From elevated Michelin-starred dining along Main Street to Robson Street with its dizzying array of dumpling shops, ramen-ya, Korean-fried chicken joints, and creative bakeries, Vancouver is a city that demands you come hungry and ensures you leave satisfied.
Since I arrived as an immigrant from the U.K. more than a decade ago, exploring the culinary delights of the city has been like a global food tour. (Hard to say whether I fell first for the city’s soaring mountain views or the easy access to superb, cheap sushi.) Over 40 percent of Vancouver’s residents are born outside of Canada, and the city is home to robust Chinese, Indian, and Filipino communities, to name a few. Chefs from around the world apply culinary traditions to exceptional produce from the Lower Mainland and superb seafood from the cold, clean waters around Vancouver Island, creating a unique style of West Coast cuisine. Add in mushrooming brewery and distillery scenes, as well as fruit-forward wines from the nearby Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys, and you can see why Vancouver deserves its reputation as one of the world’s best places to eat and drink.
Maple leaf pride — through supporting all things B.C. in particular and Canadian in general — continues to be the order of the day here in Vancouver. American wines and spirits have been pulled from shelves in response to the tariffs imposed by President Trump, creating more room for businesses to highlight whisky made right here at craft distilleries in B.C. along with superb wines and other spirits.
Vancouver does the festive season right: Grouse Mountain is dusted with snow, the city glows with holiday lights, there are seasonal flavors to try wherever you go, and it’s the absolute best time to sample the rich bounty of Canadian-sourced shellfish from oysters to lobster. January and February bring the ever-popular Dine Out festival, with prix fixe menus and fun visiting chef events, so even in the gloomiest times, there are plenty of delicious things to try.
We update this list quarterly to make sure it reflects the ever-changing Vancouver dining scene. Our write-ups include insider tips from our experienced writers and editors, as well as a rough range of pricing for each destination — ranging from $ for quick, inexpensive meals with dishes largely under $10 (or the equivalent in Canadian dollars), to $$$$ for places where entrees exceed $30.
New to the map in December 2025: Zabu, a late night Korean-style fried chicken wonder; the fine dining institution Blue Water Cafe; and beloved brunch legend Cafe Medina.
Nikki Bayley is an award-winning freelance travel, food, and wine writer whose work has appeared in The Daily Telegraph, BC Living, and Whistler Traveller.
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