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Vancouver Travel Guide

Best Restaurants in Vancouver

One of Canada''s most cosmopolitan cities, eating out in Vancouver is something of an event and is a popular pastime for many locals. With eateries of just about every nationality, you can be sure to find something to suit your taste while dining out in Vancouver. Many restaurants offer tapas-style tasting plates to share, so you can be adventurous.

With a strong emphasis on British, French and Chinese cuisine, the food in Vancouver is generally quite international with a few specialities waiting to be discovered. Fish like salmon, halibut and Atlantic cod are popular, as well as wild game such as venison, which can be found on most menus. Salt-cured fish, beef and pork are also something to be experienced. Those with a sweet tooth should try the decadent Nanaimo bar, a local dessert which comprises a wafer crumb-based layer, topped by a layer of custard or vanilla butter icing, covered in chocolate.

Most of Vancouver''s best restaurants are situated around the West End, downtown, Yaletown and Gastown areas. Most restaurants require reservations and it is customary to tip waiters around 15% as no service charge is added to restaurant bills.

Guu with Garlic

One of Vancouver's best dining experiences, Guu with Garlic is part of a unique Japanese Tapas chain that is taking the city by storm. With a perfect ration of small portioned dishes at affordable prices, patrons can sample a handful of different dishes before getting full or feeling the weight on their wallet. The open kitchen and cheerful waiters add to the electric mood, as do the exotic cocktails and experimental drinks. Recommended dishes include the duck salad, assorted carpaccio, baked oysters, prawns and calamari. Don't miss the daily specials sheet on loose-leaf paper with even more delectable dishes. Open daily for dinner, reservations are recommended.


CUISINE: Japanese
Address:  1698 Robson Street
Website:  www.guu-izakaya.com

Pasparos Taverna

A charming Greek restaurant serving good no-fuss Greek food, Pasparos Taverna is a great place to meet with family and friends. A family business operating since 1974, Pasparos offers a warm atmosphere and mouth-watering homemade Greek cuisine, just as you'd find in Greece. With warm fresh breads, dolmades, roast lamb, superb Tzatziki, Avgolemono soup and a selection of souvlakia (kebabs), patrons are spoilt for choice. Combine that with top-notch service and a good Greek winelist (wine by the glass included) and you have all the ingredients for a successful restaurant. Open Monday to Friday for lunch, and daily for dinner.


CUISINE: Mediterranean
Address:  132 West 3rd Street
Website:  www.pasparos.com

Bistro Pastis

A friendly bistro donning classic white tableclothes and offering one of Vancouver's largest wine selections by the glass, Bistro Pastis is a great venue for a business lunch, after work drink or dinner with friends. A crackling fireplace creates a cosy atmosphere complimented by classic bistro fare with a contemporary twist, such as Moules et Frites, Traditional Coq au vin and Steak Tartare. As in any bistro in France there is a Plats du jour option and menus change regularly. Bistro Pastis is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Sunday, and brunch on weekends.


CUISINE: Caf?©
Address:  2153 W 4th Avenue
Website:  www.bistropastis.com

Seasons in the Park

Wraparound windows afford stunning views of downtown Vancouver and the surrounding mountains at this sophisticated Canadian restaurant in Queen Elizabeth Park. Serving up tasty food at reasonable prices, Seasons in the Park is a Vancouver gem for both locals and foreigners. Try the Miso Soy Marinated Black Cod drizzled with pineapple chive vinaigrette and served with jasmine rice, and for dessert the much-loved Sunburnt Lemon Tart is a must. Dinner reservations offer views of the twinkling city lights and at lunch you can admire the leafy park and snow-capped mountains from the circular patio.


CUISINE: Modern Eclectic
Address:  Queen Elizabeth Park. West 33rd Ave and Main Street
Website:  www.vancouverdine.com

Lupo

Nestled away in an old mansion located in downtown Vancouver's Yaletown district, this stylish Italian eatery evokes a 1930s charm and sophistication while serving delicious, inventive and expertly presented dishes. Try the Osso Buco, Filetto di samone or the Filetto di manzo Con porcini. You won't be disappointed. Lupo is open daily for dinner. Reservations are recommended.


CUISINE: International
STYLE: Romance
Address:  869 Hamilton St
Website:  www.luporestaurant.ca

Blue Water Caf?©

Serving the largest selection of oysters, lobsters and prawns as well as delicious steak, the Blue Water Caf?© is frequented by many celebrities, both local and international. With elegant d?©cor and flawless service it's no wonder this restaurant is perfect when trying to impress a date or business associate. Try the White Sturgeon with red beet agro dolce, pumpernickel crust, chioggia beets and cauliflower puree, or the Beef Tenderloin served with porcini mushrooms, green chard and macaroni gratin with blue cheese. Reservations are recommended. The restaurant is open from 5pm till 11pm, with the Late Menu available till midnight.


CUISINE: Seafood
STYLE: Romance
Address:  1095 Hamilton St
Website:  www.bluewatercafe.net

Glowbal Grill and Satay Bar

Situated in the trendy Yaletown, the Glowbal Grill and Satay Bar serves inventive and delicious cuisine in a stylish yet sophisticated setting. With the option of formal fine dining on white linen tablecloths or funky dining, this restaurant caters to a variety of people. Try the Kobe meatballs with truffled spaghetti or the Seven-spiced rare Ahi tuna, and round off with the warm Brazilian chocolate coffee cake or the Maple Macadamia nut flan. Reservations are recommended.


CUISINE: International
STYLE: Trendy
Address:  1079 Mainland St.
Website:  www.glowbalgrill.com

Brix Restaurant

Offering a warm ambiance and a diverse menu to complement its urban environment, patrons at Brix can sample anything from a Four Cheese Cannelloni stuffed with spinach and sundried tomato, chipotle roma tomato sauce and a yellow pepper puree to Quebec Wentzel Duck, cinnamon seared and drizzled with a cracked pepper blueberry demi glace. Accommodating night owls, Brix also offers a gratifying late night menu comprising of spring rolls, Seven Spice Seared Ahi Tuna and oven baked pizza with Chorizo sausage, black tiger shrimp, fresh pineapple and the likes. Ideal for dinner with friends or a romantic date. Open daily for lunch and dinner.


CUISINE: International
Address:  1138 Homer Street
Website:  www.brixvancouver.com

Lumi?©re

Renowned for its excellent service and modern French cuisine, Lumi?©re is one of Canada's fine dining hotspots. Soft lighting and crisp white tablecloths set the elegant ambiance, where sophisticated food and wine take the limelight. With chefs like Dale Mackay from the famed Gordon Ramsay restaurants creating magic, patrons are assured gastronomic excellence. Voted Best Restaurant and Best French Restaurant by Vancouver Magazine and recipient of Dine Out Vancouver's 2008 Best Service award, Lumi?©re is a sure bet. For some wine tasting and small eats head next door to the cosy Tasting Bar and sample some heart-warming Butternut Squash Risotto with Regianno Parmesan or Macaroni and Cheese with four cheeses and double smoked Irish bacon. Open from 5.30pm to 10pm, and until 11pm on weekends.


CUISINE: French
Address:  2551 West Broadway
Website:  www.lumiere.ca
Travel guide by (c) Globe Media Ltd. By its very nature much of the information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. We cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.
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