Vancouver’s breathtaking surroundings make it all the more exciting to go out for a celebratory meal. But beyond epic waterfront views, Vancouver’s thriving dining scene holds something for all kinds of celebrations.
Whether it’s a top-notch Chinese meal in luxe interiors, flame-seared sushi enjoyed alongside views of Vancouver Harbor or a towering seafood platter shared in a city famous for its fresh catch, Vancouver offers plenty of options for a celebratory meal out.
Read on for 12 of the best special occasion restaurants in Vancouver, and book on OpenTable when you’re looking to ring in something memorable.
The best special occasion restaurants in Vancouver to book right now – read on for a guide
For a romantic celebration at a 5-star hotel – visit Botanist in Downtown
The bounty of the Pacific Northwest is on display at Botanist, the swanky restaurant inside the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel. Executive chef Hector Laguna serves up dishes such as black pepper-crusted salmon with sunchoke agnolotti, roasted maitake mushrooms with celeriac nage, and seared scallops with duck prosciutto. Vinophiles are sure to appreciate the restaurant’s exceptional wine program, which mirrors the food menu’s strong sense of place with its emphasis on terroir-driven wines. The restaurant features four distinct spaces, including a champagne lounge and an indoor garden, making it an apt destination for a celebration.
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For a cozy farm-to-table destination – try Farmer’s Apprentice in Kitsilano
As its name suggests, the menu at Farmer’s Apprentice changes constantly based on what’s harvested at the nearby farms it works with. Some recent highlights on the family-style menu, which earned a Bib Gourmand nod from Michelin in 2023, include smoked roasted cauliflower with burnt coconut Piyanggang sauce and fish sauce caramel glazed duck leg. The open kitchen offers views of the chefs dehydrating, smoking, and fermenting all kinds of ingredients, making for an action-packed evening at the restaurant.
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For a celebratory feast with a group – book at Mott 32 – Vancouver in Downtown
Downtown’s Mott 32, which reopened in January, is the only Canadian outpost of the famed international restaurant with locations in Hong Kong, Dubai, and Las Vegas. Chef Lee Man Sing’s menu has Cantonese and Sichuan influences with highlights including the Peking duck, which requires a 48-hour preparation; barbecued Iberico pork; and dim sum such as a soft-boiled quail egg inside a pork siu mai. Designer Joyce Wang imagined Mott 32’s luxe interiors featuring leather banquets and gold accents on the wallpaper.
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For an award-winning steakhouse – try Gotham Steakhouse and Bar in Downtown
For top-notch steakhouse fare paired with live music and a sophisticated Art Deco interior, look no further than Gotham Steakhouse and Bar. One of the highlights of the menu is a seafood tower featuring smoked & candied salmon, oysters, and scallop ceviche, among a host of other seafood selections. Musicians play in the lounge Wednesday through Saturday evenings for diners looking for a more lively night out.
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For elegant plates in a charming setting – visit Honey Salt at Parq Vancouver in Stadium District
Husband-and-wife team Kim Canteenwalla and Elizabeth Blau work with local farmers and fishermen to bring diners the freshest ingredients at Honey Salt at Parq Vancouver. Menu highlights include a Pacific black cod with a ginger miso glaze, truffle macaroni and cheese, and mussels served in garlic herb butter. Finish off the meal with one of the decadent desserts such as the chocolate cake served tableside with caramelized bananas, a milk chocolate mousse, and a dark chocolate glaze.
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For a French-inspired tasting menu – book a table at L’Abattoir Restaurant in Gastown
At Gastown’s L’Abattoir, expect a French-influenced menu highlighting local ingredients such as steamed Pacific halibut and smoked trout salad with a poached egg. The space in a 19th-century building has several rooms, including a patio and private dining rooms, for all types of celebrations. For a splurge, opt for the Gaoler’s tasting menu, which features nine courses and an optional wine pairing.
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For stunning seafood with a view – don’t miss LIFT Bar Grill View in Downtown
LIFT Bar Grill View’s waterfront views of Stanley Park and the North Shore are its biggest draw, but its seafood-focussed menu is just as compelling with smoked steelhead trout with gribiche, Pacific lingcod “bonne femme” with cep mousseline, and sablefish with Dungeness crab. The multi-course Chef’s Menu with B.C. wine pairings is worth every penny for diners looking for a truly memorable meal to commemorate their special event.
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For flamed-seared sushi – book at Miku Restaurant – Vancouver in Coal Harbour
Miku Restaurant owner Seigo Nakamura is best known as the man who introduced Vancouver (and Canada) to the joys of flamed-seared aburi sushi, back in 2008 with the debut of his waterfront restaurant. Aside from the famed sushi, diners can opt for a multi-course kaiseki menu or choose from à la carte options such as lobster risotto. Show-stopping desserts including green tea opera cake are a must to end the meal. When weather permits, grab a seat on the patio, which overlooks the five sails of Canada Place.
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For a brunch buffet on a rooftop – visit Notch8 in Downtown
Buffet at any of Canada’s Fairmont hotels is always special, and it’s no different at Fairmont Vancouver’s flagship where it’s served at Notch8, the stunning rooftop dining room with views of the city. Start a celebratory weekend brunch buffet with seafood, charcuterie and cheese and fresh smoothies. The hot buffet features eggs Benedict, French toasts, crêpes, pasta, pudding and a must-try Canadian striploin chef-attended carving station. For a boozy brunch, pair it with mimosas and bellinis or opt for one of the signature cocktails such as the Lavender Corpse Reviver that combines local Empress gin with Cointreau, lLillet Blanc and lavender mist.
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For a celebratory Asian feast – book at Torafuku in Chinatown
Chef Steve Kuan’s Torafuku grew out of his pan-Asian Le Tigre food truck, and the restaurant is still going strong eight years after its debut. Highlights of the Torafuku menu include a papaya salad with dry-aged duck breast plus stir-fried rice cakes with roasted mushrooms, napa cabbage, and housemade ricotta. Cocktails also incorporate Asian ingredients with yuzu juice and tea-infused gin prominently featured on the menu. For parties of seven or more, the restaurant can customize the menu with advance notice.
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For a transportative brunch – head to Zarak by Afghan Kitchen in Mount Pleasant
This Mount Pleasant restaurant honours the recipes of owner Hassib Sarwari’s mother, Zohra Parwani. Order plates to share—roasted Brussels sprouts or charbroiled kebabs served with rice—for the table. The new weekend brunch menu at Zarak by Afghan Kitchen includes eggs Benedict served with a chutney hollandaise, as well as a classic fry-up reimagined with lamb sausage, potato flatbread and lubya—an Afghan kidney bean curry.
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For innovative fine dining – try Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar in Downtown
Chefs Alex Chen and Roger Ma head up Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar, a stylish Sutton Place Hotel restaurant. Their West Coast cuisine menu emphasizes seafood with constantly changing dishes. Recent highlights have included charcoal-grilled sablefish served with bull kelp plus a dish of seared Hokkaido scallops in a red curry sauce. For celebrations with big groups, opt for the caviar service or the clay-baked salmon wrapped in fig leaf. The elegant restaurant features Italian marble and white oak floors, antique chandeliers, and a heated, wrap-around patio for al fresco dining.
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