Whether you’re visiting Vancouver for the first time or a local looking to check off your foodie bucket list, here are what I consider to be the Best Downtown Vancouver Restaurants.
“Downtown Vancouver” is this list includes the West End, Downtown, Coal Harbour, Yaletown and Gastown neighbourhoods.
I curated this list based on my own opinion, experiences and knowledge of how well the restaurant is doing in the local scene.
The restaurants listed are in no particular order.
St. Lawrence
Kicking off this list of Best Downtown Vancouver Restaurants is St. Lawrence – an exciting and widely acclaimed restaurant in Vancouver that offers a marriage of classic French cuisine and the gastronomic identity and culture of Les Québécois.
Since opening, St. Lawrence has been singled out as Best New Restaurant at the 2018 Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards; No. 4 on enRoute Magazine’s 2018 compilation of Canada’s Best New Restaurants; No. 2 on the prestigious annual ranking of Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants 2020; and consecutive awards as Vancouver Magazine’s 2018 and ’19 Restaurant of the Year.
St. Lawrence is a passion project for acclaimed Chef/Owner and 2019 Vancouver Magazine Chef of the Year Award winner Jean-Christophe (J-C) Poirier.
Hawksworth
Located in the heart of Downtown Vancouver, Hawksworth Restaurant offers contemporary Canadian cuisine with ingredient-driven dishes that celebrate the region and the season.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Hawksworth’s menus reflect creativity and spontaneity but also showcasing the culinary team’s highly skilled technique and relentless drive for perfection.
With an extensive and award-winning wine list to match, alongside a dedicated house cocktail program, Hawksworth is sophisticated and glamorous, yet relaxed and welcoming, ready to deliver an array of memorable dining experiences.
Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar
Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar is one of the best Downtown Vancouver restaurants with a seafood-focused menu that is grounded in classical technique and training, and artfully infused with West Coast flair and international influences.
The culinary team at Boulevard is led by Chefs Alex Chen and Roger Ma who won the Canadian Culinary Championship crown, in 2020 and 2018 respectively.
Boulevard boasts a gorgeous main dining room, signature booths, a stylish patio, a buzzy bar and elegant private dining spaces.
You’ll find exceptional service, and a wide-ranging selection of wines and cocktail.
Not to be missed are desserts by Pastry Chef Kenta Takahashi who was crowned as Canada’s Best Pasty Chef 2020 by Canada’s 100 Best.
Chang’an
Located right on the waterfront of False Creek North, Chang’an is known as one of the Best Downtown Vancouver restaurants for Chinese fine dining.
They have received awards and accolades for serving the Best Peking Duck in Vancouver. At Chang’an, the ducks are roasted in-house in a custom stone oven built into the wall.
The restaurant schedules the cooking process according to the time of reservation to ensure optimal tenderness of the meat and crispiness of the skin.
With magnificient waterfront views of Granville Island and False Creek, Chang’an is truly unique in its location.
The Asian-themed decor is elegant and charming and at night the dim lighting sets a cozy and romantic ambiance making them another recommendation as one of the best Vancouver romantic restaurants.
Kirin
My recommendation for a delicious dim sum restaurant in Vancouver is Kirin.
Their dim sum is freshly handcrafted with basic ingredients, and no added MSG, preservatives, and additives.
Kirin’s bouncy shrimp dumplings, flaky and custardy egg tarts, and cuttlefish ink buns with puree egg yolks are must-tries.
Cafe Medina
Cafe Medina has been serving up their signature brand of Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and connoisseur-savvy coffee since 2008.
It’s a quaint, bistro-styled restaurant replete with old-world charms serving fresh and eclectic breakfast, lunch and daily brunch alternatives seven days a week.
They are best known for their Belgian waffles which come with options of delectable toppings like dark chocolate, milk chocolate lavender, white chocolate pistachio rosewater, and more.
Nightingale
As sister restaurant to Hawksworth, Nightingale is a contemporary eatery with an extensive menu of seasonal vegetable dishes, fresh salads, pizzas, pastas, crudo and creative proteins.
Dishes are presented in a range of share plates and sides that contribute to the laid back, convivial atmosphere of the industrial-chic space.
The bar, which is the focal point of the dining room, offers an approachable and diverse wine list, house libations, inventive rotating cocktails and a range of local craft beers.
Botanist
Located at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, Botanist features a menu that showcases the botany of British Columbia – produce rooted from the soil of the Northwest and sustainability sourced seafood.
Botanist’s inviting space offers four distinct areas with their own robust personalities; a bar, garden, dining room and private dining room – all inspired by the principles of botany.
Brix and Mortar
As one of the best Downtown Vancouver restaurants, Brix and Mortar is a Yaletown institution, with exposed brick, white tablecloths and fantastic service.
With a glass surrounded courtyard and vines climbing the side of the brick building, the restaurant and bar make for an ideal night out with a partner.
One of the few Vancouver restaurants awarded a Wine Spectator Award, the commitment to fine wine is
evident by the massive by the glass list.
Cocktails are all created by the bartending team here, while the food celebrates contemporary Canadian cuisine, like the Haida Gwaii salmon served with Vietnamese pickled salad.
L’Abbatoir
Nestled in the heart of Gastown where cobblestone streets still exist and you can just faintly hear the whistle of the Historic Steam Clock, L’Abbatoir is one of the best Downtown Vancouver restaurants.
Chef & Owner Lee Cooper and his team are dedicated to highlighting the finer points of dining in a comfortable, yet refined setting.
You’ll find French influenced West Coast fare paired with an award-winning wine program and inspired cocktail list to offer an unforgettable dining experience.
CinCin Ristorante
As Vancouver’s leading Italian restaurant, CinCin is your destination for authentic Italian flavours in the heart of Downtown.
Fresh market fish and prime cuts of meat are prepared over CinCin’s Grillworks Infierno, a two-metre behemoth of stainless steel that features a massive grill and rotisserie.
Their outdoor year-round patio overlooks bustling Robson Street and is a beautiful place for a date in Vancouver.
Water Street Cafe
With cobblestone streets, vintage street lamps, and historic buildings, Gastown is one of the best neighbourhoods to visit in Vancouver.
Stop by Water Street Cafe, a longstanding Vancouver restaurant, known for their Pacific Northwest menu with Italian influences.
My favourite items from the menu are the West Coast Crab Cakes; Bison Capraccio; and Meatballs & Pappardelle.
The dining area boasts a view of the Historic Steam Clock. Also check out their 2nd floor which offers live musical performances by local artists.
Miku & Minami
Known for innovative Aburi-style (sear-torched sushi), Miku (by Canada Place) and their sister restaurant Minami in Yaletown are two top sushi restaurants in Downtown Vancouver to check out.
Both restaurants are wonderful for a dine-in experience with Miku having waterfront views and Minami being a sleek stylish Yaletown eatery.
Their food can certainly be enjoyed at home for a cozy night in, so do checkout their Aburi at Home options.
Liuyishou Hot Pot
Liuyishou Hot Pot is one of my favourite places for hot pot in Downtown Vancouver.
Although Liuyishou is Chinese brand with 1,500 locations across the globe, their Metro Vancouver locations do serve 100% Canadian made soup bases and beef cuts.
I’m always impressed with the quality of their meats and how good their broths taste.
Tacofino
Soak up the un-dappled, surf-centric spirit of Tacofino with their quality, fresh and affordable fare.
At their brick-and-mortar locations and food trucks in Vancouver, you’ll find delectable tacos, burritos, nachos and more.
They also have patios at their Yaletown and Financial District locations. Kids can join in on the fun with Tacofino’s “Food Truck” Kids Kits.
Blue Water Cafe
Located in a handsome brick and beam heritage warehouse conversion in the Yaletown neighbourhood, Blue Water Cafe is another top Downtown Vancouver restaurant for seafood.
Their menu features sustainable, Ocean Wise seafood as well as innovative and memorable West Coast dishes.
Sit at the Raw Bar and watch expert sushi chefs prepare dishes with pure, clean flavours and unique presentations.
The striking dining room provides active views of the open kitchen and Raw Bar.
Blue Water Cafe is also great place to gather for special occasions, romantic night outs in Vancouver and to satisfy your seafood cravings.
Nuba
Nuba was founded by Victor Bouzide in 2003 as a way of paying homage to his grandmother’s cooking while also placing a premium on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
With four locations in Vancouver and a catering division, Nuba is known for their modern Middle Eastern cuisine.
They use the freshest handpicked ingredients and offer a menu that is largely vegetarian- and vegan-focused while also featuring dishes that contain halal, non-medicated and hormone-free meat and poultry.
Food and juices are made to order from authentic, original recipes passed down through several generations and sincerely nurtured.
H Tasting Lounge
H Tasting Lounge is one of the best Downtown Vancouver restaurants for creative cocktails and tasting plates inspired by Vancouver’s seafood scene.
One must-try experience is at H Tasting Lounge is Winterlust, which is available for a limited time during the winter season.
These stylishly outfitted snow globes allow guests to stay warm while indulging in warm libations and alpine-inspired dishes. Check out my review of Winterlust.
H Tasting Lounge is also a great place to enjoy a delicious afternoon tea set presented on a cute golden Ferris wheel. Check their website to see the latest afternoon tea theme.
Linh Cafe
Linh Cafe is a much beloved French-Vietnamese eatery in Downtown Vancouver
serving authentic country style French cuisine with a twist of Vietnamese cuisine.
While their original location is in Kitsilano, they just opened up a new second location in Downtown Vancouver.
Enjoy dishes such as baked French Escargot, Steak Tartare, Chicken Liver, Duck Cassoulet, Foie Gras Parfait and their signature Beef Noodle Pho with braised beef flank and rice noodles.
Do Chay
Do Chay is a Vietnamese colloquial phrase which roughly translates to “vegetarian stuff.”
The menu at Do Chay is vegetarian and almost entirely vegan and features a contemporary take on Vietnamese street food, rice bowls and noodle bowlswith exquisite presentation.
Try their vegan pho featuring broccoli tempura, avocado, yuba, yo choy, daikon, lotus root, and rice noodles in a vegan pho broth.
CRAFT Beer Market
Founded in Calgary in 2011, CRAFT Beer Market is a premium casual restaurant and bar chain with a passion for fresh local comfort food and great craft beer.
The brand has expanded with now 8 locations in 7 Canadian cities.
A visit to CRAFT means connecting you to the community, culture, and specifically craft beer culture.
They offer 100 beers on tap but also serve also up some tasty wines, cocktails, spirits and more.
Be sure to check out their Happy Hour which boasts some great deals on food and drinks.
Provence Marinaside
Located in the popular Yaletown neighborhood, Provence Marinaside fuses southern French cuisine to the fresh seafood of Canada’s Western Coast.
The owner and chef, Jean-Francis Quaglia was born in France to a mother who is also an acclaimed chef.
His passion for high-quality ingredients and inspired dishes began as a young age in the kitchen with his mother.
Today, Provence Marinaside is an award-winning venue with truly exquisite dishes and refined ambiance.
Guests keep coming back for another taste of the seafood crepes- a tasty blend of scallops, shrimp, asparagus, marinated tomatoes, and arugula.
The French Toasted Baguette (cinnamon sugar, maple syrup, whipped cream) and Croque Monsieur Benedict (black forest ham, gruyère cheese, sundried tomato butter on focaccia, hollandaise sauce, provençal roasted tomato, provence breakfast potatoes) are also some of my favourites.
Provence Marinaside overlooks the bustling water of False Creek.
Perhaps the best aspect of the restaurant is the outdoor patio with views overlooking the Marina.
Plan to spend time outside soaking in the sights.
1177 Marinaside Crescent, Vancouver, BC
Elisa
Elisa is one of the best contemporary steakhouses in Vancouver offering flame-grilled premium fine cuts from around the world, sustainable seafood, and locally sourced produce are prepared by their culinary team on a stunning Grillworks Infierno.
Their Grillworks Infierno wood-fired grill elevates the art of wood-fired cooking for Elisa’s signature dishes.
To start, go with the tartare tasting trio featuring ‘classic’ beef tartare, ‘signature’ beef tartare and veal tartare.
Next try one of their steak selections which are meticulously curated from the best local and global suppliers using sound farming practices; then grilled over local BC birch, apple and alder woods.
Robba Da Matti
Robba Da Matti also makes this list of op Downtown Vancouver Restaurants. They offer some of the best Italian pasta dishes in the city.
Their popularity has led to them to opening 3 locations in Vancouver (Yaletown, Gastown, West End) and another new outpost coming up in Kitsilano.
Robba Da Matti’s Yaletown restaurant has a cozy dining space but also a heated, covered patio.
Their West End restaurant features a beautiful patio which offers guests a secluded al fresco dining experience in a garden oasis.
My favourite dishes from their menu are the Pappardelle “Rosche Rosche” (a family recipe) and the Osso Buco & Risotta Alla Milanese (braised veal shank with saffron risotto).
Riley’s Fish & Steak
Next on this list of Top Downtown Vancouver Restaurants is Riley’s Fish & Steak – a new fish-and-chophouse dining experience to the heart of downtown Vancouver’s waterfront.
Riley’s spotlights the very best of the Pacific Northwest’s oceans in an expansive yet intimate space with a full bar, oyster-shucking station, and seating for 240.
At the Raw Bar, you’ll find West Coast and East Coast Oysters; King Crab Legs; Jumbo Tiger Prawn Cocktail; Dungeness Crab; Atlantic Lobster; Halibut Ceviche and more.
You’ll also find impressive Chillled Seafood Towers featuring items from their Raw Bar. Choose from “The Grand,” “The Deluxe,” or “The King.”
Tavola
Classy wines, friendly service, and house-made pastas are at the core of this neighborhood Italian restaurant.
Located in the West End, Tavola has a welcoming ambiance. Their dining room and heated patio seating are designed to make guests feel welcomed and comfortable.
Their menu focuses on a handful of appetizers, pastas, and mains that are beautifully simple and perfectly executed.
Enjoy fresh favorites –such as the brick chicken or pulled pork ragu –made with seasonal ingredients from local farmers and purveyors for guaranteed flavor and freshness.
Ask for Luigi
Italian comfort food in a cozy intimate setting is exactly what you’ll find at Ask for Luigi – one of the best Downtown Vancouver restaurants.
Upon walking through the door, guests are greeted with a homey, vintage Italian environment featuring wood paneled walls, checkered floors, and red bistro tables.
Sit down to a plate of freshly made, in house pastas like the wild boar ragout, or the ricotta ravioli with squash and walnuts.
The food is served family-style, meaning each dish is served as soon as it’s done and placed in the middle of the table for everyone to have a taste.
No pasta dish should go without a glass of wine, and Luigis has the perfect Italian, French, or Spanish bottles to pair with your meal.
Your dining experience won’t be complete until you enjoy a beautiful dessert like the panna cotta or take part in the tradition of enjoying a grappa or espresso to end a delicious Italian meal.
Joe Fortes
For 35 years, Joe Fortes (777 Thurlow St) has consistently earned and maintained its reputation as an award-winning sustainable seafood-focused restaurant with their flagship location at the corner of Robson Street and Thurlow in Downtown Vancouver.
Guests from over the world visit Joe Fortes for a dynamic culinary experience featuring San Francisco-styled seafood grill, complemented by an award-winning wine list that boasts over 200 wines, and a uniquely personal level of service and hospitality.
Joe Fortes’ rooftop patio is one of the best patios in the city and is known to be a serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of downtown Vancouver.
Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market
Located in the heart of Vancouver’s Stadium District, Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market (762 Cambie Street) is Vancouver’s only tide to table oyster bar and shellfish market.
As one of the best seafood restaurants in Vancouver, they are perfect for an adventurous brunch with friends, a quick bite for lunch, pre and post game drinks and food, romantic dinners, or bringing something special home from our shellfish market.
You can expect the freshest shellfish and top notch seafood experience at Fanny Bay.
Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market also has one of the best Happy Hours with a great list of snacks, drinks, and oysters to indulge in.
Lupo Restaurant & Vinoteca
For modern Italian cooking in a romantic, date-night setting, Lupo is the place to be.
Owner and head chef Julio Gonzalez Perini and Michael Mameli have worked alongside one another to create one of the most beloved Italian restaurants in Vancouver.
While much of the menu features dishes we already know and love, Mameli adds his own twist for a bit of excitement on each plate.
From the starters and salads to the fish and the meats, expect only the highest quality ingredients at Lupo.
Absolutely everything, from the hand-rolled breadsticks to the freshly ground sausage, is made in-house with expert execution.
Take the Spaghetti Nero for example.
A key ingredient is the calamari which needs to be braised for three hours before adding in any other ingredients.
This dedication to quality taste is what has kept Lupo so popular with locals and visitors alike.
Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill
Next on this list of best Italian restaurants in Vancouver is Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill – an iconic Yaletown institution by award-winning chef and owner Giuseppe Posteraro.
His use of natural flavors and regionally sourced ingredients have landed this restaurant numerous awards, including the Restaurant of the Year and many others.
His menu is filled with delectable starters, soups, salads, pastas, fish, and meats which are served flawlessly.
Some highlights of the menu include the Risotto with Lobster; Black ink Cavatelli; and “Brasato al Barolo” (natural beef short ribs braised in red wine).
In addition to a mouthwatering meal, Cioppino’s has one of the largest wine cellars in Vancouver.
Chef Pino is known to make his rounds at the tables as you devour his food and indulge yourself in a delicious glass of wine, making the experience that much more memorable.
Nook
Owners Nicole and Mike had a simple dream of creating a neighborhood restaurant in the West End.
Flash forward a few years and their small, 30 seat eatery, Nook, has expanded to three additional locations in the Kitsilano, Olympic Village, and Shipyards (North Vancouver) locations.
As one of the best Italian restaurants in Vancouver, their popularity stems from great wine, good food, and a fun atmosphere.
Start off with a quirky cocktail like the “Plight of the Bumblebee” made with Bacardi, grapefruit, honey, and lemon, or a beer or cider; each of which pairs perfectly with a focaccia starter.
Their house made pastas feature all the classics like rigatoni or gnocchi with baby meatballs and the pizzas offer a variety of flavors for every taste.
Giardino Restaurant
Giardino’s will transport you all the way to Italy with its Tuscan-style dining room complete with vaulted ceilings, wooden beams, and Tuscan tiles.
The food is just as quintessentially Italian with bold, rich flavors and classic recipes.
Enjoy appetizers, soups, salads, pastas, and mains such as the spaghettini carbonara, chicken stuffed tortellini, or the wild British Columbia salmon filet with lemon preserves, white asparagus, and warm chives emulsion.
When the weather is nice, enjoy your meal on the outdoor patio covered in lush greenery and blooming flowers.
Autostrada Osteria
Autostrada Osteria is an award-winning Italian restaurant that is chef-owned and operated by Chefs Lucais Syme.
This restaurant is where some of Vancouver’s top chefs and restaurateurs like to eat on their days off so you know their food is top-notch.
Some of my favourites on the menu are the Anchovy on Toast and the Tagliatelle Bolognese.
Check them out at one of their three locations in Vancouver.
Maxine’s Cafe & Bar
Maxine’s Cafe & Bar serves an elevated menu, curated by Executive Chef Bobby Milheron and Chef de Cuisine Levi Johnstons.
Chef Bobby is known for his love of local ingredients and creates dishes that are centered around the freshest ingredients in the Pacific Northwest.
Pair this top-notch menu with the establishment’s unique, European bistro meets New York-style, and you have the highly regarded Maxine’s Cafe & Bar.
The inspiration for the restaurant’s name is one of Vancouver’s pioneering women, Maxine MacGilvray.
She was an entrepreneur from the early 1900’s and the owner of a prosperous beauty salon and school in the 1930’s.
Throughout the cafe, the décor and ambiance honors women such as Maxine.
Maxine’s makes a great brunch spot. I love their Brioche French Toast with whipped mascarpone, candied walnuts, preserve.
The Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict is amazing as is Maxine’s Burger featuring smashed patty, American cheddar, burger sauce, Iceberg, fries.
