out for a Michelin-starred restaurant in Vancouver.

We particularly remember AnnaLena for offering a multi-course tasting menu, always tailored to the season and local suppliers. If you like, you can choose a corresponding wine pairing to perfection. After dinner fresh cocktails can be ordered from the bar.

On its website, the restaurant advises diners to report any allergies or intolerances before making a reservation.

Tip #9: Cardero’s Restaurant

A search for “Vancouver restaurant” yields many results. But only a few of them have such a beautiful view as Cardero’s Restaurant on Coal Harbour. A jetty leads you to the entrance of the wooden building, surrounded by yachts and small boats.

The interior of the restaurant is also characterized by wood, which creates a cosy atmosphere. The menu presents a good selection of fish and shellfish dishes, meat dishes and tasty vegetarian alternatives, being offered at lunchtime and in the evening.

A special highlight is the live music that plays on site every day. On Sundays, the restaurant offers a brunch option in addition to lunch. Whereas on Sunday evenings, a prime rib dinner can also be enjoyed here.

Tip #10: Nightingale

Nightingale is another very good restaurant in Coal Harbor! The heart of the restaurant is a wood-fired oven, where some dishes are cooked, such as Neapolitan-style pizza.

Nevertheless, pasta and colorful salads can be found on the menu as well. The restaurant attaches great importance to the regional origin of its ingredients, and has therefore already been recognized as one of the best farm-to-table restaurants in Canada.

The ambience of the restaurant is very elegant. They have an impressive bar where they offer a wide variety of cocktails.

Also, noteworthy is the large selection of wines and the fact that you can ask the restaurant’s sommelier for advice on the right wine. They actively encourage you to try a wide selection of dishes in family style with your family or group of friends.

Tip #11: Five Sails

Five Sails is a fine dining restaurant in Vancouver that not only has a lot to offer for the taste buds but also for the eyes, as it is located on the city’s coastline.

Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of Stanley Park, Coal Harbour, Vancouver’s North Shore, the Lion’s Gate Bridge, and the ski slopes while you dine.

This top Vancouver restaurant is open for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, with a choice of à la carte or a tasting menu. The cuisine is focused on modern fine dining with European influences.

Tip #12: Published on Main

Published on Main offers a large selection of dishes, designed to be enjoyed and shared amongst friends.

This contemporary restaurant with a focus on local and sustainable ingredients sourced from regional farms is a great place to enjoy some upscale food in Vancouver.

Tip #13: Caffé La Tana

A menu full of small plates and pasta to share, as well as an all-Italian wine list of much-loved and lesser-known varieties, can be found at Caffé La Tana’s. The small collection of cocktails, grappa and amari is perfect to start, finish and make the most of the evening.

We recommend giving Caffé La Tana’s whipped ricotta crostino or vodka pasta a try as well!

Our selection of restaurants is based, among other things, on the editorial team’s individual preferences and on reviews on the internet. Please contact the respective provider directly for information on reservations and prices. The pictures come from the restaurants listed. All Information is provided without guarantee!