Eat in South Granville, Vancouver

Vij's ★ 4.9

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.

Tojo's ★ 4.7

Tojo's on West Broadway runs chef Hidekazu Tojo's omakase since 1988, the kitchen credited with inventing the California roll and the BC roll.

Signature: Tojo's omakase, BC roll, Spot prawn nigiri

Order: The omakase at the sushi counter; chef Hidekazu Tojo invented the BC roll here in 1974.

Tip: The omakase counter books two weeks out on OpenTable; the dining room takes shorter notice.

Sushi Masuda ★ 4.8

Sushi Masuda on West 1st Avenue is chef Hirofumi Masuda's small edomae counter since 2018, Michelin-starred in the inaugural 2022 Vancouver guide.

Signature: Edomae omakase, Akami tuna, Hokkaido uni

Order: The omakase at the counter; chef Hirofumi Masuda trained at Sukiyabashi Jiro and Sushi Saito.

Tip: Reservations on Tock open 60 days out and book within minutes; one omakase price point.

Sushi Masuda 1 ★ ★ 4.8

Sushi Masuda on West 1st Avenue is chef Hirofumi Masuda's small edomae counter since 2018, Michelin-starred in the inaugural 2022 Vancouver guide.

Salmon n' Bannock Bistro ★ 4.6

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.

Signature: Bison pot roast, Salmon and bannock, Game burger

Order: Wild salmon with bannock bread, the kitchen's plate since 2010.

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

Beaucoup Bakery ★ 4.7

Beaucoup Bakery on Fir Street is Vancouver's reference French laminated pastry shop since 2012, the gold-standard almond croissant plus daily seating.

Tip: Almond croissants sell out by 11:00 on Saturday; weekday morning is the calmer queue.

Worth the queue: Almond croissant

Grapes & Soda ★ 4.6

Grapes & Soda on West 6th from chef Lucais Syme since 2015 is Vancouver's reference natural-wine bar, the sibling room to Farmer's Apprentice next door.

Signature pour: Joie Farm Riesling by the glass

Wine focus: Natural and biodynamic, Old World

Food: Small plates, charcuterie

Tip: Walk-in only at the counter; the kitchen runs a tighter snack list than Farmer's Apprentice.

Vij's Railway Express ★ 4.5

Vij's Railway Express is Vikram Vij's food truck since 2010, a Granville Island Saturday vendor, the operator's casual format of the Vij's restaurant kitchen.

Try: Modern Indian street food

Order: Lamb kebabs in a paratha wrap with green chutney, Vij family classics, on the truck.

Tip: Schedule on the operator's Instagram week of; Granville Island Saturdays through summer is the most reliable stop.

Vij's Cooking Classes ★ 4.7

Vij's Cooking Classes at the Vij's flagship on Cambie since 2014 run small-group sessions with Meeru Dhalwala or staff chefs, modern Indian recipes from the book.

Salmon n' Bannock Bistro ★ 4.6

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.