With views of the ocean, forest and mountains, Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in Canada, if not the world. You could be lounging on the beach in the morning, hiking up a mountain in the afternoon and hitting the town by night. Undoubtedly, Vancouver has endless activities and sights for locals and tourists alike. Those endless possibilities continue with the food scene. From brunch to sushi, handhelds and desserts, Vancouver has so much to offer when it comes to food. Whether you’re looking to take a trip to the West Coast or want to discover some new gems in your city, here are our picks for the ultimate Vancouver food tour.
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Coffee
JJ Bean
Address: 24 locations across the greater Vancouver area
Start your day off right with a great cup of coffee. There are hundreds of cafes and coffee shops in Vancouver so it can be hard to know where to go but these are our top picks. With over 20 locations across the greater Vancouver area, JJ Bean has a wide variety of coffee drinks, baked goods and food (including gluten-free options). In our opinion, JJ Bean has one of the best-iced oat milk lattes in the city. They roast their own beans, which are available for purchase and with so many locations to choose from, they are a great, convenient option.
49th Parallel
Address: Four locations across the greater Vancouver area
49th Parallel has been serving coffee to Vancouverites for 20 years. They sustainably source, craft and roast their own coffee, which is available to purchase online or at their four Vancouver cafe locations. From cortados to lattes and macchiatos, 49th Parallel does it all. But what makes them stand out is their incredible assortment of Lucky’s Doughnuts. They are made fresh to order throughout the day, available in vegan and gluten-free options and are so delicious. You can’t leave Vancouver without trying their salted caramel old-fashioned doughnut.
Kits Beach Coffee
Address: 1945 Cornwall Ave, Vancouver, BC
There is nothing better than walking along the beach with a cup of coffee. If you’re planning on walking along Kitsilano Beach, then Kits Beach Coffee is the place you need to stop pre-beach walk. This family-owned coffee shop serves delicious coffee and food in a beautiful cafe that emulates the chill vibes of a West Coast beach. Besides coffee drinks like lattes, drip coffee and cold brew with cold foam, their menu features sandwiches like a classic grilled cheese or pesto vegetarian breakfast sandwich, a house-made granola bowl, and baked goods including daily fresh-baked cinnamon buns.
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Brunch
Jam Cafe
Address: Three locations across the greater Vancouver area
Almost nothing hits better than a good brunch and Vancouver delivers on that. Jam Cafe originally opened in Victoria in 2012 before making its way over to Vancouver in 2016. They now have three locations across the greater Vancouver area and are known for their southern-inspired comfort food. The menu includes a plethora of savoury options like a variety of eggs Benedicts and green eggs and ham (scrambled eggs with pesto and spinach). And of course, they have sweet offerings as well, like the cinnamon bun pancakes and the fat Elvis waffle (a waffle covered with caramelized bananas, sugar-cured bacon and a peanut butter drizzle). One thing is for sure though, you have to get one of their famous buttermilk biscuits on the side.
Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe
Address: 2095 West 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC
Walking into Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe is like stepping into a time machine. Every inch of the walls are covered with vintage memorabilia from years past. With photos and trinkets of everything from the Beatles to Mr.T and Queen Elizabeth, you will notice something new every time you visit. This unique spot has been serving Kitsilano brunch since 1988 with classics like eggs and bacon and an array of omlettes. However, we think the standout dish is their smoked salmon benedict which is served on a flaky croissant. This diner-style spot also does amazing milkshakes and floats, with flavours ranging from chocolate to Earl Grey.
Medina Cafe
Address: 780 Richards St, Vancouver, BC
Medina Cafe often has a long line of Vancourites waiting to dine at this brunch spot and it is easy to see why. The Mediterranean-inspired menu includes dishes such as frittata, cassoulet and fricassée. But the star of the show is the Belgian-style waffles. Many locals and publications have long said these are some of the best waffles in Vancouver thanks to the sweet and crispy exterior and soft interior. Plus they can be served with a variety of delectable toppings such as milk chocolate lavender, white chocolate pistachio rosewater and salted caramel.
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Handhelds
Tacofino
Address: Eight locations across the greater Vancouver area
A sandwich, taco or burger can be such a simple meal. However, these Vancouver spots are taking them to the next level. Tacofino started as a food truck in Tofino on the coast of Vancouver Island. Now they have nine brick and mortar locations across the Vancouver area serving Californian and Mexican-inspired tacos, burritos and more. Pacific cod tacos, Maui pork al pastor burritos and loaded tater tots are just some of the items that make up this menu. This is the perfect spot to stop for a casual lunch or a filling dinner after a day at the beach.
Meat and Bread
Address: Four locations across the greater Vancouver area
A piece of bread and some meat is all you need to make a sandwich but Meat and Bread elevates that simple concept. Sandwich options include porchetta, meatball and Buffalo chicken plus a weekly feature sandwich. With four locations across Vancouver, Meat and Bread makes simple and delicious sandwiches with high-quality ingredients. Sides are also available such as tomato soup, kale Caesar salad and, of course, extra pickles.
Burger Crush
Address: 755 Nelson St, Vancouver, BC
Burger Crush focuses on nailing the simple burger and they do it well. Their menu features only three burgers. A cheeseburger, a veggie-style cheeseburger and a vegan cheeseburger plus an assortment of sides and shakes. The burgers are topped with the usual tomatoes, lettuce and sauces proving that simple can still be super tasty. Their crush fries come topped with fried onions, cheese and crush sauce, which works as a Canadian rival to In-N-Out’s animal-style fries in the United States. This spot aims to revive the experience of stress-free, top-notch fast food while also giving customers a hit of nostalgia.
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Grab and Go
Glory
Address: Three locations across the greater Vancouver area
We all have busy lives but you still need a delicious meal while on the go. Since 2013 Glory Juice Company has been nourishing Vancouver with their juices, smoothies and more at their three locations. Stay refreshed with their cold-pressed juices including one which was created in collaboration with Vancouver Canucks player Quinn Hughes. Smoothie flavours include vanilla cake, superfood acai and green ginger. If you’re looking for a bit more sustenance they also have plant-based meals, smoothie bowls and sweet treats. No matter what quick treat you’re looking for, Glory is sure to have it.
Tractor Foods
Address: Eight locations across the greater Vancouver area
If you’re looking for a healthy meal to fit into your busy schedule, Tractor Foods is the spot for you. Tractor serves a variety of fresh and healthy foods that don’t skimp on flavour. Their seven Vancouver locations serve salad bowls, soups, and snacks. Choose from a variety of proteins such as chili lime tofu, rosemary chicken breast and albacore tuna. They pair perfectly with the market sides like lemon kale salad, mushroom ditalini and curried cauliflower. This is a great option if you’re looking to mix and match for your taste buds based on the day!
Aburi Market
Address: 1350 Marine Dr, West Vancouver, BC
It’s no secret that the West Coast has some of the best sushi in Canada, and Aburi Market delivers on that. Aburi Market is a Japanese grocery store from the group behind restaurants such as Miku and Minami. Not only do they have an assortment of Japanese desserts, imported snacks and sauces but they also have a great selection of ready-to-eat sushi. From oshi to nigiri and other delicious rolls, it is so easy to grab on the go. They also sell ramen and curry kits which you can heat up at home for a restaurant-quality meal from the comfort of your home.
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Sushi
Sushi Hil
Address: 3330 Main St, Vancouver, BC
You can’t visit Vancouver without getting sushi and you won’t want to miss the sushi from these spots. Sushi Hil is a Michelin Bib Gourmand-recommended restaurant that serves sushi with high-quality fish and seasonal ingredients. Located on Main Street, this restaurant has seats at the counter so guests can watch Chef Hil Nguy and the other chefs craft their beautiful and delicious sushi. They have pre-set meals available with maki, miso soup and other rolls and dishes. You can also order dishes on their own to get a taste of everything you possibly can. Our top picks from this spot are the wagyu nigiri, the super tuna roll and the king oshi.
The Eatery
Address: 3431 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC
Everyone has their favourite classic sushi rolls. Perhaps it’s the California roll, a spicy salmon roll, or ebi nigiri. But The Eatery has been taking sushi to the next level in Kitsilano since 1983. They are known as the funkiest place for Japanese food in Vancouver and they represent that in their decor and their food. The walls and ceilings are covered with lights, psychedelic paintings and other larger-than-life decorations. That includes a giant model of Bruce the shark from Finding Nemo. The funky rolls are all named after pop culture moments and icons such as the Captain Crunch, the Andy Warhol and the Barbie Roll. If you’re looking to try a funky roll with some heat, we love the Volcano Roll: a tuna, scallop, salmon and avocado roll deep-fried and topped with a ton of spicy crab.
The Sandbar
Seafood
The Sandbar
Address: 1535 Johnston St. Creekhouse #102, Vancouver, BC
Located on Granville Island, this Vancouver restaurant is known for its nautical decor, great views of the waterfront and the wide variety of delicious seafood. A rotating fresh sheet includes West and East Coast oysters, Dungeness crab, Atlantic lobster and more. A standout from the fresh sheet is the Arctic char. If you ever see this on the menu at Sandbar, it is a must-order. Your tastebuds will thank you. Another notable feature from the Sandbar is the Sandbarge, a seafood tower filled with fresh, chilled seafood, jumbo prawns, oysters, ahi tuna poke and Dungeness crab. If you’re looking for even more seafood, try the Sandbar Tower, which has the same features as the Sandbarge, plus sesame-crusted tuna and lobster. The seafood possibilities are endless at The Sandbar.
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Photo by Allison Kuhl
Blue Water Cafe
Address: 1095 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC
This Yaletown spot is committed to sourcing sustainable seafood while also crafting innovative and memorable West Coast dishes. And we believe that Blue Water Cafe does just that. Their menu features a raw bar, seafood on ice and from live tanks, as well as fresh fish, which is delivered daily. The raw bar includes a full sushi menu with rolls such as a Dungeness crab roll, a lobster roll and an aburi sablefish roll. If you’re wanting to try a bit of everything, try out the seafood tasting for two with a Dungeness crab and baby shrimp salad, albacore tuna tartare, bay scallop ceviche and a smoked sockeye salmon terrine.
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Italian
Ask for Luigi
Address: 305 Alexander St, Vancouver, BC
Time after time, Ask for Luigi is often named one of the best Italian spots in Vancouver. This small spot located downtown is featured not once but twice in Vancouver’s Michelin guide for the best Italian and best brunch. They are known for their pasta dishes, often topped with all the parmesan cheese your heart desires. Standouts include the pappardelle with rich duck ragu, the spaghetti cacio e pepe and the campanelle and braised beef ragu bianco. And you can’t leave without dessert, especially when they have a delicious olive oil cake on the menu. You will leave full but, oh so satisfied.
Nook
Address: Four locations across the greater Vancouver area
Since 2009, Nook has aimed to serve Vancouver as a spot where locals can connect through the love of food and drink. With four locations across the city, Nook serves delicious Italian antipasto, homemade pasta and pizza, as well as great wine. Pastas include the tonnarelli cacio e pepe, the spaghetti puttanesca and the gnocchi served with the cutest and most delicious baby meatballs. The pizzas are also a hit at Nook, with flavours such as ricotta, mushroom, pancetta and anchovy being stars. Wines range from local Okanagan Pinot Gris to Tuscan Chiantis. And for the diner who prefers non-alcoholic drinks, Nook delivers a variety of alcohol-free options, including a Faux Spritz. One thing is for sure is that Nook has something for everyone!
La Quercia
Address: 3689 West 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC
Kitsilano’s La Quercia features a seasonally focused menu centred around the slow cooking tradition expressed in Northern Italy. What makes this spot unique is that the dishes are served in a family style to involve the entire table in an alla famiglia dining experience. The menu includes antipasti like a porcini crudo, primis like agnolotti del plin and secondis like branzino. A chef multi-course menu is also available so you and your friends or family can get a taste of as much of the menu as possible. This spot is small but magical and you will leave with a dining experience that you will never forget.
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Photo by Leila Kwok
Other notable must-visit spots
Anh and Chi
Address: 3388 Main St, Vancouver, BC
Anh and Chi is an authentic Vietnamese spot that has gained Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition two years in a row for good reason! Founded by brother-sister team Amélie and Vincent Nguyen, anh and chi translates to brother and sister in Vietnamese. This spot on Main Street is in the exact location where their father ran his pho restaurant for decades. The menu includes dishes inspired by their mother’s childhood. This includes the DIY street-side platter, yellow lemongrass curry and the deconstructed vermicelli bowl. The menu also features a beef noodle soup called Pho Hoang, an ode to their father and the original pho restaurant. Every dish on the Anh and Chi menu is fresh, authentic and so delicious.
The team has also recently opened Good Thief, which reimagines Vietnam’s culinary heritage through a contemporary lens. Amelie describes Good Thief as “the rebellious younger sibling” of Anh and Chi. Overall, this is a restaurant duo you won’t want to miss.
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Rain or Shine
Address: Three locations across the greater Vancouver area
Ice cream is a decadent treat at any time of the day, no matter the weather. Vancouver’s Rain or Shine serves incredibly delicious ice cream all year round in classic and elevated flavours. Current seasonal flavours include s’mores, hot honey crunch and biscoff. Classic flavours include chocolate, vanilla and cracked mint. But Rain or Shine takes ice cream to the next level with flavours like honey lavender, blueberry balsamic and coffee toffee (made with espresso from JJ bean). A standout scoop is the malted milk chocolate, which includes a homemade honeycomb covered in dark chocolate and mixed into a Belgian milk chocolate ice cream. It is creamy, crunchy and you won’t be able to get enough of it! Of course, you can get your scoop in a cup or cone. But you could also enjoy your ice cream in a sundae, milkshake or waffle cone taco!
Nightingale
Address: 1017 West Hastings St, Vancouver, BC
Owned by the same group behind Vancouver’s infamous Hawksworth, Nightingale features a menu of modern Canadian fare and classic cocktails. Their wood-stone-cooked Neapolitan-style pizzas are a staple on the menu and feature seasonal toppings. They also feature a raw bar, various vegetables, salads and small plates, including the buttermilk fried chicken. A 100-layer lasagna with porcini mushrooms, ragu, pecorino, and a Pomodoro sauce is also on the menu. You can’t leave without dessert, and they have something for everyone, from a salted caramel pot de creme to banana cake and an elevated s’more. For an elevated experience, sit at the Chef’s Table to be fully immersed in the Nightingale experience all while enjoying delicious bites.
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Lee’s Donuts
Address: Six locations across the greater Vancouver area
Lee’s Donuts is known to be one of Vancouver-born superstar Seth Rogen’s favourite spots in Vancouver. With six locations across the city, this donut shop has been serving donuts since 1979. Donuts are made fresh and from scratch daily and have dozens of flavours to choose from. Fan favourites include the honey dip, the jelly-filled (Seth Rogen’s favourite) and the cinnamon. But if you’re looking to try something a little different Lee’s has you covered. Try the butter crunch, the strawberry iced or the cookie monster. There is a donut for everyone at Lee’s and you’ll want to stop by more than once.