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JJs Restaurant at VCC, Vancouver, BC

JJs Restaurant at VCC

4.8
4.8
228 Reviews
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Canadian
Top tags:
JJ’s Restaurant is a Vancouver institution. Both the kitchen and front of house are run by students who are in their 2nd level of cook training. Enjoy a three-course a la carte lunch which is reasonably priced and produced with the highest level of passion and care by students with the guidance of their Chef Instructors. If you are interested in a group booking please email culinaryarts@vcc.ca.

Please note that JJ’s and Chef’s Table service may be interrupted by inclement weather, including extreme heat or significant snowfalls. VCC makes this precaution to keep the staff and customers safe. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Make a reservation

2 people
10:00 p.m.
Booked 1 time today
Experiences are available.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Cuisines
    Canadian, Contemporary French / American, International
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Mon–Thu 11:30 am–12:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 6:30 pm–8:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (604) 443-8479
  • Website
    http://www.vcc.ca/services/eat-shop--more/jjs-restaurant/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Tobias MacDonald
  • Location
    250 Pender St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 1S9
  • Neighbourhood
    Chinatown
  • Cross Street
    Hamilton
  • Parking Details
    street parking also available
  • Public Transit
    Stadium/Chinatown Sky Train Station
  • Additional
    Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Chef's Table

    $55.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Multiple dates available
    The Chef's Table dinners, are one of Vancouver's best-kept secrets! Enjoy a gourmet five-course meal designed by Chef Hamid Salimian with optional selected wine pairings, served in a unique group setting with only 10 seats available per night. The Chef's Table dinners are run by students, led by award winning instructors in Vancouver Community College's International Culinary Arts Program. Thank you for supporting VCC students-gratuities help the VCC Foundation create awards and bursaries. Dietary restrictions and preferences may be accommodated with at least 24 hrs notice. Please direct requests to culinaryarts@vcc.ca. Please note that Chef’s Table service may be interrupted by extreme heat. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

What 228 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.9Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Vancouver / British Columbia

    Best Food

  • Vancouver / British Columbia

    Best Value

  • Vancouver / British Columbia

    Canadian

  • Vancouver

    Best Food

  • Vancouver

    Best Value

  • Vancouver

    Canadian

228 Reviews

  1. ResshennaM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Staff are awesome, the ambiance. The food are absolutely amazing.

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  2. James

    Vancouver

    48 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    48 reviews

    Dined on September 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    After a less-than-ideal chef’s table experience, I decided to return to see what lunch was like here. So glad I did! The food was marvelous, the service careful and attentive, and delivery of courses was well paced (which it had not been for evening chef’s table). Bravo!! A really lovely experience.

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  3. James

    Vancouver

    48 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    48 reviews

    Dined on September 15, 2023

    overall3food4service3ambience1
    Culinary school meals are always a mix of pluses and minuses. The pluses here? The staff here are enthusiastic and the food was very good overall. The minuses? First the room is really quite unappealing. Second the service felt rushed. Third, the elaborate plating process often meant that the food was served more than a bit on the cool side. But still a fun experience.

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  4. PaulaC

    Vancouver

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 31, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Quite a nice value for having a nice 3 courses meal.

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  5. EdInTheWestEnd

    Vancouver

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It's always a pleasure to visit JJ's. The students are very Earnest and trying their best, but sometimes they are so nervous that they make some little mistakes which are easily and quickly corrected.

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  6. AlexG

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Easily my favourite restaurant, not just in Vancouver, but in the world! (And I've been to Michelin star restaurants too)

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  7. Traveller47

    Vancouver

    9 reviews

    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    A lovely experience. The staff were very engaged in their work and the artful presentation of the food.The dishes on which it was served were most interesting. The food was delicious and probably quite impossible for me to reproduce at home. The wine pairings were interesting. There were just 5 couples when we were there.The room is quite large so it was blissfully not noisy and the music was good. We had been wanting to go for some time and we were not disappointed.

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  8. YifatM

    Vancouver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great fine dining for 2. We had so much fun. A fantastic dinner for a great price.

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  9. EdInTheWestEnd

    Vancouver

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely delicious! Be patient as the students are doing their best to make it perfect for you.

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  10. DonnaB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had an excellent lunch. The food was delicious and the staff amazing!! Everyone was helpful, attentive and friendly. Congratulations to these culinary students! They did a great job!!

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  11. Yuliya

    Vancouver

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 14, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience3
    I love coming to J.J's Fine Dining - the food is extraordinary and very inexpensive. I enjoy supporting students and help build their confidence as they move through their program. Fine Dining at a decent price, ENJOY!

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  12. AnnieW

    Vancouver

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our JJ's 3 course lunch was wonderful. The service was great and the food was delicious. Glad to know they try to source their ingredients locally as much as possible. We will be back!

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  13. Brenda

    Vancouver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 9, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    My son and I didn't like the dessert, Chai Ganche.

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  14. Chun

    Vancouver

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    We’ve always enjoy going to JJ’s. We can always count on being served good quality food, well prepared and beautifully presented. We are always greeted by polite and friendly servers. Most importantly, we know we are helping the students to gain valuable experience.

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  15. EErwin

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on July 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    This is a hidden gem, and I am so glad we found it! What a fantastic experience! I would recommend this to anyone who wants a fabulous meal and experience at a very reasonable rate! It's an amazing experience for the students as well as the guests!

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  16. CynthiaM

    Vancouver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A lovely experience from start to finish! Beautiful plating and delicous flavours, all prepared and presented by the very attentive and gracious team at JJ's. I loved the atmosphere of learning and earnest efforts by the culinary arts students, making the meal extra special. What a wonderful dining experience!

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  17. KeikoT

    Vancouver

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food, and services, we will be back again。

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  18. GigiD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Lovely 5 course meal with wine pairings. The attending students were cute and did their very best to make our meal memorable. The chef who described the courses was very informative, friendly and professional as he guided the students through their training.

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  19. gordmet

    Vancouver

    52 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    52 reviews

    Dined on June 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    A hidden restaurant upstairs in Vancouver Community College, JJ's offers an excellent Chef's table dinner for a very reasonable price. The restaurant staffed with students and taught by award winning chef's offers unique dishes with innovative techniques, fresh local ingredients, and excellent flavours and presentation. The chef's table is limited to only ten guests per night to allow students to prepare more complex dishes. Our dinner started with a unique freeze dried foie gras fluff served with a freshly made brioche followed by the highlight of the night a great tasting sous vide steelhead wrapped in a tender scallop mousse served on a sauerkraut dill consomme with asparagus puree, and sauteed root vegetables, followed by a tender venison sirloin with a oxtail tart served with cherries three ways, jus, compote, and a charred cherry skin powder coating on the sirloin. The main course did not disappoint with a sous vide lamb sirloin wrapped in bacon served with a celeriac oyster mushroom layered square, a caramelized onion tart, and a slow cooked lamb neck meat compress, with a balsamic glaze. Dessert followed with an interesting individual tiramisu dome creation dusted in cocoa and accompanied with a rich expresso icecream with chocolate shavings.

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  20. LiamLoxton

    Vancouver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Such a hidden gem! Definitely a great place to have a food experience.

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  21. QueenieL

    Vancouver

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 25, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    All food presentation excellent and , taste very good

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  22. Smallcar

    Exclusive

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 25, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Only very limited seats available as it’s a student run restaurant, have to book in advance

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  23. robertp

    Vancouver

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 10, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    A gem of culinary delight & a unique experience of molecular cuisine & extremely great value in this day and age, well worth a visit

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  24. JonathanL

    Vancouver

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on May 4, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience3
    I enjoyed going to JJ restaurant very much so, and they even decorated the writing happy birthday on my dessert plate. Thank you to the entire team, students and instructor/dining room manager included of course!

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  25. Smallcar

    Exclusive

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 2, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    Students run restaurant so not expected a professional service provide. The food were pretty good for the value.

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  26. Lily

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had lunch here a week ago and the place was full. Despite this, service was impeccable and the food was as great as ever! Every menu item was worth its price. Kudos to Dennis for running a tight ship and the students for a job well done, both in the kitchen and in the dining room. Another pleasant dining experience! :)

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  27. Hossein

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 27, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    The price for the quantity (portion amount) was too expensive. We felt almost hungry when we left !!!!! Not worth it... will not come back again and will not recommend anyone either! It was really a nano/micro eatery.

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  28. DavidC

    Toronto

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 27, 2023

    overall4food3service3ambience3
    Enjoyed lunch and happy to see that the culinary students are receiving good training at VCC. The food is a delight to the eyes, palette and pocketbook.

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  29. RickK

    Vancouver

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 24, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience5
    We were very disappointed that they ran out of rack of lamb, even though we were seated first. The service was a little slow but understandably this is a culinary school. Would definitely return.

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  30. DennisF

    Vancouver

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 20, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Excellent food and good service. The custom salad cart was slow due to volume. Overall great value

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  31. MarkD

    Toronto

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food is great, the plating is first class, the student servers are at their best, and the Host is gracious and eager to offer information about the food and the culinary program.

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  32. RosalieL

    Vancouver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This venue is a wonderful place to visit if you are going for a fantastic experience. I can’t wait to return with more friends.

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  33. KathyB

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I have not been to JJ’s in years, but will definitely return. We really enjoyed it!

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  34. RoderickC

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 31, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Excellent experience and innovative food. Small and intimate

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  35. KennaK

    Vancouver

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 28, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    Was a great experience, many different cooking techniques demonstrated.

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  36. ChrisG

    Vancouver

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 28, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Great value for good food. Entirely student run, some minor errors are to be expected, overall well executed. Don’t know how the kitchen is run but supervision/oversight by instructors should probably eliminate errors from making it to the guest. For example, my desert included caramel popcorn. Unfortunately this included corn kernels which failed to pop, a perfect way to unintentionally break a tooth. But knowing this is a student run facility any patron should pay attention and be prepared to provide constructive feedback when a learning opportunity presents itself. Overall a good job was done by all.

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  37. Tiga

    Vancouver

    18 reviews

    4.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on March 22, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    I believe the servers are students. The service was excellent! Food was fantastic!

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  38. DA27182818

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic food and excellent service - run by students.

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  39. Nasron

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    An amazing experience! Kudos to the staff and team for a wonderful immersive experience.

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  40. EldaC

    Vancouver

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 17, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience3
    Quality of food very good and dishes most interesting. Impressed with students preparing the dishes. Students very sociable a and willing to engage in conversation with patrons. We enjoyed courses 1, 2, and 5 the most. We look forward to coming again soon.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitising

    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily

  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners

FAQs

JJs Restaurant at VCC is rated 4.8 stars by 228 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
10:00 p.m.
Booked 1 time today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for JJs Restaurant at VCC

250 Pender St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 1S9

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Hamilton
  • Neighbourhood
    Chinatown
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Mon–Thu 11:30 am–12:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 6:30 pm–8:30 pm
  • Cuisines
    Canadian, Contemporary French / American, International
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress Code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking Details
    street parking also available
  • Public Transit
    Stadium/Chinatown Sky Train Station
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Tobias MacDonald
  • Additional
    Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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