Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Canada
  3. Vancouver / British Columbia
  4. Vancouver
  5. Downtown
Guu Original Thurlow, Vancouver, BC

Guu Original Thurlow

4.6
4.6
365 Reviews
CAN$30 and under
Japanese

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.

Select a time

Booked 14 times today
  • Lively
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
*Please note that our patio is not allowed to serve any alcoholic drinks due to the license we have.

Guu Original on Thurlow is where the Izakaya boom started. It’s not only the first Guu to open, but is the very first Izakaya in Vancouver.

Established in 1993 as “Raku” & changed to “Guu” in 2000, this Guu offers the most authentic Izakaya experience, offering classic dishes like Yaki Udon & Oden. This is as close you’ll get to the real deal….unless you fly to Japan.


We keep seats for walk-in customers as well. No available seats on OpenTable do not mean we are fully booked. Please be aware that the time-limited per table is two hours during peak hours.

Additional information

  • Phone number
  • Price
    CAN$30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Japanese, Tapas / Small Plates, Fusion / Eclectic
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 am–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am Lunch Daily 11:30 am–2:00 pm
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, JCB, Mastercard, Visa

What 365 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Guu Original Thurlow offers a lively dining experience with "energetic staff" and "fabulous" food. Regulars praise its "great atmosphere," and "amazing" service, making it their go-to spot for celebrations. While some dishes occasionally miss the mark, its "outstanding food" and "fun vibe" consistently draw patrons back.
365 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Good food , have to reserve seat a bit earlier Incase

    Is this helpful?

  2. kailiang

    VIP

    Vancouver

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 24, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Not as good as previous years, drop in food quality and creativity

    Is this helpful?

  3. Amy

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Amazing staff with carefully crafted food for its presentation and taste.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Darryl

    Vancouver

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 17, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    I'm a big fan of Guu and have been for over a decade. Guu Thurlow is usually a pretty safe bet (if you can find space). This time, however, three of the items wanted to order off the specials menu were sold out (octopus carpaccio, jellyfish on tofu, and steamed mussels). As well, the sashimi we ordered was not quite up to Guu's usual standards as far as freshness and quality - every piece just tasted a little more fishy than we were expecting. The Yellowtail Carpaccio was also just OK. Combined with recent price increases, we're beginning to reconsider Guu as our Izakaya of choice. We'll still go back as we're hoping this experience was one-off, but are beginning to get concerned.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Maricel

    Seattle

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our go to spot when visiting Vancouver. The food and service are always great. They never miss the mark. Will be back again.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Stephen

    Toronto

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The house special Kimchi fried rice is not to be missed! Energetic staff, great food and fair prices make this Guu a fun dine-out.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Howard

    Vancouver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 24, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great value for excellent Japanese cuisine. Service was prompt and attentive, and they worked to accommodate our 10 person group!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Natalie

    Vancouver

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on December 18, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We come here frequently to celebrate all our big things in life (Birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) We love this place because the service is always amazing, staff are incredible, food is always 10/10, and the vibe is always incredible. We love Guu.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Nina

    New York City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 6, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Small, cozy, neighborhood spot with great food and fun staff.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Joan

    VIP

    Toronto

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 4, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It’s a really fun experience at Guu on Thurlow. The staff are so welcoming and the food is fabulous.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Guu Original Thurlow does offer delivery in partnership with Uber Eats.

Guu Original Thurlow is rated 4.6 stars by 365 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.

Select a time

Booked 14 times today
Google Map for Guu Original Thurlow

838 Thurlow Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 1W2

Additional information

  • Phone number
  • Price
    CAN$30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Japanese, Tapas / Small Plates, Fusion / Eclectic
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 am–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am Lunch Daily 11:30 am–2:00 pm
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo