Are you ready to discover some of Vancouver's best-kept culinary secrets? As a born-and-raised local, I’ve spent years exploring the city’s vibrant food scene and have found that the hidden gems and mom n’ pop shops often offer the most memorable dining experiences.
In this guide, I’ll share some lesser-known but must-try alternatives to popular Vancouver restaurants.
From cozy brunch nooks to trendy Italian eateries and everything in between, these word-of-mouth recommendations promise great food without the usual wait.
For brunch...
Bon's Off Broadway
Instead of: Jam Café
Try: Bon’s Off Broadway
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Breakfast classics
Address: 2451 Nanaimo St, Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: I always have a hard time waiting in long lines for brunch because I’m actually not that adventurous when it comes to breakfast foods. I always think I’m going to treat myself to a steaming stack of pancakes or a whipped-cream-laden waffle plate—and then, in the end, I just settle for two sunny side eggs with toast and a black coffee. It’s a boring order—but I kind of love it. So if you’re a creature of simple habits when it comes to 8 a.m. eats, I’m telling you Bon’s Off Broadway is the place to be.
Bon’s is the no-frills restaurant known for their heavily graffitied walls and $2.95 breakfast plate. Yes, for just under $3 you can get two eggs (done any way), hash browns, ham, and toast. A fresh cup of coffee will only run you $1, including free refills.
Bon’s is the kind of place where you could grab a booth and stay awhile. No one’s in a hurry to turn your table over or hand you the cheque. The first date my first real boyfriend ever took me on was to Bon’s. We were in college, he was on student loans, and I had a Sharpie kicking around in my purse—so it seemed like the natural fit. We paid in loonies and stood on our table to sign our names in an arrow heart above a MISFITS sticker slapped across the wall. I’m pretty sure the punk kids with piercings one table over were doing their own version of the same thing.
In their own Google write-up, Bon’s calls themselves a “rough and ready neighbourhood joint,” but they don’t fool me for a second. In this economy, it’s more than just “cheap eats.” Breakfast for $2.95 is a public service. In my head, they are all heart.
Last I checked, they’re not dishing up anything too fancy, but Bon’s Off Broadway doesn’t have to. It’s an anti-establishment establishment—and in the age of putting up parking lots in paradise—it’s comforting to know that kind of punk culture hasn’t been beaten down just yet.
For taco Tuesday...
Border Burrito
Instead of: Tacofino
Try: Border Burrito
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Mexican
Address: 4453 Boundary Rd, Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: If you thought the indie version of Tacofino was Chancho Tortilleria, think again! While I was tempted to throw Chancho in the mix, both Mexican hotspots feel like two sides of the same coin. They are both trendy haunts with bright colours and fan-favourite Mexican fare that I know don't need any help drawing a crowd. This is why I can’t help myself when it comes to showing the much lesser-known (but equally as impressive) Border Burrito some love!
Border Burrito is a micro-restaurant serving fast Mexican favourites. The self-proclaimed 500-square-foot “micro restaurant” keeps its menu simple and classic to focus on what matters: top-notch quality, wallet-friendly prices, and ultimate convenience.
Yes, the no dine-in option may seem like a deterrent to some, but I consider that a green flag if they can keep the doors open without all the extras. Open until 1 a.m., it’s the perfect grab-and-go late-night option, and I’m here for it.
Border Burrito website
For swanky sushi...
Yuwa
Instead of: Miku (Minami)
Try: Yuwa
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Japanese
Address: 2775 W 16th Ave, Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: These restaurants have a lot in common. Both are acknowledged by the Michelin Guide! Both are Japanese! Both have four letters! If one were to Google “best sushi Vancouver,” Miku (and their sister restaurant, Minami) would have a clean sweep on the SEO rankings there. And for good reason.
Miku founder Seigo Nakamura has a pretty inspiring origin story. At just 22 years old, while living in Japan, he was tasked to save his father’s small sushi business, which was on the verge of bankruptcy. Through hard work and a bit of luck, he transformed the struggling business into a successful sushi chain. He would eventually dominate the thriving Japanese culinary scene in Vancouver (we have Mr. Nakamura to thank for bringing us the mouth-watering pressed sushi “salmon oshi” roll).
But where Miku has already established itself as a tall figure in the culinary scene —Yuwa is still a rising star that, despite its critical success, has managed to move in silence.
Located in the heart of Kitsilano, Yuwa Japanese Cuisine is the ultimate “if you know, you know” spot. With its understated aesthetic that mirrors the minimalism of authentic Japanese culture, Yuwa makes a conscious choice to fly under the radar—but that doesn’t mean this hidden gem is ever starved for company.
With some of the most killer catches of the day and a staff that makes everyone feel like a regular (“they know their customers by name,” a friend reminds me), the culinary experience is just that—an experience. I always used to silently cringe when I heard people say they wanted to be “taken care of” at a restaurant. Still, after binging FX’s The Bear and watching that episode (we all know I’m talking “Forks”)—I realized that, yes, that is exactly what I’m looking for and preferably from someone who looks like Jeremy Allen White.
Hot Tip: If you don’t wanna break the bank for the swank, Kitstaya Sushi is the one.
Yuwa website
For modern Chinese...
Chinatown BBQ
Instead of: Bao Bei
Try: Chinatown BBQ
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Chinese
Address: 130 E Pender St, Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: I’ll start by saying that I understand the hype in many ways. Yes, Bao Bei has a whole vibe. The booths are cozy, the cocktails are fiery, and the bathroom is literally my favourite place to take a selfie in all of Vancouver. However, Bao Bei is another spot with a huge waitlist for a reason I can’t quite justify (to myself, at least).
Note: If you want to pop a few dumplings and have a sexy pre-drink that will leave you feeling so damn good about yourself you will end up texting your ex —then yes, Bao Bei is your bae. However, if you’re looking for an authentic modern Chinese meal at a respectable dinner time without sacrificing the historic Chinatown vibe—then in my humble opinion, it could be no other than Chinatown BBQ.
Chinatown BBQ offers mouth-watering barbecued meats and award-winning beef brisket curry. Their chefs are expertly trained in authentic Chinese cooking methods. Their relaxed restaurant on East Pender Street provides delicious, affordable, and genuine cuisine.
Speaking strictly of aesthetics, Chinatown BBQ feels like the pretty girl who doesn’t know it. The rich green and bright red accents underscored by the retro checker floors make me cozy. It’s nostalgic and warm without trying to be at all.
As strange as it is to say, Chinatown BBQ is a restaurant that feels like it knows itself. Some items may be familiar, some may not, but the menu stays true to tradition. The complex dishes are cooked up effortlessly, making clear it’s the result of generational expertise passed down. It’s an elevated dining experience in modest-fare clothing.
Hot Tip: Order the BBQ Duck, and if you’re really extra, order the roast pig three days in advance (yes, that is a thing, and no, it is not vegan-friendly).
Chinatown BBQ website
For pho...
Song Huong Restaurant
Instead of: Anh and Chi
Try: Song Huong Restaurant
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Address: 1613 Nanaimo St, Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: I will pay my respects to Anh and Chi, as I have adored this place since way back when they were Pho Hoang. For years, the tucked-away spot was one of my go-to’s. There were no crazy lines, just straightforward pho and perfectly crisp spring rolls. It really was a hidden gem (props to my best friend’s dad for the find).
Back then, before they renovated, the spot had a more hole-in-the-wall vibe—which, coming from me, is a huge compliment because that is my favourite kind of place. However, imagine my grief when one fateful day, I went in for a piping hot #7, and to my horror, there was suddenly trendy ceramic tiling! A fully stocked bar! And a line around the block?! I was devastated.
According to the internet, Pho Hoang had changed names and ownership (sort of). The previous owners had passed the torch to their children, and the brother and sister duo rebranded the old Vietnamese haunt as Anh and Chi (which literally translates to “brother and sister”). The restaurant took off and is now on the Michelin Guide, and business could not be more booming. Beautiful. However, not when I am hangry.
This is why I am shooting myself in the foot when I tell you that Song Huong Restaurant is the no-nonsense place to be. There is no line (at least until this article pops off), and the pho is everything you want it to be. Hot, flavourful, and at your table within minutes.
Song Huong Restaurant Instagram page
For pizza...
Thank You Pizza
Instead of: Via Tevere
Try: Thank You Pizza
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Pizza
Address: 789 Gore St, Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: Everyone knows there are many genres of pizza, and it’s not one size fits all. Late night bite? Go New York style. Hungover? Go Chicago deep dish. At a jungle gym for your kid’s birthday? Anything reminiscent of cardboard will do. But of all the pizza styles one could choose from, it’s a no-brainer that when it comes to date night, nothing hits quite like the Neapolitans do, aka the good ol’ wood-fired. And only a few places in Vancouver do it just right.
I’m unsure whether Via Tevere on Victoria Drive is still a secret. If it is, and you haven’t heard of it—then definitely get in on it and grab a slice. But last time I dropped by, they had a whole window solely dedicated to take-out orders, so I’m assuming the cat’s out of the bag.
I have a golden rule when it comes to dining out: never go to the same place twice. It’s almost impossible not to break it, but I do my best. When I came up with it, I was inspired by the age-old saying, “If you never try, then you’ll never know.” Yes, it’s true that nothing is quite as disappointing as trying a new restaurant and wishing you had instead gone to the same place you always do. However, nothing is more rewarding than stepping outside the box and getting even more than you bargained for. Thankfully, I’ve done some of the leg work for you—so consider this next one a freebie.
Thank You Pizza has an interesting business model. By this, I mean they are really good at playing hard to get. The restaurant is somewhat of a free spirit. Located in Chinatown, Thank You Pizza shares a space with Hunnybee Brunchonette—but there’s a catch. Thank You Pizza is only open four days a week during the evenings.
Their signature sourdough pizzas are fired from the street (sort of). The Thank You Pizza wood-fired oven is actually built into a big red trailer parked on the street. In a way, it’s got everything. Thank You Pizza has the feel of a restaurant with the trendy edge of a food truck. All that said, you can’t play hard to get if you’re hard to want, and trust me when I say Thank You Pizza is worth chasing after.
Hot Tip: With their natural wines and sourdough pies, Thank You Pizza is the perfect third date spot.
Thank You Pizza website
For trendy Italian...
Ask For Luigi
Instead of: Savio Volpe
Try: Ask For Luigi
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Italian
Address: 305 Alexander St, Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: This one hurts because six years ago, Savio Volpe was one of my all-time favourite Italian joints (and I’m 100% Italian, so you can trust me on this one). Their agnolotti was to die for! The meatballs were a must! The cannoli admittedly were not as good as my Nonna’s, but pretty damn close! And, maybe this is just me, but for some reason their décor made me feel like I’d jumped right into a Wes Anderson set. Every time I struck a Belmont in between aperitif and appetizer, clad in my $35 matted “fur” jacket I scored from Value Village, I knew I was that bitch (Margot Tenenbaum).
In its less popular years, Savio was my favourite little hideaway from the world. After long stints away from home, it was the first place I’d visit upon my return. I’d shy away from plans with friends to saddle up solo at the comfortably low bar with a copy of Bukowski and a pitch-perfect Aperol spritz. I’d sip and dream and dine and text a long-distance friend as the buzz took hold about how much I loved them and how I wished they were here.
On my most recent visit, it was a shove to the table and a tight fit when we sat down. I was then greeted by the quaint suffocation of my table neighbour’s Canada Goose (those things need to come with a mobile vacuum pack). It wasn’t an entirely unpleasant evening. But I couldn’t help but notice the seating seemed to have nearly doubled in size. And now that you mention it, yes it did seem the pacing too rushed. It was an “order now and all at once” affair.
I don’t want to bang on about Savio because it feels like I’m shit-talking an ex I’m secretly hoping to get back together with. So, let’s just focus on the new man in my life. His name is Luigi!
Now, Ask For Luigi isn’t exactly a secret, but there's a “late lunch” stipulation here. This 32-seat restaurant is tucked away in a quaint little heritage house on the corner of Gore and Alexander St.
There is something incredibly cozy when you walk into Ask For Luigi. An air of calm settles, and you feel totally prepared to eat well. However, its reputation means that reservations often must be booked weeks in advance. Since I prefer to dine on the fly, my Ask For Luigi hack is simple: skip the dinner rush and go for a late lunch.
I have always been able to get a table at Ask for Luigi on a Sunday at 2:00 pm. In fact, it’s my favourite time to go, and I highly recommend hitting Luigi’s for a solo dinner at this hour. The food is simple, beautiful, and made with love.
Hot Tip: Reserve or walk in for a late lunch. Don’t be surprised if you see me there.
Ask For Luigi website
For upscale Italian: Vancouver institution edition
Cioppino's Mediterranean Grill
Instead of: Giardino Restaurant
Try: Cioppino's Mediterranean Grill
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Address: 133 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: For some reason, I feel like these two restaurants are always duking it out for Vancouver’s “best Italian restaurant” award. But, in my head, there’s no competition. Yes, Giardino wins the patio war, but Cioppino’s wins everything else.
When it comes to food (and what else would it come to), Giardino has never knocked me off my feet. Cioppino’s, on the other hand, has done exactly that. The pasta has the “it” factor. And I’m not the only one who thinks so.
Cioppino’s is known as a low-key celebrity hotspot, attracting stars like Drake, George Clooney, and, more recently, Pedro Pascal. It’s no surprise that the rich flavors and impeccable service have earned it a loyal following among the famous and foodies alike. So, if you’re looking for a dining experience that’s star-studded and stellar in every way, Cioppino’s is the place to be.
Cioppino's Mediterranean Grill website
L'Abattoir
Instead of: Black + Blue
Try: L’Abattoir
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: Pacific Northwest fare
Address: 217 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: While Black + Blue is known for its upscale steakhouse experience, L’Abattoir offers a unique twist on meat dishes in the heart of Gastown. Housed in a 19th-century brick building that once served as Vancouver’s first jail, L’Abattoir combines historic charm with contemporary cuisine.
The menu is a meat lover's dream, featuring dishes like perfectly-seared beef ribeye with gem lettuce, black garlic, and spiced jus. The atmosphere is cozy yet sophisticated, with exposed brick walls, industrial accents, and warm lighting—perfect for a romantic dinner or a special celebration. Their exceptional cocktail program, featuring both classic and inventive drinks, adds to the experience.
Hot Tip: Don’t miss their Sunday roast, which offers a rotating selection of meats cooked to perfection, making it the ideal way to end the weekend.
L'Abattoir website
For ice cream...
Dolce Amore
Instead of: Earnest Ice Cream
Try: Dolce Amore
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Ice cream
Address: 113 Second St W, North Vancouver, BC (Little Italy location temporarily closed)
Why You Need To Go: I don't know what is with Vancouver and its undying loyalty to Earnest Ice Cream, but because of the mass hysteria surrounding this frozen delight, I just can't get on board. The flavours are refined, but the hype is overwhelming. Plus, Earnest Ice Cream is becoming increasingly available in grocery stores across the city, and that is simply not bespoke enough for me.
Instead, I prefer the humble Dolce Amore. This Little Italy gem—which was located on Commercial Drive until a kitchen fire burned its establishment to the ground—offers rich, creamy gelato with flavours that actually deliver. I have picked up so many to-go pints of ice cream from here that I actually forgot they also do cones.
Hot Tip: Do not sleep on "Peanut Butter Paesano" or "Blueberry Mangia Cake."
Dolce Amore website
