Modern Indian$$$south-granvilleTue-Sun 17:30-22:00, closed Mondays
Vij's on Cambie Street has been Vancouver's reference modern Indian kitchen since 1994 under Vikram Vij and Meeru Dhalwala, walk-in only and full-flavour.
Signature: Lamb popsicles in fenugreek cream curry, Marinated lamb popsicles, Jackfruit and bottle gourd curry
Order: Marinated lamb popsicles in fenugreek cream curry, the dish that built Vij's reputation since 1994.
Tip: Walk-in only, no reservations. Show up before 17:30 or after 21:00 to avoid the queue, or sit at the bar in My Shanti.
Pacific Northwest$$$$kitsilanoWed-Sun 17:00-22:00, closed Mon-Tue
AnnaLena in Kitsilano runs chef Michael Robbins's tasting menu on West 1st Avenue, named Canada's Best Restaurant in 2020 and Michelin recommended.
Signature: Tasting menu, BC seafood plates, Seasonal Pacific Northwest
Order: The full chef's tasting menu; chef Mike Robbins drives the night.
Tip: Reservations open 60 days out on Tock; Friday and Saturday seats clear within hours. The bar walks in earlier in the evening.
Pacific Northwest$$$$downtownDaily 17:00-22:00
Botanist at the Fairmont Pacific Rim runs chef Hector Laguna's contemporary kitchen, Michelin recommended and World's 50 Best Discovery 2024.
Signature: Tasting menu, Pacific Northwest plates, Sustainable seafood
Order: The seasonal tasting menu with the wine pairing at the Botanist Bar before dinner.
Tip: Book through OpenTable 30 days out. The Botanist Bar takes walk-ins for cocktails and a tighter snack menu.
Pacific Northwest$$$$downtownDaily 06:30-22:00
Hawksworth at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia under chef David Hawksworth has run as Vancouver's high-cover contemporary kitchen since 2011, Michelin recommended.
Signature: Hawksworth burger, Tasting menu, BC sablefish
Order: The Hawksworth burger at lunch with house-aged Beemster cheddar.
Tip: Open at 06:30 for breakfast and breakfast-meeting bookings; the bar runs through to 23:00 with cocktails and the burger.
Seafood$$$$downtownWed-Sun 17:00-22:00, closed Mon-Tue
Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar at the Sutton Place Hotel under executive chef Roger Ma runs Vancouver's reference oyster bar plus a wood-fired Pacific menu.
Signature: Seafood tower, Pacific oysters, Wood-fired plates
Order: The seafood tower for two with a flight of BC oysters from Read Island and Fanny Bay.
Tip: The oyster bar walks in nightly; the dining room books two weeks out through OpenTable.
French regional$$$$gastownTue-Sat 17:00-22:00, closed Sun-Mon
St Lawrence on Powell Street is chef J-C Poirier's Quebecois bistro since 2017, Michelin-starred from the inaugural 2022 BC guide and EnRoute Best New.
Signature: Tourtiere, Cretons, Onion soup gratinee
Order: The classic tourtiere with house ketchup, then duck for two from the wood oven.
Tip: Reservations open 60 days out on Tock; the bar walks in from 17:00 for the tourtiere and a glass of Quebec cider.
