10 Vancouver Restaurants To Visit In 2025.
January 15 2025,
New year, new cravings. We’ve got recommendations for a Valencian paella feast, a delicious West Coast brunch, a Lunar New Year afternoon tea, and so much more.
Five New Must-Try Restaurants
ELEM
2110 Main St.
With New Nordic vibes and Top Chef Canada alum Vish Mayekar serving an internationally inspired menu, dinner at ELEM feels like taking a trip without leaving the city. Dine in one of three distinctly designed rooms—warm wood, cool blue or bright white—and be sure to try the Dungeness Crab Toast, handmade Rabbit & Chestnut Cavitelli and Mulberry Kulfi for dessert. Dedicated to sustainability, the on-site cocktail lab upcycles leftover fruits for their house-made infusions. Go for the Butternut Squash with squash bourbon, shiitake mushroom, maple syrup and nasturtium tincture.
ELEM Kong Chicken - Photo by Aditya Pawar
Selene
360 Penticton St.
This new Hastings-Sunrise spot—the sister restaurant to Michelin-recommended Nammos Estiatorio on Fraser St.—is a tribute to Aegean fare and aesthetic delights. With interiors by &Daughters and branding by Glasfurd & Walker, you’ll want to sit and stay awhile. Order the warm Koulouri Bread with kalamata butter, Horiatiki Salad and Lamb Ribs with pomegranate bbq sauce. Don’t leave without taking a blue moon-branded Selene matchbook home.
Selene - Photo By Eric Tsui
Jay Nok
127 W 2nd Ave.
Ready to indulge in the taste of Thailand without travelling there? Jay Nok Modern Thai is coming soon to Vancouver’s Olympic Village in early 2025, bringing the vibrant flavours of Thai street food to life. With bold, authentic dishes and a fresh, modern twist, this new dining hotspot promises an unforgettable culinary experience inspired by the bustling markets of Bangkok.
Jay Nok - Coming Soon!
Loam Bistro
230 Esplanade West
Everybody’s raving about this casual new brunch spot on the North Shore, and with good reason. Independently owned Loam is hyperfocused on artful dishes, friendly staff and the best ingredients. Think special-order Japanese milk bread for the French toast, locally roasted House of Funk coffee and Japanese Hojicha green tea and the finest cheeses (Grana Padano, Gruyère). Try the Lobster Scramble with housemade butter, Green Pea Risotto with a poached egg and the Matcha Crème Brulée.
Loam Bistro
Casa Molina
2211 Manitoba St.
This Mount Pleasant venture, from the city’s beloved Paella Guys (chefs Javier Blanc and Elea Blasco), boasts the second-best paella in the world. That’s the title they won at the Concurs Internacional de Paella Valenciana competition in Spain, and that’s the quality you can expect at their first brick-and-mortar restaurant. Order one of the saffron-y Valencian paellas; the Mariscos (Seafood) is a standout, laden with prawns, shrimp, squid, scallops, mussels and clams.
Casa Molina
Dante Italian Sandwich
360 Robson St.
Craving Italian for lunch? This casual downtown sandwich shop across from the Vancouver Public Library, which opened last December, fits the bill. Founded by the owners of Via Tevere, the freshly made sandos are crafted with fresh Tuscan schiacciata bread (similar to focaccia) and generously filled with classic Italian meats, cheese and veggies. Order the Americano (roast turkey, stracciatella cheese, potato chip crunch, basil spread, semi dried tomato, arugula) and the grilled Monte Cristo. Dine in to be serenaded by Italian tunes like The Godfather soundtrack—if you can snag a seat.
Dante Italian Sandwich
Five Classics to Revisit
Notch8 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
900 West Georgia St.
If you haven’t been to the sunken back room at Notch8 for a themed afternoon tea, you’re missing out. The newest offering, the Year of the Snake Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea, is available until February 23 and boasts an auspiciously delicious menu—think Roasted Duck Tart, Five-Spice Chocolate Cake, Brulée Egg Tarts and more. Sip fine tea from the iconic hotel’s signature fine china or a flute of champagne, if you prefer.
Notch8 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Published on Main
3593 Main St.
This Michelin-starred hotspot, known for celebrating foragers and local farms, is celebrating five epic years in business with a limited time “Greatest Hits” menu. Available until February 9, the menu includes favourites from executive chef Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson like Prawn Toast with black garlic, shiitake, and shiso, Agnolotti with fresh cheese and farmers sausage, and a Bunny Crepe with wild mushroom blanquette.
Published on Main Charred Milk Ice Cream - Photo by Sarah Annand
Five Sails in the Pan Pacific
999 Canada Pl.
It’s always had one of the best city views, but now the iconic Five Sails also has one of the best chefs. Executive chef Alex Kim won a gold medal and People’s Choice Award at the recent Great Kitchen Party Culinary Championship—his Vancouver Island Oyster dish was, fabulously, served in a stunning, edible “oyster shell” tartlet. From the regular menu, order the shoyu-glazed Haida Gwaii Sablefish, Toffee Cake and a glass from their well-curated wine list.
Five Sails in the Pan Pacific - Photo by Nora Hamade
C|Prime Steakhouse in the Century Plaza Hotel
1015 Burrard St.
Two words to describe this hidden-gem Italian restaurant: unassuming (the lobby entrance will make sure of that) and delicious. With so many Italian restaurants in Vancouver, we highly recommend giving this one a try. Order a steak—choose from two different kinds of Wagyu and many more prime cuts—and the Doppio Raviolo pasta, which consists of two long raviolo, one filled with beef and one with cafe di crema; take a bite of each at the same time and thank us later.
C|Prime Steakhouse in the Century Plaza Hotel - Photo by Nora Hamade
Anh and Chi
3388 Main St.
We can’t get enough of this award-winning, community-building Vietnamese landmark in Mount Pleasant. Always-busy Anh and Chi’s “reservation-by-donation” program has raised more than $300,000 for local charities that support BIPOC communities, mental illness and more. Also, the vibes and the food are immaculate. Order the Crispy Prawn Cakes, DIY Streetside Platter, and the unbelievable Caramelized Sablefish.
Anh and Chi - Photo by Juno Kim
Bonus: Mark Your Calendars With These Food & Wine Events
- Dine Out Vancouver takes place at over 350 restaurants, from January 22 - February 9, 2025.
- The 46th Annual Vancouver International Wine Festival takes place from February 22 - March 2, 2025.
If you’re looking for more delicious recommendations on where to dine this fall, these cozy bakeries will warm you up.
