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What’s Coming for Fall at Five Vancouver Must-Book Restaurants

A photo of Red logo
by OpenTable
Updated August 24, 2021

When the summer starts to draw to a close, Vancouver’s restaurants begin to shift their menus to heartier fare and the bounty of British Columbia’s autumn produce. Cherries and berries make way for apples, artichokes, cranberries, and even kiwi fruit from Vancouver Island. The local seafood changes, too; you might even see Pacific sardines — available only in September and October. At least until rainy November, dining al fresco on Vancouver’s patios is still a great option. The ever-changing pandemic means restaurants are making changes on the fly to suit the current circumstances, so keep your eye out for special events, changing opening hours, and expanded menus. Here’s what’s new and planned (so far) at these five must-book restaurants for fall.

A photo of L'Abattoir Restaurant restaurant
4.7
4.7 (3839)
CAN$51 and over
Contemporary French
Gastown
About the restaurant
As the weather cools, L’Abattoir’s meat-heavy dishes become even more tempting. Try quail from Thiessen Farm with grilled foie gras or perhaps pan-fried sweetbreads on toast. But it will be hard to skip the steak Diane given the new perfect pairing — the restaurant’s new namesake wine, L’Abattoir Syrah. It’s available exclusively in L’Abattoir’s dining room for the rest of 2021, at least until its limited quantities are gone. The blend was created this past winter via a collaboration with BC winery Le Vieux Pin and L’Abattoir’s general manager and sommelier Nick Bertoia. There’ll be a new vintage available next year, plus a white varietal announced in spring 2022. Instead of ordering à la carte, you can also book L’Abattoir’s Gaoler’s menu experience, which comes with nine seasonal courses and optional wine pairings. Plus, partial proceeds go directly to the BC Hospitality Foundation. Watch L’Abattoir’s website for special events in the private dining room — the space has an open kitchen, and chefs Lee Cooper and Yoann Therer and pastry chef Oliver Bernardino have new seasonal event menus now that indoor events are allowed again in BC.
Top review
Gerardvip
Dined on Aug 8, 2024
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Gastown, so I looked forward to showing my SIL this place. As my SIL was still recovering from a bout of diverticulitis, I didn’t order a bottle of wine. I had two wines by the glass, and we shared a few dishes. We started with their fabulous bread service, then a Dungeness Crab salad, an Artichoke tart and their Terrine of Fois Gras. Our “main” was their Agnolotti. I had a glass of 2022 Garnier et Fils Chablis with the salads and a glass of 2016 Synchromesh Pinot Noir from Storm Haven Vineyard in Okanagan Falls, BC with foie gras and agnolotti. The Artichoke Tart was half salad, half egg custard tart with pieces of artichoke between the two. It was a light, refreshing dish. The Dungeness Crab Salad was a visual surprise … the crab was placed between thin slices of radish and decorated with green leaves. It was interesting; perhaps a little too subtle in flavor for me. The foie gras terrine came with two thick pieces of brioche. The square of terrine was decorated with squares of wine jelly, and cherry halves. The terrine was soft and silky and the brioche so buttery. The star of the evening was the Sweet Corn Agnolotti. Pillows of mascarpone pasta were covered with pieces of sweet corn and a generous helping of sliced black truffle. This dish was “to die for” and I wanted to order a second plate. I love the food at L’Abattoir and dine here every time I come to Vancouver.
A photo of Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market restaurant
4.5
4.5 (790)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Seafood
Stadium District
About the restaurant
Fresh seafood is the highlight at this tide-to-table restaurant on the edge of downtown toward BC Place. The restaurant celebrated its fifth birthday this summer, and new executive chef Tommy Shorthouse is bringing experience from notable Vancouver restaurants Boulevard, Joe Fortes, Tableau, and Wild Tale. His passion for BC products and sustainable farming inspired some of the new dishes he’s offering at the restaurant. All of Fanny Bay’s seafood is Ocean Wise and sustainably farmed or fished from the waters of British Columbia and Washington state, including its oysters grown on the rocky beaches of Fanny Bay in Baynes Sound off Vancouver Island. Menus are seasonal, but you can always order Shorthouse’s seafood paella, chock full of prawns, scallops, clams, and whatever’s freshest from the sea. Give Fanny Bay’s sablefish collars a try — it’s a rarely seen and sustainable delicacy.
Top review
Anna
Dined 2 days ago
I don't have anything to write here so I'll just keep
A photo of The Teahouse Restaurant restaurant
4.6
4.6 (4153)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Regional American (Northwest)
Vancouver
About the restaurant
The landmark restaurant within Stanley Park reopened this summer with a new executive chef. Sic Kim has previously cooked at Giardino’s, the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, Bin 941, and Cardero’s, and his new dinner menu has items such as crab- and shrimp-encrusted halibut and Brome Lake duck confit with truffled mushroom croquette. Kim is also relaunching The Teahouse’s popular weekend brunch, with dates yet to be announced. Choose outdoor dining or, if the weather has turned too chilly, gaze at the views of Burrard Inlet and the North Shore mountains through The Teahouse’s huge picture windows.
Top review
Lori
Dined 2 days ago
The staff are attentive and very pleasant. The food was amazing!! The conservatory is gorgeous!
A photo of Notch8 restaurant
4.5
4.5 (1720)
CAN$30 and under
Unspecified
Downtown
About the restaurant
There are several big autumn 2021 changes at Notch8, the main restaurant in Fairmont’s flagship Vancouver hotel. New items on the dinner menu include an appetizer of side stripe shrimp served with curry aioli, tapioca crisp, and pear as well as an entree of chayote squash with whole roasted trout and warm baby kale salad. Plus, a more COVID-friendly Continential breakfast tower replaces the traditional buffet, piled high with pastries, proteins, a parfait of yogurt and granola, a smoothie shot, and your choice of breakfast beverage. With the rainy season returning, in mid-September Notch8 will be offering a new version of its seasonal afternoon Raincouver tea, which in 2020 included sweet treats shaped like rainbows, raindrops, and umbrellas. Plus, live music is back in the Notch8 Lounge with performances Fridays and Saturdays beginning at 5pm.
Top review
Suzanne
Dined on Nov 28, 2024
Great lunch…food & beverages very good. Chris our sever was helpful and personable. Hotel beautifully decorated for the holidays! All staff very professional & friendly. Great choice for anytime of day….Recommend :)
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