5 innovative restaurants to seek out in Vancouver

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Popular dish

Roast Duck Pancake

Experience

PROHIBITION WEEKEND BRUNCH!

Experience

Wednesday Trivia Nights

Fable Diner

4.6 (330)

CAN$30 and under

Canadian

Mount Pleasant

In response to the pandemic, Fable—there are three locations now, with the newest in Yaletown—created its own online delivery platform to meet the needs of Vancouverites who were (then) almost exclusively dining at home. Another pioneering Fable initiative: In March 2020, the restaurant group began offering a 20% discount to healthcare workers and first responders. The restaurants’ menus are just as thoughtful, featuring made-from-scratch comfort foods such as cafeteria-style poutine and smash burgers, plus roast duck gnocchi with housemade kimchi. To all that, add weekly trivia nights and unique, themed brunches (such as the Prohibition Weekend Brunch ), making a meal at any of these three spots one of the most memorable in town. MICHELIN recognized Fable’s Kits location with a Bib Gourmand in October 2022.

Top review

K

KateVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Fantastic experience! Our server made the night so special. He turned the game on for us, made the kids feel like they were kings and queens, and served food they loved!

In response to the pandemic, Fable—there are three locations now, with the newest in Yaletown—created its own online delivery platform to meet the needs of Vancouverites who were (then) almost exclusively dining at home. Another pioneering Fable initiative: In March 2020, the restaurant group began offering a 20% discount to healthcare workers and first responders. The restaurants’ menus are just as thoughtful, featuring made-from-scratch comfort foods such as cafeteria-style poutine and smash burgers, plus roast duck gnocchi with housemade kimchi. To all that, add weekly trivia nights and unique, themed brunches (such as the Prohibition Weekend Brunch ), making a meal at any of these three spots one of the most memorable in town. MICHELIN recognized Fable’s Kits location with a Bib Gourmand in October 2022.

Top review

K

KateVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Fantastic experience! Our server made the night so special. He turned the game on for us, made the kids feel like they were kings and queens, and served food they loved!

Discover more

Popular dish

Roast Duck Pancake

Experience

PROHIBITION WEEKEND BRUNCH!

Experience

Wednesday Trivia Nights

Neverland Tea Salon - Vancouver

4.5 (2165)

CAN$51 and over

Afternoon Tea

Kitsilano

This whimsical, chandelier-decked tea shop is one of the only ones of its kind in Vancouver. It serves elaborate afternoon tea daily, plus lunch on weekdays. Come for seasonal savoury tea sandwiches such as smoked paprika crab salad, scones with cream and jam, and a selection of pastries. Neverland’s rare brew selection includes an under-the-radar oolong from Kenya, seven types of rooibos, and unusual tisanes, such as lemon meringue pie with lemongrass, lemon myrtle, and vanilla bean. The cherry on top: For special events, diners are encouraged to show up in Alice in Wonderland-inspired costumes, and there are prizes for the best dressed. Owners and childhood friends, Terri Tatchell and Renee Iaci ensure their eclectic tea shop gives back, particularly to children, supporting a range of nonprofits such as the Children’s Organ Transplant Society. Neverland also donates a dollar from every bag of loose-leaf tea purchased to war relief efforts in Ukraine.

Top review

D

Dined 6 days ago

The service was exceptional: the food presentation on the high tea pedestal, the quality of the tea cups & cutlery, the professional uniform of the servers, the cleanliness, and the music were all outstanding.

This whimsical, chandelier-decked tea shop is one of the only ones of its kind in Vancouver. It serves elaborate afternoon tea daily, plus lunch on weekdays. Come for seasonal savoury tea sandwiches such as smoked paprika crab salad, scones with cream and jam, and a selection of pastries. Neverland’s rare brew selection includes an under-the-radar oolong from Kenya, seven types of rooibos, and unusual tisanes, such as lemon meringue pie with lemongrass, lemon myrtle, and vanilla bean. The cherry on top: For special events, diners are encouraged to show up in Alice in Wonderland-inspired costumes, and there are prizes for the best dressed. Owners and childhood friends, Terri Tatchell and Renee Iaci ensure their eclectic tea shop gives back, particularly to children, supporting a range of nonprofits such as the Children’s Organ Transplant Society. Neverland also donates a dollar from every bag of loose-leaf tea purchased to war relief efforts in Ukraine.

Top review

D

Dined 6 days ago

The service was exceptional: the food presentation on the high tea pedestal, the quality of the tea cups & cutlery, the professional uniform of the servers, the cleanliness, and the music were all outstanding.

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Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market

4.4 (881)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Seafood

Stadium District

Sustainability plays a starring role at Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market. At this Stadium District spot, Manila clams and cucumber-slate-flavoured oysters are sourced from the beaches of Fanny Bay itself. Family-owned Fanny Bay supports the community too, sponsoring marine and environmental stewardship and educational non-profits plus groups researching and monitoring water quality and restoring local watersheds. Pacific mollusks, such as Kusshis and Sun Seekers, are amongst the favourite oysters here, whether eaten in-house or brought home. For those who choose to feast at the restaurant, chef Tommy Shorthouse offers up some of the city’s best—and most responsibly sourced—seafood, including shucked-on-demand oysters, yellowfin tuna tartare, and paella for two with whatever’s freshest.

Top review

M

Matthew

Dined 1 day ago

Was a lovely evening. The food was top shelf and service was good. And based on quality of food and location the prices were excellent.

Sustainability plays a starring role at Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market. At this Stadium District spot, Manila clams and cucumber-slate-flavoured oysters are sourced from the beaches of Fanny Bay itself. Family-owned Fanny Bay supports the community too, sponsoring marine and environmental stewardship and educational non-profits plus groups researching and monitoring water quality and restoring local watersheds. Pacific mollusks, such as Kusshis and Sun Seekers, are amongst the favourite oysters here, whether eaten in-house or brought home. For those who choose to feast at the restaurant, chef Tommy Shorthouse offers up some of the city’s best—and most responsibly sourced—seafood, including shucked-on-demand oysters, yellowfin tuna tartare, and paella for two with whatever’s freshest.

Top review

M

Matthew

Dined 1 day ago

Was a lovely evening. The food was top shelf and service was good. And based on quality of food and location the prices were excellent.

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CAN$31 to CAN$50

Tapas / Small Plates

Gastown

This friendly neighbourhood cocktail parlour is known for innovative drinks plus unique meat and cheese boards (bonus points for vegan cheese options). Choices include British Columbia smoked gouda and Ontario triple cream brie—both pair well with spicy capocollo or fennel salami. But The Diamond is about more than just customizable charcuterie. It also stands out for boosting its surrounding community. By making a reservation through OpenTable’s Experiences, you donate $5 to A Better Life Foundation, a local charity that provides food literacy and 1,000 made-from-scratch meals daily to Downtown Eastside residents. Note that The Diamond doesn’t have an in-house phone so it’s important to book online. If you’re here for happy hour, selections from that menu direct partial proceeds to the Autism Society of British Columbia—yet another example of The Diamond’s altruistic ethos.

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CC

CeriC

Dined on Aug 4, 2023

Fabulous place. Cocktails were amazing and the Charcuterie Board delicious. The service was exceptional and a big shout out to the wonderful bar manager Amanda. We’re all hoping that everyone will find another ‘Diamond’ soon!

This friendly neighbourhood cocktail parlour is known for innovative drinks plus unique meat and cheese boards (bonus points for vegan cheese options). Choices include British Columbia smoked gouda and Ontario triple cream brie—both pair well with spicy capocollo or fennel salami. But The Diamond is about more than just customizable charcuterie. It also stands out for boosting its surrounding community. By making a reservation through OpenTable’s Experiences, you donate $5 to A Better Life Foundation, a local charity that provides food literacy and 1,000 made-from-scratch meals daily to Downtown Eastside residents. Note that The Diamond doesn’t have an in-house phone so it’s important to book online. If you’re here for happy hour, selections from that menu direct partial proceeds to the Autism Society of British Columbia—yet another example of The Diamond’s altruistic ethos.

Top review

CC

CeriC

Dined on Aug 4, 2023

Fabulous place. Cocktails were amazing and the Charcuterie Board delicious. The service was exceptional and a big shout out to the wonderful bar manager Amanda. We’re all hoping that everyone will find another ‘Diamond’ soon!

Cioppino's Mediterranean Grill

4.5 (571)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Italian

Yaletown

For two decades, award-winning chef Giuseppe “Pino” Posteraro has transformed local ingredients into artistic plates at his acclaimed Yaletown restaurant. Posteraro was even honoured with the Order of the Star of Italy, an order of knighthood. While his menus do feature traditional dishes, such as the four-hour braised veal cheek with pappardelle, Posteraro is all about food for the future and he invents new dishes daily, highlighting the best of BC. He sources buffalo mozzarella from Vancouver Island, halibut from Haida Gwaii, and veal from the Fraser Valley. Some of what he uses in his restaurant is hyperlocal, including plums and eggplants from his home garden. He even provides Cioppino’s entire bay leaf supply from his own trees and invites chef friends to harvest what they need. Beyond the innovative approach to ingredients, the chef-owner embraces technology, too. Thanks to a massive spring-summer 2020 renovation, Cioppino’s is now equipped with a new open kitchen with state-of-the-art German ovens and a temperature-controlled, by-the-glass wine dispenser and preservation system, proving it’s a gamechanger on many levels.

Top review

K

Karen

Dined on Nov 28, 2024

It is so sad that this terrific restaurant is closing A major loss for Vancouver

For two decades, award-winning chef Giuseppe “Pino” Posteraro has transformed local ingredients into artistic plates at his acclaimed Yaletown restaurant. Posteraro was even honoured with the Order of the Star of Italy, an order of knighthood. While his menus do feature traditional dishes, such as the four-hour braised veal cheek with pappardelle, Posteraro is all about food for the future and he invents new dishes daily, highlighting the best of BC. He sources buffalo mozzarella from Vancouver Island, halibut from Haida Gwaii, and veal from the Fraser Valley. Some of what he uses in his restaurant is hyperlocal, including plums and eggplants from his home garden. He even provides Cioppino’s entire bay leaf supply from his own trees and invites chef friends to harvest what they need. Beyond the innovative approach to ingredients, the chef-owner embraces technology, too. Thanks to a massive spring-summer 2020 renovation, Cioppino’s is now equipped with a new open kitchen with state-of-the-art German ovens and a temperature-controlled, by-the-glass wine dispenser and preservation system, proving it’s a gamechanger on many levels.

Top review

K

Karen

Dined on Nov 28, 2024

It is so sad that this terrific restaurant is closing A major loss for Vancouver