As far as food goes, I’m tough to please. But let me tell you: Vancouver’s food scene is next-level…mixing epic coastal vibes with flavors from around the world. Think fresh Pacific seafood, fusion dishes inspired by the city’s multicultural roots, and super creative menus you won’t find anywhere else. You could be sipping cocktails in a secret speakeasy one night and munching on gourmet tacos from a food truck the next. Here are 18 insanely unique restaurants in Vancouver you’ve got to try in 2025.
👉 Pro Tip: Don’t miss the Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour for a perfect mix of history and flavors! Stroll through Gastown’s cobblestone streets, sampling six delicious dishes and three drink pairings while uncovering stories of its Wild West roots. Iconic stops like the Steam Clock and Maple Tree Square make this tour a must for foodies and history buffs alike.
Unique Restaurants in Vancouver: 18 Memorable Places in Vancouver to Eat
Ready to explore the best restaurants in Vancouver? From cozy lunch spots with views of the harbor to quirky, hidden gems in old alleyways, here are all the extraordinary dining experiences in Vancouver you gotta add to your bucket list!
1. Dark Table
- 📍 Location: Kitsilano
- 💲 Price range: $45 – $60 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Surprise Menus (Canadian/International Influences)
- 🔥 Standout Features: Dining in complete darkness, sensory food challenge, visually impaired staff, surprise menu concept.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Adventurous diners and sensory experiences.
Ready for a dining experience that will truly open your senses? Dark Table in Kitsilano plunges you into absolute pitch darkness, where you’ll navigate a surprise meal guided entirely by taste, smell, and touch, served by an amazing visually impaired team.
Choose your Surprise Menu category (like meat, seafood, or vegan). Without sight, flavors and textures become intensely vivid. You might get a creamy butternut squash soup, tender braised short ribs, or a rich chocolate lava cake. It’s a unique, conversation-starting adventure.
2. Fable Kitchen
Fable Kitchen nails that neighborhood bistro feel, but with a distinctly West Coast spin. Chef Trevor Bird’s “farm-to-table” vibe is not just hype – you can actually taste the freshness in every dish. Their tomato salad is legendary, especially when tomatoes are in season, but you absolutely can’t leave without trying the duck breast with its maple verjus sauce. The open kitchen is pure dinner-theatre, and the reclaimed-wood accents set up a cozy, unfussy vibe that’s perfect for date night or chill catch-ups. Kitsilano Beach is just a few blocks away if you want a seaside stroll after, and I’ve legit had tableside chats with the friendliest staff. Go early for brunch if you want to skip the line.
3. Published on Main
- 📍 Location: Main Street, Vancouver
- 💲 Price range: $70 – $120+ per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern Canadian / Pacific Northwest / Fine Dining
- 🔥 Standout Features: Michelin-starred, focus on hyper-local and seasonal British Columbia ingredients, innovative tasting menus, sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Foodie splurges, special occasions, experiencing refined Pacific Northwest cuisine, and Michelin star dining.
Prepare for an exceptional taste of British Columbia at Published on Main. This Michelin-starred gem on Main Street celebrates the region’s bounty with innovative and beautifully crafted dishes. The focus is on hyper-local and seasonal ingredients, transformed with creative flair.
The menu changes frequently to reflect the best of the season. You might encounter exquisite preparations of local spot prawns, inventive vegetable dishes featuring foraged ingredients, or perfectly cooked Fraser Valley duck. It’s a sophisticated yet relaxed fine dining experience.
4. Sprezzatura
Sprezzatura feels like someone airlifted a slice of Rome into the heart of Mount Pleasant. The dining room is industrial-chic with a massive mural and windows that spill light onto their communal tables. Their menu? All about classic Italian comfort with a west coast twist. I could write an essay on their Roman-style pizza – the spicy soppressata is ridiculously addictive. Don’t skip the bouncy, pillowy ricotta gnocchi. This spot is low-key enough for a lazy lunch but lively in the evenings, especially if you snag a seat near the bar. Kingsgate Mall is right next door for post-dinner window shopping. The music playlists alone are worth a visit – always upbeat, always on point.
5. Kissa Tanto
- 📍 Location: Chinatown
- 💲 Price range: $40 – $75+ per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Japanese-Italian Fusion
- 🔥 Standout Features: Japanese-Italian fusion concept, stylish 1960s Tokyo jazz cafe vibe, acclaimed cocktails, intimate setting.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Foodie adventures, fusion cuisine lovers, and unique flavor combinations.
Step into the ultra-stylish, dimly lit world of Kissa Tanto, where 1960s Tokyo jazz cafe cool meets incredible Japanese-Italian fusion cuisine. This Chinatown hotspot blends cultures beautifully, creating dishes that are both familiar and thrillingly new.
Swoon over unique creations like the rich tajarin pasta with butter, miso, and mushrooms. The delicate fish crudo with Japanese citrus and olive oil, or their popular whole fried fish with a sweet and sour agrodolce sauce, are also must-tries. Their cocktails are equally inventive.
6. The Acorn
The Acorn is 100% vegetarian, but even my “steak or bust” friends get hooked here. The space is effortlessly rustic with greenery everywhere and lots of candlelit nooks. Their seasonal menu is innovative and never preachy – the halloumi with pickled beets and honey is pure magic, and honestly, the beer-battered halloumi fries regularly convert carnivores. Great cocktails, and don’t miss their vegan desserts if you like an experimental sweets fix. You’re steps from Main Street, so bar-hopping or vintage shopping is a breeze after your meal. Every visit, I’m wowed all over again by how cool veggies can be.
7. Gringo Gastown
- 📍 Location: Gastown
- 💲 Price range: $10 – $25 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Eclectic Tacos / Bar Food
- 🔥 Standout Features: Funky/creative tacos, cheap drinks, lively dive bar feel, late-night hours
- 🎯 Perfect For: Late-night taco cravings, budget eats/drinks, casual outings, and pre-party fuel.
Get your taco fix with a side of pure fun at Gringo Gastown! This buzzing, colorful spot serves up ridiculously tasty and creative tacos in a loud, energetic, dive-bar-meets-cantina atmosphere. Forget authentic, embrace the awesome!
Chow down on inventive creations. The Austin taco (brisket, queso, jalapeño) is a fan favorite. The Wilbur taco (pork belly, pineapple salsa) or the spicy Diablo taco (chorizo, ghost pepper) are also delicious. Wash it down with a famously cheap Diablo slushie cocktail.
8. The Lunch Lady
The Lunch Lady is a lively, colorful love letter to Vietnamese street food, tucked into the heart of Commercial Drive. Inspired by the original Ho Chi Minh City “Lunch Lady” food stall, their menu packs bold flavors and plenty of surprises. The bún bò Huế is spicy and deeply satisfying, while their crispy spring rolls are straight-up addictive – no soggy bottom to be found. The vibe is busy and bustling, with bright murals and communal tables that spark conversation. Afterward, wander the Drive for indie coffee shops and vinyl browsing. The sheer energy and color at this spot always put a grin on my face.
✈️ My #1 Tip for Cheap Flights:
If you’re not using Going, you’re probably overpaying for flights. I’ve scored roundtrips to Europe for under $300 - and I never would’ve found them on Google Flights.
Their free version is great, but Premium is where the real magic happens. I recommend doing the 14-day free trial. And right now, you can get 25% off Premium or Elite with my code: JON25.
Seriously, it’s the best travel decision I’ve ever made (in 8+ years).
9. Chambar Restaurant
- 📍 Location: Crosstown (Near Gastown/Stadium District)
- 💲 Price range: $40 – $75+ per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Belgian / French Influenced
- 🔥 Standout Features: Belgian cuisine, high-ceiling room, exceptional cocktails/wine list, popular upscale brunch/dinner.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Belgian food lovers and mussel fans.
Indulge in sophisticated Belgian-inspired cuisine in a stunning setting at Chambar. This Crosstown gem impresses with its soaring ceilings, brick walls, and a menu celebrating the best of Belgian flavors, especially their legendary mussels. Get ready to flex your mussels knowledge!
Trying one of their incredible Moules Frites options, like the classic “Congolaise” with tomato, coconut cream, and chili, is essential. Their Belgian waffles (available at brunch) with berries and cream, or the rich lamb tagine, are equally divine.
10. Song (by Kin Kao)
Song, by the Kin Kao team, seriously raises the bar on contemporary Thai. You’ll find it in the vibrant Mount Pleasant neighborhood, rocking super-sleek interiors and a party soundtrack that keeps things fun. The signature pad gra pow (holy basil stir-fry) is legit spicy and the fried chicken larb is fully addictive. There’s a curated cocktail list that leans tropical – try the Thai basil smash. The windows open wide in summer for perfect people-watching. With breweries and indie art galleries right around the corner, Song is my “start your night here” spot every time. Order extra sticky rice – you’ll want to mop up every last drop.
11. Afghan Horsemen Restaurant
- 📍 Location: False Creek South / Fairview Slopes
- 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Authentic Afghan
- 🔥 Standout Features: Optional traditional floor seating, authentic decor, flavourful kababs/rice dishes.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Afghan food lovers, communal floor seating experiencers, tasty meat/rice lovers.
Take a magic carpet ride to Kabul at the Afghan Horsemen Restaurant! As Canada’s very first Afghan restaurant, this spot offers an authentic taste of the country’s rich culinary traditions in a uniquely decorated space, complete with optional floor seating on cushions!
Settle onto the cushions and dive into aromatic delights. Don’t miss the fragrant Kabuli Pulao (lamb shank with seasoned rice, raisins, and carrots). Delicious steamed dumplings known as Mantoo, or flavorful chicken kebabs, are also fantastic.
12. Torafuku
Torafuku is where Asian fusion goes wild. The dining room vibes are bold and futuristic, with a chef’s counter that lets you watch the kitchen in full force. Their “Kick Ass Rice” lives up to its name (trust me, order it with pork belly) and the Uni You Know It is a wacky, creamy, uni-laced signature that’s as delicious as it is photogenic. Seating is varied – snug booths for groups and sleek bar seats for solo diners. You’re right across from False Creek, with Olympic Village’s seawall a quick stroll away. I always leave here feeling like I just had dinner and a show rolled into one.
13. Salmon n’Bannock
- 📍 Location: Fairview (Near VGH)
- 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Indigenous / First Nations Cuisine
- 🔥 Standout Features: Indigenous-owned/operated restaurant, First Nations ingredients/techniques, bannock bread, sustainable seafood/game meats.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Indigenous cuisine, cultural dining, bannock variations, supporting Indigenous businesses.
Experience the authentic flavors of Canada’s First Nations at Salmon n’Bannock. This unique Vancouver restaurant proudly showcases Indigenous ingredients and culinary traditions, with a special focus on versatile bannock bread. Taste the spirit of the land and sea!
Explore dishes featuring sustainable, wild B.C. ingredients. You should try their signature bannock, served fluffy and warm, perhaps as part of bannock tacos with bison. Enjoy preparations of candied salmon, or fresh seafood chowder.
14. Hawkers Delight Deli
- 📍 Location: Mount Pleasant / Main Street Area
- 💲 Price range: $8 – $15 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Singaporean / Malaysian Hawker Food
- 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Singaporean/Malaysian hawker dishes, budget-friendly
- 🎯 Perfect For: Budget eats, authentic Southeast Asian food seekers, cheap lunches/dinners
Get a taste of Singapore’s bustling hawker centers at Hawkers Delight Deli! This no-frills Main Street institution serves incredibly authentic and ridiculously affordable Malaysian and Singaporean street food classics. Maximum flavor, minimum price! Be prepared to pay cash.
Dive into fragrant bowls of laksa (spicy coconut noodle soup with shrimp and tofu). Savor the classic Hainanese chicken rice, or try flavorful mee goreng (fried noodles). It’s fast, cheap, and a seriously delicious portal to Southeast Asia.
15. Meat & Bread
- 📍 Location: Multiple locations (Gastown, Downtown)
- 💲 Price range: $12 – $20 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Sandwiches
- 🔥 Standout Features: Carved meat sandwiches, focused menu, efficient service, quality ingredients.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Sandwich connoisseurs and quick lunches.
Simple perfection between two slices of bread? That’s the magic of Meat & Bread. This popular spot focuses on doing one thing exceptionally well: crafting incredible sandwiches centered around juicy, expertly carved meats. No fuss, all flavor!
Their legendary porchetta sandwich, with crispy crackling and salsa verde, is an absolute must-try. Other staples like the meatball sandwich with marinara and provolone, or their daily special sandwich, consistently deliver flavor and quality. It’s ideal for a quick, satisfying lunch.
- Read Next: 12 Most Breathtaking Places in Canada
16. Hail Mary’s
- 📍 Location: East Vancouver (Commercial Drive Area)
- 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Elevated Comfort Food / Brunch & Cocktails
- 🔥 Standout Features: Religious-kitsch decor, creative brunch, inventive cocktails, lively East Van atmosphere.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Brunch lovers, eclectic atmospheres, cocktail drinkers, fun hangouts.
Say hello to deliciousness at Hail Mary’s! This East Van spot charms with its wonderfully quirky, religious-kitsch decor and a menu full of elevated comfort food, killer brunch options, and creative cocktails. Bless your heart, this place is fun!
Slide into a booth and indulge in their popular brunch. Consider unique eggs Benedict variations, like the “Holy Trinity Benny”. Loaded breakfast sandwiches on brioche buns, or their crispy fried chicken sandwich, are also divine. Their cocktail game is strong.
17. Havana Vancouver
- 📍 Location: Commercial Drive
- 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Cuban-Inspired / Latin Fusion
- 🔥 Standout Features: Cuban-inspired decor/food, fantastic patio, lively atmosphere, great cocktails.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Cuban flavor seekers, people-watching, and happy hour explorers.
Transport yourself to sunny Cuba at Havana Vancouver! This vibrant restaurant and bar captures the energy of Havana with its colorful decor, Latin-inspired fusion dishes, and killer patio perfect for soaking up the Drive’s unique vibe. Feel the heat, taste the flavor!
Grab a spot on the coveted patio and sip on a refreshing mojito or caipirinha. Dive into dishes like their signature Cubano sandwich, flavorful tacos (especially the pork carnitas), or their popular Havana Burger. With its lively atmosphere, Havana is a go-to.
- Read Next: 12 Prettiest Spots in Vancouver
18. The Bunny Cafe
- 📍 Location: Near Commercial Drive / Venables St
- 💲 Price range: $8 – $15 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Cafe / Coffee & Light Snacks
- 🔥 Standout Features: Adoptable rescue bunnies, separate bunny lounge/cafe areas, cafe drinks/snacks.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Animal lovers, unique cafe experiences, supporting animal rescue, relaxing with bunnies.
Get your caffeine fix with adorable fluffiness at The Bunny Cafe! This unique spot lets you enjoy coffee and snacks while also offering the chance to hang out with sweet, adoptable rescue bunnies in a separate lounge area. Hop on over for cuteness overload!
Grab a quality latte or a tasty pastry from the cafe side. A simple grilled cheese sandwich or a vegan cookie are good choices. Then book time in the bunny lounge to de-stress and interact with the resident rabbits. It’s a heartwarming concept.
- Read Next: Top 10 Airlines to Fly to Vancouver
