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  5. Commercial Drive
The Lunch Lady, Vancouver, BC
Award-winning

The Lunch Lady

4.7
4.7
519 Reviews
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Vietnamese
Top tags:
Enjoy award-winning Vietnamese street food in the heart of Commercial Drive! Lunch Lady is not your average pho joint – dishes showcasing the PNW’s best ingredients, craft cocktails, and Michelin quality service makes us a crowd favourite with locals and international guests alike. Come and discover our modern and soulful dishes that are distinctly authentic to Vietnam. We look forward to serving you!

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 33 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Cuisines
    Vietnamese, Comfort Food, Tapas / Small Plates
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Tue–Sun 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (604) 559-5938
  • Website
    https://thelunchlady.com/
  • Payment Options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Smart Casual
  • Catering
    Email - thelunchladyyvr@gmail.com
  • Private party facilities
    Email - thelunchladyyvr@gmail.com
  • Location
    1046 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3W9
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
  • Neighbourhood
    Commercial Drive
  • Cross Street
    Commercial Drive & Napier St.
  • Parking Details
    None
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • The Lunch Lady x Tanduay Rum - Pop-Up Event

    $118.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Oct 3, 2023 only
    Seating times available: 5:30 pm | 8:00 pm 6 COURSES Tongue & Cheek "Kare Kare" Croquette Braised Snake River Farms Wagyu Beef Cheek & Tongue / Taro Root / Fermented Shrimp Satay Hamachi Kinilaw Japanese Yellowtail / Coconut Calamansi Vinaigrette / Pickled Green Papaya & Radish Wagyu Adobo Miyazaki A5 Wagyu Zabuton / Adobo Reduction / Serrano Aioli / Roasted Scallion Sablefish Sinigang Pan-Roasted Sablefish / Brown-Buttered Daikon / Konjac Noodles / Spicy Tamarind Demi-Glace Iberico Tapsilog Charbroiled Iberico Secreto / "Mang Tomas" / Pho Broth-Steamed Jasmine Rice / Pan-Seared Foie Gras Halo Halo Banana Split Sweet Plantains / Ube Cheesecake / Coconut Pandan Gelato / Tanduay Rum Caramel / Honey Sesame Tuile
    The Lunch Lady x Tanduay Rum - Pop-Up Event photo

What 519 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

519 Reviews

  1. MJBMG

    Vancouver

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall3food5service3ambience5
    We turned up 15 minutes early and were asked if we could come back for our reservation time because the previous party had not settled up which was fine. We ended up a block away for a drink, arrived 10 minutes past the reservation time and we were still not able to be seated for another additional 10 minutes. The table finally vacated and it was reset very quickly. The host proceeded to seat a few other parties before showing us to our table despite having to wait for an extended time. We opted to do the set menu so we could try everything. The food service felt like it was sped up/rushed to catch up the lost time in our reservation block. We had then finished all the mains and the server announced 'last call' for us to order anything for our allotted time for the table. We were quickly brought the desert and finished. The server was then quick to remove the dishes and asked if we were ready for the bill which we said we were. We then sat there for another 10 minutes waiting for the bill at which point another server came up and told us they needed the table as our time was up for the reservation. We then expressed that we did already ask for the bill and the server never returned with it. The food was absolutely amazing and we loved the care in explaining all the dishes and how best to enjoy them. However, not normally one to complain about service but just felt so forgotten/rushed and felt we received relatively poor service. We had people in from out of town and were celebrating a birthday and felt bad for giving them that experience.

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  2. SarahG

    Austin

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    We ordered the tumeric lingcod entree, the stir fried veggies small plate and the cabbage salad w/ blk truffle and chicken. Each was excellent w/ the chicken cabbage salad being a best dish ever had.

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  3. JordanH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food, one of the best dinners we have had in awhile. Ivy, our server, was amazing! Super cool cocktails and the octopus was spectacular, highly recommend.

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  4. KnitterandFoodie

    Calgary

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Awesome food - a but pricey but tasty for sure! Service was very attentive.

    Is this helpful?

  5. OpenTable Diner

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Been here few times, the food always amazing and service is the best in Vancouver

    Is this helpful?

  6. Alisa

    Vancouver

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Far surpassed our expectations! Had a red seal chef as a diner in our party and he was blown away as we're we all. Great service and unique food. The family style share menu was amazing value and tones of food.

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  7. Margaretd

    Vancouver

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on September 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    The food was exceptional. We ordered the family style meal with octopus, prawns, carpaccio and garlic noodles. Lots of food and delicious. Found it a bit pricey but costs are going up everywhere.

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  8. VeeLll

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 20, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience4
    The food and portions were good. Very limited menu and only one veggie option. Super loud, very busy but service was prompt. They give you a 1 hr time restriction so if you're going for socializing better go elsewhere.

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  9. DavidR

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Awesome place, make sure to make a reservation before hand.

    Is this helpful?

  10. GeorgeZ

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 18, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    food and drinks were excellent however steak luc lac was a little bit on the lukewarm to cold side. and unlike their lunch steak luc lac it didn't come woth rice and a fried egg, just watercress salad and an optional side of luc lac fries for 6 dollars. fries were good, maybe a little greasy. My lunch experience was much better in terms of food. Still a great meal though but for dinner I expected more of a complete meal than the lunch.

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  11. Jamie

    Vancouver

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 17, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Food was great, but they served all foods at once.

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  12. Carmen

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service and taste of food. Some food choices have been a bit pricey but all was great overall.

    Is this helpful?

  13. Jayhh

    Montreal

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service was oustanding, food was amazing, everything was perfect. I would highly highly recommend!

    Is this helpful?

  14. michaely

    Vancouver

    6 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on September 13, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    great lunch options. A level up from your normal Vietnamese resto. Portion sizes are a bit small for the price.

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  15. JennaM

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was absolutely delicious. Highly recommend!

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  16. OpenTable Diner

    Calgary

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 12, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Food was great ! We made reservation but still had to wait for 30mins as the table of 2 ladies wouldn’t leave after their meal. I guess the server should let the customers know the next seating customers already arrived so we don’t have to wait too long. Especially my lunch time is only an hour

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  17. OpenTable Diner

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Recommend the family style menu, versatile choices & staff are willing to accommodate simple substitutions! Great & timely service. Cocktails are worth a try & steak was 10/10.

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  18. OpenTable Diner

    Vancouver

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food. Love the bone marrows and the crisly prawns

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  19. MizukiS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing place!! The best!! Food and people, everything so good!

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  20. BerniS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service is always quick and the food is to die for! Marco our chef was 10/10 and treated us so nicely.

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  21. mslovelee

    Vancouver

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Such delicious food and amazing service! Everything we ordered was to die for!

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  22. donnas

    Vancouver

    4 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 8, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Vegetable spring rolls were the best I have ever had! Also loved the Dungeness crab fried rice, garlic noodles and lobster pomelo salad Crispy prawns were just ok, chicken skewer was good but the pork skewer was fatty and not as expected (lean and flavourful)

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  23. Rnny

    Vancouver

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Omg try the grilled octopus! The family style menu did not disappoint. The kitchen is fast! Barely had time to socialize, but maybe that’s a good thing!!

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  24. Zjo92

    Vancouver

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food, just like being in Vietnam. Can't wait to go back and try it for Lunch

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  25. OpenTable Diner

    Calgary

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 31, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was fantastic, as always! We’ll be back soon.

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  26. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 31, 2023

    overall4food5service2ambience5
    Food was spectacular and well-worth the price. Unfortunately, our table wasn’t ready for our reserved time and we had to either move outside or wait 15+ minutes for our table inside to be ready.

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  27. OpenTable Diner

    Vancouver

    3 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 31, 2023

    overall1food3service1ambience2
    The restaurant called us a few days prior to push back our dinner reservation time 15 minutes which was fine. On the phone, they told us they will take care of us and get us a round of drinks, also acknowledged it was a birthday. On the day of, no acknowledgement of this whole conversation at all.

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  28. SherryZ

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    First time to Lunch Lady and the overall experience was awesome. The food was great and service was warm and welcoming. Beef Carpaccio was my favourite!

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  29. WendyN

    Vancouver

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Perfect lunch for daughter & my birthday celebration. Everything worked, warm welcome from Christine, ordered coffee and very kindly was also served hot tea, as I was sitting near door, rainy day. Loved the prawn fritter, lemongrass chicken and rib eye very tender and tasty! Efficient pleasant servers, attention to detail such as attractive dishes, interesting unobtrusive music selection. We enjoyed two great desserts. All for a very reasonable price. Wonderful! Thank you all! Wendy

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  30. Nat123

    Calgary

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Every bite was perfect. I would return every day. The tasting menu is a fantastic value and the pho is so good I want to bathe in it lol

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  31. kirans

    Vancouver

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    2 of us dined here for dinner. We got the $50 per person menu which was a bunch of signature items. We loved each item but surprisingly our least favourite was the garlic noodles which we were both excited for. They tasted reallly eggy/fishy and not garlicky. Over would come again! The tartare, octopus, steak and sticky rice dessert were ahhmazing. Staff is knowledgeable and nice.

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  32. JDog

    Toronto

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    The food and drinks were very flavorful. The fried prawns was my favorite dish. We had a wonderful culinary experience. We sat outside which mimiced the experience you would get sitting on the sidewalk in Vietnam. Our server checked in on us regularly but gave us our space. The price is perhaps slightly more pricey than other Vietnamese places but it's worth it for the quality you get.

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  33. Lina

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very excellent service. They cared a lot about the quality of the food and the speed at which items came out. Delicious beef carpaccio and wagyu pho. Would definitely come again.

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  34. kanly

    Vancouver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    the food perfect !!! everything is perfect (except the cocktail, a but disappointed, the taqueilla taste so strong cover other ingredients, like drinking it own... yet , if you love taquella , it's your shot

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  35. rickv

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was outstanding from the Prawns to the garlic noodles then the amazing ribeye steaks . And the 3 layer cake . This was the best dinner I have had this year

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  36. HarveyQ

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Went for the family style dinner for 2. Very good depth of flavour in the meal (carpaccio, BBQ baby octopus, garlic noodles, ribeye steak). The dishes mixed East and West flavours (eg. mint, fish sauce, butter, Reggiano cheese chili peppers, etc) really well. Very unique cuisine. Service was great and everyone had their eyes open to clearing dirty plates, keeping the table clean and offering drinks when empty. Not so keen on the hard chairs and cramped table seatings - a bit of first world problem since it stays true to it's road-side food vendor lineage, but I would prefer it a bit more bougie :)

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  37. Lisa

    Vancouver

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on August 23, 2023

    overall4food5service2ambience4
    My friend and I came for lunch and it was all very delicious. The host informed me of the hour time limit before I sat down and they told us exactly after an hour that we had to leave. What I didn't appreciate was my friend was still in the middle of finishing her dish and it seemed really strange to rush us out since there were a couple of tables open AND there was no one waiting inside or outside for a table. When the server came with the bills, she had split a portion of it which I never requested and she seemed so annoyed with me that she had to fix the error. Overall, I would come back for the food, but not the experience.

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  38. MatiB

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful food and staff provided excellent suggestions.

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  39. OpenTable Diner

    Austin

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious sharing plates from the set menu for two. My partner and I loved the food, which was very quickly and efficiently served!

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  40. OpenTable Diner

    Toronto

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Coming from Toronto, I must say that this is the best Vietnamese restaurant I have ever experienced in Canada. I highly recommend trying the crab fried rice and the grilled octopus

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitising

    • Surfaces sanitised between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitised menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitiser or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available

  • Screening

    • Staff is vaccinated

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from The Lunch Lady using the Order Online button. The Lunch Lady also offers delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. The Lunch Lady also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (604) 559-5938.

The Lunch Lady is rated 4.7 stars by 519 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 33 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Lunch Lady

1046 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3W9

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
  • Cross Street
    Commercial Drive & Napier St.
  • Neighbourhood
    Commercial Drive
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Tue–Sun 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    Vietnamese, Comfort Food, Tapas / Small Plates
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress Code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking Details
    None
  • Payment Options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    https://thelunchlady.com/
  • Phone number
    (604) 559-5938
  • Catering
    Email - thelunchladyyvr@gmail.com
  • Private party facilities
    Email - thelunchladyyvr@gmail.com
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