Vancouver is a cosmopolitan city just like Seattle, making it a one‑stop shop for a diverse range of cuisines. Especially when it comes to Asian food, you’ll find the freshest salmon poke, some of the tastiest ramen in the Pacific Northwest, and plenty of baked goodness.
We visited Vancouver in 2023 on a 4‑day trip, spending two days exploring the city (you can read that full 2‑day itinerary here) and the remaining two days in Whistler. During our time in Vancouver, we tried a few top‑rated restaurants and some local staples we’d shortlisted before the trip, plus a handful of hidden gems we stumbled on while wandering the streets.
As an Asian‑food lover, I’d love to go back and dive deeper into Vancouver’s culinary scene someday. But on this trip, our main goal was simply to get a feel for the city’s food culture and try a few local favorites. In this post, I’ll share the dishes I tried, along with honest reviews of the restaurants, to help you discover your own favorite eateries in Vancouver.
Seafood at Momo Sushi
I’m a big fan of seafood, and what better place to try it than Vancouver? We stopped by Momo Sushi, a Japanese restaurant in the Gastown neighborhood. This restaurant is know for their bento box meals and offers multiple combos, we went with the MoMo Box C combo that had Chicken as the main protien. The bento box had tempura, chicken teriyaki, salad, sunomono (cucumber salad), sashimi, karaage, miso soup, and a dynamite roll.
Our vegan friend ordered Veggie Udon and an Avocado Roll. The Udon noodles were slightly bland, but the sushi roll was amazing! We loved how budget-friendly the bento boxes were along with the generous portion size and the variety it offered. The food was fresh and satisfying, and one bento box is good enough for two people. I definitely recommend this restaurant as it’s a great spot for budget travelers.
Poutine at A&W
Poutine is a French-Canadian dish that originated in Quebec and has made its way across Canada, becoming the most celebrated Canadian dish. Although the idea of French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy didn’t sound very appealing at first, we still wanted to give it a try.
While passing by A&W, a popular Canadian fast-food chain, we noticed poutine on their menu and decided to try it! You’ll find a variety of poutines around Vancouver, but we wanted to experience the original version before trying anything adventurous.
We ordered French fries with classic gravy and cheese curds, and to make it a bit more exciting, paired it with Dr. Pepper (I don’t know what I was thinking 🫣). This quintessential Canadian dish did not disappoint, and I highly recommend trying it at least once when in Canada! If you found a better place to try poutine, drop your recommendation in the comments. 🙂
Japanese hot dog at Japa Dog
When you walk around Vancouver, you’ll spot several bright‑red food carts labelled “JapaDog,” which is basically a fun twist on your classic hot dog, and I’d say it’s an upgrade. This popular Japanese‑style hot dog chain has taken the city by storm with its unique fusion of flavors. We tried a couple of variations, each featuring an exciting mix of ingredients and toppings.
We ordered the Tonkatsu and Yakisoba Japa Dogs, both generously topped with seaweed, furikake, and spicy mayo. The combination of Japanese and Western flavors created an explosion of taste in every bite, and we were thoroughly impressed.
Japa Dog has now officially earned a spot among my favorite hot dogs, right after NOLA Dogs because, let’s be honest, Louisiana hot links are unbeatable!
South Indian food at Dosa Factory
Dosa Factory came highly rated on Google, so we decided to have brunch there. We knew we’d overeat and end up skipping lunch, so no matter what the time was, it was brunch for us! We ordered Medu Vada, my absolute favorite, and two types of Masala Dosa: rava and rice.
The vada was perfectly crispy and served with coconut chutney and piping hot sambar. The dosas had a delicious potato filling and were accompanied by both white and red coconut chutneys along with sambar.
The taste was amazing and authentic, with each dish capturing the rich flavors and spices of traditional South Indian cuisine. It was an absolute treat for our taste buds, and I highly recommend trying out this restaurant!
Coffee at Grouse Mountain Cafeteria
Grouse Mountain cafeteria isn’t just about the food, it’s more about the ambiance. Imagine sipping coffee at an elevation of 4,000 feet with a breathtaking view of Vancouver and the surrounding islands. That’s exactly what you get here and their mocha makes the experience even better. If you’re in Vancouver, I highly recommend heading to the Grouse Mountain and stopping by the cafeteria for a hot mocha.
The cafeteria offers both indoor and outdoor seating options. The interior, designed with rustic wood, perfectly complements the snowy peaks in winter and the lush greenery during summer. Plus, you can watch the Skyride gondola going up and down, which adds to the overall experience.
Fusion Indian food at Vij’s (Michelin Recommended)
Vij’s was the most disappointing experience of our entire trip. We wanted to try a Michelin-recommended restaurant, and since Vij’s was among the top recommendations in Vancouver, I was excited to visit, especially because it’s an Indian restaurant. However, our experience was slightly disappointing due to certain dishes we ordered.
The staff and service, on the other hand, were excellent. I truly appreciate how well they took our feedback and even waived the charges for the dishes we didn’t enjoy. Their 5-star hospitality and professionalism were commendable.
The chef’s special complimentary starters were good, there were two kinds of finger foods, one being a fritter and the other a cracker topped with bean sprouts. For our entrées, we ordered a vegetarian thali and lamb curry with naan. The naan was perfectly soft and buttery, and the lamb curry had good flavors, but we weren’t quite sure what okra was doing in the dish, it felt like an odd combination. The biggest disappointment was the thali; the vegetables were undercooked and extremely bland.
We also tried the gulab jamuns, which were quite good. Despite the food shortcomings, the overall dining experience was pleasant, thanks to the mellow and soothing atmosphere, dim lighting, and elegant decor. I hope they have since improved the vegetarian options on their menu.
Pizza at Did’s Pizza
Did’s Pizza is a hole-in-the-wall pizza place in Gastown that we discovered on Google while searching for top-rated late-night eateries in Vancouver. We had a great time chatting with the owner, who shared fascinating stories about celebrities visiting the restaurant. You can even see their pictures adorning the walls!
The ambiance was cozy, and the best part was that they offered pizza by the slice, allowing us to try a few different varieties. I ordered my favorite, pesto and cheese pizza, which was absolutely delicious. The crust was perfectly done, with a generous topping. Plus, the prices were very affordable, making this a great spot for budget travelers.
French Pastries at La Bise
I’m a huge fan of French desserts, and while exploring Granville Island Public Market, I came across La Bise Bakery, a charming French patisserie that I simply couldn’t take my eyes off. Their incredible-looking Canelés were truly love at first sight! These delightful treats were perfectly crispy on the outside and irresistibly creamy on the inside. I highly recommend trying them at La Bise or from any pastry shop you come across while exploring Vancouver.
More pastries at Stuart’s
That’s right, I have a thing for pastries, and Stuart’s was another popular bakery in Granville Island Public Market that I just had to try, for comparison, of course! They had an incredible variety to offer, from tarts and pastries to cakes. I couldn’t resist trying just one, so I went with the Crème Brûlée, and it was absolutely delicious! It had perfectly balanced flavors and a light texture that tasted divine.
Coffee & Snacks at Tim Hortons
Finally, Tim Horton’s! Canada’s very own Starbucks, or, I would honestly say, better than Starbucks. I’m not a big fan of Starbucks, I find their coffee to taste burnt. Tim Horton’s, on the other hand, has a better coffee flavor, though it was a bit too sweet for my taste. If they could tone down the sweetness a bit, it would be the perfect cheat-day coffee for me. The snacks we ordered on the side, potato wedges and onion rings, were also good, just as they should be.
If you’re looking for restaurant recommendations in Whistler, check out my Whistler Guide blog post, where I share details about the food we enjoyed during our SEA to SKY Road Trip to this gorgeous resort town.
Overall, the food in Vancouver was great, especially the freshness of the seafood, French desserts, and street food culture, which was far better than Seattle’s. The best part? The food is affordable, which makes it even better for budget travelers like us!
