Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Vancouver

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Vancouver? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Barbara Restaurant - Vancouver

4.9

4.9 (338)

CAN$51 and over

European

Chinatown

About the restaurant

Small and intimate restaurant with a three course tasting menu. Contemporary small plates, excellent for sharing. Custom cocktails and a selection of boutique wines by the bottle or glass.

Top review

MarisaVIP

Dined 6 days ago

This review is from the perspective of 2/3 diners that are gluten free but very into high quality food. Overall, we wanted this meal to be better… more creative and interesting. The food is good, but just lacked some pizzazz to us personally. This is a solid dinner spot for an intimate meal, but we probably wouldn’t go back (we were visiting Vancouver so take that with a grain of salt). Also in a rougher neighborhood so just a heads up if you aren’t familiar.

Okeya Kyujiro Vancouver

4.8

4.8 (232)

CAN$51 and over

Japanese

Yaletown

About the restaurant

Welcome to Okeya Kyujiro Our Omakase Experience is a chef’s choice menu consisting of seasonal ingredients mainly sourced from Japan. It includes approximately 25 courses with mostly sushi.
IMPORTANT INFORMATIONS
Please let us know before taking a reservation any allergies or food restrictions to know if we can possibly accommodate your needs. We do not accept outsiders food or alcohol in our establishment. We do not have a kid’s menu.
RESERVATION AND CANCELLATION POLICY
Reservation must be cancelled 48 hours in advance. Failure to cancel by this time will result in a cancellation fee. Parties of 5+ full will be required to pay the full price in advance plus 20% service fee. A valid credit card is required to make the reservation. To cancel a reservation, simply cancel through the OpenTable email confirmation or email us: info@info.ca
PRICE: $325 (Dinner) /$180 (Brunch) BEFORE TAX AND TIPS PER PERSON

Top review

Brian

Dined 6 days ago

I recently spent a few days in Vancouver before my trip and treated myself to an exceptional dinner. The 25-course Omakase experience was truly remarkable! Each dish showcased exquisite showmanship, with the chefs preparing everything right in front of me, creating an engaging atmosphere. The freshness of the ingredients was evident in every bite, and the delicateness of each dish was a true testament to their artistry. I enjoyed every moment and am already looking forward to returning next season for a whole new menu! Highly recommend this unforgettable dining adventure!

ELEM

4.8

4.8 (196)

CAN$51 and over

Global, International

Mount Pleasant

About the restaurant

ELEM is a new restaurant and cocktail lab on Main + 5th.

Guests can expect to indulge in Top Chef Canada alum Mayekar’s bold cooking, featuring creative flavour-packed dishes that highlight the unique spices from cuisines around the world with local ingredients, alongside Winnie Sun’s inventive, element-inspired and sustainability-driven cocktails.

ELEM’s food menu is an exploration of flavours and spices from all corners of the world, including Bangkok, California, Spain, Mexico, Italy, and Mumbai – all inspired by Mayekar’s extensive travels and Indian heritage. There will also be a big focus on local BC-grown ingredients.

The 2,946 square foot, 76-seat space was designed by Vancouver-based Marko Simcich Architect and features three dining spaces and an open window into the kitchen to see the chefs at work.

Top review

AmandaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

A very special evening with beautiful food and wonderful service.

Published on Main

4.7

4.7 (181)

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary Canadian

Mount Pleasant

About the restaurant

Published on Main is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Vancouver, offering a contemporary dining experience with a focus on local and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant's innovative menu and elegant ambiance have earned it critical acclaim, including a top ranking in Canada's 100 Best Restaurants.

Published on Main's menu is a testament to Chef Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson's creativity and passion. Each dish is a work of art, showcasing the freshest seasonal ingredients with innovative techniques and unexpected flavor combinations. From the amuse-bouche to the final dessert, every bite is a delightful surprise.

Published on Main is committed to using sustainable and locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant partners with local farmers and producers to ensure the highest quality ingredients, while minimizing its environmental impact.

Top review

Stephen

Dined 7 days ago

Outstanding meal again. Special shout out to Joe the beverage director who really made our experience really great.

Discover more

Experience

Half Tasting Menu - In Bloom

MeeT on Main

4.7

4.7 (41)

CAN$30 and under

Vegetarian / Vegan

Main Street

About the restaurant

Our first MeeT location, MeeT On Main opened its doors back in 2014, bringing innovative comfort food for your mood to the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant.

Top review

StephanieVIP

Dined 4 days ago

The miso gravy is the new love of my life. I can eat it on anything!

Oshi Nori

4.7

4.7 (98)

CAN$30 and under

Sushi

Yaletown

About the restaurant

At Oshi Nori, we are on a mission to redefine the sushi hand roll experience, crafting a new culinary adventure for our customers. Inspired by our passion for unique and innovative food concepts, we established Oshi Nori as a fast-casual destination where traditional techniques meet modern flavors.
Founded with a vision to provide exceptional quality hand rolls in a convenient and inviting setting, Oshi Nori combines the artistry of sushi-making with the efficiency of fast-casual dining. Our diverse menu boasts a delectable array of hand rolls, carefully curated with responsibly sourced seafood and premium ingredients.

Top review

MIKELL

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Beautiful hidden little spot in Yaletown. Highly recommend sitting up at the counter to watch the action. Amazing food & cocktails. Fast & great service.

Lila

4.7

4.7 (162)

CAN$30 and under

Contemporary Indian

Main Street

About the restaurant

Modern & sustainable Indian dining on Main Street in Vancouver, BC with a playful beverage program and a hidden garden patio. The dining room features lush vegetation and rich textures, bringing the patio garden inside for a cozy and dramatic vibe. From Award Winning Chef Meeru Dhalwala & Restaurateur Shira Blustein

Please note that all reservations are for indoor dining only! Our garden is sat on a first-come-first-serve-basis.

Top review

NeelamVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Absolutely amazing from the food to the atmosphere to the service! We tried 6-8 dishes and they were all delicious. We will be back 100%!

The Acorn

4.6

4.6 (152)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Vegetarian

Mount Pleasant

About the restaurant

The Acorn, a MICHELIN Recommended and award-winning restaurant, brings a fresh, modern approach to vegetable-forward dining in the heart of Vancouver’s Main Street. Known for its creative, locavore-driven menu, The Acorn delivers an unforgettable dining experience using locally sourced, peak-season ingredients. With options for vegans, vegetarians, and gluten-free diners, even the most dedicated carnivores leave satisfied.

Our commitment to sustainability runs deep. In our zero-waste kitchen and bar, every part of the ingredient shines—from the skins and stems to pits and peels—transformed into inventive dishes and drinks. We’re proud of our close relationships with local organic farmers, foragers, winemakers, and distillers, ensuring that 99% of what you enjoy on the plate (and sometimes the plate itself!) is grown, harvested, or crafted right here in BC and Western Canada. Signature cocktails shine while local wines showcase the harmony of Terroir to plate.

Top review

David

Dined on Jun 24, 2025

The service was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. We had the chef’s tasting menu, and every detail was clearly communicated. The shared plates were delicious and the presentation artfully executed. It was a memorable evening celebrating a special occasion. Thank you, Acorn! Until we meet again…

Discover more

Experience

Dinner Reservation for Chef's Tasting Menu

Experience

Dinner A La Carte Reservation (Early Seating)

Experience

Dinner A La Carte Reservation (Late Seating)

Peya

4.6

4.6 (27)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

French / Indian

Hastings / Sunrise

About the restaurant

Peya means Lover, Drink, Sip in Hindi, which resonated with our vision of 'Come for a drink, a bite, an indulgence, an experience- for the lovers of flavour and craft, and for moments most loved'. The restaurant is a celebration of tradition and innovation, rooted in the warmth of Indian hospitality and the precision of French gastronomy.

Top review

Sandy

Dined 5 days ago

Delicious combination of food, well prepared and presented. Service was superb, servers were professional yet friendly and knowledgeable. A beautiful and comfortable setting with great music.

MeeT in Gastown

4.4

4.4 (32)

CAN$30 and under

Vegetarian / Vegan

Gastown

About the restaurant

Located in the historic neighbourhood of Gastown, MeeT in Gastown is serving up all of the MeeT classics. The perfect place to sip on crafty cocktails and enjoy comfort food! Come sit on our hide-away courtyard patio, or inside the main room under the glass atrium!

Top review

JinJi

Dined on May 4, 2025

Great food and good service. Fairly loud at this location so can be difficult to hear other people in your party speaking.

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