Come for the views, stay for the food. Vancouver’s location makes it prime ground for global influence from across the Pacific and beyond. I grew up a foodie from Vancouver before we were even using that term. There were big family Chinese dinner celebrations, walks around the stalls of the Granville Island Public Market, and many dishes starring wild B.C. salmon at its peak.
Since I’ve been writing about food in this town, I’ve come to learn that we are spoiled for choice, whether you’re looking for a hangover brunch or premium sushi. Ask me about my favourite Vancouver restaurants, and I’ll ask you how much time you have, because my lists are long — and organised by cuisine, mood, and neighbourhood.
Today we’re talking about what to do when you want the best of Vancouver for take-out or delivery near you. No problem. Have a seat, and let’s chat about the best places to eat in Vancouver.
Cafe Medina
I have one firm rule for dining out: I don’t ever want to stand in line. Where I break the rule is downtown’s daytime hotspot Café Medina; blame it on the Liege waffles with salted caramel sauce, or the bubbling cassoulet with sunny-side-up eggs and smoky beans and bacon. Order brunch for delivery near you and skip that line — and stay in your jammies.
Chancho Tortilleria
Meat and tortillas are serious business for Chancho. They make pretty much everything in-house, down to those beautiful corn tortillas. You order here by the pound, whether that’s pastor pork, in all its tangy, sweet glory, or the mixed veggies — plus more than enough tortillas to DIY your tacos at home. This is a Most Loved Restaurant on DoorDash, which means it is one of the top-rated and most reliable merchants on DoorDash.
Cockney Kings
It was always a treat when my grandparents took me to the Cockney Kings for a fish and chips feast at their North Burnaby restaurant. In 2023, a longtime employee was able to expand the brand by launching a Vancouver location, where they continue to offer fresh cod, halibut, and salmon, battered and fried and served alongside the standards — fries, slaw, and mushy peas. This is one of the top restaurants in Vancouver for stick-to-your-ribs comfort food.
Deacon’s Corner
I have two words for you: hangover breakfast. Deacon’s Corner has scrambles, bennys — that’s eggs Benedict — and brekkie items available until 2:30 p.m., which means you can sleep in and still have time to order a massive, fluffy pancake topped with Carolina pulled pork and two eggs or a fried chicken benny, which they do on a thick buttermilk biscuit.
Do Chay
Do Chay is an indie Vietnamese spot with a fully vegetarian and vegan menu. They created their own "ish" sauce to replace the traditional fish sauce that’s so common in the cuisine. Specialties include Coconut Rice Cakes — savoury, cast iron-seared coconut milk rice cakes with jicama, vegan prawns, green onion, and nuoc cham — and Uncle Hing’s Wings, crispy oyster mushroom pieces tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce.
Fat Mao Noodles
Chef Angus An’s pan-Asian soup and noodle restaurant and I have been in a situationship for a long time now, and I suspect others are in the same boat. I can’t quit Fat Mao’s soul-satisfying and fragrant broths filled with tender veg and meat and super slurpy noodles. When it’s been raining too long, and I need the edible equivalent of a warm hug, Fat Mao has been there for me, whether offering up its creamy curried Khao Soi with flat egg noodles and chicken or, my very favourite, the Braised Duck Noodles that swim in a sweet and aromatic soy broth. This is a Most Loved Restaurant on DoorDash.
Field & Social
Every city has to have a spot for fancy salads, and Field & Social is Vancouver’s very own. This is where you turn when you need a big bowl of greens, grains, and protein with creative dressings and high-quality ingredients. The Kale Caesar with sliced roasted chicken is my go-to, but I have also enjoyed the Coconut Chicken, Rustic Orzo, and Chicken Tostada salads. This is a woman-owned restaurant.
Frying Pan on Denman
This is the Korean fried chicken of your wildest dreams. When one huge piece of fried chicken on a sandwich isn’t enough (though, yes, they’ve got those), Frying Pan doubles down with the K- mix Double Decker, one fried chicken thigh with soy sauce and a second with fiery yang nyeom sauce that the toasty bun can barely contain. They are doing wonderful things with fries, too, as in the Dirty Hot Chicken Fries — waffle fries topped with fried chicken breast pieces, cheese, green onion, slaw, and pickles, drizzled with sweet teriyaki sauce and spicy mayo. This is a Most Loved Restaurant on DoorDash.
Heritage Asian Eatery
Known for its reliability and use of high-quality ingredients, this restaurant delivers traditional Chinese flavours with a modern twist. Their crispy fried wontons and pork-and-chive dumplings and rice teamed up with crispy pork belly are sure-fire wins, but my favourite is the salt-baked chicken served with house-made ginger scallion dipping sauce that I can’t get enough of. This is a Most Loved Restaurant on DoorDash.
Homer St. Cafe & Bar
If you don’t get the rotisserie chicken from this Michelin Guide-recommended Yaletown restaurant, what are you doing with your life? I’d count this as a quintessential Vancouver dish. Get it whole, as a half, or in a combo with ribs, but you have to get it. Homer St. brines the chicken before throwing it on the spit, then turning it until it achieves that golden, glossy, crispy skin with tender, juicy meat. This restaurant is recommended by the Michelin Guide.
iDen & Quan Ju De Beijing Duck House
Ordering from this Michelin-starred restaurant means you can have their famous signature Peking duck, with its crispy skin and tender meat, wherever you are in Vancouver. Their menu has plenty of other standout dishes, too, like stir-fried noodles and dim sum, making it easy to recreate a high-end Chinese dining experience at home. This restaurant is recommended by the Michelin Guide.
Karma Indian Bistro
Karma Indian Bistro, located in the heart of Kitsilano, opened its doors in 2022 and quickly gained a reputation for its modern Indian dishes that are perfect for sharing. It didn’t take long for the Michelin Guide to notice, earning it a spot on their Bib Gourmand list. A crowd favourite is the butter chicken with basmati rice — get it with garlic naan. Plus, they offer tons of gluten- and dairy-free and vegetarian options. This is a Most Loved Restaurant on DoorDash.
Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba
There’s ramen … and then there’s Kokoro, which specialises in mazesoba, aka soupless ramen. Dive into a tangle of snappy noodles with your choice of toppings, and let the slurping begin. My favourite is the Spicy Mazesoba, which pairs house-made multigrain noodles with a minced pork and beef sauce along with seaweed flakes, minced garlic, green onions, and a soft boiled egg.
La Grotta del Formaggio
A staple on Vancouver’s eclectic Commercial Drive for decades, this bustling Italian deli makes what I think are the best sandwiches in town. Build your own panino with meat and veggies, or go with the house menu, the top of which is the Il Classico, which has mortadella, spicy capicola, provolone, marinated artichokes, tomatoes, olives, spinach, hot banana peppers, pesto mayo, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar — and in the name of all that’s holy, get it on focaccia. The dark horse here, though, is the Chicken Parm in all its hot and gooey glory; grab an extra napkin — not only to mop up the mess, but because you might shed a tear. It’s just that good.
La Taqueria Pinche Taco Shop
When I moved back to Vancouver after years of living in Los Angeles, my first taco was from La Taqueria, and it has remained my top pick for over a decade. Their carnitas are my top choice — whether the morsels of tender braised pork shoulder go in tacos or a burrito — with their signature fried fish taco a close second. This is a Most Loved Restaurant on DoorDash.
Laksa King
Laksa King is known for its mouthwatering Malaysian cuisine with a homestyle touch. Their signature dish is (of course!) the laksa, a spicy coconut soup loaded with noodles and customizable toppings. The Mee Goreng offers a satisfying mix of sweet and spicy with perfectly stir-fried noodles, but you have to make room for an order of roti canai, the flaky Malaysian pull-apart flatbread with a curry dipping sauce. This is a Most Loved Restaurant on DoorDash.
Le Coq Frit - The Fried Chicken
This humble Kitsilano shop is turning out some of the best dang fried chicken in the city. Get juicy, crispy double-fried chicken by the piece with fries, or go for one of their massive chicken sandwiches for delivery near you. They’re also doing boneless fried chicken paired with “croffles” (croissant waffles) as well as saucy Korean fried chicken. This is a Most Loved Restaurant on DoorDash.
Maxine’s Cafe & Bar
There are two sides to Maxine, and much to love about both. This downtown French bistro has stolen many a heart with their lovely brunch, available until mid-afternoon and featuring simple pastries and egg plates as well as more decadent options, such as Bananas Foster French Toast — thick brioche with salted caramel sauce and whipped mascarpone. In the evenings, Maxine’s shows off its elegant, playful side; start with the tuna crudo or steak tartare, then get the fried chicken with calabrian chilli honey or their showstopper burger and crispy fries.
MILA
When MILA arrived on the scene in 2020, Vancouver’s plant-based scene was in transition, going from overt to something more subtle. MILA has an approachable menu of casual cross-cultural dishes, like burgers, rice bowls, pasta, and sushi, that just happen to be totally plant-based. Get the Peanut Butter Cup Pie for dessert.
Minerva’s Pizza & Steak House
Still wondering where to eat in Vancouver? Ryan Reynolds cites Minerva’s as his favourite Vancouver restaurant, and who am I to argue? Frankly, I don’t need to, because my extended family members have been regulars at the Kerrisdale Greek-Italian staple for decades. The marinated and charbroiled chicken platter with rice pilaf, Greek salad, tzatziki, pita, and those thick, almost creamy roast potatoes is a dream, as is their hearty baked lasagna. This is a Most Loved Restaurant on DoorDash.
Nook
This might put a rift between us, but I am firmly Team Anchovy when it comes to pizza toppings. One of my fave Vancouver spots for this divisive dish is Nook, where those salty little fish land on a pie that begins with a thin, charred crust and also has slivers of red onion, capers, shaved garlic, and olives. Their restaurants also do handmade pasta, including my other top pick — the orecchiette with sausage, rapini, and chilli. This is a Most Loved Restaurant on DoorDash.
Nuba
With its menu of fresh, vibrant dishes crafted from family recipes, Nuba is a top choice for Lebanese cuisine. My favourites from Nuba include the mdjara, a green lentil stew with a hint of jalapeño and avocado slices on top, and their popular Najib’s Special, deep-fried cauliflower tossed with lemon and salt served with a tahini dip.
Phnom Penh Restaurant
How does a hole-in-the-wall restaurant land on the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand? In the case of Phnom Penh, it’s easy to understand: The Cambodian-Vietnamese spot is an institution. I don’t make the rules, but I do know that there are three dishes you must order here: Deep Fried Chicken Wings in their lime-salt-and-pepper sauce; Beef Luc Lac, tender sauteéd beef cubes on rice with a fried egg; and the Marinated Butter Beef, its wafer-thin slices of raw beef resting in a vinegary sauce topped with cilantro and crispy garlic. There’s more on the menu, but I have never once deviated from the holy trinity. This is a Most Loved Restaurant on DoorDash.
Pho 37
With two locations in Richmond and one in Vancouver, Pho 37 is never too far away for delivery near you. Their Special Beef Noodle Soup and vermicelli bowls (the spicy sauteéd lemongrass beef or the grilled pork with spring rolls are tops) are standard household orders, as is the tangy, crunchy Green Papaya Salad. The generous portions, packed with bright, comforting flavours, are my go-to when I’m craving Vietnamese. This is a Most Loved Restaurant on DoorDash.
Potluck Hawker Eatery
At Cambie Village’s Potluck Hawker, Chef Justin Cheung is sharing his Malaysian and Singaporean heritage through fun, colourful dishes. There’s straight-up comfort fare — hearty rice or noodle dishes — as well as inventive creations like the huge Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Sando. For that, they take a big piece of fried chicken, coat it in salted egg yolk sauce, and stack it onto a milk bun with bread and butter pickles, chilli jam, and yum yum sauce, with fries on the side. Yum yum, indeed. This is a Most Loved Restaurant on DoorDash.
Sashimiya
Vancouver is considered by many to be the top city outside of Japan for sushi. When it comes to take-out sushi and sashimi, there is no better spot than Sashimiya because that is all this independent Japanese grocer makes. Top-quality seafood with expertly prepared rice shines in all combos, from colourful chirashi bowls to nigiri combos to classic rolls. Sashimiya’s large format sushi platters are perfect for celebrations. This is a Most Loved Restaurant on DoorDash.
Their There
The laid-back sibling of Vancouver’s Michelin-starred AnnaLena, Their There is where to go in Kits when you want impeccable sandwiches. On the breakfast side we’re talking buttery buns with soft scrambled egg, bacon or sausage, American cheese, and house sauce. The buttermilk fried chicken sando steals the show at any hour, available straight up or spicy. This is all offered up alongside excellent espresso beverages, drip coffee, and matcha lattes. This is a Most Loved Restaurant on DoorDash.
Torafuku
From its humble beginnings as one of Vancouver’s first modern food trucks to its Michelin Guide-recognized Chinatown restaurant, Torafuku has been breaking the mould for contemporary Asian fare for more than a decade. Torafuku has a deep respect for ingredients, yet they don’t take themselves too seriously; their menu features items like the truck’s infamous Crispy Kickass Chicken with a zippy sauce while they’re also serving a beautifully fragrant beef noodle soup with hand-pulled noodles inspired by the chef’s childhood taste memories. This is a Most Loved Restaurant on DoorDash.
Virtuous Pie
Virtuous Pie’s plant-based pizzas have pretty much altered my brain chemistry. How could I be craving pizza with no dairy? Specifically, their Stranger Wings pie calls to me, with its cauliflower-based white sauce, spicy buffalo cauliflower chunks, scallion, fried shallots, and blue cheese drizzle. I think I hear it now!
Western Lake Chinese Seafood Restaurant
The line out the door of this longtime Victoria Drive staple is testament to Western Lake’s ability to crush it when it comes to taste and value. They do dim sum all day and are known for their portion sizes — you just don’t see dumplings and buns this big at most places. On the flipside of the menu are their traditional banquet-style mains, including chow mein and braised e-fu noodles, hot pot, lettuce wraps with minced beef, and their house special garlic ribs.
Zarak by Afghan Kitchen
In 2021, the team behind Surrey’s popular Afghan Kitchen launched Zarak, which takes homestyle Afghani cuisine to the next level. Kick things off with mantu, dumplings stuffed with spiced beef, before tucking into plates of juicy chicken or beef kebab with rice. My absolute favourite at Zarak is the Buttermilk Fried Chicken, which is the ideal meld of sweet, smoky, and spicy, with a creamy dipping sauce to cool things off.
Zoomak Korean Tavern
We’re ending this list of Vancouver’s best restaurants with a bang. Simple Korean classics shine at Gastown’s Zoomak. Tuck into hearty, spicy Kimchi Fried Rice, studded with green onion, crispy shallot, and smoky bacon and topped with a poached egg. Or order a zesty bowl of Jjam-Bbong, noodles in a spicy seafood broth. Zoomak also has slippery japchae noodles with stir-fried veggies and several rice bowls topped with their spicy KFC — Korean Fried Chicken.
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