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Here are the Best Eats in Vancouver, BC! (Updated Aug 2025)
Hey everyone! I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Vancouver three times—once during the festive Christmas season of 2021 and again in the vibrant summer of 2023 to celebrate my Masters graduation. Vancouver truly knows how to deliver on flavor, and both times we opted for a rental car to explore the city with ease. For the ultimate Asian culinary adventure, head straight to Richmond—it’s a food lover’s paradise. And be sure to check out the dessert guide below; it’s full of must-try treats. Vancouver has it all, and I’m here to share the delicious details!
Interactive Map
Kirin
Kirin is always my go-to dim sum spot in Vancouver. I especially love their crispy barbecue pastries, egg tarts, and—if available—their abalone flaky pastries. Their truffle-topped shumai is another standout, along with plenty of other delicious dim sum options. The service can be a little prickly at times, but if you look past that, it’s easily the best dim sum in town. I always make a reservation whenever I visit.
Location: 1172 Alberni St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1A5, Canada
Cars Desserts (Richmond)
This viral dessert spot is best known for its mango mochi. The mochi skin is exceptionally soft—almost snow-like in texture—and incredibly delicious. While the shop often draws long lines, we were fortunate to visit without any wait. I recommend the mango mochi, though they also offer a fresh durian version for those seeking something more adventurous. Be aware, the durian is quite potent as it’s made fresh.
Locations: 4140 Number 3 Rd #110, Richmond, BC V6X 3C3, Canada
Chef Tony's Seafood (Richmond)
We secured a reservation at Chef Tony’s Seafood the day prior, eager to experience one of Vancouver’s most highly regarded dim sum destinations (@cheftonyvan). The highlights did not disappoint—standout dishes included the black truffle shrimp and pork dumplings, radish cake, congee, salted egg bao, and the delicately prepared rice wraps. The tea service was also excellent, complementing the meal perfectly. While the service was somewhat slow and the pricing on the menu lacked full transparency, the overall quality of the food makes Chef Tony’s well worth a return visit.
Location: 4600 No. 3 Rd #101, Richmond, BC V6X 2C2, Canada
Crystal Mall Food (Burnaby)
Crystal Mall is a vibrant hub of Asian culture, featuring a bustling food court, fresh market, and a wide variety of specialty shops. The atmosphere is predominantly Chinese, with vendors serving authentic and affordable dishes. Most stalls operate on a cash-only basis, though an ATM is conveniently located onsite. Standout bites included xiao long bao from the Shanghai-style dim sum stall, flavorful barbecue from a neighboring vendor, and savory crepes from Mr. Zhang Chinese Cuisine. The food overall was excellent—delicious, reasonably priced, and served with a welcoming attitude. The only drawback is the crowds; seating can be difficult to secure during peak hours. Fortunately, parking is convenient, with three hours free in the attached garage. For reference, the xiao long bao evoked memories of Julie’s Noodles in Austin, and the sheng jian bao here are also well worth trying. Don’t miss the yogurt drink at Money Tea—it’s a standout. In short, Crystal Mall delivers an energetic, food-focused experience and is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Vancouver’s culinary scene.
Location: 4500 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 2A9, Canada
Ask for Luigi
Ask For Luigi has long been recognized as one of Vancouver’s premier Italian restaurants, and it certainly lived up to its reputation. Our meal included the meatballs, rigatoni, wild boar ragù, nero spaghetti, radiatore verde, and the olive oil cake—each dish executed with remarkable finesse. The standouts were the radiatore, the olive oil cake, and the perfectly seasoned meatballs, which together highlighted the kitchen’s skill and attention to detail. Service was attentive and professional, enhancing the overall experience. Reservations are made through their website and require a $50 refundable deposit, so planning ahead is essential. For summer dining in particular, the wild boar ragù is highly recommended. Ask For Luigi more than justifies its acclaim and remains an essential stop for anyone seeking refined Italian cuisine in Vancouver
Location: 305 Alexander St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1C4, Canada
Nemesis Coffee
Nemesis Coffee, known for its pastries, has several locations. We visited the Gastown location, where parking can be a bit tricky. Our goal was to try the Supreme Croissant Sandwich, featuring mortadella, egg, and cheese—and it did not disappoint. The croissant was incredibly flaky, the cheese perfectly melted, and the mortadella added just the right savory touch. Everything came together beautifully. I highly recommend stopping by for a quick bite and a cup of coffee.
Locations: multiple
Saku
I’ve reviewed Saku in Vancouver multiple times, and it’s always a must-stop for me. I make sure to arrive right at opening to beat the line. They serve the highest quality pork, along with house-made breadcrumbs and even their own salad dressing. Nearly everything is prepared in-house, and the breadcrumbs are kept at a precise humidity to guarantee that signature crunch. We love ordering the Zenbu Katsu set, which includes one of everything, along with the curry katsu and the cheese katsu. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything here—it’s consistently one of the best meals I’ve ever had and probably my favorite spot to return to whenever I’m in Vancouver.
Location: 1588 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6G 2G5, Canada
Botanist
If you’re looking for an elevated dining experience in a beautiful setting, Botanist is an excellent choice. We sampled a wide range of dishes, including the rhubarb with bee pollen, summer truffles, brown butter shiitake mushrooms, spring shoot salad, potato pavé, smoked carrots, lobster bisque, butter-poached lobster, sunchokes, cultivated mushrooms with fine herbs, charred octopus with leche de tigre, and the romanesco with duck prosciutto, bordelaise, and watermelon radish. The pan-seared scallops were also a standout. Everything was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented. My only issue was experiencing an allergic reaction to the bee pollen, so do keep dietary considerations in mind. Overall, Botanist offers a refined dining experience with memorable dishes, and reservations are available.
Location: 1038 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 0B9, Canada
Dynasty Seafood
One of the highlights from my 2025 trip was the Typhoon Crab Tower at Dynasty Seafood. We arrived around 9 pm after landing and went straight for their secret off-menu special. The dish features a juicy Dungeness crab, perfectly seasoned with garlic and spices, served atop a tower of sticky rice that is simply delicious. The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, so casual attire feels completely appropriate. As a fun touch, they even present a live crab before you order. This crab tower is priced at around $100 or more, but the flavor and presentation make it entirely worth it.
Address: 108-777 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4J7, Canada
Iden Quan Jude
For Peking Duck enthusiasts in Vancouver, this Michelin-starred restaurant is a must. We secured a lunch reservation and enjoyed their incredible 169-course meal for two (available at lunch only). This option offers far more than the $128 standalone duck, including Duck Soup, Fried Oysters, Stir-Fried Shrimp with Eggs, the centerpiece Peking Duck carved tableside, and a sweet Zhong Zhi dessert. Service is impeccable, with waitstaff in sharp tuxedos, and the duck carving takes about 55 minutes—perfect for a leisurely lunch. Overall, the restaurant combines exceptional cuisine with refined service, making it the ideal destination for a deluxe Peking Duck experience.
Location: 2808 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2V5, Canada
Uno Beef Noodle Soup (Richmond)
Uno Beef Noodle Soup is hands-down Vancouver’s go-to spot for beef noodles. Be prepared for a wait—around 40 minutes at dinnertime—but it’s worth it. Service can be a bit slow, so you may need to flag someone down, but the beef noodle soup makes up for it. The fatty beef tallow gives the broth incredible richness, and the noodles are perfectly bouncy and expertly made.
Address:
2811 No. 3 Rd #135, Richmond, BC V6X 2B2, Canada
No. 1 Beef Noodle (Burnaby)
While Uno Beef Noodle Soup is popular, I personally prefer No. 1 Beef Noodle Soup. On our most recent visit, we tried their classic beef noodle soup with wide noodles, along with soup dumplings and popcorn chicken. Everything was outstanding—truly on par with the beef noodle soups you’ll find in Taiwan. The broth was rich, slightly tomato-forward, and full of depth from the soy sauce. The noodles were perfectly cooked, and the beef was tender and flavorful. I highly recommend making a stop here when visiting Vancouver.
Address: 4741 Willingdon Ave, Burnaby, BC V5G 3H5, Canada
HK BBQ Master (Richmond)
When in Vancouver, HK BBQ Master is a non-negotiable stop. Heads up, it’s cash-only, but there’s an ATM right in the grocery store next door. Things sell out fast, so get there early. My go-to lineup: the roast pork, both lean and fatty char siu, plus the roast duck. Honestly, the roast pork and char siu are the best I’ve ever had. We loved it so much we went back twice on the same trip—that’s how good it is.
Address: 4651 No. 3 Rd, Richmond, BC V6X 2C4, Canada
Savio Volpe
Savio Volpe is a must-visit Italian spot in Vancouver. They’ve got an ‘ALLA FAMIGLIA’ option per person that covers a full lineup of courses, but we went à la carte. Highlights for us were the prosciutto (with peaches, parmigiano vacca bruna, aged balsamic), the agnolotti dal plin (chicken, pork, red wine, crispy sage), the canestri (oxtail stracotto, pickled fennel, mint, pecorino), and of course, their famous kale salad. Everything was excellent, though personally I still lean a bit toward Ask For Luigi for that extra punch of flavor. The good news—Savio Volpe takes reservations, so no stress there.
Address: 615 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5T 3K5, Canada
Ramen Danbo
@ramendanbo_ca is the best ramen I’ve ever had—yes, even compared to bowls I’ve tried in the U.S. and Japan. First discovered it in Seattle, and it’s been amazing every single time. They’re open daily (even holidays), the line moves quick, and the food never disappoints. Pro tip: grab a bowl of rice to finish off the broth. The classic tonkotsu is my go-to, though the other broths are solid too.
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is a buzzing Southeast Asian spot that lives up to the hype. Their signature butter beef (think tartare with a tangy vinegar twist) and legendary chicken wings completely stole the show—we loved the wings so much we had to order another round. Everything was packed with flavor and came out fast once we were seated. Heads up: no reservations here, so you’ll need to drop your name on the waitlist, but trust me, it’s worth it.
Address: 244 E Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1Z7, Canada
Granville Island Market
Granville Island "is the jewel in the Island’s crown. An indoor market featuring a fascinating assortment of colorful food and produce stores, showcasing handcrafted products and the very finest in unique gifts. All fresh from the ocean, the oven or the field" (from their website. They are open daily till 6 pm. There were plenty of fresh produce stalls and local goods. I recommend coming here to buy food for a picnic or brunch! The fruit was expensive but taste. We got charcuterie from Oyama Sausage and found it superb and cheese from Benton Brothers. We also got donuts from @leesdonuts.ca at the @granville_island.
Address: Public Market, 1689 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9, Canada
Vijs
@eatdrinkvijs is a popular Indian fusion restaurant! The chef here is super famous too. We ordered an assortment of food but our favorite dishes were the lamb lollipops and the chicken skewers. We called the restaurant when they opened and asked for a reservation. If you're pressed on time feel free to skip this one.
Address: 3106 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2W2, Canada
Maru Hachi Ra-men
Another ramen spot with multiple locations "Chicken is one of the universal foods that you can find in almost every culture. This is how he was inspired to create Maru Hachi RA-MEN’s signature creamy chicken broth (toripai tan)" From their website. They use chicken broth for their ramen and the pork slices on top melt in your mouth.
Address: 270 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 0E7, Canada
Kingyo
Kingyo is a Japanese Izakaya spot located on Robson. They technically take reservations but you need to call them directly to make one. The food here was pretty affordable for sushi and eats. We opted for some of their christmas specials but they're popular for their pressed sushi. I think if you're pressed on time you can probably skip this spot @kingyo_izakaya_van
Address: 871 Denman St, Vancouver, BC V6G 2L9, Canada
The Teahouse Stanley Park
@the_teahouse , this is located in Stanley park. We are here for their special Christmas Day dinner. It was 5 courses. Honestly the beginning of this meal was rough, with them forgetting courses and leaving us unattended for 15 minutes with no water or complimentary bread, and then also bringing me the wrong food multiple times.But after I let the manager know, the night took a turn and the food came out in a timely manner and the prime rib was delicious, I would say the meal here was a special occasion and feeling and I’m glad they made things right. You might can skip this one.
Address: 7501 Stanley Park Dr, Vancouver, BC V6G 1Z4, Canada
Richmond Night Market (Summer time Only, Weekends)
The Richmond Night Market is easily one of the best night markets in the world. It’s all about the Asian food scene here, and the hype is absolutely real. Fair warning—it gets insanely crowded. Skip the parking headache and take an Uber or walk if you can, and expect a wait to get in (though fast pass tickets are an option). Once inside, it’s pure food heaven. My must-tries: the noodle cup and the rainbow mango sticky rice. Show up hungry—you’ll thank me later.
Address: 8351 River Rd, Richmond, BC V6X 1Y4, Canada
Bon Crepe
@boncrepevancouver is on Robson street (one of my fav streets) attached to a Japanese supermarket. I recommend shopping around the market for exclusive Japanese snacks then buying a crepe!
Location: 1238 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1C1, Canada
Nero Waffle
@nerowaffles serves liege and Belgium waffles. They have mini waffles and also larger made fresh waffles with toppings. During our visit we thought the churro waffle and classic waffles were the best. We liked them so much that we even brought a box home to America!
Address:1703 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6G 1C8, Canada
Earnest Ice cream
Hands down, this ice cream takes the crown—it’s that good. The line was long but moved quickly, and the roasted hazelnut + whisky combo was pure heaven. Vancouver’s dairy game is next level, and you can absolutely taste the difference. Definitely worth a try. We visited 4 times our last Vancouver trip!
Address: 1829 Quebec St, Vancouver, BC V5T 2Z3, Canada
