The Old Spaghetti Factory is, without a doubt, one of the best restaurants in Vancouver, if not the best! Be sure to go when you're really hungry, because the dishes are fantastic and the portions are huge. There are several options to choose from, but I'd go with the 3-course menu.
Exploring the streets of Vancouver is not limited to seeing historic buildings, galleries, shops, and museums. You should also be prepared for a culinary safari on a citywide gastronomic movement called Food trucks. Tacofino was one of my favorites, because it mixes cuisine from Baja California, Mexico, with the international, and everything is prepared with local ingredients, with perfect alchemy between the flavours. Do not miss the spectacular star dish of Fish Tacos, made with breaded fish fillets in a flour tortilla and served with some cabbage and pico de gallo (tomato-onion-cilantro). The food truck Tacofino can be found in different parts of the city throughout the week. But do not worry, the phone app: Street Food Vancouver can easily locate it. Bon Appetite!
This is a tasting room where you can go with groups (large or small) to enjoy a good time. There are some snacks served, but of course the main event is the tasting menu of three courses (costing between 29 and 33 Canadian dollars). There are three wines, red, white, and sparkling, chosen to harmonise with the different cheeses, sausages, and other food on offer. The menu is always changing, so you'll never repeat the same experience.
Walking down Granville, one of the most representative streets of Vancouver, I found this funny Japanese place. The moment you walk in you're greeted by the staff, although they seem to be shouting, they are really welcoming you. They're super attentive. I recommend the spicy salmon tartare -not too spicy for Mexicans accompanied by seaweed or a traditional Ramen. My favorite was the Hitsumabushi, a typical dish of Nagoya with rice, fresh eel and broth; the first half of tazon is eaten dry and then you add broth. After paying your bill, you prepare to go, and get ready! Because the goodbye is also in Japanese!
Sandbar is a restaurant which is being housed in a nearby hotel. It was recommended by a resident of Vancouver because of its fish and seafood. I went to SandBar to eat dinner, we wanted a table for 20:00, the only option available was at 17:45 the next day. But in Canada we had dinner early, so there is no problem at the available time. Sandbar is located on Granville Island which is an Island south of downtown Vancouver. Granville Island was an industrial area in the past, and is a port now, which has been renovated to turn it into a tourist site.
It is where you can find some restaurants, but also many craft stores, in addition to some galleries, and a large market for local producers, which opens every day. When you go to SandBar, ask for a table by the window to enjoy the view of the comings and goings in False Creek, at the foot of the buildings under the Granville Bridge. After climbing a flight of stairs, you can enter a large room with dark wood, which is strong enough for the public on Friday night. The reception was nice, and the service was very fast. On the map the menu specifies the different types of salmon offered, and people seem to favour "sockeye" with orange flesh, which is very strong, and has a good taste.
This is the best of British Columbia! It had rained heavily that day, so we ordered a "fish soup" which was prepared with a lot of potatoes, corn and carrots into cubes and besides a few small pieces of clams. After a "seafood hotpot" came the red curry, with small pieces of monkfish with a gelatinous skin, two Jacques scallops, 2 shrimp, mussels and small clams some red curry sauce and thick coconut milk, fennel and a handful of Chinese and Japanese mushrooms, served in a pot. Rich and creamy. I also wanted to try the fish "alpina trout" fine and rosy meat served with mashed potatoes or white rice and vegetables.
The fish was delicious, and very well prepared. For dessert there's lemon tart, custard, chocolate pudding, and cheesecake. As is common in North America, it was an elegant white chocolate cake with strawberry coulis. Not very firm and very sweet. Conclusion: Vancouver Sandbar restaurant is a good place to come with friends for a nice atmosphere and delicious cuisine. Also, you can celebrate an anniversary. The place is also exceptionally located above False Creek (if you're sitting near a window), and outside the summer season should be a nice place for dinner warm. Average budget to high, depending on what you choose.
Love the oysters! If you enjoy fresh raw oysters this is the place for you, tons of selection of oyster from different parts of the world.
They also have happy hour and some Oyster is discounted. Food is delicious, but please do bring lots of $$$$ it can add up. Nice place to have dinner with date.