Everyone wants to eat well. This is a fact. Whether you like Japanese, Italian, or French, nobody wants to eat poorly made food. Though there are plenty of places that serve decent food, there's something to be said about a certain level care and precision that goes into the thought and execution of a dish, and the way that a restaurant space makes you feel as you're dining.
Vancouver is not short fancy restaurants, but the only thing is, we can't always afford them. Especially around this time of year when your wallet is already being drained of its very last ounce of being into Christmas presents and the expensive wine you try to stunt at holiday dinner parties.
So we've come up with a list of boujee restaurants that you can dine at in Vancouver that are actually reasonably priced. Now, don't expect to find $15 meals on this list (there are other lists for that). The goal is to still achieve that fancy feeling of fine-dining, but at a reasonable cost - keyword here being "reasonable". These restaurants not only deliver the quality of fine-dining, high-end restaurants, but they also do so at an affordable and fair cost. Thank gawd.
So whether you're celebrating a Friends-mas with the squad or you're hanging onto a thread because you're boyfriend's birthday is right after Christmas, here 11 boujee restaurants in Vancouver that won't totally rob your savings account.
Le Crocodile
Where: #100-909 Burrard St // Downtown
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Type: French, Fine-dining
Most popular item: Seared Fois Gras, Venison Medallion, and Steak Tartare
Price: 💸💸💸 ($50 - $70 per person)
Why you should go: Le Crocodile is one of the city's go-to restaurants for celebrations. Whether it be a birthday, an anniversary, or graduation, Le Crocodile knows how to make you feel special with their phenomenal service and added little treats throughout their lunch and dinner service. While there are some pricier items on the menu that can go up to $60, there are tons of affordable options as well around the $20 to $30 range. If it's good enough for Jimmy Fallon, it's good enough for me.
St. Lawrence
Where: 269 Powell St // Railtown
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Type: French, Quebecois
Most popular item: Oreilles de Crisse, Steak tartare, and Côte de porc
Price: 💸💸💸 ($50 - $70 per person)
Why you should go: St. Lawrence is one of the very few restaurants in the city that actually stays true to the French, Quebecois style of cooking. With hearty dishes that scream Montreal and a staff as authentic as it gets, you won't find another restaurant quite like it in Vancouver. And as a fancy restaurant, the prices are actually very reasonable and affordable. You won't find anything over $45 on their menu... unless you're looking at the wine and spirits list of course.
Kissa Tanto
Where: 263 E Pender St // Chinatown
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Type: Italian-Japanese fusion
Most popular item: Whole Fried Fish, Tajarin, and Octopus Salad
Price: 💸💸💸 ($40 - $60 per person)
Why you should go: A super unique fusion cuisine concept fit for a diverse city like ours, Kissa Tanto is serving a taste of east meets west in a whole new way. This Japanese-Italian fusion restaurant serves dishes with the elegant and umami flavours of Japanese cuisine and the warmth and hearty feeling of Italian cuisine. And not only is the food absolutely indulgent, so is the beautiful dining space.
La Pentola
Where: 350 Davie St // Yaletown
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Type: Italian
Most popular item: Venison Carpaccio, Chef's Bruschetta, and PASTA!!
Price: 💸💸 ($20 - $40 per person)
Why you should go: An all-time Vancouver favourite, La Pentola is out here consistently serving some of the tastiest Italian food in the city. Though dinner is not wildly expensive (I would say at about a medium price point), I would totally recommend grabbing brunch here. The Salmon Benedict and Spaghetti Carbonara are to die for. Make sure you ask for a poached egg on top of your pasta too.
AnnaLena
Where: 1809 W 1st Ave // Kitsilano
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Type: Contemporary, Canadian
Most popular item: Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Torn Bread with Beef Tallow Butter
Price: 💸💸💸 ($30 - $60 per person)
Why you should go: If top Vancouver chef, Chef Weimar Gomez, calls it one of his favourites, then you know it's going to be good food. AnnaLena though relatively new to the Vancouver food scene has made quite an impression on locals and tourists alike. Serving up contemporary Canadian cuisine with flavourful, ingredient-focused dishes, AnnaLena is a bucket list must.
Pourhouse
Where: 162 Water St // Gastown
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Type: Canadian Comfort Food, Cocktail-focused
Most popular item: Scotch Egg, Roasted Bone Marrow, and Cornish Hen
Price: 💸💸 ($30 - $40 per person)
Why you should go: A favourite neighbourhood haunt located in the heart of Gastown is the cocktail-focused restaurant and lounge, Pourhouse. Their dinner menu is complete with hearty comfort foods and their cocktail menu is carefully curated with unique and skillfully made drinks. The decor is inspired by the 1910-1920s era with antiques and sumptuous designs. They're also open until 1 AM on Fridays and Saturdays which means you can get your fill even when it's late.
Market by Jean-Georges
Where: 1115 Alberni St // Downtown
@marketjg_vanType: Farm-to-Table, Canadian
Most popular item: Steelhead Sashimi and Crunchy Halibut,
Price: 💸💸💸 ($40 - $60 per person)
Why you should go: Hidden on the second level of the Shangri La is the home of 3-star Michelin chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's food heaven, Market by Jean-Georges. With a strong focus on farm-to-table dishes that emphasize the best of local flavours and ingredients, Market will show you the best of the west coast. The dining area is also trés fancy, perfect for any special occassion.
L'Abattoir
Where: 217 Carrall St // Gastown
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@kevifongType: French, Canadian
Most popular item: Poached Eggs with Smoked Pork Belly, Baked Pacific Oysters, and Breakfast Burger
Price: 💸💸💸 ($30 - $60 per person)
Why you should go: Tucked away around the corner of Blood Alley and Gaoler's Mews is the beautifully chic, L'Abattoir, run by Chef Lee Cooper and owner Paul Grunberg. Though with a boujee looking dining space and fancy dinner menu, their prices are actually quite reasonable. While their dinner menu is incredible, they're also very well known for their brunch. Make sure you grab one of their indulgent cocktails as well.
Brix & Mortar
Where: 1138 Homer St // Yaletown
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Type: Canadian, Tapas Bar
Most popular item: Big Flavours in Little China, Beef Tartar, and Proscuitto-wrapped Scallops
Price: 💸💸💸 ($30 - $60 per person)
Why you should go: One step into the inner courtyard at Brix & Mortar and you will feel fancy AF. The luscious green vines and twinkling lights that drape down the exposed brick walls make for an incredibly romantic and luxurious dinner, or even lunch date. Though you'd be surprised, the menu is not extortionately expensive and their drink menu is pretty tight. They even have an adorable cocktail that comes in a Chinese takeout box.
Botanist
Where: 1038 Canada Pl // Coal Harbour
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Type: Pacific Northwest
Most popular item: Duck Breast, Salt Roasted Beet Salad, and Pan-Seared Scallops
Price: 💸💸💸 ($40 - $60 per person)
Why you should go: The floral-inspired interior design, and drink and food menu are what make Botanist one of a kind in Vancouver. From the locally sourced ingredients of the Pacific Northwest and cocktails that feature chemist-like design, Botanist will give you a truly flowery experience. It's also the perfect place to take your girlfriends or your sisters for an elegant, and feminine dining experience (but of course, boys are allowed too).
Tableau Bar Bistro
Where: 1181 Melville St // Coal Harbour
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Type: French Bistro
Most popular item: Fried Chicken and Waffles, Seafood Tower, and Mushrooms on Toast
Price: 💸💸 ($20 - $40 per person)
Why you should go: A fancy, yet casual French affair comes to mind when one thinks of Tableau Bar Bistro. It is the perfect in between for when you want to feel a little boujee, but not too much. Their brunch is absolutely incredible, and if you don't get in on their Mushrooms on Toast, honey, you are missing out.