The battle of the best restaurants in Vancouver is never-ending, because our food scene is constantly evolving. There are, however, some tried-and-true spots that, as a local, I recommend time and time again.
This isn’t the most comprehensive list, but after living in the city for 20-something years, these are the first 10 Vancouver restaurants I always recommend without hesitation. Visit any of them and you’ll enjoy a great meal, good vibes, and a satisfied appetite.
Ask For Luigi
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Italian
Address: 305 Alexander St., Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: Tucked away on a quiet corner in Gastown (I’ve romanticized this a bit more than it deserves — it’s not the nicest corner of our city but I promise it’s still worth it), Ask For Luigi feels less like a restaurant and more like stumbling into your chic Italian aunts dining room. With just 32 seats it’s intimate without feeling stuffy.
Their menu is always changing but I’ve been told by a friend that if I don’t recommend the pappardelle and duck ragu (when it’s on) I should lose my food-writing privileges. So there it is.
Skewers Souvlaki Pita Bar
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Greek / Souvlaki
Address: 26 Powell St, Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: Not to be that person who says insufferable things like, “when I was travelling Greece last summer” but… Skewers is the closest thing I’ve found to authentic Greek street food at home. How do I know? They put fries inside the souvlaki wrap, and the remnant taste of garlic will stay in your mouth for 24 hours after you leave the restaurant. As it should.
East is East
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Silk Road Fusion
Address: 4433 Main St, Vancouver, BC (also in Kitsilano at 3035 W Broadway)
Why You Need To Go: East is East is a cozy, tapestry-draped spot that one of my friends once described as “a gorgeous smelling tree fort.”
You MUST NOT (shouty capitals for emphasis) leave without having a chai — I recommend the soy chai but whatever you’re in the mood for. It puts Starbuck to shame.
Lunch Lady
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Address: 1418 Commercial Dr., Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: I’m not going to tell you anything the Michelin star hasn’t already indicated. Named by Anthony Bourdain for a reason — slurp your pho, devour the garlic noodles, and probably come back tomorrow.
Burgoo
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Comfort Food Bistro
Address: 4434 W 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC (also in Downtown, Mount Pleasant, North Van)
Why You Need To Go: You cut your bangs alone on a Friday night and keep telling yourself you’re not having a crisis? Burgoo. It’s been raining for 30 days straight and you can’t tell if you’re seasonally depressed or just depressed-depressed? Burgoo. You have weird essay-texts from your ex that you need to dive into with your best friend? You see where I’m going with this.
Burgoo is rustic, has a fireplace, and tends to be full of Boomers peacefully eating soup — the kind of scene that gently reminds you how much time you still have to figure things out. For the ultimate comfort meal get the after school special with tomato soup and grilled cheese. It will cure most of life’s heartbreak.
Delara
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Modern Persian
Address: 2272 W 4th Ave, Vancouver
Why You Need To Go: Here we go giving away all my secrets! But I’m feeling generous today so take it and run. You’re in Kits on a Saturday morning looking for brunch? Skip the 2-hour Jam Cafe line (sorry, it’s not worth it) and head up the street to Delara instead.
It’s bright, airy, and has the freshest Persian breakfast that doesn’t make you feel like you need a nap afterwards. (Think: warm flatbread, feta, butter, jam, sea salt, a soft-boiled egg, and a side of seasonal salad dressed in barberry and orange vinaigrette. Are you kidding me?!).
I’ve taken up my word count here with the brunch, but the rest of the food and dinner menu is also not to be missed.
Bao Bei
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Modern Chinese Tapas
Address: 163 Keefer St, Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: This is a gorgeous little brasserie for a date night spot with shareables and dim lighting. Even if your date has nothing interesting to say, you can spend at least 20 minutes dissecting the flavours of the “kick a** house fried rice” — is that a unique blend of prawns, bitter melon, masala-preserved mushrooms and papadam I’m tasting?
Insiders Tip: Start your night with a cocktail at The Keefer Bar — it’s just a few doors down and sets the tone perfectly for a solid Chinatown evening.
Selene
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Address: 360 Penticton St., Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: If you’re obsessed with Nammos and Loula’s like I am, let me introduce you to Selene — their well-travelled older sister. This menu extends beyond the Greek cuisine we’ve grown to love and leans into a broader spectrum of Aegean flavours.
It’s painfully aesthetic, perfectly curated, and just an 11/10 dinner spot.
Moltan Sushi
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Japanese
Address: 941 Cornwall Ave., Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: Picking a favourite sushi spot in Vancouver is like asking a parent to choose their favourite child —deeply personal and borderline offensive. But Moltan is a fresh, underrated neighbourhood gem, so I figured it’s time to give it its well-deserved flowers.
Shoutout Tojo’s for a splurge option or Tozen for another standout spot.
Oddfish
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Seafood
Address: 2630 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: Their rotating menus evolve with the seasons, guided by what’s freshest from both land and sea. I heard Gordon Ramsay on SmartLess say that the best restaurants keep their menus focused, flexible, and rooted in local ingredients. Oddfish understood the assignment.
This list is subjective, biased, and entirely correct. If you disagree, that’s ok, even encouraged — more empty tables for the rest of us.
Happy eating!
The views expressed in this Opinion article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.