As of 2026, this Vancouver food guide covers 24 restaurants by category — including Hawksworth Restaurant, Botanist, St. Lawrence Restaurant. See prices, locations and must-try dishes below.
Vancouver is Canada's West Coast food capital — anchored by 1907 Joe Fortes' century-long oyster heritage + 1974 Hidekazu Tojo invention of the California Roll (the birthplace of Canadian sushi) + 2008 Miku's Aburi (lightly torched) sushi introduction + 2011 Hawksworth's BC fine-dining + 1979 Granville Island Public Market's 50+ ingredient stalls and 50+ artisans. BC Wild Salmon, Pacific Halibut, Sydney oysters, Aburi sushi, JapaDog, Maple Bacon Donut are the everyday icons. We've organized 24 restaurants across 6 categories. Each entry includes prices, hours, local tips, and a Google Maps link so you can plan straight from the page.
VancouverFood Map
Click pins to see restaurant info · 24 restaurants
Loading map...
Map not showing? View pin list
1
Hawksworth Restaurant
Downtown (Rosewood Hotel Georgia) · Modern Canadian
Hawksworth, Botanist, St. Lawrence — BC ingredients (salmon, halibut, wild berries, maple) elevated with modern technique
Hawksworth Restaurant
Hawksworth · Downtown (Rosewood Hotel Georgia)
1
#1
MUST TRY
Halibut ciabatta + sponge cake + wine pairing
Chef David Hawksworth's signature restaurant since 2011. Located on the ground floor of Rosewood Hotel Georgia, the menu uses BC rockfish, halibut, and Alberta beef with modern technique. 1920s-era hotel interior + vintage atmosphere. Regular on Canada's 100 Best + Canada's 50 Best Top 5.
USD 65~135
(CAD 90~180)
Mon-Fri 11:30-14:30 + 17:30-22:00 / Sat 17:30-22:00 / Sun closed
Local tip: Book dinner 2-4 weeks ahead. Lunch best value (3-course CAD 50). Wine pairing CAD 95 extra. Business casual; no sneakers/shorts.
Fairmont Pacific Rim's signature restaurant. Opened 2017, four sections (main dining, garden room, bar, gallery). World's 50 Best Bars regular and Canada's top cocktail bar. Mixes Costa Rican and black truffle imports with BC local sourcing.
USD 75~148
(CAD 100~200)
Daily 17:30-22:30
Local tip: Book 2 weeks ahead. Gallery seating works for casual small groups. Don't skip the 'Black Forest' dessert. Garden Room cocktails + dinner is the most popular combo.
Chef J-C Poirier's Quebec-French gastro-bistro. Air Canada enRoute named it Canada's #1 restaurant in 2019. Vintage interior + autobiographical menu from the Quebec-born chef. In Railtown (25-min walk east of downtown).
BC wild mushrooms + salmon chowder + weekly brunch
Value-driven modern Canadian on Robson Street. 100% BC wild ingredients (mushrooms, seaweed, berries, salmon) + 'Ocean Wise' certified. Brunch (weekends 09:00-14:00) more famous than dinner. Strong wine and whisky pairings.
Tojo, Miku, Sushi Bar Maumi — where Hidekazu Tojo invented the California roll in 1974; North America's top sushi city
Tojo's Restaurant
Tojo's · South Downtown (Broadway)
5
#1
MUST TRY
Omakase + the original California roll + Tojo roll
Hidekazu Tojo (immigrated 1971) invented the California roll here in 1974. Opened his own restaurant in 1988, awarded Canada's Order of Canada in 2008. The 8-seat 'Omakase Bar' is served by Tojo himself. Nearly every Canadian sushi convention started here.
USD 65~148
(CAD 90~200)
Mon-Sat 17:00-22:00 / Sun closed
Local tip: Book omakase 6-8 weeks ahead. Starts at CAD 200. Smart casual recommended. Main dining at CAD 90-120 is a meaningful step down in atmosphere.
The restaurant that introduced aburi sushi (lightly torched) to Vancouver. Opened 2008, parent in Miyazaki, Japan. Coal Harbour waterfront + harbor view. 60%+ of the menu is modern Japanese with wine/sake pairing.
USD 37~105
(CAD 50~140)
Mon-Sat 11:00-22:00 / Sun 11:00-21:00
Local tip: Book 1-2 weeks ahead. Lunch value (signature box CAD 35). Request waterfront window seating. Aburi salmon oshi-zushi is essential.
10-seat omakase-only counter. Chef Shinji Kobayashi sources daily Japan-direct (tuna, aburi, mackerel) for a 17-22 course tasting. Michelin-tier recognition (2022). A different level from other Vancouver sushi. Online booking only 6 weeks out, no walk-ins.
Joe Fortes, Blue Water, Coast — 100+ year Joe Fortes oyster heritage + BC's premier fish market
Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House
Joe Fortes · Downtown (Robson Street)
9
#1
MUST TRY
Dozen rock oysters + wild BC salmon + signature seafood tower
Opened 1907, the 100+ year icon of Vancouver seafood. Named after Joe Fortes (1860s English Bay lifeguard). Lunch oysters CAD 30/dozen, dinner seafood tower CAD 150. Rooftop terrace + live jazz Sundays.
USD 45~105
(CAD 60~140)
Daily 11:30-24:00
Local tip: Book 1-2 weeks ahead. Daily oysters (CAD 2.50/each) limited to noon-16:00. Rooftop only May-Sep, harder to book. No Korean menu but ample photo menu.
Yaletown's signature seafood. Top Chef Canada alumnus Frank Pabst. 100% Ocean Wise certified, BC species focus, sushi bar + raw oyster bar + main dining room (three sections). Dinner signature seafood tower CAD 180 (serves 4 — oysters, crab, shrimp, lobster, salmon).
Local tip: Book 2-3 weeks ahead. Lunch (11:30-14:30) 3-course CAD 50 is great value. 'Unsung Heroes' menu (sustainable species campaign) is the chef's pick. Business casual recommended.
Seafood boat + wild BC shrimp + live Maine lobster
Top Table Group's casual seafood. Opened 2003 on Alberni Street's luxury shopping row. Two sections: dining room + live bar (open kitchen counter). 'Seafood Boat' (2-4 person 4-tier tower) + signature live lobster (market price).
USD 37~82
(CAD 50~110)
Daily 11:30-22:00
Local tip: Book 1 week ahead. Lunch or happy hour (15:00-17:00) for half-price oysters. Walk-ins possible after Robson shopping.
Go Fish · Near Granville Island (Fisherman's Wharf)
12
#4
MUST TRY
Halibut fish & chips + salmon tacos
Small food kiosk at Fisherman's Wharf. 20 outdoor seats + walk-in. Daily-sourced halibut, salmon, and rockfish for fish & chips. Regular on Canada's 100 Best Cheap Eats. 1-hour queue standard; lunch/happy hour (14:00-16:00) shorter.
Vikram Vij (Indian-born) opened this modern Indian in 1994. Regular on Canada's 100 Best + featured on Bourdain's Parts Unknown. No reservations — walk-in only, 1-2 hour queue standard. Indian home cooking + BC ingredients + wine/beer pairing. Recommended if you like Korean spice.
USD 30~60
(CAD 40~80)
Daily 17:30-22:00
Local tip: Arrive at 17:00 opening to shorten queue. 18:00-21:00 = 2-hour wait. Wine list 60+ labels. Celebrity chef Vikram appears 1-2 nights a week.
Xiao long bao + lamb razowan + Peking duck baby buns
Tannis Ling's modern Chinese brasserie. Opened 2010, the leading value dinner in Chinatown. Vintage interior + cocktail bar vibe. Regular on Canada's 100 Best. Family-style sharing menu.
USD 26~52
(CAD 35~70)
Daily 17:30-24:00
Local tip: Book 1 week ahead. Walk-ins possible after 22:00. Baby buns (5 small buns) + Peking duck combo recommended. Spice level Korean-strong.
Butter beef + chicken wings (the icon) + Vietnamese pho
1981 family-run Cambodian-Vietnamese casual restaurant. 1-hour queue standard, walk-in only. Signature 'Butter Beef' (lemon, pepper, soy) + 'Chicken Wings' (35-year-old recipe) are Canada-famous. Full spice level OK if you like Korean heat.
Chef's tasting menu (7 courses) + miang kham + green curry
Chef Angus An's modern Thai gastro-dining. Regular on Canada's 100 Best + Canada's 50 Best Top 10. Traditional Thai + modern technique + BC seafood. #1 in Kitsilano, walking distance to the beach. 7-course chef's tasting at CAD 90 is the value pick.
Noriki Tamura (Japanese-born) launched this hot dog food truck in 2005. Canada's #1 food truck. 5 downtown branches + Granville Island. 'Terimayo' (teriyaki + mayo) + 'Oroshi' (daikon + soy) + 'Wasabi' are the signatures. Anthony Bourdain, Tom Hanks, and others have been customers.
USD 7~15
(CAD 10~20)
Daily 11:00-23:00 (varies by branch)
Local tip: Queue 5-15 minutes. 'Terimayo' is essential. Combo CAD 13-16 (hot dog + fries + drink). Downtown branches open until 24:00.
Opened 2010 in Gastown — the city's leading lunch sandwich. Regular on Travel + Leisure 'Canada's Best Sandwiches'. 'Porchetta' (Italian-style roast pork) CAD 13.50 is 90% of the menu. Walk-in only, 10-20 min queue. Peak at 12:30.
USD 10~18
(CAD 13~25)
Mon-Fri 11:30-16:00 / Sat 11:30-17:00 / Sun closed
Local tip: Arrive at 11:30 opening. Queue 30 min from 12:30-13:30. Few seats — takeaway recommended. Good stop en route to Gastown Steam Clock.
Lee's Donuts + Pied-a-Terre bakery + Stuart's Bakery cinnamon bun
Opened 1979, Vancouver's #1 food court. 50+ ingredient stalls + 10+ food counters. Lunch CAD 15-25/person. Lee's Donuts (cake donut leader), Stuart's Bakery (cinnamon bun), and Edible Canada (BC wine + small bites) are recommended. Aquabus (Burrard Marina to Granville Island, CAD 4.50) makes the trip more atmospheric.
USD 7~22
(CAD 10~30)
Daily 09:00-19:00
Local tip: Weekend 12:00-14:00 is peak — go weekdays or 11:00/15:00 for less. Edible Canada walk-ins OK. BC wines clearable through customs (1L/person).
Opened 2008, Canada's #1 brunch. Belgian Liege waffles (8 toppings) + Moroccan tagine breakfast are signature. Near BC Place + Rogers Arena downtown. 1-hour queue standard — no reservations, walk-in only.
USD 11~22
(CAD 15~30)
Daily 08:00-15:00
Local tip: Arrive at 08:00 opening. 10:00-12:00 = 1.5-hour wait. Order waffles + tagine for sharing.
BC salmon benedict + Canadian cheese board + BC wine pairing
Granville Island's premier BC local dining + grocery shop. Walk-ins for lunch + daily oysters (CAD 2/each) + 100+ BC wines + 50+ Canadian cheeses. 100% BC/Canada-origin menu. Sells gift-pack maple syrup and salmon for export.
USD 15~45
(CAD 20~60)
Daily 11:00-21:00
Local tip: Aquabus (Burrard Marina to Granville Island, CAD 4.50) is the atmospheric route. Lunch 11:00-13:00 quiet, 14:00-16:00 peak. BC wine bottles legal to export (1L/person).
Sophie's Cosmic Cafe (1988 vintage diner), Cafe Medina (Moroccan brunch), Cartems (maple bacon donut), JapaDog (Canada's #1 food truck), Granville Island Public Market food court, Phnom Penh (Chinatown since 1981).
Mid-Range
USD 22-74/person
Joe Fortes (1907 Sydney oysters), Miku (Aburi sushi, Coal Harbour), Blue Water Cafe (Yaletown seafood), Bao Bei (modern Cantonese, Chinatown), Vij's (modern Indian), Maenam (Thai, Kitsilano), Cactus Club Cafe (Robson Street).
Luxury
USD 74+/person
Hawksworth (David Hawksworth, Rosewood Hotel Georgia, BC fine-dining leader) USD 65-135, Botanist (Fairmont Pacific Rim, World's 50 Best Bars) USD 75-148, Tojo's (1974 California roll origin, omakase) USD 148-185, Maumi (Michelin-tier omakase) USD 65-111, St. Lawrence (Air Canada enRoute Canada #1). Honeymoon and anniversary courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about food and restaurants in Vancouver.
If you can only have one fine-dining meal in Vancouver, where?
Hawksworth (Chef David Hawksworth, Rosewood Hotel Georgia, CAD 90-180, Canada's 100 Best Top 5) is the first pick. 1920s hotel interior + BC rockfish, halibut, Alberta beef with modern technique. Runner-up Botanist (Fairmont Pacific Rim, World's 50 Best Bars, CAD 100-200) with standout cocktails. For Japanese influence, Tojo's (in Canada since 1971, 1974 California roll origin, omakase CAD 200-250). All three book 2-4 weeks ahead.
Is Sophie's Cosmic Cafe brunch worth queuing for?
Opened 1988, vintage 1950s American diner in Kitsilano. Eggs Benedict (8 varieties) + pancakes + milkshakes signature. Weekend 09:00-12:00 = 30-45 min queue. Weekdays or 08:30 sharp or 13:00+ are walk-in friendly. Norwegian (salmon) Benedict + flat white is the canonical order. Walk-in only, no reservations.
Joe Fortes (1907, Robson Street, CAD 60-140) carries 100+ year oyster heritage + rooftop terrace + Sunday live jazz. Daily lunch oysters CAD 2.50/each (12:00-16:00) lead value. Blue Water (Yaletown, CAD 80-180) is Top Chef Canada alumnus + seafood tower (CAD 180, serves 4). Atmosphere + 100-year heritage = Joe Fortes; value + modern + seafood tower = Blue Water.
Granville Island vs Richmond Alexandra Road — which?
Granville Island (Aquabus 5 min from downtown, CAD 4.50, 1979 + 50+ ingredient stalls + 50+ artisans) is Canada's #1 food court — top downtown-adjacent amenity. Lunch CAD 15-25 + wine tasting + Lee's Donuts (cake donut leader). Richmond Alexandra Road (25 min via SkyTrain + walk) is Canada's #1 Asian food strip (200+ restaurants) — Cantonese, Shanghai, Korean, Japanese, HK, Taiwanese. Short time = Granville Island. Asian dining + Steveston route = Richmond.
Where to find Korean food when homesick?
Downtown Robson Street: 'Sura Korean Cuisine' (traditional Korean royal cuisine, CAD 25-40), 'Kook Korean BBQ' (BBQ, CAD 35-60), 'Junirei' (Korean snacks). Coquitlam Lougheed Mall + 'H Mart' (Korean grocery + food court, downtown/Coquitlam/Richmond/Burnaby) standard. Coquitlam has 50+ Korean spots. Kimchi jjigae, samgyeopsal, bibimbap CAD 18-35.
Is JapaDog worth visiting?
Noriki Tamura (Japanese-born) launched in 2005, now Canada's #1 food truck. 5 downtown branches + Granville Island. 'Terimayo' (teriyaki + mayo, CAD 11), 'Oroshi' (daikon + soy, CAD 10), 'Wasabi' (CAD 10) are the signatures. Anthony Bourdain + Tom Hanks have been customers. Queue 5-15 min. 'Terimayo' is the must-order.
Top 5 must-eats in Vancouver?
1️⃣ Aburi salmon oshi-zushi (Miku, the origin, CAD 35-50). 2️⃣ BC salmon + Pacific halibut fish & chips (Joe Fortes or Go Fish, CAD 20-80). 3️⃣ Tojo omakase or Tojo Roll (1974 California roll origin, CAD 90-250). 4️⃣ JapaDog Terimayo (Canada's #1 food truck, CAD 11). 5️⃣ Maple bacon donut + BC wine tasting (Cartems CAD 8 + Edible Canada CAD 4). All five = CAD 160-400 per person (USD 119-296) — Tojo omakase covers half.
More on Vancouver
Cost guide, itineraries, hotel picks — plan the rest of your trip.
Jimmy Kong
TripPick founder · Travel content creator
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.
8+ years analyzing travel data
30+ countries visited
Live exchange rate verified
Canada