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Here are the Best Eats in Vancouver, BC! (Updated May 2023)
Hey everyone! I've had the pleasure of visiting Vancouver twice – once during the festive Christmas season of 2021 and then again in the vibrant summer of 2023 to celebrate my hard-earned Masters graduation. Let me tell you, Vancouver knows how to bring on the flavors, and both times, we opted for a rental car to explore the city with ease.
For the ultimate Asian culinary journey, make a beeline to Richmond. Trust me, it's a foodie's paradise. And hey, don't forget to scroll down for a sweet desserts guide that's definitely worth checking out. Vancouver has it all, and I'm here to spill the delicious details!
Interactive Map
Kirin
Kirin takes the dim sum crown for me – hands down the best I've ever had. Those Pork rolls? Non-negotiable. And the egg tarts? Pure divine indulgence. Shumai? Yep, enjoyed the heck outta those too.
Smooth sailing when we called to lock in a reservation – no hiccups there. Now, a little heads-up: the crew might throw a bit of snark your way, but trust me, the food is worth every witty quip.
Location: 1172 Alberni St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1A5, Canada
Chef Tonys Seafood (Richmond)
Breakfast game strong – we dialed up a reservation at Chef Tony's Seafood the day prior, all set to dive into some top-tier dim sum action (@cheftonyvan). Word on the street was, this place owned the dim sum scene in Vancouver, so naturally, I had to give it a go.
Now, let me tell ya, we hit the jackpot with these winners: the black truffle shrimp and pork dumplings, radish cake, congee, Salted egg BAO, and the oh-so-yummy rice wrap. And they've got that piping-hot tea situation on lock too – perfect.
But I gotta keep it real, service was a bit sluggish, and the prices played hide and seek on the menu – kind of an eyebrow raiser. Despite that, I'm all in for a dim sum encore at this spot.
Location: 4600 No. 3 Rd #101, Richmond, BC V6X 2C2, Canada
Crystal Mall Food (Burnaby)
Crystal Mall is like an Asian wonderland with a cool food court, fresh market, and tons of Asian shops. It's mostly a Chinese hangout and they're famous for dishing out legit Chinese grub. Heads up, cash is king at most stands, but don't sweat it – there's an ATM on the scene. We hit up the spot for killer xiao long bao (Shanghai dim sum vibes) and a bomb BBQ joint right next door. Oh, and Mr. Zhang Chinese Cuisine hooked us up with some epic crepes.
Food-wise, it's a jackpot – seriously tasty and wallet-friendly. People here are friendly vibes all the way. Only downside? It can get mad busy, and snagging a seat can be a bit of a treasure hunt. But hey, parking's a breeze – first 3 hours are on the house in their parking garage!
Wish we had room to try more goodies. By the way, those xiao long bao gave us déjà vu from Julie's Noodles in Austin – if you've been, you know what's up. Make sure to try their SJB too! And don't even think about missing the yogurt drink at Money Tea – trust me, it's a game-changer.
Long story short, Crystal Mall rocks the Asian scene with its food frenzy and lively vibe. A must for any foodie adventurer!
Location: 4500 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 2A9, Canada
Ask for Luigi
Couldn't wait to dive into Ask For Luigi – I'd seen it topping a bunch of best Italian food lists and the excitement was real! We went all out, grabbing the meatballs, rigatoni, wild boar Ragu, Nero spaghetti, radiatore verde, and that mouthwatering olive oil cake. Brace yourself – this food was nothing short of a revelation. Seriously, it's like my whole Italian food game got upgraded. And trust me, I've sampled Italian eats in Boston, Austin, you name it – nothing even came close.
The service? Top-notch. But the real show-stealers were the radiatore pasta, that olive oil cake, and those irresistible meatballs. Booking-wise, we snagged a spot through their website weeks ahead, with a refundable 50-dollar reservation fee. Oh, and a pro tip for summer – the Wild Boar Ragu is an absolute must-try. It's an encore we definitely don't regret.
Location: 305 Alexander St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1C4, Canada
Saku
@sakuvancouver totally rocked it – their Katsu game is on point! They're all about that local meat and whip up their special bread crumbs, kept just right for that insane crunch. We played it smart, showed up half an hour before they kicked off, and luckily there wasn't a line. But lemme tell ya, it formed quick once they opened those doors.
Now, picture this: we went all out and grabbed the Zenbu katsu – every single type of Katsu they've got. Plus, we dug into this massive platter loaded with all kinds of Katsu goodness. Seriously, this place is a Katsu haven and hands down the best I've ever had. Don't even think about missing it!
Location: 1588 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6G 2G5, Canada
6. Botanist
If you're looking for a spot with a beautiful setting and more fancy food, Botanist is your spot. We got their rhubarb, bee pollen, summer truffles, brown butter shittake mushrooms, SPRING SHOOT SALAD, potato pave, smoked carrots, lobster bisque, BUTTER POACHED LOBSTER, sunchokes, cultivated mushrooms, fine herbs, leche de tigre, CHARRED OCTOPUS, and their romanesco, duck prosciutto, bordelaise, watermelon radish, PAN SEARED SCALLOPS. My only issue was I had an allergic reaction to the bee pollen. I would say this spot was delicious and they take reservations too!
Location: 1038 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 0B9, Canada
Dynasty Seafood
Gotta share this epic moment from my 2023 trip – the Typhoon Crab Tower at Dynasty Seafood. We hit up the joint around 9 pm after touchdown and went all in for their secret off-menu deal. Imagine this: a juicy dungeness crab, sizzlin' with garlic and killer spices, sitting pretty on a tower of sticky rice that's pure yum.
The vibe in the restaurant is totally chill, so my sweatpants weren't out of place at all. And get this, they even bring out a live crab like a teaser before you order. Just so you know, this crabby masterpiece might set you back about $100 or more. But trust me, it's so worth it for the flavor explosion.
Address: 108-777 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4J7, Canada
Iden Quan Jude
In Vancouver, there's a Michelin-starred spot for Peking Duck lovers. We scored a lunch reservation and tried their amazing 169-course meal for two (lunch only). This beats ordering the $128 standalone Duck, as the meal includes Duck Soup, Fried Oysters, Stir-Fried Shrimp with Eggs, the star carved Peking Duck, and a sweet Zhong Zhi dessert.
The service is top-notch, waiters dressed sleek in tuxedos. They carve the mouthwatering Duck at your table, but it takes about 55 minutes. So, plan for a leisurely lunch.
In short, this place blends food and service like no other. For a deluxe lunch celebrating Peking Duck, this is the spot.
Location: 2808 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2V5, Canada
Uno Beef Noodle Soup (Richmond)
Uno Beef Noodle Soup clinches the title of Vancouver's ultimate beef noodle destination. Be ready to kick back a bit – we clocked around 40 minutes of waiting at dinnertime. Brace for not-so-ace service; you might need to wave your arms for attention. But hey, hold tight – the beef noodle soup is worth the hustle.
Address:
2811 No. 3 Rd #135, Richmond, BC V6X 2B2, Canada
HK BBQ Master (Richmond)
When in Vancouver, a visit to HK BBQ Master is essential. Keep in mind, they only deal in cash, but fret not – an ATM is conveniently located in the adjacent grocery store. Be prepared for swift business – their offerings tend to sell out rapidly. For a delectable experience, I suggest indulging in the Roast Pork, both the Lean and Fatty Charsiu, and certainly savoring their Roast Duck. I assure you, their Roast Pork and Charsiu are unparalleled in my culinary journey. Such was our fondness for this spot that we made two visits during our stay – a testament to its exceptional quality.
Address: 4651 No. 3 Rd, Richmond, BC V6X 2C4, Canada
Savio Volpe
Savio Volpe is an awesome Italian joint in Vancouver. They've got this 'ALLA FAMIGLIA' thing for $79 per person where they pile on a bunch of courses – it's a sweet deal. But we went à la carte and snagged the Prosciutto (with peaches, parmigiano ‘vacca bruna’, and fancy stuff like aged balsamic), the Agnolotti dal plin (packed with chicken, pork, red wine, and crispy sage), their Canestri (oxtail stracotto, pickled fennel, mint, and pecorino), and the famous Kale Salad.
Food was on point, but I kinda leaned towards Ask for Luigi for that extra kick. You can book a spot here too, so no worries on that front.
Address: 615 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5T 3K5, Canada
Ramen Danbo
@ramendanbo_ca is my favorite ramen I’ve ever had. You heard that right! Out of all the ramen I’ve had in the US and Japan. This spot is amazing every time. I first had it in Seattle. They are open all the time, even holidays. The line goes pretty fast and the food was delish! I recommend getting a bowl of rice to eat with your broth at the end. The classic tonkotsu broth is my fav. I tried the other broths too.
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh, this buzzing Southeast fusion hub, is a legit crowd-pleaser renowned for its genuine flavors. We tackled their signature butter beef (think tartare, but with a twist – vinegar sauce vibes) and those mind-blowing chicken wings. Trust me, we ordered a bunch more, but these two stole the spotlight. Food? Off-the-charts delicious. We couldn't resist doubling down on the wings – they're that good!
Now, here's the scoop: no reservations, you gotta pop in and get your name on that wait list. But once you're in, get ready – food flies out of the kitchen like nobody's business.
Address: 244 E Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1Z7, Canada
Granville Island Market
Granville Island "is the jewel in the Island’s crown. An indoor market featuring a fascinating assortment of colorful food and produce stores, showcasing handcrafted products and the very finest in unique gifts. All fresh from the ocean, the oven or the field" (from their website. They are open daily till 6 pm. There were plenty of fresh produce stalls and local goods. I recommend coming here to buy food for a picnic or brunch! The fruit was expensive but taste. We got charcuterie from Oyama Sausage and found it superb and cheese from Benton Brothers. We also got donuts from @leesdonuts.ca at the @granville_island.
Address: Public Market, 1689 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9, Canada
Vijs
@eatdrinkvijs is a popular Indian fusion restaurant! The chef here is super famous too. We ordered an assortment of food but our favorite dishes were the lamb lollipops and the chicken skewers. We called the restaurant when they opened and asked for a reservation. If you're pressed on time feel free to skip this one.
Address: 3106 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2W2, Canada
Maru Hachi Ra-men
Another ramen spot with multiple locations "Chicken is one of the universal foods that you can find in almost every culture. This is how he was inspired to create Maru Hachi RA-MEN’s signature creamy chicken broth (toripai tan)" From their website. They use chicken broth for their ramen and the pork slices on top melt in your mouth.
Address: 270 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 0E7, Canada
Kingyo
Kingyo is a Japanese Izakaya spot located on Robson. They technically take reservations but you need to call them directly to make one. The food here was pretty affordable for sushi and eats. We opted for some of their christmas specials but they're popular for their pressed sushi. I think if you're pressed on time you can probably skip this spot @kingyo_izakaya_van
Address: 871 Denman St, Vancouver, BC V6G 2L9, Canada
The Teahouse Stanley Park
@the_teahouse , this is located in Stanley park. We are here for their special Christmas Day dinner. It was 5 courses. Honestly the beginning of this meal was rough, with them forgetting courses and leaving us unattended for 15 minutes with no water or complimentary bread, and then also bringing me the wrong food multiple times.But after I let the manager know, the night took a turn and the food came out in a timely manner and the prime rib was delicious, I would say the meal here was a special occasion and feeling and I’m glad they made things right.
Address: 7501 Stanley Park Dr, Vancouver, BC V6G 1Z4, Canada
Richmond Night Market (Summer time Only, Weekends)
Let's talk about the Richmond Night Market – hands down, one of the most epic night markets on the planet. It's all about that Asian food scene, and trust me, it's worth the hype. Quick heads-up though: this place gets crazy crowded. I'd seriously consider walking or grabbing an Uber to avoid the parking madness. Oh, and brace yourself for a hefty wait just to get in – but hey, they offer fast pass tickets if you're down.
Once you're in, prepare for a total food fiesta. My top picks? You gotta try that killer noodle cup and dive into the rainbow Mango Sticky Rice. Seriously, show up with a growling stomach – you won't regret it.
Address: 8351 River Rd, Richmond, BC V6X 1Y4, Canada
Desserts
Bon Crepe
@boncrepevancouver is on Robson street (one of my fav streets) attached to a Japanese supermarket. I recommend shopping around the market for exclusive Japanese snacks then buying a crepe!
Location: 1238 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1C1, Canada
Nero Waffle
@nerowaffles serves liege and Belgium waffles. They have mini waffles and also larger made fresh waffles with toppings. During our visit we thought the churro waffle and classic waffles were the best. We liked them so much that we even brought a box home to America!
Address:1703 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6G 1C8, Canada
Earnest Ice cream
Hands down, this is the ice cream that's taken the crown – I mean, seriously, it's THAT amazing. The line was no joke, but it moved quick. And let me tell you, the roasted hazelnut and whisky flavor combo? Total heaven. You just gotta give this one a shot. Vancouver's dairy game is on point, and trust me, you'll taste the difference.
Address: 1829 Quebec St, Vancouver, BC V5T 2Z3, Canada
La Glace
