27 Best Restaurants in Vancouver, British Columbia

Locally run 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters sources and roasts their own coffees, which they feature at their flagship café on Main Street. It's always packed with neighborhood residents and shoppers enjoying the top-notch brews and the house-made Lucky's Doughnuts, which come in flavors from simple vanilla-glazed to salted caramel to decadent triple chocolate. Centered on a wood-framed counter, this large airy space has walls of windows on two sides. Its three other locations help keep the rest of the city caffeinated.

Granville Island has several coffee places, but only the Blue Parrot provides sweeping views of False Creek. If you haven't eaten your fill elsewhere in the market, accompany your espresso with a sticky hot strudel or gooey cinnamon bun. Early birds, take note: you can perch at the Parrot starting at 7 am, before the rest of the market stalls open. There's a second location at Hillcrest Centre, near Queen Elizabeth Park.

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.

Stop for an espresso on the airy enclosed patio at the West 4th location of this local coffee roaster, where delicious doughnuts are made on-site. 

Run by the same team that oversees the adjacent Hawksworth Restaurant, this upscale little café at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia serves fine coffee, a few salads and sandwiches, and exquisite pastries, from colorful macarons to beautifully crafted fruit tarts. Downtown business types like to meet here, and both shoppers and sightseers stop in to recharge. It's opposite the Vancouver Art Gallery and just a short stroll from Robson Street's boutiques.

This is where the culinary students of the adjoining Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts strut their stuff.  Standards are high and the artisanal breads, soups, wraps, and gourmet desserts are outstanding.

Some of Vancouver's best coffee is served at the several locations of Caffè Artigiano, where the baristas have won prizes for their latte art. Come for the java, and satisfy your hunger with a pastry or sandwich, too. In addition to locations further afield, other Downtown locales are at 763 Hornby St., 666 Burrard St., and 429 Howe St.

A favorite with locals for their hearty pub fare and craft beers, it is also one of South Granville's best places for brunch or a late-night snack.

This quintessential Commercial Drive spot sells all-organic groceries and vegan food in a small café. Their smoothies, bowls, and sweet treats are all must-tries. We recommend the Incredi-bowl. Choose pan-fried tempeh or roasted veggies, and quinoa or brown rice, and it'll come mixed with miso ginger dressing, avocado, sprouts, and sesame seeds. Perfect for a quick bite or yummy picnic fare.

Located in the same former Stock Exchange building as the luxe EXchange Hotel, Hydra Estiatorio transports you to the Greek islands. Check in at the long bar for mezzes and cocktails, including items from the raw bar such as ceviche, or linger over specialties that include forno-roasted leg of lamb, pan-roasted salmon, and the catch of the day—either grilled or baked. Sharing platters are flavor-packed. Globally sourced vintages include a rare nod to the home country, including Moschofilero, Assyrtiko, and Xinomavro. The contemporary mood is a big hit with the after-work crowd and millennials.

There might be other places in the world that sell Japanese-style hot dogs but the phenomenon is so very multiculti Vancouver, and this tiny storefront is the sit-down-at-cramped-counter spin-off of a wildly successful food cart with a loyal following. Bratwurst and wieners are topped with teriyaki sauce, nori, and other Asian condiments. You can still find the carts (usually) at two Burrard Street locations—one at the corner of West Pender Street between Robson Street and Smithe Street, and another near Waterfront Station on West Cordova Street at Granville. Keep an eye out for the JAPADOG food truck, which may be found in Kitsilano, South Granville, or the Olympic Village.

With thin, fresh egg noodles and homemade broth (it's a meat stock, so vegetarians won't find much on the menu), a bowl of noodle soup here is cheap, filling, and oh so tasty. Expect long lines, but you can use the wait to decide between lean or fatty pork, and rich, medium, or light stock. Once you're inside the bare-bones storefront, the harried staff doesn't tolerate any dithering. Kintaro is owned by the same people as Motomachi. They're both top-notch ramen shops, but this one is more of a quick eat-and-run stop—not the place for a leisurely meal.

As you'd expect from the name, this compact storefront specializes in noodles, and they're made by hand in the open kitchen, so you can watch. The choices are simple—noodles in soup or in straight-up stir-fries—but you can also order a plate of garlicky pea shoots or a steamer of dumplings to accompany your meal. The restaurant is just a short stroll from English Bay.

At this trendy sandwich shop, you simply wait in line (there's almost always a queue), and choose from the short daily menu of five sandwiches. The rich and crispy house-made porcetta (Italian-style roast pork) with salsa verde on a freshly baked ciabatta bun is a must-try. Who knew simplicity could taste so good? There are now four Vancouver locations to choose from; all close at 3 pm.

Because Vancouverites don't live by coffee alone—they're also tea drinkers—look for this tiny Yaletown tea bar that serves 60 of its own blends, including rich, milky "Lat-Teas." If you're feeling under-the-weather, order the "Cold Blaster," a rejuvenating blend of tea, orange juice, honey, ginger, and cayenne pepper.

Tucked down a tiny alley in the middle of the island, this espresso bar and bistro offers a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of the busy public market. The ethos here is all about organic, sustainable, and local ingredients. Try a pistachio latte or lavender white hot chocolate to-go, or grab a seat on the garden patio or in the upstairs loft for a hearty sandwich or breakfast offering from the bistro menu. Everything is made from scratch in house.

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. 

This Whistler-based bakery offers its yummy handmade goodies and freshly baked bread at three locations in town, including this bright storefront café in Kits.

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.

Inspired by the street foods of Rome, this cafeteria-style Italian bakery-café (pronounced "shoe-eh") starts the day serving espresso and pastries, then moves to panini, soups, and pastas. One specialty is the pane romano, essentially a thick-crust pizza, sold by weight. There can be lines out the door at lunch, so try to visit early or late. (Not too late, though, as it's only open until 5 pm.) There are additional Downtown branches with varying hours. If you're in Yaletown, look for the location at 126 Davie St.; it's open every day.

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.

It would be easy to miss this tiny luncheonette and grocer nestled off Main Street on a residential street, but locals know this is a place to go for pastries, sandwiches, coffee, and specialty groceries perfect for a picnic. Their cakes and cupcakes are particularly divine. There's a small area for seating, but if it's a busy afternoon, take your snacks to go, and head to a local park for a picnic.