Last Updated on April 20, 2023 by admin
Vancouver BC is a foodie’s paradise. As a coastal city, Vancouver BC has fresh seafood, strong coffee, and an international presence. One of the things we really appreciate about eating in Vancouver is that there is an emphasis on using sustainable food practices. During our many trips to Vancouver, we’ve noticed three culinary areas that especially stand out:
- Spectacular seafood: Much of the seafood is sourced fresh from the Pacific Ocean using sustainable fishing practices.
- Local ingredients: The menus consistently highlight local seasonal ingredients, and there are indigenously-owned restaurants that feature traditional indigenous dishes.
- Asian cuisine: Over 40% of the population in Vancouver has some Asian heritage, and thus there are numerous restaurants that serve up delicious Asian dishes like dim sum, sushi, pho, ramen, and more.
We’ve done a lot of research on where to eat in Vancouver, and we’re excited to share with you our ultimate list of places to eat in Vancouver. We have separated the list into four categories: our favorite restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and desserts in Vancouver BC.
(Featured image above is from Lee’s Donuts. We highly recommend you make it there to try their donuts!)
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Map of the Best Restaurants in Vancouver BC
We created the map below to help you find each of the locations we mention in this guide.
32 Best Restaurants in Vancouver BC
Salmon n’ Bannock | $$
1128 W Broadway #7, Vancouver, BC V6H 1G5, Canada
We highly recommend that you head to Salmon n’ Bannock to try local indigenous cuisine. The restaurant is Vancouver’s only indigenous-owned and indigenous-operated restaurant. Their staff currently are members of the following First Nations groups: Long Plain, Maori, Muskoday, Musqueum, Nuxalk, Ojibway, Secwepmc, Squamish and Ts’msyen. Bannock is a traditional bread that is covered with delicious toppings. This restaurant also serves candied salmon, which is salmon candied with maple syrup.
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Japadog | $
530 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2B7, Canada
A unique food that you have to try while in Vancouver is Japadog. It’s the perfect fusion between street hot dogs and Japanese cuisine. Japadog was even featured on Anthony Bourdain’s show No Reservations. (You can watch a clip from the episode too!) The idea for Japadog came about when the only street food that was allowed in Vancouver was hot dogs. The owners decided to sell hot dogs, but they would make their own unique spin on it by integrating their cultural heritage.
We decided to try Japadog during one of our recent visits to Vancouver BC. We ordered two different hot dogs so we could try their flavors. We ordered the Kurobuta Terimayo, which is their most popular hot dog. The Kurobuta Terimayo is a hot dog made from Kurobuta pork and topped with teriyaki sauce, seaweed, fried onions, and their Japanese mayo. It was so delicious! We also ordered the Oroshi. The Oroshi is a pork bratwurst topped with daikon radish, green onions, and a special soy sauce. I really enjoyed that hot dog! When you visit Vancouver BC, we highly recommend that you try out this tasty fusion food! There are several Japadog stands throughout the city, so they are easily accessible.
Blue Water Cafe | $$$$
1095 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5T4, Canada
If you want to try some of Vancouver’s best seafood, make reservations at the Blue Water Cafe. The restaurant focuses on sustainable seafood. They have a raw bar menu which includes oysters, caviar, ceviche, and seafood towers. Their main dishes include things like scallops, lobster, and locally-sourced fish.
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Fritz European Fry House | $
718 Davie Street Vancouver, BC V6Z 1B6 Canada
Make sure that you try poutine while you’re in Vancouver, which is one of Canada’s signature dishes. Poutine is essentially french fries topped with gravy and cheese curds. We’ve tried poutine at a lot of places, and we think that Fritz European Fry House has some of the best poutine in Canada. The shop is located near Yaletown, so it has a very convenient location. On the weekends they are open late. When we were on the way back to our hotel one evening, we stopped at Fritz, and it was the perfect place to go for a late-night snack before heading back to your hotel. The poutine gravy was rich and the cheese curds were gooey. The french fries were crisp, and we were super satisfied!
¿Cómo? Taperia | $$
201 E 7th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5T 0B4, Canada
I have a soft spot for tapas because I lived in Spain for a semester in college. This restaurant has even incorporated some of the cultural elements of Spanish life by offering one free tapas with a drink purchase during happy hour.
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Hawksworth Restaurant | $$$$
801 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1P7, Canada
This restaurant is a must-try while you’re in Vancouver. It’s won numerous awards, including Best Upscale Restaurant by Vancouver Magazine. At the time of this writing, their menu contains dishes like scallop & crispy pork belly (plum chutney, butternut squash, brussels) and halibut (manila clam, snape peas, velouté). This restaurant is consistently featured in articles on best restaurants in Vancouver.
Medina Cafe | $$
780 Richards St, Vancouver, BC V6B 3A4, Canada
This is the place to go for brunch. They serve Liège Style Waffles with unique toppings such as white chocolate pistachio rosewater, fig orange marmalade, or milk chocolate lavender. They also serve brunch dishes such as fricassée, frittata, and the Wolves Breakfast (poached egg, flatiron steak, bacon, sausages, and pickles).
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Fortune Terrace Chinese Cuisine | $$$
6200 River Rd #130, Richmond, BC V7C 0B1, Canada
Just south of downtown Vancouver is the suburb of Richmond, which has a high concentration of excellent Asian restaurants. The dim sum at Fortune Terrace Chinese Cuisine is highly recommended. At the time of this writing, some of their dim sum offerings include gold leaf poplar nectar parfait and steamed shrimp and lobster dumplings. It’s definitely worth getting out of the metro area to visit this restaurant.
PiDGiN Restaurant | $$$
350 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2J3, Canada
This restaurant presents dishes that are a fusion of French and Asian flavors. The fun thing about this restaurant is that they have a prix-fixe tasting menu that is always changing. Currently their prix-fixe menu contains dishes such as an elk striploin (chanterelle mushrooms, rapini with pork braise reduction, hatcho miso, coffee celeriac puree, and red wine jus) and carrot cake (yuzu curd, hazelnut crumb, and candied carrot). The photo below is of a dish that contains Korean rice cakes, gochujang bolognese, and spiced hazelnut. We can’t wait to try it during our next visit!
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Sashimiya | $$
1348 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1W5, Canada
Looking for a delicious meal on the go? Sashimiya is a sushi spot that exclusively sells grab-and-go sushi. They offer super fresh sushi and sashimi selections daily.
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Yolks | $$
1598 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V5L 1S5, Canada
Yolks is famous for their egg benedicts. If this is one of your favorite breakfast dishes, you have to head to Yolks to try things like the buttermilk fried chicken eggs benedict or the grilled asparagus and double cream brie eggs benedict.
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Miku Vancouver | $$$
200 Granville St #70, Vancouver, BC V6C 1S4, Canada
This sushi restaurant has waterfront views. This restaurant specializes in gourmet Aburi cuisine. (Aburi means “flame seared.”) This restaurant consistently is receiving press for its excellent menu. If you love sushi, be sure to stop here. (We recommend that you dress up and make reservations.)
Chambar | $$$
568 Beatty St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2L3, Canada
With a warm environment and an excellent menu, Chambar is the perfect place to go for a nice meal. They have both a brunch and a dinner menu. (Their cocktail menu is also quite impressive.) Currently on their menu they have three different mussels dishes (congolaise, coquotte, and vin blanc).
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Camy’s Pizza | $
5688 Fraser St, Vancouver, BC V5W 2Z4, Canada
Another unique food item to try while in Vancouver is Indian-Pizza fusion. At Camy’s Pizza, you can try their Butter Chicken Pizza or their Shahi Paneer Pizza.
Jam Cafe | $$
556 Beatty St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2L3, Canada
This is another place you need to go for brunch. We even included it in our two-day Vancouver itinerary. Many of their recipes are inspired by the South, so expect to see fried chicken and cornbread on the menu. Their cinnamon bun pancakes look amazing.
“Jam Cafe Vancouver” by dronepicr is licensed under CC BY 2.0
The Farmer’s Apprentice | $$
1535 W 6th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 1R1, Canada
The Farmer’s Apprentice focuses on consciously sourced ingredients. Because of this, their menu is constantly changing. (So it’s fun to visit there many times!) As an example, currently on their menu is a 21-day dry aged duck breast with olive chickpea panisse.
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Botanist | $$$
1038 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 0B9, Canada
Pacific Northwest ingredients are the star of the show at Botanist. For example, currently on the menu is a pan seared sablefish with foraged mushrooms, legumes, shishito peppers, and aragosta. They also have a We’ll Take It From Here menu currently priced at $118 CAD per person.
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Downlow Chicken Shack | $$
905 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 2H2, Canada
Fried chicken is probably one of our favorite foods ever, and the staff at Downlow Chicken Shack know what they are doing. They only use fresh chicken (never frozen) and they use all natural ingredients. We visited Downlow Chicken Shack during our last trip to Vancouver BC. This was the one restaurant we drove to because we specifically wanted to try their chicken sandwiches. We were super impressed with their food. The fried chicken sandwich was crispy and delicious. We’ve been craving Downlow Chicken Shack ever since we left Vancouver!
Chancho Tortilleria | $
560 Davie St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2G4, Canada
This Mexican restaurant in the Yaletown neighborhood features tacos, tortillas, and bebidas. They make homemade tortillas daily from nixtamal masa. They import corn from small, independent Mexican farmers.
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Fat Mao Noodles | $$
217 E Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1Z6, Canada
Noodles always sound good. At Fat Mao Noodles, they have Shanghai Wide Noodles, Wonton Noodles, Pho Rice Noodles, Clear Rice Sheet Noodles, and Vermicelli Noodles.
“Fab Fat Mao mapo tofu, duck noodles and cold noodles! So lucky! Thanks!” by roland is licensed under CC0 1.0
Vij’s | $$$
3106 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2W2, Canada
A little south of downtown Vancouver you will find Vij’s. This is one of the best Indian restaurants in Vancouver. Their menu currently features dishes like coconut chicken curry and tamarind chicken.
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Teahouse in Stanley Park | $$
7501 Stanley Park Dr, Vancouver, BC V6G 1Z4, Canada
Every time we visit Vancouver, we love to spend an afternoon in Stanley Park. While you’re there, check out the Teahouse. Their elegant dining room is the perfect place to unwind after an active day in the park. Currently they are offering dishes like lobster bisque and crab & shrimp crusted halibut.
The Flying Pig | $$
The Flying Pig is a restaurant in the Yaletown neighborhood of Vancouver. We’ve been to The Flying Pig twice, and each time were were super satisfied with the food. We think it’s the perfect place for a date night! The restaurant has a good selection of appetizers, entrees, and side dishes. During our last visit, we ordered several sides for our meal. The Lobster and Prawn Risotto and the Truffle Mac & Cheese were our two favorite side dishes! They were so delicious.
Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio | $$$$
1600 Howe St #2, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2L9, Canada
Another excellent option for a seafood meal is Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio. You can order fresh oysters on ice with spicy ponzu, scallop and lime shooters, and lobster and shrimp risotto. (Just to name a few tasty items from their menu.) In 2020, they received the bronze award from Vancouver Magazine for Best Seafood.
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Forage | $$
1300 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1C5, Canada
This restaurant focuses on local farmers, fishers, and foragers. If you want to try local ingredients, this is the place you should go. On Wednesdays and Thursdays they offer a four-course tasting menu for $45 CAD per person. (Must be reserved in advance.) They offer breakfast, brunch, and dinner menus. Their bar also offers beer and wine flights. What’s not to love?
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Bao Bei | $$$
163 Keefer St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1X4, Canada
Bao Bei is a Chinese Brasserie located in Vancouver’s Chinatown. The name Bao Bei means “precious.” In 2017, Vancouver Magazine awarded it as the Best of Chinatown. For larger parties (between 5 to 8 people), they book the family table for a customized tasting menu.
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The Acorn | $$$
3995 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3P3, Canada
The Acorn is a vegan-friendly restaurant. Their chef’s menu is a multi-course tasting, and they also offer entrees a-la-carte.
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Savio Volpe | $$$
615 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5T 3K5, Canada
This is one of Vancouver’s nicest Italian restaurants. They accept online reservations for up to 6 guests per table. Their “Alla Famiglia” menu is $69 CAD per person and they will customize a dinner menu for your party. Their dinner menu consists of antipasti, insalata, and pasta, along with some mouthwatering entrees. Their acquerello risotto with wild chanterelle and lobster mushrooms with pecorino sounds delicious.
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Dynasty Seafood Restaurant | $$$
108-777 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4J7, Canada
Another excellent restaurant for seafood! They recommend that you book reservations early. In 2018 they were voted “Best Dim Sum” by Vancouver Magazine. For dinner, they have items like deep fried crab claw stuffed with shrimp paste and braised whole Australian abalone.
“Image” by T.Tseng is licensed under CC BY 2.0
New Town Bakery and Restaurant | $
After visiting the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden one afternoon, we walked a short distance to try out the steamed buns at New Town Bakery and Restaurant. We ordered several different flavors, and they were all mouth-watering!
Kissa Tanto | $$$
263 E Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1T8, Canada
The cool thing about this restaurant is that it is a fusion between Italian and Japanese cuisine. At this restaurant, you can find items such as whole fried fish with daikon soy dipping sauce and tajarin with butter, roasted mushrooms, and miso cured yolk.
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Gyu-Kaku Japaenese BBQ | $$
888 Nelson St g3, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2H1, Canada
This is an under-the-radar Japanese BBQ restaurant that we visited four years ago and are still raving about. We stumbled upon it completely by accident. We smelled something delicious, and we just followed our noses to their restaurant. Their beef garlic noodles were my favorite!
Ramen DANBO | $
1333 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1C6, Canada
This place is popular! Ramen DANBO serves up mouthwatering ramen noodles that are perfect for a rainy, blustery day in Vancouver. They also offer both a regular menu and a vegan menu, so there’s no excuse not to run over there and try their ramen.
Granville Island Public Market
1689 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9, Canada
We wrote a whole article about what we loved about Granville Island Public Market. But, this list would not be complete without mentioning the market! Take the Aquabus to Granville Island for a memorable trip to the market. The market contains over 50 vendors. We recommend that you arrive hungry and sample items as you browse through the market. One of our favorite vendors was Lee’s Donuts.
8 Best Bars in Vancouver BC
Uva Wine & Cocktail Bar | $$
900 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC V6B 0A8, Canada
This wine bar features wines, of course, but also ciders, beers, and cocktails. Indulge in one of their wine flights (either red or white). We recommend that you visit during their aperitivo hour.
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Granville Island Brewing | $
1441 Cartwright St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R7, Canada
Head to Granville Island so that you can go to Granville Island Brewing. (You may have already seen their craft beers around town.) Purchase a beer flight so you can try several of their craft beers.
The Liberty Distillery | $
1494 Old Bridge St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3S6, Canada
If spirits are more your style, then The Liberty Distillery (also on Granville Island) is the place to go. They sell vodka, gin, and whiskey. In addition to craft cocktails, you can choose between three different flights for tastings: The Liberty Flight, The Gin Flight, and The Whiskey Flight.
Brewhall | $
97 E 2nd Ave, Vancouver, BC V5T 1B3, Canada
Brewhall is a large craft brewery and beerhall. It really feels like a community space, because there are large picnic tables and games to play. They have a happy hour menu, restaurant, and beer store.
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Main Street Brewing Co. | $
261 E 7th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5T 0B8, Canada
The Main Street Brewing Co. is a craft brewery with a tasting room. (You can read their now pouring menu here.) They have a set of core beers, a vacation series, an IPA space series, seasonals, collector’s beers, and collaborations. There’s a lot to try!
PiDGiN Restaurant | $$$
350 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2J3, Canada
We already mentioned PiDGiN for their food, but their cocktail menu is pretty spectacular too. For instance, right now they are serving up the One Eyed Samurai (watermelon infused tequila, sake, lemon, egg white, orange blossom, and watermelon granite). They also have a cocktail tasting flight.
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The Diamond | $$$
6 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1E9, Canada
An entire section of their menu is dedicated to Old Fashioneds. They have a happy hour form 6-7:30pm. And Tuesday through Sunday they sell cocktail kits to-go. Now that’s a fun idea for a date night!
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Ancora Waterfront Dining | $$$$
1600 Howe St #2, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2L9, Canada
We already mentioned Ancora as a great restaurant, but they also have some really impressive cocktails. We’re also digging the fact that they have a scotch flight.
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9 Best Coffee Shops in Vancouver BC
Revolver | $$
325 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2N4, Canada
This is one of the best coffee shops in Vancouver. I only recently started drinking coffee (which is surprising for someone raised in Seattle!), but now I want to go back to Vancouver so I can try their espresso flight.
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Prototype Coffee | $$
883 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1R8, Canada
This microroastery serves only the best coffee beans that have been ethically sourced. Because they roast their coffee in small batches, they have over 14 different types of coffee on any given day. They do all of their roasting in their tasting room, so you really get to see the whole process. (Plus it smells heavenly.) Did we mention they also sell waffle donuts? They’re donuts pressed in a waffle iron with lots of different toppings and icings to choose from.
“chocolate waffle doughnut ! IMG_3318” by roland is licensed under CC0 1.0
Nemesis Coffee Gastown | $$
302 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2N4, Canada
Another beautiful coffee shop to go to for latte art. They aspire to be a cultural hub that promotes creativity. They also have an impressive pastry case and brunch menu.
Petit Ami | $
689 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9, Canada
This coffee shop is located inside Granville Island Public Market. Their coffee is roasted locally in small batches. (Hint: Get the chocolate whipped cream to top your coffee.)
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Granville Island Tea Company Ltd. | $
1689 Johnston St #117, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9, Canada
Also located on Granville Island is the Granville Island Tea Company Ltd. If tea if more your thing, this is the place to go in Vancouver. They have over 200 types of tea. They sell their tea leaves or they can make you a custom cup. They even offer free samples in the afternoon.
Harken Coffee | $
338 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1G4, Canada
Harken Coffee was voted the Best New Coffee Shop in 2020 by Vancouver Coffee Snob. They have a full menu designed for pourover and aeropress options. Note that they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The Chinese Tea Shop | $
101 E Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1T6, Canada
This teashop is located in Chinatown and focuses on Chinese teas. The owner travels to China every year to sample new teas in person. He has curated an impressive shop filled with the highest quality Chinese teas.
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Modus Coffee Roasting Company | $
112 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1P1, Canada
Timbertrain Coffee Roasters | $
311 W Cordova St, Vancouver, BC V6B 4K2, Canada
This coffee shop in the Gastown neighborhood has a train theme. Not only do they sell excellent coffee, but you can also sign up for one of their classes. They provide classes on latte art, cuppings (to distinguish differences in taste notes), home brewing, and home espresso 101. (If you were gifted an espresso machine and have no idea how to use it, it’s probably worth checking out their class!) I’ve always been amazed at how baristas make latte art, so I think that would be a pretty cool class too.
“Timbertrain’s cool coffee kit” by Bex.Walton is licensed under CC BY 2.0
12 Best Dessert Shops in Vancouver BC
This section is dedicated to all of the best bakeries, ice creams, and candies in Vancouver BC.
La Casa Gelato | $$
1033 Venables St, Vancouver, BC V6A 3R9, Canada
One of my favorite parts about visiting Italy is going to the gelato shops. In Rome, we went to a shop that had dozens of flavors. La Casa Gelato will basically transport you to Italy, because their gelateria has hundreds of flavors to choose from. Currently they have 238 flavors in their store! As of 2019, they hold the Guinness World Record for “Most Commercially Available Flavors.” You’ll definitely find unique flavors and have a good time when you visit La Casa Gelato.
“la casa gelato” by Kristina Shelden is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Popina Canteen | $$
1691 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9, Canada
Already well-known for their fried chicken sandwiches and burgers, Popina Canteen is also home to an amazing dessert creation: The Puffcream. The Puffcream is made with a natural soft serve ice cream in a freshly baked cream puff.
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Lee’s Donuts | $
1689 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9, Canada
One of the major vendors at Granville Island Public Market is Lee’s Donuts. There’s almost always a line for these delicious donuts, which speaks to their popularity. The Honey Dip is their most popular donut. When Seth Rogan visited, his favorite was the Jelly Filled. Their complete donut menu is listed here. When we visited in 2019, we tried two donuts and thought they were definitely worth the hype! Next time we go to Vancouver, we are bringing home a whole box! (Did I mention that donuts are my favorite food?)
Bon Macaron Patisserie | $
1689 Johnston St #545, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9, Canada
This patisserie is filled with dozens of beautifully-decorated macarons with lots of yummy flavors. Some of their current flavors include Jackfruit, Peanut Butter & Bananas, and Paprika Chocolate. (Their full menu is listed here.) They even have a separate workshop space where they offer classes on how to make this traditional French dessert.
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ChocolaTas | $
1689 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9, Canada
You might be noticing a trend, but a lot of these dessert shops are located on Granville Island. If you haven’t read our post on Granville Island Public Market, be sure to check it out! It’s a foodie’s paradise. At ChocolaTas, you can experience artisan chocolates. Their counter is filled with beautiful chocolate bites of the highest quality.
Grand Maple Gifts | $$
1046 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1A7, Canada
Vancouver is famous for its maple syrup, and you can buy maple candies at Grand Maple Gifts. These are also a fun souvenir to bring home for loved ones.
Uncle Tetsu’s Japanese Cheesecake | $$
1151 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1B5, Canada
Uncle Testsu’s Japanese Cheesecake started in Japan and there is a shop in Vancouver. The cheesecake has a “mellow and creamy” flavor.
“Uncle Tetsu Metrotown” by GoToVan is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Crackle Creme | $$
245 Union St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2B2, Canada
This shop is devoted to making artisan crème brûlée and authentic Belgian liège waffles. They make small batch crème brûlée in a variety of flavors, including Tahitian Vanilla Bean, Pandan Coconut, and Honey Lavender. They also have options infused with alcohols such as Bailey’s Irish Cream liqueur, bourbon, or Guinness. (And they even have a vegan option!) If crème brûlée is one of your favorite desserts, be sure to stop by Crackle Creme. Because they are packaged in glass jars, they’re also super easy to pick up for a date night at home or a picnic.
Purebread | $$
159 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1H5, Canada
You have to visit this bakery while you are in Vancouver. It’s been featured on the Food Network and the New York Times. Pretty much any pastry you get there will be divine.
Mister Artisan Ice Cream | $$
1141 Mainland St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5P2, Canada
What’s unique about Mister Artisan Ice Cream is that they use liquid nitrogen for a “richer, creamier, denser” ice cream. Their perfectly square ice cream sandwiches are especially popular. We ordered a S’mores Ice Cream Bar, and watched them take a torch to brown the marshmallow that covered the ice cream. We also tried the Crème Brûlée Sammie, and watched them take the torch to caramelize the sugar. Both ice cream treats were so unique and absolutely delicious. We visited Mister Artisan Ice Cream on a cold day, but it was absolutely worth it because the dessert was out of this world!
Cartems Donuts | $
534 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1V3, Canada
This donut shop has a cult following. One look at their menu, and we can see why. We are definitely getting donuts here on our next trip to Vancouver. Their Smoked Maple Walnut donut is topped with a homemade maple glaze and spiced walnuts. Their apple fritters also look amazing. It’s definitely a place we will need to visit more than once.
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Nana’s Green Tea | $$
2135 W 41st Ave, Vancouver, BC V6M 1Z6, Canada
Try Matcha Soft Serve or a Matcha Shiratama Parfait (matcha pudding, ice cream, red bean paste, and mochi balls). Or, you could order a Matcha Shiratama Float (matcha ice cream and mochi balls). They also sell frappes and lattes!
What to Pack for Your Trip to Vancouver
We recommend that you pack the following items when you travel to Vancouver BC:
- Packable rain jacket
- Comfortable daypack
- Portable charger (so your cell phone doesn’t run out battery)
- Insulated water bottle
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Flannel shirt
Where to Stay in Vancouver BC
In previous trips, we’ve stayed at the Residence Inn Vancouver Downtown (by Marriott). We really liked this hotel because it was centrally located and walkable to everything. We also were glad to have our own kitchenettes to store food and heat up leftovers.
Another hotel to consider is the Opus Vancouver, which is a trendy boutique hotel with brightly colored rooms. (Perfect for an Instagram shot!) It’s located in the Yaletown neighborhood.
If you have the budget, one of the best hotels in Vancouver BC is the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. The hotel has the nickname “castle in the city”, so you know it’s fancy. The hotel recently completed a $75 million renovation, so it is nothing short of spectacular.
The Pan Pacific Vancouver is a luxury hotel located near Canada Place. The hotel has waterfront views and is still walkable to downtown attractions.
We also recommend that you look into the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver. This hotel has a rooftop hot tub with views of the city, a casino, and lots of dining options. We stayed there during our last trip to Vancouver, and the views from our room were absolutely spectacular!
For a full list of hotels in Vancouver BC, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What food is Vancouver BC famous for?
Vancouver is known for its food, and so there are a lot of different foods that are famous within the city. The city is especially known for its seafood (crab, salmon, and oysters), its Asian cuisine (sushi, ramen, dim sum), maple-flavored everything, bannock (an indigenous bread), and poutine (french fries with gravy and cheese curds).
Does Vancouver have good restaurants?
Absolutely! Some of the places we highly recommend are Japadog, Blue Water Cafe, Fritz European Fry House, The Flying Pig, Hawksworth, Jam Cafe, and Salmon n’ Bannock.
Does Vancouver have any Michelin Star restaurants?
There are currently no Michelin Star restaurants in Vancouver BC.
What are some must-try foods in Vancouver?
Here’s our list of foods to try while in Vancouver:
- Japadog (hot dogs meets Japanese toppings)
- Butterchicken pizza (fusion between Indian and pizza)
- Dim sum (especially in the suburb of Richmond)
- Liège style waffles (get some at the Medina Cafe)
- Donuts (Lee’s Donuts and Cartems Donuts)
- Maple candies (Grand Maple Gifts)
- Bannock (an indigenous bread)
- Sushi (try Miku Vancouver)
- Small batch roasted coffee (head to Revolver or Prototype)
- Puffcream (get yours at Popina Canteen)
- Seafood (get a seafood tower at Blue Water Cafe)
Is Vancouver a foodie city?
Vancouver is definitely a foodie city. We travel to Vancouver just to eat! They are especially well known for their fusion restaurants. Kissa Tanto (fusion Italian and Japanese), Japadog (fusion American and Japanese), Camy’s Pizza, (fusion American and Indian), and PiDGiN (fusion French and Asian). The city is also famous for its small batch coffee roasters and craft breweries. The city’s Chinatown has an impressive variety of shops and restaurants. And being a coastal city, Vancouver is known for its seafood (salmon, crab, and oysters). Foodie’s will also enjoy visiting Granville Island Public Market, where there are over 50 vendors selling everything from donuts to macarons.
Summary: Best Places to Eat in Vancouver BC
We like to travel to Vancouver BC just for the food! We made our last trip to Vancouver a food-focused trip. We tried out tons of restaurants and had the best time eating our way around the city. We hope this post on the best places to eat in Vancouver was helpful as you plan your trip!
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Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information.
