Since “Canadian cuisine” is heavily influenced by immigrant cultures and varies widely from region to region, I thought I would have to resort to Lonely Planet or TripAdvisor to find the “best” places to eat in Vancouver during my three-week Canada adventure.
Luckily for me, I ended up exploring Vancouver’s food scene with the help of locals. James’s cousin, Luke, has lived in Vancouver with his family for over a decade and so they showed us what it was like to live here – while also taking us to all the best restaurants in Vancouver!
Read on for the food spots in Vancouver that I’ve visited – and loved. Want something to drink? Check out the best coffee shops in Vancouver.
Japadog ($)
Starting out as a single humble stand at Burrard Street in 2005, JAPADOG is the Vancouver hot dog joint to visit for luscious ‘dogs in Jap-fusion flavors. It’s the perfect way to enjoy Japanese food if you aren’t too fond of rice or noodle dishes.
I had a tough time deciding what to order because everything sounded good. (Get the Ume Katsuo shaked fries with your hot dog. Trust me.) JAPADOG has been so successful that it’s now got seven locations in BC and two more in California, USA – so there’s really no excuse not to try them!
Go Fish Ocean Emporium ($)
This fish-and-chip shack near Granville Island (that’s it up there in the header image) has got a reputation far bigger than its size (and price). It’s one of the must-eat places in Vancouver that I’d heard of long before I even decided to visit.
Everything here is reasonably priced (starting from CAD 8 for cod+chips) and seriously scrumptious – my fish came fresh out the deep fryer and the chips have that crunchy, fluffy flavor that kept me munching on to the very last morsel. Anyway, I don’t know why the food’s served in Chinese steamer baskets, you’ll have to ask the crazy crew.
Fritz European Fry House ($)
If you’ve visited Canada and never tried poutine, did you really visit Canada? Poutine is this hot mess of fries, gravy, and cheese curds that originated from the French province of Quebec but has since spread across the country and is hailed as Canada’s national fast food staple.
Luke claims that Fritz makes the best poutine in Vancouver, and online reviews agree. Not that I’ve tried that many poutines, but I liked that Fritz’s isn’t too salty – I managed to finish my entire Medium size order, sticky fingers and all. This nondescript shop on Davie street opens from afternoon until late, so plan your visit for supper.
Ramen Danbo ($$)
True to its cultural origins, Ramen Danbo is a small hole-in-the-wall eatery that seats less than 20 people and serves up, in my opinion, the best tonkotsu ramen in Vancouver.
This simple bowl tastes as good as looks; that golden pork broth is rich with flavour but not too heavy on the palate, the noodles have a delightful bite, and the chashu is melt-in-the-mouth tender. It’s utterly satisfying and better yet, Ramen Danbo is on the low end of mid-range; the prices are very similar to what one would pay for Japanese ramen anywhere outside of Japan.
You have to queue using their on-site queue system, and there’s always a wait – but you can shop at nearby stores while waiting for your turn. Just know that if you’ll get the hint to vacate your seat once you’re done eating.
Location & Hours (West 4th/Robson)
Salmon n’ Bannock Bistro ($$)
For various historical reasons, Canada’s First Nations in the western provinces have been more successful in preserving their heritage. Still, Salmon n’ Bannock is the only First Nations restaurant in downtown Vancouver and you can look forward to wild-caught salmon, game meat, and of course bannock, all in a cozy setting.
This was a restaurant I really wanted to try, but they recently switched to dinner-only hours so I missed my chance 🙁
Nuba ($$)
I was lucky to get to visit Nuba on my very last day in the city. I didn’t know it, but it turns out this Lebanese restaurant in Vancouver is a favourite among locals. We ordered the Najib’s Special, which looks hardly edible but is in fact the ultimate redemption for a brassica as unlovable as the cauliflower.
We had some other dishes as well that aren’t too photogenic but are incredibly flavorful and, frankly, better than the Lebanese food I’ve tried in places like Dubai. Do make reservations, as Nuba gets pretty crowded.
Sen Pad Thai ($$)
This new food spot on Granville Island is opened by the same chef behind Vancouver’s multiple-award-winning Maenam Thai restaurant. As the name suggests, Sen Pad Thai serves variations of Pad Thai from different regions in Thailand. I did wish for more flavor, as well as smaller and cheaper servings, but sitting at a bench outdoors and wolfing down Pad Thai is nicely analogous to the roadside stall experience in Bangkok.
Tacofino ($$)
Another BC food truck turned local institution, Tacofino (portmanteau of taco and Tofino, where the deliciousness was born) is known for its generously stuffed tacos and burritos, as well as yummy nachos.
I have to admit that I find Tacofino slightly pricey if you want a feast (I compare all Mexican food outside of Mexico to my favorite joint, Maria Bonita in Berlin) but it’s certainly worth the farts, oh yes.
Congee Noodle Delight ($$)
I’m understandably picky about Chinese food, whether it’s a Michelin-starred restaurant or a zi char (stir-fry) hawker stall downstairs. For a Cantonese food place in Vancouver, Congee Noodle Delight is authentic to what you’d get in a Hong Kong char chan teng diner, but with western serving sizes (i.e. enough for two meals). Fantastic if you’re traveling and really need a comforting taste of proper char siew rice or wanton mee!
Phnom Penh Restaurant ($$)
Getting into this Michelin Bib Gourmand spot is a test of patience. I’ve never queued for food, but our group waited for over an hour to have dinner here – because after 15 minutes the sunk-cost fallacy had well and truly kicked in.
Luckily, the wait was worth it; Phnom Penh’s vast array of Cambodian and Vietnamese food was enough to satisfying my craving for Asian food for a good week. Make sure to order their bestsellers: deep-fried chicken wings, filet beef Luc Lac, and hot and sour soup. Plan for a late lunch or early dinner for a shorter wait.
Raisu ($$$)
I reserved a table at Raisu as a treat for my hosts, and was I glad I did – this Japanese restaurant’s ambience and food are fantastic.
Raisu specializes in teishoku (set meals), so we all ordered different sets to try. Unfortunately I don’t have very nice photos since I had company and the place was a full house.
There’s a bit of a wait even if you’ve made reservations and the restaurant is on the second floor with the line extending down the stairs – so sadly, it’s not accessibility friendly.
FAQ: Dining in Vancouver
Is it expensive to eat out in Vancouver?
Vancouver doesn’t have much available for less than CAD 10, but you’ll have plenty of options in the CAD 10-20 range. Restaurants and diners in Vancouver charge 5% GST (sales tax) on top of the menu price, as well as 10% tax on alcoholic beverages.
Do you need to tip in Vancouver?
Tipping is customary when dining out in Vancouver, and an average tip is 15% of the bill. You can choose the tip amount on credit card terminals when paying the bill.
Note that tip prompts are being added to payment terminals even for fast-food places like Subway; some places also prompt for large tips of 20% or more. Do not feel obliged to tip in these instances as most people only tip for sit-down service.
How are the serving sizes in Vancouver?
I’m an Asian woman with a rather small appetite, so the servings tend to be large for me! Restaurants are always happy to provide to-go boxes so you can pack your leftovers.
If you’ve been figuring out where to eat in Vancouver, I hope these local recommendations will please your palate! You can also find more recommendations on my Vancouver map.
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