The 10 Best Places to Eat in Vancouver in 2021

Upscale contemporary eatery located in the Hotel Fairmont Pacific Rim, close to Vancouver Harbour. The elegant, pastel themed dining room leads out onto a plant filled, glass walled garden. A high end menu features starters such as charred octopus with leek fondue and potato gnocchi. Mains span charred salmon with toasted pecans, and duo of lamb rack and lamb shank with tomato fondue. There’s also a Vegan menu whose offerings include pan roasted beetroot steak with king oyster mushrooms, Brussel sprouts and chili oil. The ultra-modern bar or ‘Cocktail lab’ serves up elaborately presented drinks.

Located in the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel beside Vancouver Harbour, upmarket Arc is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. On a weekend you can all enjoy their all-inclusive $39 brunch menu, featuring classics such as waffles, pancakes, avocado toast and eggs benedict. If you’re famished, tackle the Longshoreman, a mighty medley of eggs, fingerling potatoes, tomatoes, sausage, bacon and ham, plus sourdough toast. Dinners include beef tenderloin steak with broccoli and bordelaise sauce, or pork ragu pasta with lemon and parmesan. An all-day children’s menu is available.

Chic Japanese restaurant in the Yaletown neighbourhood, specialising in ‘aburi’ or flame-seared sushi. Alongside an elegant array of sushi and sashimi, the lunch and dinner menus feature starters such as beer-battered tiger prawns with Asian slaw, and wagyu beef gratin. Mains range from miso marinated sablefish with celeriac-parsnip puree, to paprika dry rub steak in a garlic sesame sauce. Choose from Japanese/European fusion desserts including passion fruit and banana tart on caramel ganache, and chocolate pot de crème. An extensive drinks list features sake and Japanese spirits.

Situated at the Westin Bayshore Hotel, with great views over Coal Harbour Marina, H2 specialises in locally sourced comfort food. Their breakfast menu has tempting classics such as pancakes, bacon and eggs benedict. French toast features aromatic grilled peach and mascarpone stuffed brioche, topped with fruit compote and maple syrup. Dinner delights include seafood linguine and ribeye steak. Or try their signature dish, smoked chipotle rotisserie chicken served with coleslaw and fries. The comprehensive drinks menu includes an impressive array of local craft beers. There are vegetarian and vegan options, along with a children’s menu.

Moroccan restaurant serving traditional halal cuisine prepared using fresh, flavourful ingredients. Starters include lamb merguez sausages in harissa sauce, and chicken and almond pastilla. For your main, try a traditional spicy lamb tagine, braised in tomato and cilantro sauce with roast zucchini and potatoes. Or opt for the cardamom duck, cooked with figs, dates, pears, and sesame. Desserts include pistachio baklava and Moroccan cookies baked with honey, rose and sesame. Finish off with Moroccan tea, which is served in a traditional silver teapot. Vegetarian dishes are available.

A contemporary, light filled vegan pizzeria and ice cream bar, situated in the city’s western suburbs. Enjoy starters such as roasted eggplant, garlic and lemon dip with za’atar flatbread or dairy free mac n cheese. Homemade 10” pizzas include the Ultraviolet, which teams walnut and arugula pesto with cashew mozzarella, roast tomatoes, pine nuts, kale and caramelized onion. Their vegan ice creams and floats are available in a variety of classic flavours, such as salted caramel, or pumpkin pie and pecan. The drinks list showcases locally produced coffee and craft beers.

Located in the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, this multi-award winning restaurant dishes up classic modern cuisine in elegant surroundings. Starters span the ‘KFC’, Korean fired cauliflower with sesame and cilantro, or roasted sunchoke soup with wild mushroom crostini. Tuck into hearty mains such as scallop and pork belly with cauliflower and beetroot and apple puree. Their wagyu burger comes teamed with horseradish aioli, tomato jam, water cress and onion rings. To finish, there’s a tempting selection of desserts and local and international cheeses.

A recent addition to the Vancouver dining scene, Say Mercy! serves up Italian/American BBQ inspired cuisine in a chic retro dining room. The diverse menu spans shrimp and grits, parsnip and gorgonzola risotto, and chicken noodle soup with dumplings. Sharing mains include pork hock with farro and cabbage slaw, or fried catfish with fennel sausage, cannellini beans and salsa verde. If you’re hopeless at choosing, opt for ‘Jesus take the wheel’, a guided chef’s menu of five courses, available for two or more diners. Classic and house cocktails complete the drinks list.

Wildebeest brings locally sourced, seasonal cuisine to Vancouver’s Gastown neighbourhood. The restaurant offers a farm to table dining experience in an atmospheric 19th century building. Open for brunch and dinner, the meat friendly menu features lamb shank curry, wagyu brisket and loin of venison. Flat iron steak comes with hasselback potatoes, winter squash, onions, and bordelaise jus. Sides include miso glazed cabbage, and crispy potato puffs with emmental and capers. The substantial drinks menu includes beers, wines and cocktails.

An award winning, centrally located vegan restaurant, with a Middle Eastern inspired menu. Choose from tapas dishes of baba ganoush, hummus, and fried chickpeas. The all-you-can-eat main menu features platters or pittas stuffed with falafel, shawarma and vegan ‘chikebabs’. Or fill up on all day breakfast offerings such as tofu scramble, or shakshukah, a tangy Mediterranean stew of tomatoes, vegetables, and vegan cheese and sausage. Finish with a dessert of baklava, or chocolate espresso ice cream made with coconut milk. The drinks list has a range of local craft beers and ciders, plus wines and cocktails.