Restaurants in Vancouver

Eating out in cosmopolitan Vancouver is an experience governed by a feast of international flavours. Expats expecting a lack of high-quality cuisine will certainly be pleasantly surprised. While culinary delights from just about every nationality can be found in the city, the most common foods are British, French and Chinese, and the best restaurants tend to be in the downtown, West End, Yaletown and Gastown areas.

Popular local specialities include salmon, halibut and Atlantic cod, while salt-cured beef, pork and fish are also favourites. The most tempting local dessert has to be Nanaimo, a bar of crumb-based wafer layered with custard or vanilla butter icing and covered in chocolate.

There is no service charge in Vancouver restaurants and it's customary to tip waiters about 15% of the total bill.

Recommended restaurants in Vancouver

Lumiére
For the best in modern French cuisine try the Lumiére restaurant, voted Best Restaurant and Best French Restaurant on several occasions by Vancouver Magazine.
www.lumiere.ca
Tel: (604) 739 8185

Brix Restaurant
The warm and ambient Brix Restaurant offers a diverse international menu to suit all culinary preferences.
www.brixvancouver.com
Tel: (604) 915 9463

Glowbal Grill
For imaginative and delicious cuisine in a stylish, sophisticated setting head to the Glowbal restaurant. Menu favourites include Ahi Tuna followed by Brazilian chocolate coffee cake.
www.glowbalgrill.com
Tel: +1 604 602 0835

Blue Water Café
Blue Water Café boasts a vast selection of seafood and is frequented by a number of local and international celebrities – a great place for a night out with friends.
www.bluewatercafe.net
Tel: +1 604 688 8078

Lupo Restaurant
Lupo is a sophisticated, 1930s styled restaurant serving a fine selection of international cuisine, a lovely venue for formal dining.
luporestaurant.ca
Tel: +1 604 569 2535

The Cannery Seafood Restaurant
Some of the freshest fish in Vancouver can be enjoyed at the Cannery Seafood Restaurant, which also has great views of the waterfront and the North Shore Mountains.
www.canneryseafood.com
Tel: (604) 254 9606

Seasons in the Park
Seasons in the Park Restaurant is a Vancouver favourite for locals and foreigners; the menu features cuisine such as cod with jasmine rice and Sunburnt Lemon Tart.
www.vancouverdine.com
Tel: (604) 874 8008

Bistro Pastis
Bistro Pastis is a great venue for a business lunch, after work drinks or dinner with friends. The venue has a welcoming atmosphere accompanied by classic bistro fare.
www.bistropastis.com
Tel: (604) 731 5020

Pasparos Taverna
Pasparos Taverna is a charming restaurant serving simple, homemade Greek food including dolmades (rice parcels) and a variety of souvlakia (kebabs).
www.pasparos.com
Tel: (604) 980 0331

Guu with Garlic
Guu with Garlic is a Japanese tapas restaurant with an open kitchen and cheerful waiters. The Asian inspired gem offers pleasures such as duck salad, brie with blueberry sauce or delicious seafood.
www.guu-izakaya.com
Tel: (604) 685 8678