20 bucket list eats you need to try in Vancouver at least once
Whether you’ve only got a day in Vancouver, or you live here year-round, there’s no denying that there are some things in this beautiful city that you just have to eat.
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Fished and Chips from Pajo’s Fish & Chips
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Address: 12351 3 Avenue, Richmond
Phone: 604-272-1588
Address: 12771 Seventh Avenue, Richmond
Phone: 604-204-0767
Address: 2800 Murray Street, Port Moody
Phone: 604-469-2289
Liege Waffles from Medina Cafe
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Pasta from Savio Volpe
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Savio Volpe is more than just phenomenal pasta, it is an intimate atmosphere that is indescribable and has yet to be replicated by any other restaurant in Vancouver. The menu rotates daily at Savio Volpe, so it’s difficult to pick just one must try pasta, but it hardly matters because all of their pasta creations will excite your tastebuds and leave you wanting more.
Hot Dogs from Japadog
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Address: 899 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-322-6465
Address: 530 Robson Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-569-1158
Address: Hot dog stand – Burrard and Pender Street, Vancouver
Address: Hot dog stand – Granville and Cordova Street, Vancouver
Address: Hot dog stand – 1200 Seguin Drive, Coquitlam
Fish Tacos from Tacofino
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Address: 15 West Cordova Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-899-7907
Address: 1025 Mainland Street, Vancouver
Phone: 778-379-8226
Address: 2327 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-253-8226
Address: 8 E 5th Avenue, Vancouver
Phone: 604-709-0015
Address: 122-1050 W Pender, Vancouver
Phone: 604-428 8453
Seafood Tower from Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar
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Dungeness crab Louie, snow crab legs, wild shrimp, and local oysters;
Address: 845 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-642-2900
Crack Bar from Purebread
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Address: 5 E 5th Avenue, Vancouver
Phone: 604-336-9001
Address: 159 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-563-8060
Address: 2887 West Broadway, Vancouver
Phone: 604-336-9670
Puffcream from Popina Canteen
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Ever wonder where the world’s first-ever Puffcream dessert was offered? Look no further than Granville Island’s popular shipping container eatery, Popina. Enjoy creamy natural soft serve is piped into a freshly baked choux pastry and topped with playful and seasonal ingredients like sea salt toffee sauce or freeze-dried blueberries to name a few.
Address: 1691 Johnston Street, Vancouver (Northwest side of the Granville Island Public Market)
Phone: 604-428-7518
Avocado Toast on Sourdough Bread from Nelson the Seagull
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Nelson the Seagull is home to Vancouver’s quintessential and ultimate hipster breakfast: The Avo Toast. There is no denying the avocado toast is easy to execute, so what makes Nelson the Seagull’s version stand out? The thick cut pieces of buttered sourdough are baked fresh daily in-house before receiving a generous layer of fresh avocado. For more protein, ask for a poached egg.
Address: 315 Carrall Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-681-5776
Fried Chicken French Toast from Jam Cafe
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Doughnuts from Honey’s Doughnuts
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While not exactly in Vancouver, Honeys is in the area and unarguably a must-try spot. Celebrities like Kate Winslet and Shay Mitchell have been spotted grabbing these Deep Cove goodies. People line up to get their hands on one of these rings, and they’re the perfect sweet treat after kayaking in Deep Cove or completing the Quarry Rock hike. Choose from their honey, maple, cinnamon sugar, or chocolate flavours.
Address: 4373 Gallant Avenue, North Vancouver
Phone: 604-929-4988
Nashville Hot Chicken from The Downlow Chicken Shack
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Vancouver’s first Nashville hot chicken spot Downlow Chicken Shack has quickly become a staple in the city’s foodie scene. Whether you’re obsessed with secret menu items like the Fries on the DL or just love that straight-up fried chicken, this joint is a must-try when you’re in Vancouver.
Address: 905 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Phone: 778-866-5662
The Dirty Burger from Upstairs at Campagnolo
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Head through the side door and up the stairs of Main Street’s Campagnolo and you’ll be in the perfect position to devour The Dirty Burger. This 40-day dry-aged beef patty features a sunnyside up egg and secret sauce, and it’s definitely one of the most sought after burgers in the city. You can also order this morsel off of Campagnolo’s lunch menu during specific hours.
Address: 1020 Main Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-484-6018
Salmon Oshi Sushi from Miku
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Miku waterfront first introduced Vancouver to Aburi pressed sushi over a decade ago in 2008 and ever since then, we cannot get enough of the flame-seared pressed sushi. The Salmon Oshi Sushi is by far the most popular and begins with a base of seasoned rice that then gets a thin piece of fresh salmon on top and finished with a thin slice of jalapeño.
Address: 200 Granville Street # 70, Vancouver
Phone: 604-568-3900
Ice Cream Sandwiches from Made by Mister
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These ice cream sandwiches are made with liquid nitrogen and local products in a ton of amazing flavours. Think Double Orero, Matcha, and torched Crème Brûlée – this Yaletown neighbourhood spot is a must-hit for sweet treats.
Address: 1141 Mainland Street, Vancouver
Phone: 778-379-2833
Ramen from Ramen Danbo
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With a fall and winter climate that mirrors Japan’s, it comes as no surprise that Vancouver too has an affinity for ramen spots. The noodle and soup bowls at Ramen Danbo feature broths rich in ‘umami’ flavour and noodles that are a little on the firm side making them ideal for slurping. There’s usually always a line up at these spots, signalling it’s one of the best around.
Address: 1333 Robson Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-559-8112
Address: 1833 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
Phone: 778-379-8977
Bagels from Rosemary Rocksalt
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The savoury counterpart to doughnuts, Rosemary Rocksalt’s Montreal-style bagels have the most delightful chew that goes oh so well with their house mixed cream cheese spreads. There are multiple flavours to choose from, but we are partial to their namesake Rosemary Rocksalt variety. Get a sandwich or take it with cream cheese, these bagels are top-notch and there’s no denying that.
Address: 2515 Main Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-874-4570
Address: 1350 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Phone: 604-254-7202
Address: 1669 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver
Phone: 604-929-1817
Address: #715 – 333 Brooksbank Avenue, North Vancouver
Phone: 604-770-1595
Address: 11688 Steveston Highway, Richmond
Phone: 604-274-9800
Caesar Grande from Score on Davie
Rich Won/Daily Hive
At the Score on Davie, the Caesar is no longer just for morning brunch. The Caesars here are genuine masterpieces and have full meals on top of the beverage. The Caesar Grande features two corn dogs, two fried mac and cheese balls, a large slice of peanut butter pie, a full serving of cheesy layered nachos in a crispy tortilla bowl, and huge beef burger with all the fixings, and lastly, a fried chicken sandwich with bacon topped with a pickle.
Address: 1262 Davie Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-632-1646
Dim Sum from Kirin Seafood Restaurant
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Address: 1172 Alberni Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-682-8833
Address: City Square, 555 W 12th Avenue #201, Vancouver
Phone: 604-879-8038
Address: 7900 Westminster Highway, Richmond
Phone: 604-303-8833
Wings from Phnom Penh
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This Cambodian-Vietnamese restaurant has mastered the art of frying chicken wings to golden perfection, yet still locking in all the moisture and flavour inside. The wings are tossed in a blend of spices before getting a bath in the fryer. The skin is crispy while the meat inside is succulent, practically falling off the bones.
Address: 244 East Georgia Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-734-8898
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