The Ultimate Vancouver Food Tour: 15 iconic restaurants that are hometown specialties

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As Vancouver has grown, so has its food scene.

Our multicultural population, coastal geography and progressive ethos have combined to evolve unique and alluring restaurant culture. Here, we can enjoy a range of authentic international cuisines from dim sum in Richmond to Punjabi curries in Surrey.

The city’s location and lifestyle attract chefs from all over the world and ensures that many prodigal sons and daughters return after learning their craft in kitchens far and wide.

Geographically, our position between ocean and farmland gives our cooks access to some of the freshest seafood and produce in North America. Local chefs craft menus that highlight seasonal ingredients and sustainable sourcing, which jibes with the city’s commitment to environmental consciousness.

Meanwhile, our proverbial outdoorsy and active lifestyle means plenty of vegan, gluten-free, and organic options, although poutine and wings are never more than a QR code away.

In recent years, B.C. wines have come into their own, providing a local option on the wine list at many fine dining establishments. Innovative craft beer and spirits scenes add to the appeal for both local and visiting food and beverage enthusiasts, as do initiatives like the Spot Prawn Festival and Dine Out Vancouver.

Among all the options, a few iconic establishments — or hometown specialties, if you will — have emerged. Here are 15 of the city’s most iconic eateries, categorized by cuisine:

For sushi: Tojo’s Restaurant

1133 W Broadway, Vancouver

For more than 30 years, Tojo’s has been influencing the way the West Coast thinks about and consumes Japanese food. Chef Tojo himself has introduced Vancouver to the omakase tradition and created the beloved California and B.C. rolls. A good place to start is the seasonal omakase, a chef-curated tasting menu showcasing the freshest seasonal ingredients.

Read our 50th anniversary feature on Tojos, originally published in Nov. 2021.

For a diner meal: Northern Café

1640 E Kent Ave. N #2, Vancouver

Located in a lumber yard on the Fraser River, this unassuming eatery has become a hot spot for above-average diner food. Add the Mama’s Wonton — homemade pork and shrimp won tons in umami broth — to your list of must-try dishes.

Read our feature on Northern Cafe, originally published in April 2025.

For pizza: Via Tevere Pizzeria

1190 Victoria Dr. and 3240 Main St., Vancouver

At Via Tevere, the pies are made in accord with Vera Pizza Napoletana (VPN) rules: wood-fired and made with Neapolitan ingredients, including double zero flour, San Marzano tomatoes, and fior di latte mozzarella, as epitomized by the margherita. Both locations are also known for their cosy, rustic atmosphere.

See our full guide to where to eat pizza in Vancouver here.

For gelato: La Casa Gelato

1033 Venables St., Vancouver

La Casa Gelato was serving up unusual flavours before the owners of most of this city’s gelato upstarts had their first popsicle. From its start selling 12 flavours on Commercial Drive to its now epic and near-mythological 238 flavours at its current location, La Casa practically wrote the book on cold treats in this town.

See our list of 5 must-try ice cream shops in Vancouver here.

For ice cream: Earnest Ice Cream

Various locations, Vancouver

Who knew that Vancouverites were crying out for artisanal small-batch ice cream? The local operation now has four “scoop shops” in its portfolio, and its top-line sweet treats are sold at various local retailers. Some flavours currently at the flagship Fraser Street location include whiskey hazelnut, salted caramel (a must-try sayeth the ice cream nabobs), strawberry basil and vegan cookies + cream (and four other vegan flavours).

For dim sum: Sun Sui Wah Seafood Restaurant

3888 Main St., Vancouver and 4940 Number 3 Rd., Richmond

A cornerstone of Vancouver’s dim sum scene, Sun Sui Wah delivers refined Cantonese cuisine in an elegant setting. Signature dim sum dishes include shrimp dumplings, roasted pork bun and, of course, chicken feet. Roasted squab is a specialty.

For French: Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie

909 Burrard St. #100, Vancouver

Chef Rob Feenie breathed new life into one of Vancouver’s landmark restaurants when he took over the French fine-dining establishment in 2024. And make no mistake, even with West Coast leanings, it is as French as they come, with escargots, frog legs and fois gras on the menu. Local ingredients pop up in dishes like Sake Maple Haida Gwaii Sablefish and Fraser Valley Duck Breast.

Read our restaurant review of Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie, originally published Dec. 2024.

For Italian: Pepino’s Spaghetti House

631 Commercial Dr., Vancouver

Can you replace one iconic restaurant with another? Pepino’s Spaghetti House occupies the former location of Nick’s Spaghetti House, a neighbourhood landmark known for its generous portions and old-school ambience. Pepino’s keeps things hearty with traditional dishes like spaghetti & meatballs and more adventurous fare like gnocchi marsala and mushroom sauce.

Read our feature on Pepino’s, originally published Sept. 2018.

For vegetarian: The Naam

2724 W 4th Ave., Vancouver

Open since 1968, this Kitsilano institution is Vancouver’s oldest vegetarian restaurant. Popular dishes with the plant-based crowd include sesame honey tofu, sesame fries with miso gravy, and vegan chocolate carrot cake. A garden patio and nightly live music add to The Naam’s bohemian chic ambience.

See our list of 18 Vancouver vegan and vegetarian restaurants, originally published Nov. 2024.

For Chinese: Chinatown BBQ

130 E Pender St., Vancouver

Roasted ducks and steamed chickens in the window greet visitors to this Hong Kong-style barbecue (sie mei) hangout in Chinatown. Signature dish Four Treasures Chef’s Plate comes with BBQ pork, soy sauce chicken, roasted pork, and ½ salty duck egg. Chinatown BBQ is also known for its award-winning beef brisket curry.

Read our feature on Chinatown BBQ, originally published Nov. 2017.

For fresh seafood: Fanny Bay Oyster Bar

762 Cambie St., Vancouver 

Michelin recommended, Fanny Bay is Vancouver’s only tide-to-table oyster bar and shellfish market. Specialties are sustainable shellfish and seafood, including oysters that come from farms operated by the owners of the restaurant, the Taylor family. For oyster-lovers, a must-try dish is the oyster trio, a tasting flight.

Read our feature on Fanny Bay, originally published Feb. 2023.

For fried chicken: DownLow Chicken Shack

905 Commercial Dr., Vancouver

Fried chicken is having a renaissance — that is, if it ever went away. At the forefront of this revival is DownLow, an unassuming little hub of deep-fried poultry on Commercial Drive. Your crispy bird comes by the piece or via sandwich, including The Baller, with hot dill spice and chipotle mayo, and the Nashville-spiced OG.

Read our review of Downlow, originally published Aug. 2018.

For doughnuts: Lee’s Donuts

Various locations in the Lower Mainland

Lee’s Donuts has been serving the city’s doughnut needs since 1979, when its flagship location opened on Granville Island. Today, Lee’s flavours come in three styles, yeast, vanilla cake and chocolate cake, with classics like the honey dip, glazed cake, and double chocolate, along with seasonal selections.

Read our feature on Lee’s Donuts, originally published July 2025.

For steak: Hy’s

637 Hornby St., Vancouver

Timeless and upscale, Hy’s is where steak lovers go for Canadian grade-A beef, an old fashioned and the signature cheese toast in a refined, captains-of-industry type setting. Classic dishes prepared tableside include steak tartare, Steak Diane and Bananas Foster. The first Vancouver location of the Alberta-born franchise opened in 1960. The second, on Hornby, opened a few years later and is still there, with much of its original decor.

Read our review of Hy’s Steakhouse, originally published Jan. 2020.

For the location: Teahouse in Stanley Park

7501 Stanley Park Dr., Vancouver

Nestled in the lush beauty of Stanley Park, the Teahouse offers elegant dining with views of English Bay and the North Shore mountains. Indulge in an afternoon wine flight or enjoy brunch, lunch — including a three-course package — or dinner, with menu items like steak, sablefish, and lobster pappardelle.

Hungry for more Vancouver food content? Check out our list of Where to eat in Vancouver: A restaurant guide for tourists and out-of-towners.

We love where we live, and throughout the summer, we are running a series of stories that highlight what makes our community unique and special within Canada. Follow along with How Canada Wins right here.