La Taqueria is a mexican restaurant in Downtown, Vancouver.
La Taqueria on West Hastings is Vancouver's reference Mexican counter since 2009 under chef Marcelo Ramirez Martiarena, six locations and a Chinatown branch.
Signature dishes: Carnitas taco, Cochinita pibil taco, Vegetarian guisado
Must order: Order four tacos at the counter and a horchata; carnitas and cochinita pibil are the reference picks.
Tip: Counter-only; order at the till and grab a stool by the window. The Cambie branch is the calmer seat.
Address: 322 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 1K6
Ramen Danbo on West 4th is the Vancouver branch of the Fukuoka Hakata-style ramen shop, three city branches since 2015 and a Robson late-night standby.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Hakata-style noodles
Order: Tonkotsu ramen with extra-firm noodles, kotteri richness, the Hakata style.
Tip: Counter only; the West End branch on Robson opens until 01:00 Fridays and Saturdays.
Phnom Penh on East Georgia Street since 1985 runs the Cambodian and Vietnamese kitchen the city sets its bar by, Michelin Bib Gourmand 2022.
Signature: Crispy chicken wings, Butter beef carpaccio, Pho ga
Order: Double order of crispy chicken wings and butter beef carpaccio.
Tip: No reservations; arrive before 18:00 or after 20:30 to skip the line. Cash takes a discount.
Bao Bei on Keefer Street since 2010 is Tannis Ling's modern Chinese brasserie, Michelin Bib Gourmand 2022, Vancouver's reference natural-wine Chinese room.
Signature: Shao bing pork belly, Spicy peanut noodles
Order: Shao bing pork belly bun with the spicy peanut noodles.
Tip: No reservations; the bar walks in from 17:30. Sunday evening is the easier seat.
Maenam on West 4th since 2009 is chef Angus An's modern Thai kitchen, Michelin recommended 2022, the city's reference Bangkok-meets-BC room.
Signature: Crispy oyster pad Thai, Spot prawn curry
Order: The crispy oyster pad Thai with the chef's tasting; chef Angus An runs the kitchen.
Tip: Reservations on OpenTable open 30 days out; the bar walks in for pad Thai and a Tiger beer.
Anh and Chi on Main Street is the sibling-run modern Vietnamese kitchen since 2016, Michelin Bib Gourmand 2022, Vancouver's reference banh xeo and pho.
Signature: Banh xeo crepe, Bun cha Hanoi, Pho bo dac biet
Order: Banh xeo with the family-style sharing platter; siblings Amelie and Vincent Le run the room.
Tip: No reservations; walk-in line for dinner from 17:00. Weekday lunch is the easier seat.
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.
