Drool-worthy restaurants in Vancouver for your next BC trip

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the North Shore Mountains, the restaurants in Vancouver offer some of the best views – and flavours – in the country. Known for its cultural diversity and strong Asian influence, the city’s dining scene is heaven for foodies with adventurous palettes.  

Many restaurants in Vancouver hold diamond designations from CAA/AAA, while others have been named to Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list or even received coveted Michelin recommendations and stars. Since so many choices can be overwhelming, we’ve handpicked a list of top-tier restaurants in Vancouver for your next evening out.  

Best for steak: Elisa 

Where: 1109 Hamilton St., Vancouver 

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Located in the heart of trendy Yaletown, Elisa is among the top restaurants in Vancouver for steak lovers. Diners can enjoy premium cuts – grilled over local birch, apple and alder woods. Meat is sourced from farms in Alberta, Prince Edward Island, the U.S., and even wagyu striploin and tenderloin from Japan. 

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This year, Elisa took home Vancouver Magazine’s Restaurant of the Year and Best Steakhouse awards; the restaurant also made the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants list and holds a four-diamond rating from CAA/AAA. It snagged the 87th spot on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list in 2025, which notes the menu offers “...classic cuts with a few curveballs, like smoked bison tartare and Nonna’s coniglio brasato.” 

Best fusion cuisine: Kissa Tanto 

Where: 263 E. Pender St., Vancouver 

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Drawing inspiration from Tokyo’s jazz cafes in the 60s, Kissa Tanto’s chic decor entices diners with a mix of antique Japanese panels and colourful artwork. 

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In the heart of Vancouver’s Chinatown, the restaurant serves up a sophisticated fusion of Japanese and Italian cuisine, earning a Michelin star in 2024. Michelin notes, “The cultural collision is best seen in dishes like the tajarin, hand-cut pasta dressed in butter, miso-cured egg yolk and parmesan. Tiramisu takes an Eastern turn with an ethereal, plum wine-soaked tofu filling.” Kissa Tanto offers an omakase experience, which translates to “I leave it up to you.” Diners entrust the chef to select and serve a series of dishes. 

Best Latin flavours: SUYO Modern Peruvian 

Where: 3475 Main St., Vancouver 

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With its tall plants and plush seating, Suyo manages to be sophisticated yet comfortable. This popular restaurant recently made Michelin’s list of “Best Date Night Spots in Vancouver” and holds a four-diamond rating from CAA/AAA. Suyo also won gold on the “Best Latin American Restaurants in Vancouver 2024” list from Vancouver Magazine. 

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Start your meal with Hamachi tiradito, a dish born from the crossing of Japanese and Latin culture in Peru. Small plate offerings range from quinoa-crusted albacore tuna salad to veal scallopini anticuchero or pan de yuca – a traditional bread made with yuca flour and cheese. Main offerings include duck, beef tenderloin, and tacu-tacu croquetas. Leave room for dessert; the tropical mousse de maracuya marries decadent tres leches cake with coconut lime sorbet and vanilla rooibos. 

Best palatial ambiance: iDen & Quan Ju De Beijing Duck House 

Where: 2808 Cambie St., Vancouver 

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You might feel like an emperor as you step into the dining room at iDen & Quan Ju De Beijing Duck House. Gilded in gold, the walls are covered in Chinese block art – and a skyline of Beijing’s prominent architectural landmarks hangs from the ceiling. 

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Renowned for its tableside-carved Peking (Beijing) roast duck, the restaurant upholds the traditions of Chinese gastronomy while embracing innovation. iDen & Quan Ju De Beijing Duck House received a prestigious Michelin star for three consecutive years (2022-2024), and was named to the ELITE 15 list in the Chinese Restaurant Awards in 2024. Beyond the crispy and juicy duck, there are a host of other delicacies on offer – local lobster, sablefish cooked in black vinegar and a Cantonese-style lamb rack marinated with honey and soy. 

Honourable mentions: 

AnnaLena: Taking the No. 20 spot on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list in 2024 and holding a four-diamond designation from CAA/AAA, this Kitsilano restaurant won’t disappoint. Expect a sophisticated tasting menu in a relaxed space, playfully decorated with Lego sculptures and Star Wars memorabilia. 

Five Sails: Chef Alex Kim made headlines in early 2025 when he won gold at the Canadian Culinary Championship. The only thing better than the exquisitely prepared, seafood-forward menu is the breathtaking waterfront view. 

Nightingale: For a modestly priced meal that doesn’t skimp on flavour, check out this restaurant – a readers’ choice winner in 2025 for “Best Downtown” in Vancouver Magazine. The magazine notes, “The wood-fired pizzas at Nightingale are the stuff of legend at this point.” 

Sula Indian Restaurant: Located in Vancouver’s lively West End, Sula offers a modern yet authentic Indian food experience. With a three-diamond designation from CAA/AAA, diners can expect signature curries and tandoori – along with fusion dishes such as a burrata dish with makhani sauce and mint pesto.