Dining differently in Vancouver

Vancouver is probably my favourite city in Canada - a beautiful and lively waterfront city with plenty of gourmet options.

I will be missing out on a Vancouver stopover during my upcoming trip to Canada, but the folks at Destination Vancouver sent me a list on some of the diverse dining attractions I will be missing out on.

As a city with a diverse population, Vancouver’s dining scene ranges from classic West Coast cuisine, and seafood joints around the seawall, to exotic ethnic neighbourhoods and famous bakeries.

If you are lucky enough to be visiting here are a few local eateries with a difference that the locals recommend.

H Tasting Lounge – This waterfront restaurant at the Westin Bayshore (above) offers dishes that can be enjoyed in one of their themed outdoor domes. Afternoon teas featuring sweet and savoury bites served on a golden Ferris wheel are another attraction.

Glowbal – This luxurious restaurant offers plenty of photo opportunities while dining on West Coast fare. Installations include an oversized mirror with dramatic floral backdrops, lush greenery and florals, vibrant patterned fabrics and birdcage booths surrounded by foliage and ambient lights.

Dark Table – Something very different. Non-sighted servers guide the sighted, offering a culinary experience into the unknown.

Sushi Aboard – This Japanese restaurant makes fresh sushi delivered by a conveyer train connecting your table to the kitchen.

Hello Nori – Pull up a chair in this 24-seater architectural space and enjoy a fresh hand rolled nori offering prepared right in front of you.

Octopus Garden – Although unassuming from the outside, this restaurant transports you to a small shop in Japan with many references to the culture and octopi. Feast on the omakase – a set meal selected and made by the chef.

Collective Goods – Visit this part-grocery, part-wine shop and part-bistro establishment to get your Parisian fix in store and to take home.

And should you wish to splash out, the 2022 list of Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants was announced in late May and a Vancouver restaurant took the coveted No. 1 spot for the very first time. Opened in 2019 on the cusp of the pandemic, Published on Main is a fine dining eatery with an elaborate 11-course tasting menu.

See https://www.destinationvancouver.com/