2017 is nearing it's end, so why not look at all the things that made it a big year for Vancouver? There were many fun, crazy, bad, good things that happened in Vancouver this year and made it 2017. This article focuses on some of the good things to grace the city.
Vancouver is known for it's diverse food, bar and cafe scene. For a small city, Vancouver can sure pack in a lot of different restaurants, cafes, clubs and bars. Every year the industry grows more and expands our tasting palates, and this year was no exception.
From classic favourites continuing to impress to new kids on the block killing the game and catching up quickly, this year has been a great year for the food, bar and cafe scene in Vancouver.
We're excited to celebrate all the accomplishments of the many restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs this year. Whether it's been through the way they make a difference in the community or how they've broadened our taste buds, we want to give some well deserved love to the many, many talented people who continue to make the food and drink scene in Vancouver one worth noting. There are so many talented people and noteworthy restaurants in Vancouver, and this represents just a small percentage. So please note that it is not possible to acknowledge every spot in Vancouver.
P.S. 2017 isn't over yet! So why not try a new spot or re-visit a classic before the year's over and see firsthand why each restaurant made big strides in 2017.
The Most Important Bars/Clubs
The Most Important Cafes
The Most Important Breakfast/Brunch Spots
The Most Important Cheap Eat Spots
The Most Important Restaurants
For The Most Important Bars/Clubs, Click "NEXT".
Gringo
Where: 27 Blood Alley Square // Gastown
Type: Mexican
Price: 💸
Why you should go: Gringo helped bring Thai Buckets to Vancouver to transport you to the tropics. This lively, colourful bar in Gastown also offers tacos for a steal: 3 tacos for $8 or for $2.75 each.
Fortune Sound Club
Where: 147 E Pender St // Chinatown
Type: Nightclub
Price: 💸💸
Why you should go: This popular Vancouver club continued to add to the nightlife scene in 2017, hosting several events, such as Happy Ending Fridays and Sup Fu? Saturdays, and having several talented artists grace it's stage. They also have a Funktion-One system. Fortune topped USA Today's 10 Best list as the number one club in Vancouver.
Reflections: The Garden Terrace
Where: 801 W Georgia Street, Rosewood Hotel Georgia // Downtown
Type: Lounge
Price: 💸💸💸
Why you should go: This beautiful lounge gave us the most beautiful winter patio pop-up in 2017. Decorated with dangling Christmas lights, snowflakes, Christmas trees and complete with festive cocktails, Reflections in Rosewood Hotel Georgia is a winter patio dream come true in Vancouver.
The Pawn Shop
Where: 1117 Granville St // Downtown
Type: Taco and Tequila Bar
Price: 💸 - 💸💸
Why you should go: This popular downtown bar gave us the best happy hour taco deal in all of the city. 7 days of the week, The Pawn Shop offers Happy Hour $1 Tacos and $3 Tequila!!!
Banter Room
Where: 1039 Mainland St
Type: Lounge
Price: 💸💸
Why you should go: Banter Room in Yaletown has a Moët Champagne vending machine for all your bubbly needs! The space is also great for bigger parties.
Shameful Tiki Room
Where: 4362 Main Street // South Main
Type: Tiki Bar
Price: 💸 💸
Why you should go: Home to some of the biggest and next level fish bowls in Vancouver, this tiki bar has smoky fish bowls that are lit (literally).
For The Most Important Cafes, Click "NEXT".
La Foret Bakery & Coffee
Where: 6848 Jubilee Ave // Burnaby
Type: Cafe
Price: 💸
Why you should go: This new indoor tropical garden cafe has been a big hit in Vancouver in 2017. It gave us all a lot of new tropical vibes Instas.
Buddha-full Provisions
Where: 102-2120 Dollarton Hwy // North Vancouver
Type: Cafe
Price: 💸
Why you should go: In 2017, Buddha-full brought us the cutest indoor swing set to grace Vancouver ever. Vegans and non-vegans alike will love this healthy, good for you cafe.
Him & I Cafe
Where: 1153 The High Street
Type: Cafe
Price: 💸
Why you should go: This relatively unknown cafe in Coquitlam will give you those aesthetics that have yet to pop up on your Insta feed.
Neverland Tea Salon
Where: 3066 W Broadway // Kitsilano
Type: High Tea
Price: 💸 💸
Why you should go: This high tea spot is one of the cutest in Vancouver. Giving you those Peter Pan and Neverland vibes, have a girl's date complete with unlimited tea, pastries, and Insta pics.
Dalina
Where: 687 Main St // Chinatown
Type: Cafe and Grocery Store
Price: 💸💸
Why you should go: One of the cutest cafe patios in Vancouver, Dalina gave Vancouver an adorable atmosphere filled with fairy lights and marble.
Cacao 70
Where: 1047 Denman Street // West End
Type: Chocolate cafe
Price: 💸💸
Why you should go: This popular chocolate cafe opened up not one, but two new locations in Vancouver in 2017 and also gave out free dipped ice cream. The hype was real for Cacao 70.
Republica Coffee Roasters
Where: 321 W Pender St // Near Gastown
Type: Cafe
Price: 💸 💸
Why you should go: Home to an adorable private courtyard, this "secret" coffee shop is the perfect place for your next cafe date or study sesh.
For The Most Important Breakfast/Brunch Spots, Click "NEXT".
Botanist
Where: 1038 Canada Pl // Coal Harbour
Type: West Coast
Price: 💸💸💸
Why you should go: Botanist, a beautiful and new restaurant in Vancouver, brought some lush indoor flora to the restaurant scene in 2017.
Ritual
Where:774 Denman St
Type: Farm-to-Table, Comfort Food
Price: 💸💸
Why you should go: Not only does Ritual have delicious comfort food and an ever changing menu, this restaurant is also admirably committed to paying all of their staff a living wage.
Tuc Craft Kitchen + Bar
Where:60 West Cordova St // Gastown
Type: Breakfast & Brunch
Price: 💸💸
Why you should go: One of the most popular brunch spots in Vancouver in 2017, Tuc Craft Kitchen has continued to impress this year. They also have DIY mimosas during brunch, so let them upgrade you.
Jam Cafe
Where:556 Beatty St // Downtown
Type: Breakfast & Brunch
Price: 💸
Why you should go: One of the most popular brunch spots in the city, Jam Cafe originally came from Vancouver Island with the one in Vancouver being a recently opened second location. It's known to have super long lines because their brunch is just that good.
The Acorn
Where:3995 Main St // South Main
Type: Vegetarian
Price: 💸
Why you should go: The Acorn is an iconic vegetarian brunch restaurant with a great drink selection.
Fable Kitchen
Where:1944 West 4th Ave // Kitsilano
Type: Canadian
Price: 💸💸
Why you should go: Head chef Trevor Bird competed on Top Chef Canada. Fable delivers delicious Canadian cuisine.
For The Most Important Cheap Eat Spots, Click "NEXT".
Chancho
Where: 1206 Seymour St // Yaletown
Type: Tortilleria
Price: 💸
Why you should go: This hidden pink gem will fill you up with their delicious carnitas tacos.
La Mezcaleria
Where: 1622 Commercial Dr // East Vancouver and 68 E Cordova St // Gastown
Type: Mexican
Price: 💸
Why you should go: La Mezcaleria is known for their tasty Mexican cuisine and their unreal tequila selection. Even those these items are on the pricier end, they will not disappoint your taste buds.
Jinya Ramen Bar
Where: Various locations
Type: Japanese, Ramen
Price: 💸
Why you should go: This tasty ramen joint opened up a new location in Burnaby and relocated their downtown location. JINYA has several different ramen flavours, like the Tonkotsu Black and the Spicy Creamy Vegan.
Jamjar
Where: 2280 Commercial Dr // East Vancouver
Type: Lebanese
Price: 💸
Why you should go: If you love hummus, check out JamJar, which has several locations in Vancouver. They opened up a location at UBC this year, making it a popular spot for students.
La Belle Patate
Where: 1215 Davie Street // Vancouver
Type: Poutinerie
Price: 💸
Why you should go: This poutine joint is home to the one and only AYCE poutine in Vancouver. La Belle Patate serves up authentic Québécois style poutine on Davie Street.
Marulilu Cafe
Where: 451 W Broadway // Mount Pleasant
Type: Japanese
Price: 💸
Why you should go: For a different take on brunch, try a traditional Japanese breakfast for just $7.99 at Marilulu Cafe.
Sen Pad Thai
Where: Unit 7-1666 Johnston St // Granville Island
Type: Thai
Price: 💸💸
Why you should go: This Thai restaurant opened up in Vancouver this year and brings some bold flavours to the Thai scene. The owner is also the owner of Maenam.
Save On Meats
Where: 43 W Hastings St // Gastown
Type: Diner
Price: 💸💸
Why you should go: This local diner is making a difference in the community, and it's not just through their delicious yet affordable food. They have a token program which has provided 88,000 meals to residents in the Downtown Eastside.
For The Most Important Restaurants, Click "NEXT".
Le Crocodile Restaurant
Where: 909 Burrard Street // Downtown
Type: French
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Why you should go: One of the best fine dining meals in Vancouver, Le Crocodile continues to impress with it's impeccable French food.
St. Lawrence Restaurant
Where: 269 Powell St // Railtown
Type: French/Quebecois
Price: 💸💸💸
Why you should go: A new addition to the Vancouver food scene this year, it didn't take long for St. Lawrence to win over the hearts (and bellies) of Vancouverites. This boujee restaurant serves delicious French food. The head chef is also the owner of Ask For Luigi and Pizzeria Farina.
Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio
Where: #2-1600 Howe St // Downtown
Type: Seafood, Japanese and Peruvian
Price: 💸 💸 💸💸
Why you should go: Ancora consistently brings delicious seafood and sushi to Vancouver that does not disappoint. Their waterfront patio is also gorgeous and the perfect place to take in a memorable meal.
Hook Sea Bar
Where: 1210 Denman St
Type: Seafood
Price: 💸💸 - 💸💸💸
Why you should go: A new addition to the seafood scene in the city, Hook brings you those waterfront views in the West End and yummy surf and turf.
Heritage Asian Eatery
Where:1108 W Pender St // Downtown
Type: Asian Fusion
Price: 💸 - 💸💸
Why you should go: Heritage Asian Eatery opened in Vancouver this year and delivered delicious contemporary Asian food, combing traditional Chinese food with an everyday modern approach.
Blue Water Cafe
Where:1095 Hamilton St
Type: Seafood, Raw Bar
Price: 💸💸💸
Why you should go: Blue Water Cafe & Raw Bar continued to be one of the city's top rated restaurants this year. Not surprising considering it's amazing seafood.
Nightingale
Where: 1017 W Hastings St // Downtown
Type: Canadian
Price: 💸💸 - 💸💸💸
Why you should go: Part of the famous Hawksworth group, Nightingale will give you all those boujee vibes combined with simple seasonal food that will be an experience to enjoy.
Fayuca
Where:1009 Hamilton St
Type: Pacific Northwest Mexican
Price: 💸💸 - 💸💸💸
Why you should go: Fayuca is a new restaurant on the block in Yaletown and is bringing it with their Pacific Northwest Mexican fusion meals. Looking for a unique tasting experience? Say hello to Fayuca.