CuisineJapanese izakaya
Price$$$
Neighborhoodwest-end
HoursMon-Fri 17:30-23:30, Sat-Sun 11:30-23:30
Last verified

Why locals love it: Den-like Denman izakaya under the Robson tourist line, Vancouver Magazine top izakaya award eight years running.

Tip: Dinner books on OpenTable a week out; the chef's counter takes a separate omakase plate.

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Location

Address: 871 Denman Street, Vancouver, BC V6G 2L8

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Don't Argue Pizzeria ★ 4.5

Pizzeria$$cambie-villageTue-Sun 17:00-22:00, closed Mondays

Don't Argue Pizzeria on Main from chef Phil Scarfone since 2018 is a 12-seat New Haven-style pizza counter, hand-tossed pies plus a chicken parm sub special.

Why locals love it: Cambie Village 12-seat counter and takeout pizza window, no reservations, Italian-Canadian classics by chef Phil Scarfone.

Tip: Walk-in only; the Main and Cambie branches have a takeout window for whole pies. The chicken parm is the kitchen's reference plate.

3240 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5V 3M8

The Mackenzie Room ★ 4.5

Wine bar$$$strathconaTue-Sat 17:00-22:00, closed Sun-Mon

The Mackenzie Room on Powell in Railtown since 2014 is a heritage-room wine bar from chefs Alex Tung and Sean Reeve, BC natural list and small plates.

Why locals love it: Railtown heritage-room wine bar past the Downtown Eastside, low-lit, walk-up bar plus dining room.

Tip: Reservations on Tock for the dining room; the bar walks in for a glass and snacks.

415 Powell Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 1G7

Phnom Penh ★ 4.8

Cambodian$$chinatownWed-Mon 10:00-21:00, closed Tuesdays

Phnom Penh on East Georgia since 1985 runs the Cambodian and Vietnamese kitchen the city sets its bar by, plus the Michelin Bib Gourmand 2022 in BC.

Why locals love it: Chinatown counter past the heritage gate, the city's most-photographed chicken wings under $15, cash discount.

Tip: Cash takes a discount; the wings sell out by the late seating. Avoid lunchtime on Saturday.

244 East Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 1Z7

Burdock & Co ★ 4.7

Pacific Northwest$$$mount-pleasantWed-Sun 17:00-22:00, closed Mon-Tue

Burdock & Co on Main Street since 2013 is chef Andrea Carlson's foraged-and-fermented kitchen, Michelin-starred in the 2022 BC guide, only 30 seats.

Why locals love it: Tiny Main Street tasting room, only 30 seats, chef Andrea Carlson's foraged-and-fermented menu rotates weekly.

Tip: Reservations on Tock open 30 days out; the bar walks in for the small-plates menu.

2702 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5T 3E8

Salmon n' Bannock Bistro ★ 4.6

International$$$south-granvilleTue-Sun 11:30-21:00, closed Mondays

Salmon n' Bannock on West Broadway is Vancouver's only Indigenous-owned restaurant since 2010, run by Inez Cook, Eater Vancouver Restaurant of the Year 2023.

Why locals love it: Off the West Broadway gallery strip, Vancouver's only Indigenous-owned restaurant, Eater Restaurant of the Year 2023.

Tip: Reservations on OpenTable open 30 days out; the bar takes walk-ins for the bison and salmon plate.

1128 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6H 1G5

Dachi ★ 4.6

Japanese izakaya$$$strathconaWed-Sun 17:00-22:00, closed Mon-Tue

Dachi on East Hastings since 2018 sits past the Downtown Eastside in a corner room with a 12-seat counter, Michelin Bib Gourmand 2022 in the BC guide.

Why locals love it: Counter-style izakaya tucked on East Hastings beyond the tourist strip, opens 17:00, the city's reference sake-fish counter.

Tip: Tock reservations open 30 days out; the counter walks in for the early seating.

2455 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V5K 1Z2

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