The most iconic restaurants in Vancouver, according to our readers
Living in Vancouver means we have access to some of the best food. Whether they’re a hole-in-the-wall spot or a Michelin-recommended restaurant, there are so many good restaurants to check out on a night out.
But with so many great spots, it’s hard to choose which ones to visit.
That’s why we took to Instagram to ask our followers what they thought were the most iconic restaurants in Vancouver, and we got plenty of answers.
So, we went through the comments and compiled a list of some of the most recommended restaurants. Keep on reading to learn about the most iconic restaurants, according to our readers.
View this post on Instagram
Phnom Penh
View this post on Instagram
Phnom Penh is a long-time Vietnamese Cambodian restaurant famous for its butter beef, chicken wings, and all-around standout menu. It has not only received acclaim in the Vancouver community but has also been graced by numerous celebrities like Fast and Furious star Sung Kang and comedian Jimmy O. Yang.
Address: 244 E. Georgia St., Vancouver
Phone: 604-682-5777
The Naam
View this post on Instagram
Open since 1969, The Naam is a vegetarian restaurant that’s one of the last remaining vestiges of Kitsilano’s hippie heyday. It became especially well-known by Vancouverites in 1989 when it switched to being open 24/7 – hours that it kept right up until the pandemic hit.
Address: 2724 W. 4th Ave., Vancouver
Phone: 604-738-7151
Old Spaghetti Factory
View this post on Instagram
Not only is the Old Spaghetti Factory been a Vancouver staple since it opened in 1970, but it’s also has become famous as one of the most haunted restaurants in the city.
Address: 53 Water St., Vancouver (with other locations throughout Metro Vancouver)
Phone: 604-684-1288
Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House
View this post on Instagram
Joe Fortes has been around for ages, and it’s easy to see why. The eatery, which has been serving the community for over 30 years, is known for its steak, seafood, and stellar service.
Address: 777 Thurlow St., Vancouver
Phone: 604-669-1940
Tojo’s Restaurant
View this post on Instagram
For almost 40 years, Tojo has been a leading figure in Vancouver’s food scene, winning awards and accolades while representing a blend of Japanese heritage and Canadian spirit. It’s so famous that it even recently had a documentary spotlighting legendary Chef Hidekazu Tojo.
Address: 1133 W. Broadway, Vancouver
Phone: 604-872-8050
Bacchus Restaurant and Lounge
View this post on Instagram
Tucked away inside the Wedgewood Hotel, the Michelin-Recommended Bacchus Restaurant not only serves great food in a beautiful space, but our readers also voted it as one of the best places for a cocktail in the city.
Address: 845 Hornby St., Vancouver
Phone: 604-608-5319
La Terrazza
View this post on Instagram
Italian fine dining in the heart of Vancouver. La Terrazza has been serving patrons since 1998, that’s over 25 years and counting, so you know the offerings, wine, and service have got to be impeccable. Even the likes of Drake have enjoyed a meal at La Terrazza.
Address: 1088 Cambie St., Vancouver
Phone: 604-899-4449
The Lunch Lady
View this post on Instagram
Many folks first fell in love with Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thanh after she was featured on an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s show No Reservations. The famous American chef and TV personality eventually landed on a fitting name for the South Vietnam foodie destination and Thanh herself — The Lunch Lady — and it has stuck ever since.
But how did The Lunch Lady come to Vancouver? Local restaurant owner Michael Tran first travelled to Vietnam in 2012 to connect with his roots; naturally, he stopped at The Lunch Lady, an experience that he says “changed his life forever.”
In 2018, the restaurateur reached out to Thanh, and their partnership began. It was then that the first steps were taken to bring Lunch Lady to North America.
Address: 1046 Commercial Dr., Vancouver
Phone: 604-559-5938
Northern Cafe
View this post on Instagram
When it comes to literally hidden gems in Vancouver’s food scene, Northern Cafe & Grill just may be at the top of the list.
Not that local diners haven’t been enjoying its breakfast and brunch classics alongside a plethora of Asian-inspired dishes for almost 80 years.
It’s just not that often one finds an award-winning, internationally renowned restaurant above a hardware store inside a lumber yard way deep in South Vancouver.
Address: 1640 East Kent Ave., Vancouver
Phone: 778-532-6240
Vij’s
View this post on Instagram
Vij’s might be one of the hottest celebrity dining spots in Vancouver, and for a good reason. We chatted with chef Vikram Vij about some of his highest-profile visitors, which include the likes of Sandra Oh (Grey’s Anatomy, Arliss, and Killing Eve), Tom Cruise (Top Gun, Mission Impossible, and Jack Reacher), Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and Captain America: Brave New World), and Robin Williams (Mrs. Doubtfire, Good Will Hunting, and Dead Poets Society).
Address: 3106 Cambie St., Vancouver
Phone: 604-736-6664
Teahouse in Stanley Park
View this post on Instagram
Located in the heart of one of the most iconic parks in Vancouver, The Teahouse has been providing the city with delicious food since it opened in 1978.
Address: 7501 Stanley Park Dr., Vancouver
Phone: 604-669-3281
With files from Daniel Chai.