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Once a terminus station for the Canadian Pacific Railway in its old industrial days, Yaletown has scrubbed up nicely and is now one of the nicest neighborhoods in Vancouver. In fact, it’s one of the best areas to stay in Vancouver with plenty of hotels for tourists to enjoy as well as high-end luxury apartments.
Its history is evident in many converted warehouse spaces, with exposed brick and beams and train platforms-turned-patios giving you a little glimpse into the past.
Yaletown also offers up beautiful waterfront views over False Creek and lush green space, making it a great place to explore and take it all in.
To top it off, Yaletown is also one of the best areas in Vancouver to grab a bite to eat. With an endless variety of restaurants to suit any budget and craving, it’s the perfect spot to visit – whether for lunch, brunch, or dinner and a fun night out. Check out our 10 best restaurants in Yaletown to catch a glimpse into this trendy neighborhood – and start planning your visit!
The BEST Restaurants in Yaletown
1. MeeT Yaletown
- Location: 1165 Mainland St
- Type of food: Veggie & Vegan comfort food
- Average cost per meal: $18 CAD
- Why we love it: Super creative & flavorful Vegan fare
We’re always keen to try Veggie and Vegan options, so we’re kicking off this list with MeeT. The newest addition to the MeeT family, this trendy Yaletown location fits right into the mix with exposed brick walls and a wrap-around bar. A huge bonus is their heated patio that you can even enjoy in the winter in Vancouver. You can get cozy and enjoy your fill of delicious food and drinks, perfect for those rainy Vancouver days.
We first visited MeeT at their Gastown location on a food tour in Vancouver. But more recently we stopped into their Yaletown location to see how they compare. Let’s just say we were just as impressed as we were years ago!
MeeT offers up a diverse menu with some great creative dishes. We started with their Oyster Mushroom Kalamari served up with some delicious tzatziki. This one really hit the mark in taste and texture – I’d happily sub that in for calamari any day. For mains, we dug into the Butter Chikkin Poutine, which was rich, creamy, and (most importantly!) generous with the cheese.
The Angry Burg also gets a praiseworthy review – a perfectly crisp burger spiced up with Buffalo sauce and cooled down with ranch dressing. I dipped into a Hibiscus limeade to wash it all down, but they have something for everyone with a great offering of cocktails, mocktails, house-made sodas, beer, and wine.
Check out their menu here, and don’t sleep on their Happy Hour menu available Monday-Friday 3-5 pm and Sunday-Thursday 9 pm til close.
Note: You can also visit MeeT at their Gastown location – one of the best restaurants in Gastown!
2. Provence Marinaside
- Location: 1177 Marinaside Crescent
- Type of food: Seafood
- Average cost per meal: $35 CAD
- Why we love it: Local, seasonal dining with a French flair
If you’re into fresh West Coast seafood with a bit of French flair, Provence Marinaside has you covered. This Yaletown restaurant has a bright, chic dining room if you’re feeling fancy, and a more laid-back patio to take in views of the waterfront (which we chose!) on a warm summer day in Vancouver. Either way, one thing is for sure: the food game here is strong!
A few people mentioned their brunch, so we headed there to test it out. The egg benedict offerings were hard to choose from -Croque Monsieur, Smoked Salmon, or Crab Cake Benedict? My curiosity piqued, and I went for the Crab Cake option – glad I did! Dan had the Crab and Lobster Omelette, which I snuck a taste of and was equally delicious. We both agree that the Hollandaise was on point and the side potatoes were perfectly seasoned with flavors straight outta South of France.
We went full-on brunch and downed some West Coast Caesar’s while people-watching from the patio – perfect combo. The drinks list here is impressive, though, especially the wine list (as expected!)
Provence Marinaside offers Happy Hour daily from 3-5 pm and Jazz nights on Wednesdays 6-9 PM for a little change of scenery. You can check out their menu and book a table on their website here.
3. La Terrazza
- Location: 1088 Cambie Street
- Type of food: Italian
- Average cost per meal: $42 CAD
- Why we love it: Classic, comforting Italian with a local twist
One thing about me – if there’s good Italian food to be had in a city, I’m there! La Terrazza has earned a reputation for delicious, authentic Italian fine dining and has been a Van city staple for 23 years. An elegant dining room and frescoes make La Terrazza a great choice if you’re feeling like dressing up for a night out.
We came with an appetite and started off with some delicious perfectly sliced Beef Carpaccio alongside the Truffle Schiacciata, which I’d never tried before. For mains, we dove right into the Tagliettelli Wagyu – a braised short rib ragu with porcini mushrooms and full of flavor. We also gave their Strozzapreti Bolognese a try, and can agree that its worthy of the fame. The Strozzapreti (handmade, twisted noodles) is the perfect vehicle for the saucy bolognese topped with cheese.
We were stuffed and happy by the end but vowed to come back here to try out dessert. The handmade Italian donuts that kept floating by our table were sooo tempting.
Check out their full menus, or stop in for their Happy Hour daily 5-7 PM in the lounge for small plates and deals like premium wine by the glass for $12.
4. Blue Water Cafe
- Location: 1095 Hamilton Street
- Type of food: Seafood fine dining
- Average cost per meal: $42 CAD
- Why we love it: Perfectly cooked fresh seafood
One glance at the list of awards Blue Water Cafe has won for its seafood, and you’ll understand why it’s one of our must-try Yaletown restaurants. A converted warehouse with exposed brick and wooden beams, Blue Water Cafe is perfect for a fancy night out.
We dove right into the “Seafood Tasting for Two” to test out four dishes, each of which definitely lived up to the reputation of fresh, perfectly cooked seafood. The Bay Scallop Ceviche and Albacore tuna tartare get extra points from me! As far as mains go, the Sablefish was perfect – miso glaze, bok choy, edamame, shiitake, and quinoa for a bit of fusion feel. I splurged and got the Lobster served up in white wine nage with fragrant tarragon. Succulent, perfectly cooked, and so flavorful. Our server recommended a few pairings for our meal which made it that much better.
We heard great things about their “raw bar” (sushi, nigiri, sashimi) but didn’t have space to test it out. A reason to come back – not that we need one, though! All in all, I think the best way to describe our experience is this: you know when you’ve had something before but never knew it could be *this* good? It’s like that!
Click here to make reservations – which we highly recommend due to its popularity. You can check out the menu here.
Related Read: Check out all of the fun things to do in Squamish just down the road from Vancouver!
5. Small Victory Bakery
- Location: 1088 Homer Street
- Type of food: Coffee, pastries & light fare
- Average cost per meal: Pastries are about $4.50; Meals are about $10
- Why we love it: Fresh, delicious baked goods in a cozy spot
Small Victory Bakery is a hands-down winner if you’re wondering where to eat in Yale town to start your day off right. In a city brimming with coffee shops, this brightly lit, modern spot sets itself ahead by dishing some good baked goods to have alongside (or dunk in!) your morning brew.
And what good is a visit to a bakery without testing out a few things?! We started with something savory – a chicken roll with delicious flaky pastry. The almond croissant was a winner – the perfect combo of moist on the inside and crunchy sweet topping with no shortage of slivered almonds. Special mention goes out to the lemon tart (one of my favorite treats!) for the perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.
Apart from smaller bites, Small Victory Bakery also offers up brunch and lunch with items ranging from simple avo on toast or scones with jam and cream to chimichurri chicken sandwiches and quinoa salads. Perfect for days when you’re looking for something light and tasty.
You can check out their menu here – they also have an app handy for busier days where you want to skip the line and grab your lunch in under 15 minutes.
6. Robba da Matti
- Location: 1127 Mainland Street
- Type of food: Classic Italian and Tapas
- Average cost per meal: $27 CAD
- Why we love it: Cozy date spot for authentic Italian
Multiple Italian restaurant options are never a bad thing in my books – the more pasta, the merrier. And if we’re talking about where to eat in Yaletown, Robba da Matti definitely earns a rightful spot on the list.
Their “Date Night Special” is a great deal, so we picked our meals and a bottle of merlot to enjoy. It’s the perfect place to go if you’re on a honeymoon in Vancouver!
The service here is quick and friendly, with our Prosciutto and Burrata coming out in no time. I’d been on a seafood streak for this West Coast visit, and I wasn’t gonna stop here. The Spaghetti Allo Scoglio – scallops, tiger prawns, calamari mussels, and clams in a tomato base – was right up my alley. I also snuck a bite of Dan’s Pappardelle “Rosche Rosche,” a family ragu recipe that was equally hearty and delicious. We *just* managed to leave enough room to finish off with dessert and left Robba da Matti super satisfied (but in need of a post-dinner walk!).
Robba da Matti Yaletown is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner – reservations are a good idea to avoid disappointment. Check out the details here.
7. Minami Restaurant
- Location: 1118 Mainland Street
- Type of food: Japanese
- Average cost per meal: $42 CAD
- Why we love it: Delicious food with perfect presentation
Beautifully decorated with original murals, Minami displays the famous Japanese attention to detail in everything it does. This Yaletown restaurant prides itself on being Canada’s pioneer of Aburi: flame-seared sushi for an extra twist. It only seemed fitting that my first-ever Aburi experience be here!
The menu starts with a mix of the solid classics – Miso Soup, Steamed Edamame – and some creative bites like Brussel Sprout Chips with lemon pepper salt and Ebi (shrimp) Fritters served up with Harissa Aoili. They aced the fusion aspect, and that same attention to detail shows up in beautifully plated food that almost looks too nice to touch. Almost.
On the Aburi side, we tried both the Salmon Oshi Sushi and Ebi Oshi Sushi – the first bite made me into a convert immediately. The flame-searing adds flavor and dimension, transforming it into a new dish. If you visit Minami, I highly recommend you try the Aburi. Maybe even go there just to try it – it’s that good.
Minami also offers Happy Hour 3-5 PM daily with lots of small bites to choose from and drink specials like $6 Sake and $4 Sapporo on tap. Click here for their full menu…and remember what I said about the Aburi!
8. Nuba in Yaletown
- Location: 508 Davie Street
- Type of food: Lebanese
- Average cost per meal: $18 CAD
- Why we love it: Top-notch Lebanese in an inviting setting
Although we love the prominent brick-and-beam style of Yaletown restaurants, stepping into Nuba was like a breath of fresh air. Airy and bright with beautiful arches and mosaics; muted pinks and greens and hints of blue. It’s a great spot for a casual meetup over some seriously good Lebanese food.
You’ve probably noticed by now that we’re a big fan of shareable meals – mostly because I find you get more variety, a better idea of the food, and they’re usually pretty great value. We went hungry and prepared for “Le Feast,” a Veggie sampler that included all the hits – including hummus, falafel, muhammara, and fattoush (among others!). Everything was fresh and flavorful, leaving us feeling satisfied but not uncomfortably stuffed. Washed down with homemade ginger beer and a little baklava to finish off, Nuba gets top marks from us.
Something extra we liked: they only use halal, non-medicated meats and have a lot of Vegan and gluten-free offerings too. A little something for everyone, which is always a great option to have.
Nuba is such a popular place in Vancouver that they actually have multiple locations around the city. Thier Kits location is also one of our favorite restaurants in Kitsilano!
Click here to check out their Yaletown Canteen menu!
9. Bistro Sakana
- Location: 1123 Mainland Street
- Type of food: Japanese; Sushi
- Average cost per meal: $30 CAD
- Why we love it: Authentic Japanese on the West Coast
We’d heard a few people say that of all the sushi restaurants in Yaletown (and all of Vancouver, for that matter), Bistro Sakana is the closest they’d gotten to sushi from Japan. Another gem on Mainland Street, Bistro Sakana, stays true to the theme of many Yaletown restaurants, with exposed brick, beams, and warm lighting making this an intimate, chill spot. Add the old railcar loading dock turned beautiful garden patio, and you’ve got yourself a winner.
Our lunch included Spicy Scallop Kebabs, Albacore Tuna Tataki, and a few sushi rolls, which we tried with brown rice – a signature (and delicious) option here. The most outstanding part of our meal was how fresh everything was – which can really make or break a sushi experience.
A cool feature here is the cold sake menu – which also happens to be Vancouver’s largest. We stuck with the more pocket-friendly option to try it out, but there are options for every budget. Wine and beer are also available, including a few popular Japanese options like Asahi and Sapporo.
Click here to make reservations and check out the menu. If you’re going for the Omakase experience, make sure to call ahead 24 hours in advance.
10. TWB – The Wine Bar
- Location: 1167 Marinaside Crescent
- Type of food: Wine & Tapas
- Average cost per meal: $20 CAD
- Why we love it: Great variety and perfect views
When we went for brunch at Provence Marinaside, we noticed they had a sister restaurant: The Wine Bar. With the same French chic vibe, it looked like a nice spot to cozy up to. We made a note to come back to check it out and enjoy the False Creek views again – it never gets old!
The drinks menu includes classics and some delicious sounding house-made creations, which tempted me, but we came here for the wine! The list here is extensive, but it has a neat list of “Sommelier’s Picks” to make it a little easier if you’re not a wine connoisseur. We decided to get a bottle of Pinot Noir Rose from the Okanagan and happily enjoyed it while we decided on food.
The menu has “bites,” “medium bites,” and “big bites” to help steer you in the right direction. We ordered a variety, with standouts like Merguez, Grilled Beets with Brie, Truffle and Goat Cheese dip with house-made root chips, and Saffron Risotto Balls. Everything was so flavorful and delicious – not a crumb on our plates. And all that with a view that makes you want to sit there for hours – not a bad deal!
Related Read: Heading to Whistler? Check out the best stops on the drive from Vancouver to Whistler! Or leave the driving to someone else and book a Whistler tour from Vancouver.
Other Things to do while you’re in Vancouver
Vancouver is a city filled with tons of things to do and see. So while you’re here, be sure not to miss some of the top attractions and activities:
- Whale Watching – Without a doubt, the most popular of the tours available in Vancouver is whale watching. Set off from the city on a half-day on the ocean looking for whales. If you’re lucky, you might even see Orcas (also known as Killer Whales.) This whale-watching tour is a ton of fun, and at only about $200 CAD it is good value too!
- Hiking – There are a ton of amazing hikes in and around Vancouver. Challenge yourself with the famous Grouse Grind, wander the trails near the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, or even drive towards Squamish and do The Chief.
- Ride in a Seaplane – One of our favorite memories in Vancouver was riding in a seaplane. Taking off and landing on the ocean is super exciting, and then the views from the air are breathtaking. This seaplane ride lasts for 20 minutes and costs $160 CAD. It departs and returns to Coal Harbour in downtown Vancouver. The best part is that seaplane tours in Vancouver operate all year round, so even if you’re visiting Vancouver in the winter you can take to the sky!
- Explore Kitsilano – One of our favorite areas in all of Vancouver is Kitsilano. This suburb is super trendy and has many cute stores, cafes, and restaurants that are well worth checking out. On top of that, Kitsilano Beach is one of the best beaches in Vancouver and the perfect place to relax. It’s also our favorite place to watch the sunset.
Thanks for reading!
Vancouver is a foodie destination, and of course one of the best things to do in Vancouver is to eat at delicious restaurants. With this list of the best restaurants in Yaletown, you’ll be off to a great start!
Be sure to check out our other blogs about Vancouver and area including some related blogs below: