Japanese izakaya$$$west-endMon-Fri 17:30-23:30, Sat-Sun 11:30-23:30
Kingyo Izakaya on Denman is Vancouver's reference modern izakaya since 2008, named among Canada's best Japanese rooms by EnRoute in the 2014 list.
Signature: Stone-grilled gyu tan, Buta kakuni
Order: Stone-grilled gyu tan and buta kakuni, the kitchen's standout izakaya plates.
Tip: Lunch walks in. Dinner books on OpenTable a week out; the chef's counter takes the omakase.
Italian$$$mount-pleasantTue-Sun 17:00-22:00, closed Mondays
Savio Volpe on Kingsway from chefs Mark Perrier and Paul Grunberg since 2016 is a Roman trattoria with a wood-fired grill, Michelin recommended 2022.
Signature: Wood-grilled meats, Hand-cut tonnarelli
Order: Hand-cut tonnarelli cacio e pepe with the wood-grilled lamb chops.
Tip: Reservations on OpenTable open 30 days out; the bar walks in for grilled antipasti.
Italian$$$strathconaWed-Sun 17:00-22:00, closed Mon-Tue
Ask for Luigi in Railtown since 2013 is J-C Poirier's Italian handmade-pasta room, the same kitchen behind St Lawrence, Michelin Bib Gourmand 2022.
Signature: Tagliatelle bolognese, Cacio e pepe
Order: Handmade pappardelle with rabbit ragu, the kitchen's reference pasta plate.
Tip: No reservations; walk-in line from 17:00. The bar opens 30 minutes earlier.
New American$$gastownDaily 09:00-21:00
Save On Meats on West Hastings is the Downtown Eastside diner since 1957, a butcher shop counter and the city's reference dive-diner since the 2011 reboot.
Signature: S.O.M burger, Diner breakfast, House sausage
Order: The S.O.M burger with a chocolate milkshake at the diner counter.
Tip: Buy a sandwich token at the counter to gift to someone outside; redeemed for a meal anytime.
Japanese izakaya$$$strathconaWed-Sun 17:00-22:00, closed Mon-Tue
Dachi on East Hastings is a counter-style izakaya since 2018 with a deep sake list and seasonal fish, Michelin Bib Gourmand 2022 and Vancouver Magazine top.
Signature: Daily fish crudo, Wood-grilled skewers
Order: Fish crudo from the daily list, then yakitori skewers with a glass of sake.
Tip: Tock reservations open 30 days out; the counter walks in for the early seating.
German$$chinatownWed-Sun 17:00-22:30, closed Mon-Tue
Bestie on East Pender since 2014 is a 25-seat German sausage and beer counter, Vancouver Magazine Best Casual Restaurant 2018 and a Chinatown anchor.
Signature: House-cured Currywurst, Schweinshaxe, House pretzel
Order: Currywurst with the house mustard plate and a German Pilsner.
Tip: Walk-in counter only; cash-priced after-work specials between 17:00 and 18:00.