17 Best Restaurants in Vancouver, British Columbia

Watch floatplanes take off and land at this buzzy pub on the Fraser River, near YVR's south terminal. A shuttle service runs from the main terminal.

If the weather's fine, head for this seafood stand on the seawall, overlooking the docks beside Granville Island. The menu is short—highlights include fish-and-chips, grilled salmon or tuna sandwiches, and fish tacos—but the quality is first-rate. It's hugely popular, and on sunny summer days the waits can be maddening both to order and to wait on its cooked-to-order delivery. So try to avoid the busiest times: noon to 2 pm and 5 pm to closing (usually around 7). Because there are just a few outdoor tables, be prepared to take your food to go.

This floating fish-and-chips stand, the original location of the popular local eatery, draws crowds all summer long.

Located on the pier next to Fisherman's Wharf in Steveston Village, this popular eatery's "canoe-sized" fresh local seafood platters, featuring snow crab legs, smoked salmon, and Salt Spring Island mussels, are designed for sharing. In summer, grab a seat on the deck overlooking the busy boardwalk, and watch the marina and river traffic sail by.

This Vancouver institution is about 1 kilometer (½ mile) east of the main Commercial strip but is well worth the trek. Their famous breakfast—served with two eggs, toast, hash browns and meat—is just C$3. (And the price hasn't changed in years.) This place really showcases the East Side's gritty character: from the graffiti-covered walls to the no-frills, serve-yourself coffee bar. Weekend lines are long; get there as early as you can.

Located adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, and within a few minutes walk of the city's Rogers Arena and BC Place, what better place for a pre-theater/pre-event meal? Choices are wide and varied, from social hour morsels (crispy cauliflower and parmesan garlic chips) to soups, salads, burgers, Asian-inspired bowls, pasta, and a decent kids' menu. Save room for house-made desserts. Bonus: there's underground parking.

Lots of warm woods, booths, and faux antiques here and there create a modern, pub-like atmosphere where comfort food is the name of the game. Think shepherd's pie, chicken pot pie, beef bourguignon, jambalaya, and a perennial favorite: mac and cheese. Big bowls of soup and sandwiches are also on the menu. A great place for early family suppers and for livelier crowds as the evening progresses. Service is friendly and efficient.

Watch the dumpling makers at work in the open kitchen, and you'll know what to order at this bustling Chinese eatery specializing in traditional Shanghainese and Taiwanese-style food. From xiao long bao (delicate pork-and-crab-filled soup dumplings) to freshly steamed vegetable buns, you'll find plenty of doughy deliciousness here. Handmade Shanghai-style noodles, fresh greens quickly stir-fried with garlic, and salted vegetables with pork and green beans are tasty options, too. Their original location in Richmond is larger and more upscale.

Authentic Northern Chinese dishes are the specialty at this friendly storefront restaurant. Particularly good are the hand-pulled noodles that the cooks knead and stretch in the open kitchen and the popular spicy dan-dan noodles. Vegetarians have plenty of options, including many of the dumplings. Dim sum dishes are also on offer, and the helpful staff is happy to guide you to more authentic Mandarin fare. There is another West Side location at 2394 West 4th Ave. in Kitsilano.

One of the city's first bubble tea stalls makes for a refreshing break at the busy Richmond Public Market. 

There are always lines out the door at this popular local family-run ice-cream parlor, one of three in the city (the others are on West 4th Avenue in Kits and at UBC—there is also a food truck at English Bay). The dairy products used to create the company's signature Philadelphia-style ice cream, using only 100 percent dairy and no eggs, are locally sourced from a farm in Abbotsford. Perfect for a pitstop—rain or shine.

This casual eatery serves Mexican favorites like tacos, burritos, tortas, quesadillas, and more—all for less than C$12. Whatever you order, make sure to try one (or several) of their flavor-packed hot sauces. A great spot for a casual lunch or dinner, and if it's nice out, bring your eats to the nearby Robson Park for a picnic. The Kingsway location is full of Mexican artwork. There are three other locales across the city.

Vancouver's ocean of Asian restaurants can be overwhelming so finding dependably great, authentic Thai cuisine is a treat. Sala Thai means "an open pavilion for gathering," so you can expect gracious hospitality and service, alongside seafood, noodles—pad Thai, pad see-ew to name just two---and curries with coconut milk, fruits, and spices. The diverse menu includes desserts like jackfruit, mango, and sweet sticky rice, as well as deep-friend bananas and homemade coconut ice cream. No wonder kids love the place.

A brigade of chefs is at work in the open kitchen of this popular restaurant that specializes in Shanghai-style fare, which is richer and slightly sweeter than more delicate Cantonese dishes. They're prepping the handmade dumplings, including the soup-filled xiao long bao and the panfried pork buns that are among the specialties here. Hand-pulled noodles, saucy braised eggplant, and fresh stir-fried greens are other good options. Book in advance or prepare to wait.

In a 1911 manor house, this bar and grill with a large patio is very family-friendly, with a menu of burgers, fish, soups, and salads, as well as sharing plates and vegetarian options. The location right in Stanley Park is great, especially mid-bike ride. It overlooks the Rose Garden and is steps from Malkin Bowl, where outdoor theater and concerts are held in summer.