Where Chefs Eat in Vancouver

by Phaidon

Updated September 13, 2021

You’re in luck. The world’s best chefs are sharing their favorite places to dine out in Vancouver. We’ve partnered with Phaidon's Where Chefs Eat, the best-selling restaurant guidebook with over 7,000 recommendations across the globe, to create a list of restaurants in Vancouver where chefs love to eat. Grab your copy of this must-have guide, and get 30% off, just for being an OpenTable diner.

Cioppino's Mediterranean Grill

4.6

4.6 (571)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Italian

Yaletown

About the restaurant

"Chef Pino is the godfather of Italian cooking. I love his modern take on Italian classics." – Angus An

Top review

Selinavip

Dined on Nov 1, 2024

Always a classic - the food was good and the service was excellent, but it was quite pricey for what we got. There are better places in town now for Italian cuisine.

Guu Original Thurlow

4.5

4.5 (355)

CAN$30 and under

Japanese

Downtown

About the restaurant

"Guu is open late, the atmosphere is great, there's cold beer and the food is spot on and delicious. The chefs have a one page written menu of specials and if you can sit at the bar I recommend doing so, because it's a good crew to watch cook." – Brian Luptak

Top review

Paulvip

Dined on Nov 16, 2024

This location is of all the Guu restaurants is always our favourite, especially if it’s just the two of us. Tonight’s dinner was delicious and our server was very friendly and talkative. We had reservations, but we sat at the bar anyhow. It’s interesting to watch the chefs in action. Nobody makes chicken karage as well as Guu! Tonight’s menu had a delicious beef tendon curry that was amazing!

Hawksworth Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (2791)

CAN$51 and over

Canadian

Yaletown

About the restaurant

"Hawksworth is the benchmark in Vancouver for excellence in service, food and cellars." – Andrea Carlson

Top review

Larryvip

Dined 2 days ago

Best food that I have had in Vancouver during this visit. I had the beef tenderloin and it was fantastic. Service was great. Ambience: noise level a little high. Background music should be lowered.

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Experience

Hawksworth's Seasonal Tasting Menu

Experience

Hawksworth for the Holidays

Experience

Sparkle into the New Year at Hawksworth

Farmer's Apprentice

4.8

4.8 (425)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Farm-to-table

Kitsilano

About the restaurant

"I've had some of the most emotionally-charged simple meals at this small intimate restaurant. It takes a lot of guts to ride the wave he rides. Flavors are delicate, ingredients pristine and amazing execution. This is a great example of effortless simplicity." – Jair Tellez

Top review

Lana

Dined 7 days ago

Excellent food. So many courses and thoughtful wine pairings. Highly recommended.

Five Sails Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (1994)

CAN$51 and over

French

Downtown

About the restaurant

Recommended by Chef James Walt from Araxi

Top review

Laura

Dined 2 days ago

We had a lovely, leisurely dinner at Five Sails! Very attentive service, delicious food, and unique offerings - cheese cart! Amuse bouche! House made bread! Wow!

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Experience

“ Tea in Versailles” Afternoon Tea

Experience

NYE Gala Menu at Five Sails 2025 - Late Seating

L'Abattoir Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (3839)

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary French

Gastown

About the restaurant

Recommended by Chef James Walt from Araxi

Top review

Gerardvip

Dined on Aug 8, 2024

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Gastown, so I looked forward to showing my SIL this place. As my SIL was still recovering from a bout of diverticulitis, I didn’t order a bottle of wine. I had two wines by the glass, and we shared a few dishes. We started with their fabulous bread service, then a Dungeness Crab salad, an Artichoke tart and their Terrine of Fois Gras. Our “main” was their Agnolotti. I had a glass of 2022 Garnier et Fils Chablis with the salads and a glass of 2016 Synchromesh Pinot Noir from Storm Haven Vineyard in Okanagan Falls, BC with foie gras and agnolotti. The Artichoke Tart was half salad, half egg custard tart with pieces of artichoke between the two. It was a light, refreshing dish. The Dungeness Crab Salad was a visual surprise … the crab was placed between thin slices of radish and decorated with green leaves. It was interesting; perhaps a little too subtle in flavor for me. The foie gras terrine came with two thick pieces of brioche. The square of terrine was decorated with squares of wine jelly, and cherry halves. The terrine was soft and silky and the brioche so buttery. The star of the evening was the Sweet Corn Agnolotti. Pillows of mascarpone pasta were covered with pieces of sweet corn and a generous helping of sliced black truffle. This dish was “to die for” and I wanted to order a second plate. I love the food at L’Abattoir and dine here every time I come to Vancouver.

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Experience

Chef's Menu

Experience

Avant-Première Prix Fixe

Experience

Happy Hour

Tojo's Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (837)

CAN$51 and over

Japanese

Fairview

About the restaurant

Recommended by Chef Paul Berglund from The Bachelor Farmer

Top review

Darshan

Dined 1 day ago

We had the Omasake and it was amazing! Tried food I had never tried before. They knew we were there for a birthday and at the end of the meal, Chef came and sang happy birthday in the most hilarious and memorable way. We wont be forgetting this dinner anytime soon. Everything was top quality. Absolutely delicious.

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