I Grew Up In Vancouver & Here Are 7 Local Restaurants You Have To Try At Least Once

I always end up going back to these! ❤️

​Ashley Harris. Right: Joe Fortes' seafood.

Ashley Harris. Right: Joe Fortes' seafood.

Contributing Writer

I grew up near Vancouver. And as a foodie, it goes without saying that I've been a regular at various restaurants around the city.

I love taste-testing new dishes and exploring new restaurants; but there are a few that I keep coming back to, time and again.

So, if you're planning to visit Vancouver anytime soon or are a curious Vancouverite on the hunt for a new restaurant, I'd like to make these recommendations (very strongly).

Without any further ado, here are my favourite restaurants in and around the city of Vancouver — bon appetite!

Vij's

Price: 💸 💸 💸

Address: 3106 Cambie St., Vancouver, BC

Why You Need To Go: Vij's has a fine selection of dishes to enjoy and they also come with a tremendous variety of flavour.

I always try to get a seat on their rooftop patio because it's a hidden gem with twinkly lights and grapevines that are the next best thing to starry skies.

Website

Maxine's Cafe & Bar

Price: 💸 💸

Address: 1325 Burrard St., Vancouver, BC

Why You Need To Go: This is another great restaurant to enjoy some unique happy-hour dishes and cocktails. I recommend ordering The Smoke Show, which comes with strawberry infused tequila, mezcal, aperol, grapefruit juice and salted honey.

Website

Pat Quinn's Restaurant & Bar

Price: 💸 💸

Address: 5133 Springs Blvd #100., Tsawwassen, BC

Why You Need To Go: If you're looking for a place with a great patio and an incredible happy hour menu, this is a great option.

I love to enjoy all of the their happy hour bites while overlooking the Tsawwassen Springs golf course from their patio.

Website

Osteria Savio Volpe

Price: 💸 💸 💸

Address: 615 Kingsway., Vancouver, BC

Why You Need To Go: This restaurant has beautifully-made pasta dishes that burst with flavour. I've never left disappointed from this Italian eatery.

Website

Barnside Brewing Co.

Price: 💸 💸

Address: 6655 60 Ave., Delta, BC

Why You Need To Go: Although this is technically a brewery, they have a wicked food menu. The dishes are fresh and pair wonderfully well with their 'Farm Fresh Beer'.

I recommend ordering the 'Hopped Cheese & Toast' and asking to make it into the full board with meats as well. It's the perfect dish to enjoy with a group and I always order a sour beer to go along with it.

Website

Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House

Price: 💸 💸 💸

Address: 777 Thurlow St., Vancouver, BC

Why You Need To Go: If you're looking for some delicious seafood in a fancy atmosphere, this is the place to go. I love hitting up this restaurant on special occasions, for clams and some live piano music.

Website

Cioppino's Mediterranean Grill

Price: 💸 💸 💸 💸

Address: 1133 Hamilton St., Vancouver, BC

Why You Need To Go: This Vancouver restaurant serves up celeb-approved dishes.

When I visited this restaurant, I actually ended up trying two of Drake's favourite dishes — the penne pasta with spot prawns and chickpea pizza with mushrooms.

I still dream about these two delicious items!

Website

  • Ashley Harris (she/her) is a writer from Vancouver, Canada, who is passionate about discovering the best restaurants and activities in the city. A huge foodie, she has written for multiple print and digital magazines and is also a local foodie influencer.

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