Pacific Northwest$$$kitsilanoTue-Sun 17:00-22:00, closed Mondays
Fable Kitchen on West 4th from chef Trevor Bird is a farm-to-table room since 2012, Top Chef Canada finalist and the city's reference Kits neighbourhood pick.
Signature: Wood-grilled steelhead, Crispy chicken, Brunch poutine
Order: The crispy fried chicken with smashed potatoes; a Top Chef Canada Kitsilano standby.
Tip: Reservations on OpenTable open 30 days out; Sunday brunch books on Resy.
Italian$$$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, Pappardelle with rabbit ragu
Order: Handmade pappardelle with rabbit ragu, the kitchen's reference pasta from chef J-C Poirier.
Tip: No reservations; walk-in line from 17:00. The bar opens 30 minutes earlier.
Japanese sushi$$$$punjabi-marketTue-Sat 17:30-22:00, closed Sun-Mon
Masayoshi on Fraser Street is chef Masayoshi Baba's small edomae sushi counter since 2014, Michelin one-star from the inaugural 2022 BC guide.
Signature: Edomae omakase, Akami nigiri, Steamed egg custard
Order: The omakase counter set, the only menu format; chef Masayoshi Baba sets the pace.
Tip: Reservations open 30 days out on Tock and book within minutes; counter only.
Italian$$$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, Whole grilled trout
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.
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.
