Restaurant review: Our picks for the best eats in Vancouver's West End
Credit to Author: Mia Stainsby| Date: Wed, 02 Oct 2019 18:00:16 +0000
The West End, you’d think, was planned by a gourmand.
On the neighbourhood’s streets including Davie, Robson and Denman, restaurants grow like dandelions, just everywhere. What’s very cool is the diversity of restaurants, from lowbrow to high brow and the global flavours. I can think of Indian, Korean, Japanese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Mexican, Malaysian, African, Thai, Greek, American, Middle Eastern, Persian, and Nepali — and I’ve probably missed some at that.
The majority of residents in the West End live in apartments and condos but shops and restaurants have a close-knit neighbourhood feel thanks to the independent small businesses — the chains haven’t encroached and restaurants have personalities, stories and showcase a diversity of cultures.
I think of Horse and Flower in Spring, its colourful Yunnan backstory and of course the unique Chinese food. It represents a part of China where 51 ethnic minorities reside. This, and other independent restaurants are like deep dives into our great Canadian mosaic of peoples.
With this incredible edible abundance in mind, I’ve rounded up some of the best of them, corralled within the bounds of Denman, Georgia and Burrard.
Where: 1096 Denman and 1779 Robson
Info: bananaleaf-vancouver.com
Why: Who among us can resist a bowl of heartwarming laksa in the shivery weather to come? There’s that and more comforting Malaysian dishes to take the chill off fall and winter.
Where: 845 Burrard (Sutton Place Hotel)
Info: boulevardvancouver.ca
Why: Executive chef Alex Chen does magic acts with food. No, really. If you’re going high-end, you can’t go wrong with a meal here.
Where: 1790 Beach Avenue
Info: cactusclub.com
Why: Part of the popular Cactus Club chain, this restaurant offers three levels of dining space, including a beachside patio, at this glass-walled spot on English Bay. The hunter chicken’s my fave on the menu.
Where: 1154 Robson
Info: cincin.net
Why: As a guest, you’re gold. A lot of the Italian/Mediterranean food on the menu at this restaurant comes straight from the massive grill and rotisserie. Yum!
Where: 867 Denman and 770 Bute
Info: facebook.com/damsocuisine, facebook.com/damsoonbute
Why: This eatery offers modern takes on Korean food. At the Bute Street location, you’ll find Mr. Osmad Japanese soufflé cheesecake, too.
Where: 1235 Davie
Info: daviedosacompany.com
Why: The dosa, curries and other Indian classics at this restaurant are worth the drive (or bus ride).
Where: 1118 Denman
Info: espanarestaurant.ca
Why: Spanish tapas, sherries and craft cocktails — need I say more?
Where: 994 Nicola
Info: greenhorncafe.com
Why: In the heart of the residential area of the West End, this eatery offers a super-chill coffee/lunch bar environment.
Where: Bayshore Hotel, 1601 Bayshore Drive
Info: htastinglounge.com
Why: This tasting lounge offers a sea-breezy patio, great cocktails and creative, modern sharing plates. Sure, it’s a bit beyond the West End boundary, but it’s close enough.
Where: 1690 Robson
Info: santouka.co.jp/en
Why: A buzzing international chain, this restaurant’s pork bone broth specialty ramen is superb.
Crossing The Bridge Noodles at Flower and Horse in Spring.
Where: 1741 Robson
Info: 778-379-6198
Why: A charming little spot serving Yunnan food in a room ablaze with colour. If you visit, the crossing the bridge noodles is a must.
Where: 777 Thurlow
Info: joefortes.ca
Why: This longtime neighbourhood eatery has stayed the course for three decades with a high level of service and great seafood.
Where: 1074 Davie
Info: jukefriedchicken.com
Why: This eatery made the list for three main reasons: yummy fried chicken, rotisserie chicken and nuoc cham ribs.
Where: 871 Denman
Info: kingyo-izakaya.ca
Why: One of several in a sisterhood of hip izakayas, Kingyo offers small plates and bento boxes. (If you can’t score a table, try Suika, Raisu or Rajio in Vancouver’s West Side.)
Where: 788 Denman
Info: facebook.com/pages/Kintaro-Ramen
Why: A long running ramen shop that’s unpretentious and single-minded. Consider yourself forewarned: expect lineups.
Where: 909 Burrard
Info: lecrocodilerestaurant.com
Why: Chef/owner Michel Jacob is old-school — in the best way. This restaurant offers immaculate service and consistently good French food.
Where: Shangri-La Hotel, 1115 Alberni
Info: marketkitchen.com
Why: This restaurants boasts a calm, elegant room and serves refined special-occasion food.
Where: 780 Bidwell
Info: marutama.ca
Why: This Japan-based ramen chain is known for its tori paitan (creamy chicken) broth. It’s as good as you’ve heard it is.
Where: 740 Denman
Info: facebook.com/Motomachi-Shokudo-154698807901132/?ref=py_c
Why: This restaurant serves consistently great ramen, including one with bamboo charcoal broth.
Where: 1148 Davie
Info: mumbailocal.ca
Why: This eatery offers Mumbai street food and other dishes that will have you wondering if you’ve somehow stepped through the door and landed directly in the capital city.
Where: 781 Denman
Info: nookrestaurant.ca
Why: This restaurant is family friendly, offering tasty pizzas, pastas, with a nice, neighbourhood feel.
Where: 119 Denman
Info: papisoysterbar.com
Why: This oyster bar shells out casual seafood-friendly fare. Plus, it offers a pretty patio and a good view to English Bay, too.
Where: 1226 Bute
Info: sushibarmaumi.ca
Why: A 10-seat solemn sushi bar where you go for the premium sushi omakase.
Where: 1829 Robson
Info: tavolavancouver.com
Why: A neighbourhood institution, Tavola features house-made pastas and more Italian food dishes.
The yamaimo salad at Tetsu Sushi Bar.
Where: 775 Denman
Info: facebook.com/Tetsu-Sushi-Bar
Why: This sushi spot boasts excellent sushi with premium seafood straight from Japan. (My neighbour spotted comedian Ali Wong enjoying her sushi here.)
Where: 1059 Alberni Street
Info: thierrychocolates.com
Why: This trés chic French pastry shop that also feature light lunches alongside its sweet delights.
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