Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Vancouver

OpenTable

Updated May 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 (329)

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

davidVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Terrific food. Incredible service, fair price for the quality served. Deserve their Michelin star.

Okeya Kyujiro Vancouver

4.9

4.9 (217)

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

Kymberly

Dined on May 11, 2025

Amazing food & overall fantastic experience! Perfect for a special occasion.

Botanist

4.8

4.8 (2861)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Farm-to-table

Coal Harbour

About the restaurant

Botanist is home to four diverse venues: a Cocktail Lab and Bar, Garden, Dining Room and TASCHEN Library; all inspired by the principles of botany and the Pacific Northwest. The menu features ingredients sourced from their natural landscape, coupled with contemporary techniques; designed to showcase the best version of themselves.

Top review

JoshuaVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Amazing service, delicious food, and a great atmosphere!

Published on Main

4.7

4.7 (145)

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

Matthew

Dined 6 days ago

The food was inventive and delicious with particular attention paid to the smallest details.

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Experience

Tasting Menu - Green

Experience

Half Tasting Menu - Sage

Oshi Nori

4.7

4.7 (94)

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

KyleVIP

Dined 6 days ago

The food was excellent, and the customer service outstanding. I think this will be my regular sushi haunt from now on.

ELEM

4.7

4.7 (170)

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

Sami

Dined on May 8, 2025

Well worth the hype. This restaurant is fantastic

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Experience

ELEM Wine dinner series, Emerich Schönleber

Nui

4.7

4.7 (17)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Korean

Main Street

About the restaurant

NUI (누이) – Korean-Inspired Dining in Vancouver
Experience the bold flavours of Korea with a modern twist at NUI. Located on Main Street, NUI serves thoughtfully crafted dishes inspired by traditional Korean cuisine. Rooted in warmth, love, and authenticity, we are passionate about creating a space where people can come together and enjoy comforting tastes with an exciting, playful touch.

Top review

Danielle

Dined on May 11, 2025

Delicious food, great ambience and super friendly staff!

The Acorn

4.6

4.6 (141)

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

Keith

Dined 6 days ago

I would recommend Acorn to anyone looking for a creative chef and a thoroughly delicious dining experience.

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Experience

Dinner Reservation for Chef's Tasting Menu

Experience

Dinner A La Carte Reservation (Early Seating)

Experience

Dinner A La Carte Reservation (Late Seating)

Lila

4.6

4.6 (148)

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

JessicaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

We loved everything about our experience. The back patio was so beautiful and cozy. The staff were all amazing!

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Experience

Lila's Anniversary Feast - CLAY COLLAB

MeeT in Gastown

4.2

4.2 (31)

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

Daryl

Dined on Apr 5, 2025

Great food but it seemed like it took a fair amount of time after our food order to getting our food. Very interesting drinks and the food was delicious.

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