Restaurants in Vancouver
One of Canada's most cosmopolitan cities, eating out in
Vancouver is something of an event and is a popular pastime for
many locals. With eateries of just about every nationality, you can
be sure to find something to suit your taste while dining out in
Vancouver. Many restaurants offer tapas-style tasting plates to
share, so you can be adventurous.
With a strong emphasis on British, French and Chinese cuisine,
the food in Vancouver is generally quite international with a few
specialities waiting to be discovered. Fish like salmon, halibut
and Atlantic cod are popular, as well as wild game such as venison,
which can be found on most menus. Salt-cured fish, beef and pork
are also something to be experienced. Those with a sweet tooth
should try the decadent Nanaimo bar, a local dessert which
comprises a wafer crumb-based layer, topped by a layer of custard
or vanilla butter icing, covered in chocolate.
Most of Vancouver's best restaurants are situated around the
West End, downtown, Yaletown and Gastown areas. Most restaurants
require reservations and it is customary to tip waiters around 15%
as no service charge is added to restaurant bills.
Renowned for its excellent service and modern French cuisine,
Lumiére is one of Canada's fine dining hotspots. Soft
lighting and crisp white tablecloths set the elegant ambiance,
where sophisticated food and wine take the limelight. With chefs
like Dale Mackay from the famed Gordon Ramsay restaurants creating
magic, patrons are assured gastronomic excellence. Voted Best
Restaurant and Best French Restaurant by Vancouver Magazine and
recipient of Dine Out Vancouver's 2008 Best Service award,
Lumiére is a sure bet. For some wine tasting and small eats
head next door to the cosy Tasting Bar and sample some
heart-warming Butternut Squash Risotto with Regianno Parmesan or
Macaroni and Cheese with four cheeses and double smoked Irish
bacon. Open from 5.30pm to 10pm, and until 11pm on weekends.
Address: 2551 West Broadway
E-mail: info@lumiere.ca
Telephone: (604) 739 8185
| Brix Restaurant |
$$$$$ | International |
Offering a warm ambiance and a diverse menu to complement its
urban environment, patrons at Brix can sample anything from a Four
Cheese Cannelloni stuffed with spinach and sundried tomato,
chipotle roma tomato sauce and a yellow pepper puree to Quebec
Wentzel Duck, cinnamon seared and drizzled with a cracked pepper
blueberry demi glace. Accommodating night owls, Brix also offers a
gratifying late night menu comprising of spring rolls, Seven Spice
Seared Ahi Tuna and oven baked pizza with Chorizo sausage, black
tiger shrimp, fresh pineapple and the likes. Ideal for dinner with
friends or a romantic date. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Address: 1138 Homer Street
Telephone: (604) 915 9463
| Glowbal Grill and Satay Bar |
$$$$$ | International |
Situated in the trendy Yaletown, the Glowbal Grill and Satay Bar
serves inventive and delicious cuisine in a stylish yet
sophisticated setting. With the option of formal fine dining on
white linen tablecloths or funky dining, this restaurant caters to
a variety of people. Try the Kobe meatballs with truffled spaghetti
or the Seven-spiced rare Ahi tuna, and round off with the warm
Brazilian chocolate coffee cake or the Maple Macadamia nut flan.
Reservations are recommended.
Address: 1079 Mainland St.
E-mail: info@glowbalgrill.com
Telephone: +1 604 602 0835
| Blue Water Café |
$$$$$ | Seafood |
Serving the largest selection of oysters, lobsters and prawns as
well as delicious steak, the Blue Water Café is frequented
by many celebrities, both local and international. With elegant
décor and flawless service it's no wonder this restaurant is
perfect when trying to impress a date or business associate. Try
the White Sturgeon with red beet agro dolce, pumpernickel crust,
chioggia beets and cauliflower puree, or the Beef Tenderloin served
with porcini mushrooms, green chard and macaroni gratin with blue
cheese. Reservations are recommended. The restaurant is open from
5pm till 11pm, with the Late Menu available till midnight.
Address: 1095 Hamilton St
E-mail: info@bluewatercafe.net
Telephone: +1 604 688 8078
| Lupo |
$$$$$ | International |
Nestled away in an old mansion located in downtown Vancouver's
Yaletown district, this stylish Italian eatery evokes a 1930s charm
and sophistication while serving delicious, inventive and expertly
presented dishes. Try the Osso Buco, Filetto di samone or the
Filetto di manzo Con porcini. You won't be disappointed. Lupo is
open daily for dinner. Reservations are recommended.
Address: 869 Hamilton St
E-mail: info@luporestaurant.ca
Telephone: +1 604 569 2535
| Seasons in the Park |
$$$$$ | Modern Eclectic |
Wraparound windows afford stunning views of downtown Vancouver
and the surrounding mountains at this sophisticated Canadian
restaurant in Queen Elizabeth Park. Serving up tasty food at
reasonable prices, Seasons in the Park is a Vancouver gem for both
locals and foreigners. Try the Miso Soy Marinated Black Cod
drizzled with pineapple chive vinaigrette and served with jasmine
rice, and for dessert the much-loved Sunburnt Lemon Tart is a must.
Dinner reservations offer views of the twinkling city lights and at
lunch you can admire the leafy park and snow-capped mountains from
the circular patio.
Address: Queen Elizabeth Park. West 33rd Ave and Main Street
Telephone: (604) 874 8008
| Bistro Pastis |
$$$$$ | Café |
A friendly bistro donning classic white tableclothes and
offering one of Vancouver's largest wine selections by the glass,
Bistro Pastis is a great venue for a business lunch, after work
drink or dinner with friends. A crackling fireplace creates a cosy
atmosphere complimented by classic bistro fare with a contemporary
twist, such as Moules et Frites, Traditional Coq au vin and Steak
Tartare. As in any bistro in France there is a Plats du jour option
and menus change regularly. Bistro Pastis is open for lunch and
dinner Tuesday to Sunday, and brunch on weekends.
Address: 2153 W 4th Avenue
Telephone: (604) 731 5020
| Pasparos Taverna |
$$$$$ | Mediterranean |
A charming Greek restaurant serving good no-fuss Greek food,
Pasparos Taverna is a great place to meet with family and friends.
A family business operating since 1974, Pasparos offers a warm
atmosphere and mouth-watering homemade Greek cuisine, just as you'd
find in Greece. With warm fresh breads, dolmades, roast lamb,
superb Tzatziki, Avgolemono soup and a selection of souvlakia
(kebabs), patrons are spoilt for choice. Combine that with
top-notch service and a good Greek winelist (wine by the glass
included) and you have all the ingredients for a successful
restaurant. Open Monday to Friday for lunch, and daily for
dinner.
Address: 132 West 3rd Street
E-mail: info@pasparos.com
Telephone: (604) 980 0331
| Guu with Garlic |
$$$$$ | Japanese |
One of Vancouver's best dining experiences, Guu with Garlic is
part of a unique Japanese Tapas chain that is taking the city by
storm. With a perfect ration of small portioned dishes at
affordable prices, patrons can sample a handful of different dishes
before getting full or feeling the weight on their wallet. The open
kitchen and cheerful waiters add to the electric mood, as do the
exotic cocktails and experimental drinks. Recommended dishes
include the duck salad, assorted carpaccio, baked oysters, prawns
and calamari. Don't miss the daily specials sheet on loose-leaf
paper with even more delectable dishes. Open daily for dinner,
reservations are recommended.
Address: 1698 Robson Street
Telephone: (604) 685 8678
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