Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in British Columbia

"Vikram Vij has a monopoly on the Best Indian food in Vancouver—his restaurants took Gold, Silver and Bronze at our 2017 Restaurant Awards—and now he's getting in on the patio game, too. His newest room has a gorgeous rooftop setting with views of the North Shore Mountains, but you’ll to need to line up early if you want to see them: he doesn’t take reservations. 3106 Cambie St., vijsrestaurant.ca"

"Best Dish at Vij’s: Wine marinated lamp popsicles in fenugreek cream curry on turmeric and spinach potatoes. With cookbooks, frozen meals, and three restaurants, local Vancouverites know the name Vij’s well. The flagship restaurant has an East meets West kind of flair, with traditional Indian flavors fused with local British Columbian ingredients."

"Going to Vij's Railway Express is a great affordable way to experience Vij's heard-around-the-world food without a two hours wait. Try authentic Indian food with unexpected spice and flavour combinations."

"A post shared by Chambar Restaurant (@chambar_restaurant) on Jun 23, 2020 at 4:46pm PDT. This much-loved local brunch spot has a stellar outdoor space boasting greenery, brick-lined walls, and menus to enjoy from breakfast to dinner. Address: 568 Beatty Street, VancouverPhone: 604-879-7119"

"Vancouver's beloved carbon-neutral Belgian eatery has nailed dinner service for years. Now, you can head to Beatty Street for outstanding brunch, as well. Their 11-item menu is meat-forward but vegans can find options or modify."

"A cozy and elegant Belgian restaurant (located in Chinatown) with breakfast every day and a lengthy brunch menu on the weekends."

"With a patio bigger than the restaurant itself, Guu Garden is great for entertaining large parties. The izakaya menu helps out as well since practically every dish is meant to be shared. We recommend trying anything that sounds good, we’ve yet to be disappointed."

"Guu is known as the first Izakaya (Japanese tapas) establishment in Vancouver, offering the most authentic real izakaya experience to Vancouver locals. Using freshest local ingredients with Japanese traditional culinary techniques (and our energetic"

"With a patio bigger than the restaurant itself, Guu Garden is great for entertaining large parties. Not to mention social distancing!. The izakaya menu helps out as well since practically every dish is meant to be shared."

"If you have a love affair with Parisian cafes, Au Comptoir in Vancouver's Kitsilano doesn't disappoint. They're also open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner so you've got options. In the morning go for the flaky pastries or the omelette with gruyere, fine herbs, and salad; with a cafe au lait, of course."

"A post shared by Au Comptoir (@au_comptoir) on Nov 19, 2017 at 11:02am PST. Reserve a table for two at this Parisian spot for a night of romance. This is the place to savour a glass of fine wine as you tuck into French classics like cassoulet before sharing one of their house-made desserts."

"A post shared by Au Comptoir (@au_comptoir) on Aug 23, 2018 at 10:02am PDT. Reserve a table for two at this Parisian spot for a night of romance. This is the place to savour a glass of fine wine as you tuck into French classics like cassoulet before sharing one of their house-made desserts."

"Not many Robson-Street restaurants boast a full-sized patio, but Red Robin has that, bottomless fries, mouthwatering burgers and cheekily named cocktails like the Freckled Lemonade (vodka, lemonade and strawberries) and Sand in Your Shorts (vodka, melon liqueur and peach schnapps mixed with cranberry and orange juices). 803 Thurlow St., redrobincanada.com"

"A post shared by Kin Kao – Thai | Wine | Beer (@kinkaokitchen). Authentic Thai eats purveyor Kin Kao has announced it will be opening a new Vancouver location. The concept will be setting up shop at 317 E Broadway (the former location of The Black Lodge) this summer, according to its social accounts."

"In Thai cuisine, the often bold flavours are anything but simple. At Kin Kao ('eat rice'), we narrow our menu selection and present it in the simplest form possible. True to our philosophy, less is more and authenticity should never be"

"The lowdown: Fifties-style booths lined with mini jukeboxes and vintage memorabilia greet all who enter The Templeton, the most nostalgic dining experience on Vancouver’s Granville strip. It may have started as a diner in 1934, but today’s menu has kept up with the times, serving organic burgers, veggie bacon and—gasp—avocado toast. Must-order: Go traditional with a Big Ass Breakfast of eggs, bacon, french toast and buttermilk pancakes, or freshen it up with the Hakai Omelette filled with wild smoked salmon, cream cheese and red onions."

"The Templeton won an outstanding achievement award from the BC heritage society back in 1997 and has been a diner since 1934 under various names. Probably the highest quality diner on this list, The Templeton is the place to go when your parents or grandparents want to have a great breakfast in a setting they would have experienced as kids. Hours: Sunday/Tuesday to Thursday, 8:30AM-10PM, Friday/Saturday, 8:30AM-11PM and Sunday, 8:30AM-11PMWhere: 1087 Granville Street"

"This Granville strip staple doubles as a time machine that will transport you back to the heyday of classic diner cooking. With all day breakfast, free-run eggs and enough vegetarian options to keep every person in your party happy, The Templeton continues to be go-to spot for all-day b-fast in Vancouver."

"A post shared by Ovaltine Cafe (@ovaltinecafeyvr) on Feb 5, 2017 at 11:03am PST. As one of Vancouver’s oldest restaurants, the Ovaltine Cafe has withstood the test of time with some of the best home-style french toast and cuppa joes. Address: 251 E Hastings Street, VancouverPhone: 604-685-7021"

"One of the oldest restaurants in Vancouver, Ovaltine has been in operation since 1943. Great food and one of the best diner atmospheres in the city, check out our full write up on the Ovaltine here. Hours: Monday to Saturday, 6:30AM-6PM and Sunday, 6:30AM-2PMWhere: 251 E Hastings Street"

"Like being inside Edward Hopper's Nighthawks diner painting, this time-capsule greasy spoon instantly transports you to the 1940s. Snag a booth alongside the hospital-green walls or, better yet, slide onto a... Top ChoiceSeafood in Yaletown & Granville Island"

"With its open floor capacity, three bars and PK sound system, the Red Room is a popular nightclub choice in Vancouver, with some of the best electronic music in the city. Every Friday is Cancun Nite, which draws in crowds of up to 500 people with everything from salsa and reggae to hip-hop and top 40. Then it’s SUBculture Saturdays, which is all about bass music."

"For those who like to move to electronic and Latin music, Red Room Ultra Bar is calling. The PK Sound system and intelligent lighting set the stage for a night of dancing. The space itself is large and can accommodate 450 people."

"Always a favorite stop for thirsty cyclists that have been biking on the Adanac and Mosaic routes that intersect here, Bomber Brewing (1488 Adanac Street), is one of several great Vancouver breweries in East Van, clustered around Commercial Drive (a great place to eat, before or after). The vibe here is casual and cozy. Monday nights are Movie Nights with free popcorn and $5 pints and the Tasting Room is open daily from 12pm-11pm."

"This small tasting room found along the Adnac bike route is a must-visit when touring Vancouver’s beer scene, for the beer as much as for the story (but mainly for the beer.) Some guys who played on a hockey team called “the Bombers” convinced one of their teammates who made a bangin’ home brew to open a brewery. Next thing you know, Bomber Brewing was born. Hockey to craft beer?"

"Between the Bomber Russian Imperial Stout and the Parklife Passion Fruit Ale, you’ve got two killer beers. The tap room is small but cozy and that Adanac street beer route is fantastic."

"A post shared by 90percent90s (@90percent90s) on Nov 9, 2018 at 1:17pm PST. After a marathon study-sesh, head right across the street of the Vancouver Public Library (the Collesseum-looking one) to Library Square. Boy oh boy, is this place fun."

"The Olympic Village was built in 2010 and is considered one of the greenest communities in the world. Located in False Creek, this is a great area to explore on foot, with plenty of benches, cute cafes and restaurants, and green spaces to keep you occupied for at least an hour or two."