Vancouver Restaurants Guide

Vancouver's reputation as a culinary center is on the rise. Much of it is associated with growing Asian influences and commitment to a West Coast style. Seafood is big. Local, seasonal produce is the norm in the better eateries. And the cost remains modest (the Canadian dollar aside). It's said that you can eat well here for considerably less than in comparable restaurants around the world.

Wild Rice
©2006 John Sinal
Check out Wild Rice for a unique
culinary treat in Vancouver.

There are great restaurants, like Mobil's Four-Star Bishop's (2183 West Fourth Ave) for steamed smoked sablefish or Fraser Valley lamb or the Mobil Four-Star Lumiere (2551 West Broadway). A signature Lumiere menu might feature pan-seared squab breast.

Then there are punchy places where imaginative food comes with attitude. The pioneer is the Bins -- Bin 942 (1521 West Broadway). Plates run to free-run Alberta elk and a portobello mushroom cutlet. There are also good wines by the glass here. Another hot-spot is Wild Rice (117 West Pender St). Try its crab and taro-root cakes or duck confit baozi steam bun, along with a specialty tea. Neither restaurant takes reservations. 

Others offering the best of West Coast cuisine: Yaletown's Brix (1138 Homer St) for Nicola Valley Venison Scaloppini; the Aria Restaurant at the Mobil Three-Star Westin Grand (433 Robson St) for an ahi tuna and Pacific prawn 'tower'; and the Mobil Three-Star Raincity Grill (1193 Denman St) for seared Pacific halibut.

For super-bargain gourmet dining, find your way to an outdoor, unlicensed spot (a hut, really) called Go Fish, on the waterfront just west of Granville Island (1505 West First Ave). The salmon and halibut or whatever else is in season come straight from the boats moored nearby. This restaurant is open year-round, weather permitting.

No matter where you choose to dine, remember that tipping ranges from 12 to 15 percent before the goods and services tax (GST) of 6 percent.

It's nice that there are so may places to eat and play in Vancouver, but how will you fit everything into one trip? The next page will help, with suggested itineraries for all types of interests.

Others offering the best of West Coast cuisine: Yaletown's Brix (1138 Homer St) for Nicola Valley Venison Scaloppini; the Aria Restaurant at the Mobil Three-Star Westin Grand (433 Robson St) for an ahi tuna and Pacific prawn 'tower'; and the Mobil Three-Star Raincity Grill (1193 Denman St) for seared Pacific halibut.

For super-bargain gourmet dining, find your way to an outdoor, unlicensed spot (a hut, really) called Go Fish, on the waterfront just west of Granville Island (1505 West First Ave). The salmon and halibut or whatever else is in season come straight from the boats moored nearby. This restaurant is open year-round, weather permitting.

No matter where you choose to dine, remember that tipping ranges from 12 to 15 percent before the goods and services tax (GST) of 6 percent.

It's nice that there are so may places to eat and play in Vancouver, but how will you fit everything into one trip? The next page will help, with suggested itineraries for all types of interests.