9 of the best things we ate in Vancouver last month

Another month has gone by, and it has left us thinking about all the amazing bites we’ve had the pleasure of enjoying in April. We’re lucky enough to have dined at multiple restaurants, from the hottest new spots in town to long-standing institutions.

And while we’ve had plenty of excellent meals, some stood out more than others. Whether you’re looking for your next matcha fixation or a meal that will wow everyone in attendance, you’ve come to the right place.

Keep on reading to see all the best things we ate (and drank) in and around Vancouver last month.

Albacore tuna ice cream (yes, you read that right) — Five Sails

Any opportunity we have to enjoy a meal at Five Sails, we take: and its new tasting menu, titled The Altitude: BC Spring, is proof of why.

There’s no denying everything was incredible, from The Oyster that is served in a shell that you can eat whole to the delightful bite of Liver Pâté we enjoyed in the kitchen while chatting with Chef Alex Kim. But the one dish that had us talking long after our dinner ended was the Albacore Tuna and Caviar. 

Sliced albacore tuna is lightly seasoned with gochujang for a subtle warmth and served on top of crisp Kennebec potato chips. The albacore ice cream comes into play as a secret layer under the Kaluga caviar, which you’re encouraged to pile onto your bite. This is one of those dishes that you need to experience to fully understand, and easily one of the best things we ate in April.

Also, make sure you order at least one cocktail when you visit. Our favourite is the Toasted Grove, which features a house-made brown butter and maple-infused rum with lemon bitters.

Address: 999 Canada Pl., Vancouver

The perfect enchiladas for brunch, dinner, and everything in between — Ophelia

When it comes to Mexican brunch in Vancouver, Ophelia is the place to go. During our visit, we were presented with an array of Mexican-inspired delights from Tuna Tostadas topped with ahi tuna and chipotle aioli to Taco de Arracherra y Bone Marrow — a grilled skirt steak taco served with a side of roasted bone marrow for topping. But the crown jewel of our meal was the gorgeously green Enchiladas Gratinadas. 

It all came down to the addictive poblano sauce the team uses to smother the layered corn tortillas filled with braised chicken, corn, and beans, creating a dish that requires a side spoon to make sure you get all of that sauce goodness. Everything from the brunch menu is good, but these enchiladas are a must-order during your next visit.

Address: 165 W. 2nd Ave., Vancouver

The 15+ layer lasagna of your dreams — Giusti

Only available on Mondays and Tuesdays during the spring, Giusti is serving up a Spring Lasagna that is so special that it takes roughly 24 hours to make.

The foundation of this beautiful creation is a ragù that consists of slow-cooked pork, beef, and veal with pancetta, lard, parmesan rinds, and prosciutto ends. This sauce is stacked between over 15 layers of hand-rolled green pasta sheets for one seriously impressive dish.

But why only Monday and Tuesdays? Because this lasagna is so time-intensive and requires so much oven space and attention, it’s only possible to make it on slower nights. Additionally, there are only 12 of these available each evening, so be sure to head over early if you want to try it.

But really, you’ll have a good time regardless of what you end up enjoying at Giusti, and we’d recommend you leave it up to the team to decide your dinner that evening. Other standout bites from our visit include a Gem Lettuce and New Potatoes salad served with a generous amount of prosciutto, Potato Gnocchi with parmesan cream and morels, and Grilled Octopus with Italian dressing and chickpeas.

Address: 209 E. 6th Ave., Vancouver

What might be the biggest sundae in Vancouver — Ray’s

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s a crowd pleaser, able to be shared between multiple people, and will have other tables looking enviously, then Ray’s is the place to be.

Dubbed the Super Sundae, this behemoth of soft serve ice cream is topped with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and maraschino cherries. Plus, you get a selection of toppings to choose from to craft the ultimate, customizable bite.

Address: 1131 Mainland St., Vancouver

Ginger + pear + matcha = a winning combo — Chez Nous Bakery

Time and time again, we return to Chez Nous — a French bakery in Yaletown — in search of a delicious baked good, and end up walking out with an incredible matcha latte.

The team here offers rotating matcha flavours, and we were lucky enough to walk in when it was offering a Ginger Pear Matcha. If you put a little bit of ginger when making your apple pie, then you already know that the fruit and ginger combo is going to be a hit. This one is definitely for fans of matchas on the sweeter side of things, but still a great combo.

Address: 1262 Homer St., Vancouver

A classic pie from the top pizzeria in Canada — Spacca Napoli

Spacca Napoli just celebrated its ten-year anniversary, and our visit reminded us why the spot has been around for so long.

Specifically, the Margharetta Pizza is a must-order every time we visit. Deceptively simple, the team here have absolutely nailed authentic, Neapolitan-style pizza. Good crust, high-quality cheese, San Marzano tomatoes, and some basil are all you need to make this standout pizza. Heck, the spot was named Canada’s top pizzeria by Gambero Rosso, who gave it a corresponding “3 Spicchi” ranking, making history as the only Canadian pizzeria to ever earn this prestigious ranking.

But if you are looking for something more out of the ordinary, Spacca Napoli is also offering some fun menu options. Namely, the Il Cappello di San Gennaro — a pizza designed to look like a hat and split into two halves. One half features classic Naples flavours and a folded crust filled with salami, provolone, fior di latte, ricotta, and black pepper, while the other side is inspired by the Amalfi Coast, offering a combo of zucchini cream, provola del Monaco, zucchini, and fresh mint.

Address: 2801 St. Johns St., Port Moody

A pistachio matcha that will make you say “shell yeah” — Hada Coffee

The hits don’t stop coming from the powerhouse team and married couple behind Hada Coffee, Ken and Hanah Kim. We had previously given Hada a shoutout for its Strawberry Matcha (one that is the perfect level of tart and sweet), but its new addition of a Pistachio Matcha deserves its own recognition.

The subtlety of the pistachio and how nicely it plays with the matcha is very welcome, with the syrup not overpowering the natural umami notes of the matcha. The drink is perfectly crafted, making it difficult to just order one.

The team is currently still operating out of its pop-up at SpinHouse South Surrey, but its first brick-and-mortar is expected to open soon.

Address: Inside Spinhouse South Surrey — 16041 24th Ave. Unit 10, Surrey

Sweet and salty goodness — Wooden Spoon

Folks out in South Surrey and White Rock are most likely familiar with Wooden Spoon’s brunch game, but those who don’t venture out of Vancouver often may not have had the chance to try. To those people, we recommend they try the Sweet and Salty.

A classic on the menu for years, this dish consists of a French loaf topped with aged cheddar, double-smoked bacon, two poached eggs, champagne hollandaise, maple syrup, and chive gremolata. We’re drooling just thinking about it.

The team has also launched a new burger concept called White Rock Burger Co. and a new monthly rotating dinner, which we had the privilege to attend. Each month will have a rotating theme, with May’s event taking place on Saturday, May 9, just in time for Mother’s Day.

Address: 15171 Russell Ave., White Rock

The longanisa smash burger that will have you longing for more — Projekt + Blend

When we saw Longanisa Smash Burger on the menu after stumbling into Projekt + Blend for the first time, we knew we needed to order it. What started as a quick stop for a caffeine fix ended up leading us to one of our favourite sandwiches in Metro Vancouver.

The longanisa patty (a bright red, sweet sausage) is smashed so it gets these crispy edges. The burger is then topped with a runny, fried egg, lettuce, tomato, pickled onions, and mayo, and served between a croissant. It may not look like one of the viral, overloaded smash burgers you come across on TikTok, but what it doesn’t have in looks it definitely makes up for in flavour.

Address: 20436 Fraser Hwy. #104, Langley

Address: 22265 Dewdney Trunk Rd. Unit 1, Maple Ridge

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