Vancouver is a prime spot for cuisine from all over the world. As a magnificent west coast port, this British Columbia city is one of Canada’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan hotspots. In the Northern part of the city sit back and savour recipes from land and sea, from Latin America to Italy. From special occasion gems to romantic date night destinations, trendy hotspots and family-friendly joints, the best restaurants in North Vancouver await to be discovered.
Try award-winning craft beers, brunch with a view of the sea and lobster rolls inspired by regional creations. Savour flavours from Mexico or the Mediterranean, not to mention crispy pizzas, hearty breakfasts and refreshing cocktails, it’s impossible not to find what you’re looking for in Vancouver’s North End.
To enjoy tasty recipes from all over the world in the best restaurants in north Vancouver, and book your next great meal on OpenTable now.
Read on for the 10 of the best restaurants in North Vancouver
For one of the best seafood restaurants in North Vancouver – visit Seaside Provisions
Offering a lively culinary experience for locals and visitors alike, this West Coast-style restaurant is one of the best restaurants in the North of Vancouver. If you are looking for a meal inspired by regional recipes complemented by an award-winning wine list, Seaside Provisions welcomes you for breakfast every day of the week, brunch on the weekend or dinner from Wednesday to Sunday. And it’s all served up in an inviting, minimalistic dining space. For those with bigger appetites, the seafood platter combines oysters, fine lobster rolls, chef’s ceviche, perfect prawn cocktail with fresh tartare and mussel escabeche. On the weekend, try the brunch tower composed of sweet pastries, compote and French toast, and the savoury notes of the benedict sampler and the refreshing smoked salmon salad. Don’t forget to eat this while sipping on a Provisions gin caesar, a perfect gin-based blend topped with two poached Argentinian prawns.
For one of the best restaurants in North Vancouver for Mexican food – try Cantina Norte
Cantina Norte takes you on a culinary journey in a setting worthy of the most beautiful squares in Latin America. Inspired by their parents’ most-awarded Mexican restaurant, Jeremy and Katie Mitchell have reinvented many of the beloved flavours of Latin American recipes. Take a seat next to the large engraved faces reminiscent of Aztec art and enjoy spicy blue corn taquitos, a vibrant pairing of chicken and chiles rolled in crisp blue corn tortillas served with authentic salsa verde. For lunch, don’t hesitate to try the colourful plate of shrimp and papaya harmoniously placed on melted cheese fondue in a quesadilla and topped with an orange tomatillo sauce. Of course, save room for a Mexican-style dessert like the warm Mexican Churros served under a syrup of cajeta and hibiscus. Cantina Norte also offers a Latin brunch on the weekend for those who love a blend of sweet, salty and spicy savours.
For a Mediterranean feast – try Anatoli Souvlaki in North Vancouver
Greece is also in the spotlight in Vancouver’s north end with the friendly Anatoli Souvlaki restaurant. With their desire to bring a touch of Mediterranean to the neighbourhood of lower Lonsdale, Helen and Thomas have created a warm and welcoming place. They have put together a lunch and dinner menu that combines a multitude of flavours for all food lovers. Don’t miss the grilled keftedes, made with grilled pork and beef meatballs topped with shredded saganaki cheese. Try the lamb youvetsi, a juicy five-hour braised lamb shoulder lying on a bed of orzo pasta. Another great option is the grilled tender Humboldt squid with a touch of lemon served with fresh chickpeas and tomato-onion salsa. Sit back under the parasols and enjoy the varied drink specials all week long. Enjoy a lively happy hour with your friends while sipping a refreshing glass of Greek lager paired with a plate of classic and crispy calamari.
For stellar Italian fare – visit Bufala Edgemont
If you’re a lover of crispy stone-oven pizzas and fresh pasta, then this is the restaurant for you. At the end of a beautiful walk in the Mountain, settle down at Bufala Edgemont to enjoy a moment with family, friends or lovers, with comforting recipes of contemporary Italian cuisine. Every day of the week you’ll find fresh and from-scratch pizzas in the Napolitana style and a menu featuring a delightful array of pasta dishes and Italian-inspired appetizers, main courses, and desserts. In summer, make the most of the covered terrace to enjoy a Calabrian pizza made with spicy sausage and topped with manchego, a flavourful sheep’s milk cheese. For those who prefer indoor dining, take a seat on a comfortable bench near the bar to enjoy a plate of beef and pork bolognese lasagna with a creamy sauce under a layer of mozzarella and parmigiano. As an added bonus, this restaurant also offers weekend brunches.
For comfort food and killer brews – try Tap & Barrel • Shipyards in North Vancouver
In an atmosphere as warm as it is lively, Tap & Barrel • Shipyards offers a menu that features, as they say, ‘next-level comfort food that you can feel good about’. Beautifully positioned on the waterside, this large restaurant is designed to create a memorable experience for everyone over a good meal, whether for brunch or dinner. With family or friends, sit under the red parasols to enjoy a variety of flavours. Start with fried gyoza filled with chicken and veggies or a hot seafood caesar salad made with sautéed garlic prawns, scallops, and salmon lying on fresh romaine hearts. For a heartier option try the southern fried chicken burger with crunchy buttermilk fried chicken and honey cayenne mayo placed on a brioche bun. You won’t want to miss the happy hour, where you’ll enjoy a menu that brings together BC’s best wineries and distilleries, as well as beer made at BREWHALL, Tap & Barrel • Shipyards own award-winning craft brewery.
For a pizza party to remember – head to Nicli Antica Pizzeria in North Vancouver
Italy has so many flavours to offer that it’s impossible not to indulge in a meal at Nicli Antica Pizzeria. This restaurant highlights the culinary traditions of Italy and the essential elements that make up the reputation of Italian culture: authenticity, family, amazing recipes and fine wine. For four generations, the Nicli family has been creating a list of dishes that harmoniously combine the season’s freshest and local ingredients. In a modern setting, in front of the beautiful open kitchen, sit down to start your meal with a traditional Italian burrata served with an authentic prosciutto and a soft focaccia. Continue with the cavolo e funghi, a vegetarian pizza combining crispy crema dough with marinated fior di latte, paired with a mushroom trio under pieces of grana padano cheese. And if you’ve got a sweet tooth, let yourself be tempted by the classic Tiramisu topped with Frangelico syrup, accompanied by a glass of vibrant and fruity Vermentino di Sardegna.
For brunch and special occasions – choose The Lobby – Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier in North Vancouver
With its chic and bright modern decor, The Lobby – Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier offers an inventive flare to West Coast favourites recipes. Beautifully placed in the heart of Lower Lonsdale’s Shipyards District, this restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy a meal from morning till evening. With weekday breakfast, signature menus and the daily specials and happy hour, you can enjoy The Lobby for any meal of the day. For lunch, take the artisanal sandwich special and discover Mediterranean flavours with a delicious pita served with spicy housemade chickpea falafel and creamy mint tzatziki, to be accompanied by the soup of your choice. For early risers, The Lobby opens its doors at 6.30 am for a delicious northshore breakfast, a generous plate combining two eggs any style with your choice of maple breakfast sausage and Canadian back bacon. After a long day, treat yourself to a sweet treat with one of the delicious desserts, such as the seasonal crème brûlée decorated with fresh berries and superb French macaroon.
For a romantic date night with dazzling views – head to PIER 7 restaurant + bar – ‘Shipyard Square’
Vancouver’s motto is ‘By sea land and air we prosper’, so obviously this beautiful city is full of gems where you can enjoy the best of seafood. And PIER 7 restaurant + bar – ‘Shipyard Square’ is undeniably one of those. For your lunch break, treat yourself to a Pier 7 broiled oyster trio composed of premium broiled oysters cooked with hot truffle and duxelle. For the main course, choose the local steelhead salmon, finely grilled and topped with citrus beurre blanc. Little bonus: this restaurant offers special dishes every day of the week. If you’re more of an evening culinary adventurer, the menu is just as appetising, and you’ll happily end your meal with a New York-style cheesecake topped with whipped cream. From Monday to Wednesday, make the most of the set menu for just $55, offering a three-course meal accompanied by a fine bottle of wine. At weekends, for those who like a late-morning seaside brunch, take a seat in front of the large wall of windows to enjoy a breathtaking view with a bayside benny: a delicious plate of butter-poached lobster and cage-free poached eggs.
For a fun night out with a group – discover The Gull in North Vancouver
Like the aquatic bird of the same name, The Gull is now inseparable from Vancouver’s seaside. This family-run restaurant offers a creative menu of dishes and drinks. All dishes are prepared with ingredients sourced primarily from local farms and producers in North Vancouver and British Columbia. Whether indoors in front of the wall of windows or enjoying the sea air on the patio, sit back and enjoy the seasonal menu that gives a local twist to classic dishes. Try steak and potatoes with a juicy 9 oz MacLeod’s leap ribeye under red wine jus or a gull burger composed of organic house ground beef, caramelized onion and melting brie. Pair these delights with one of the gull cocktails, such as the chamomile high club, a harmonious blend of chamomile-infused tequila with hints of lemon and violet.
For pasta and fine wines – head to Sempre Uno in North Vancouver
Located in a historic corner in North Vancouver, Sempre Uno is among the most popular Italian restaurants in the city. Originally a café in the shipyards, the creator of Sempre Uno recognised the opportunity in the early 1980s to fulfil his dream of opening an Italian restaurant. With its warm ambience and refined, elegant decor, this restaurant welcomes you to savour the exquisite fusion of recipes from different regions of Italy. Sip on one of the signature negronis, such as negroni dorato, which mixes gin with a house-made white vermouth and notes of white lillet. Pair it with a linguine al pesto, made with fresh basil pesto and topped with crumbled goat cheese. If you’re more in the mood for seafood and outdoor serenity, try a plate of filetto di branzino, an authentic crispy-skin Mediterranean striped sea bass. Of course, don’t forget dessert – it would be a shame to miss the brûlée cheesecake di ricotta e limone, served with pistachio-bufala gelato and a raspberry gel coulis.
Vancouver is a city of a thousand cultures and a thousand culinary flavours. All cuisines come together and mix on the seashore, bringing with the waves new delights and new recipes for locals and tourists to enjoy alike. On terraces or brightly lit indoors, from Italy to Latin America, passing through continental and Mediterranean dishes, choose where you want your taste buds to travel. All gourmets will have a treat in North Vancouver.
Book a seat as soon as possible at one of the best restaurants in North Vancouver on OpenTable.
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