Exploring Cool Places To Eat in Vancouver
Trying out unique dining experiences is a great way to discover new cuisines and cultures while challenging your taste preferences.
Vancouver’s vibrant culinary scene is a true reflection of the city’s diverse and dynamic culture. From trendy eateries with inventive twists to time-honored classics, Vancouver offers a plethora of dining experiences that cater to every taste and occasion.
Whether you’re a local seeking new favorites or a visitor eager to explore the city’s food landscape, this guide will take you on a delectable journey through some of Vancouver’s coolest places to eat. From retro-themed spots that transport you back in time to innovative restaurants serving up fresh, locally-sourced dishes, get ready to discover the top culinary gems that make Vancouver a food lover’s paradise. Dive in and explore the flavors and atmospheres that set these restaurants apart from the rest!
Here’s a curated list of cool places to eat in Vancouver, each offering something special with their atmosphere, menus, and distinctive designs.
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1. Dark Table
Average Price: CAD 41 – 49
Website: darktable.ca
Address: 2611 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6K 1P8
Contact: +1 604-739-3275
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter
Hours: Monday – Friday: 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Dark Table offers a blind dining experience where you’ll navigate and enjoy your meal in complete darkness, heightening your senses of touch, taste, and smell. Enjoy a range of dishes, from AAA Canadian steak to Mediterranean fish, with a surprise item option for added excitement.
2. The Eatery
Average Price: CAD 1.95 – 62.95
Website: theeatery.ca
Address: 3431 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6R 2B4
Contact: 604-738-5298
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 4:30 PM – 10:00 PM; Friday: 3:30 PM – 11:30 PM; Saturday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM
The Eatery blends traditional Japanese cuisine with creative twists, offering dishes like the “Found Nemo!” tempura shrimp roll and kale avocado sushi in a vibrant, neon-decorated setting.
3. The Shameful Tiki Room
Average Price: CAD 4 – 42
Website: shamefultikiroom.com
Address: 4362 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3P9
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM; Friday – Saturday: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM; Sunday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Enjoy Polynesian-inspired dishes and exotic cocktails in a tiki-themed bar. Their “Day of the Dead” cocktail and shareable plates make it a lively spot for groups.
4. Key Party
Average Price: CAD 10 – 22
Website: narrowgroup.ca/project/key-party
Address: 2305 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3C9
Contact: +1 604-708-0881
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM; Friday – Saturday: 5:00 PM – 2:00 AM; Sunday: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM
This speakeasy-style bar features a sleek, modern interior and a menu of creative cocktails like the “Bee On Your Knees” and snacks like chips and dip.
5. Glitch Retro Arcade Bar
Average Price: CAD 5.99 – 14.99
Website: glitchvancouver.com
Address: 2287 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6K 2E4
Contact: 604-288-4400
Social Media: Instagram
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 3:00 PM – 1:00 AM; Friday – Saturday: 3:00 PM – 2:00 AM; Sunday: 3:00 PM – 12:00 AM
A retro arcade bar offering a nostalgic experience with games from the ’80s and ’90s. Their tacos and slushie machines make for a fun, casual dining experience.
6. Hello Nori
Average Price: CAD 3.50 – 33
Website: hellonori.com
Address: 1165 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1B5
Contact: 604-564-9595
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM; Sunday: 11:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Specializing in hand rolls, Hello Nori offers a traditional Japanese experience with a modern twist, featuring fresh seafood and locally sourced ingredients.
7. Bread x Butter Cafe
Average Price: CAD 4.50 – 16.50
Website: breadxbuttercafe.com
Address: 140 – 925 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L2
Contact: 604-631-3981
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Perfect for brunch, Bread x Butter Cafe offers hearty breakfast dishes and a charming atmosphere, ideal for a relaxed meal or event.
8. The Mackenzie Room
Average Price: CAD 13 – 50
Website: themackenzieroom.com
Address: 415 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1G7
Contact: 604-253-0705
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Offering farm-to-table dining with a seasonal menu, The Mackenzie Room features a cozy ambiance and a social tasting menu perfect for group dining.
9. Bao Bei
Average Price: CAD 8.50 – 23
Website: bao-bei.ca
Address: 163 Keefer St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1X4
Contact: 604-688-0876
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday: 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Bao Bei offers modern Chinese small plates with a hipster vibe, featuring artisanal cocktails and must-try dumplings.
10. Harvest Community Foods
Average Price: CAD 5 – 18
Website: harvestunion.ca
Address: 243 Union St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2Z7
Contact: 604-682-8851
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 12:30 PM – 6:30 PM
A unique combination of restaurant and grocery store, Harvest Community Foods serves locally-grown produce and an array of delicious noodle dishes in a cozy setting.
11. Top Of Vancouver
Average Price: CAD 18 – 70
Website: topofvancouver.com
Address: 555 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 4N6
Contact: 604-669-2220
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM; Friday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM; Saturday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
For a fine dining experience with spectacular city views, Top Of Vancouver offers a menu of Continental dishes and a memorable dining atmosphere 553 feet above the ground.
12. PiDGiN
Average Price: CAD 6 – 100
Website: pidginvancouver.com
Address: 350 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2J3
Contact: 604-620-3800
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
PiDGiN offers contemporary cuisine with a focus on locally-sourced ingredients, set in a stylish, modern space ideal for special occasions or a refined evening out.
Feel free to explore these spots and discover which unique dining experience resonates most with your taste and style!
13. Gringo
Average Price: CAD 4.25 – 16
Website: gringorestaurants.com
Address: 27 Blood Alley Square, Vancouver, BC V6B 0C4, Canada
Contact: 604-673-0513
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11:30 AM – 01:00 AM | Friday – Saturday: 11:30 AM – 02:00 AM
Known for its Mexi-Cali cuisine, Gringo serves up food and drinks in a playful manner. Meals come in colorful sand buckets, utensils are replaced with plastic shovels, and even the alcohol is served with little candies, making for a fun and immersive dining experience.
14. Afghan Horsemen
Average Price: CAD 10 – 76
Website: afghanhorsemen.com
Address: 1833 Anderson St #202, Vancouver, BC V6H 4E5, Canada
Contact: 604-873-5923
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Thursday: 05:00 PM – 10:00 PM| Friday – Saturday: 05:00 PM – 11:00 PM| Sunday: 04:00 PM – 09:00 PM
Afghan Horsemen, the first Afghan restaurant in Canada since 1974, offers a rich tapestry of Afghan cuisine influenced by Persian, Indian, Greek, and Mongolian flavors.
15. The Flying Pig
Average Price: CAD 10 – 32
Website: theflyingpigvan.com
Address: 1168 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2S2, Canada
Contact: 604-568-1344
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM | Friday – Saturday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM| Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
The Flying Pig embraces a farm-to-table philosophy, offering hearty dishes made from fresh, local ingredients. The rustic interior features brick walls, deer-head decorations, and dark wooden tables, creating a cozy atmosphere.
Image via The Flying Pig
16. Guu with Garlic
Average Price: CAD 16 – 28.50
Website: guu-izakaya.com
Address: 1698 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6G 1C7, Canada
Contact: 604-685-8678
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM
As Vancouver’s first Izakaya restaurant, Guu with Garlic offers inventive Japanese small plates prepared with fresh, local ingredients. This spot is perfect for those looking to enjoy traditional and modern Japanese dishes.
Image by Angie H. via Google Reviews
Their Assorted Sashimi Salad, topped with plum dressing and wasabi mayo, offers a delightful mix of sweet and spicy flavors that perfectly complement the fresh sashimi slices. Guu with Garlic also features daily drink specials for discounted rates on selected beers, cocktails, and wines.
17. Bacaro
Average Price: CAD 6 – 45
Website: bacarovancouver.com
Address: 1029 W Cordova St, Vancouver, BC V6C 0B9, Canada
Contact: 604-687-9887
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Bacaro offers a taste of Northern Italy with its wine-and-cicchetti bar experience, inspired by the Venetian bacaro culture. The restaurant’s natural and modern setting complements its Venetian-inspired cuisine.
18. Forage
Average Price: CAD 19 – 25
Website: foragevancouver.com
Address: 1300 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1C5, Canada
Contact: 604-661-1400
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 07:00 AM – 09:00 PM
Forage is dedicated to farm-to-table dining, focusing on sustainable, locally-sourced ingredients. The restaurant supports local farmers and fishermen while offering inventive dishes.
19. Caffé La Tana
Average Price: CAD 4 – 23
Website: caffelatana.ca
Address: 635 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3W3, Canada
Contact: 604-428-5462
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Caffé La Tana offers a cozy and intimate dining experience with a selection of small plates, pasta, and a curated Italian wine list. The restaurant’s classic Italian café ambiance is enhanced by its black-and-white checkered tiles and marble bar top.
20. Chancho Tortilleria
Average Price: CAD 4 – 23
Website: chancho.ca
Address: 560 Davie St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2G4, Canada
Contact: 604-336-9219
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 08:00 PM |Friday: 12:00 PM – 09:00 PM | Saturday: 11:30 AM – 09:00 PM| Sunday: 11:30 AM – 08:00 PM
Chancho Tortilleria specializes in authentic, homemade tortillas and tacos made from organic, heirloom corn. Their traditional preparation method, nixtamalization, enhances the taste and texture of their dishes.