Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Vancouver

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

Bufala Kerrisdale

4.8

4.8 (132)

CAN$30 and under

Pizzeria

Kerrisdale

About the restaurant

Bufala is an independent restaurant born out of a passion for pizza and the belief that all communities need a great restaurant.
For Kerrisdale, Bufala is that gathering place - where friends and families can gather for delicious food & drink every day of the week. We prepare fresh, scratch-made classic & contemporary pizzas in the Napolitana style - blistered to perfection in our 800 degree stone oven - along with a tasty selection of Italian-inspired small plates and desserts. And as great meals require great drinks, we also offer a delicious selection of cocktails, wines, craft beers, and espresso.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

We had a pleasant time. We got seated on time as we had a reservation. The only thing I didn’t like was that there was no air circulating and it was super hot where we were seated. It was my 1 time in the summer since I’ve been here during the fall and winter times. Wish the place had air conditioning. My kale salad was done incorrectly being that they forgot to put the bacon & the nuts. It had only dressing of the Parmesan for $17 is a big mistake. I preferred not to correct the chef. It’s their kitchen Other than that we had a pleasant experience.

Bells & Whistles

4.8

4.8 (50)

CAN$30 and under

American

East Vancouver

About the restaurant

Celebrating the full spectrum of beer styles, brewers, regions and flavours with small batch brands, local craft beer and a rare level of knowledge.

Bringing a group larger than 6? Please send an email to eat@bellsandwhistlesyvr.ca and we will get back to you as soon as possible to help you make your booking!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jul 29, 2024

The food is great! Lots for kids to do. The food and service was excellent.

Steamworks Mount Pleasant

4.7

4.7 (55)

CAN$30 and under

Pub

Mount Pleasant

About the restaurant

Historic Surroundings and Modern Fare. Join us today to experience the iconic Brew Pub atmosphere Vancouverites have been enjoying since 1995.

Top review

allison

Dined on Aug 31, 2024

We called ahead to ask about parking and a very cheerful employee named Natalie provided detailed info for free parking. We were served by Nicole. She was great too. When I said that one of my friends has a handicap and might not be comfortable with tall chairs she said they would make sure he was comfortable. (The tall chairs were fine). The vibe was great. A real mix of people - seniors, parents, kids and young adults.

Yaletown Brewing Company

4.4

4.4 (418)

CAN$30 and under

Comfort Food

Yaletown

About the restaurant

The Yaletown Brewing Company is Vancouver's original and best Brewpub. Founded in 1994, just as the former warehouse district of Yaletown was just beginning to emerge as a destination for businesses and residents, the YBC was built with the vision of being a true neighbourhood pub - a welcoming gathering place whether you arrived dressed in a suit or flip-flops.

With a 160-seat Restaurant and a lively Pub with TVs, a pool table, and a fireplace, YBC has become a one-stop destination for everything from large corporate events to quick after-work beers with the regulars.

Make your reservations today for our dining room; please note that all pub and patio seating is offered on a first come first serve basis.

Top review

Justin

Dined on Aug 31, 2024

Classic choice in the Yaletown area to get together with friends. The Nashville Hot Chicken was tasty, with notably good buns as well. Had a flight of beer to accompany it, which is good value for the 4x6 oz tasters. It is a bit on the pricier side.

Discover more

Experience

🌞 Yaletown Brewing Co. Brunch Bliss!🌞

Experience

Yaletown Brewing Co: Craft, Cheer, and Cheers!

D6 Lounge - Parq Vancouver

4.4

4.4 (235)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Izakaya

Stadium District

About the restaurant

D6 Bar & Lounge is a hip, vibrant and exclusive nightlight option perched above the city. It is an indoor/outdoor rooftop lounge that features dramatic views of the Vancouver skyline, and will embody an upscale lifestyle. This bar will be equipped with top-shelf liquors and spirits, handcrafted cocktails, and carefully chosen wines.

Top review

Larry

Dined on Aug 29, 2024

Really good food and great service! I would definitely recommend

El Guapo

4.4

4.4 (205)

CAN$30 and under

Contemporary Mexican

Yaletown

About the restaurant

Welcome to El Guapo! A casual and fun restaurant/bar where everyone is welcome! Come down with your friends and enjoy a margarita on our sunny patio. Don't forget to try our Guapo Burger, the best burger in town! No plans for the weekend? Spice up your Friday or Saturday night with our live DJ and friendly service. All ages welcome!

Top review

Ericvip

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

Fun Mexican vibe. Friendly service. Great Barbacoa tacos.

Discover more

Popular dish

Baja Fish Taco

Loula's

4.4

4.4 (137)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Greek

Commercial Drive

About the restaurant

WHO ARE WE?
We’re the second generation of two Greek families that came to Canada to open some of Vancouver’s longest running restaurants.

Now, we’re taking everything we’ve learned from them to offer a brand new dining experience.

WHAT ARE WE ABOUT?
Loula’s is the Greek nostalgia of our upbringing infused with modern dining trends that have intrigued us. The atmosphere and cuisine are an homage to our namesake, a woman dear to our hearts who always leaves you in good spirits with a full stomach. Expect that overwhelmingly authentic Greek experience when you step through our doors—along with a few other things you won’t expect. You’ll just have to trust us.

WHERE ARE WE?
We’re located in the heart of Commercial drive, a spot we feel quite at home in. If you know anything about The Drive, you know it’s warm, vivacious and a little kooky.

Just like Loula.

Top review

karen

Dined on Aug 24, 2024

We had a great time! Music was perfect, service was good - the manager was absolutely wonderful.

Locanda dell'Orso

4.4

4.4 (30)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Italian

Downtown

About the restaurant

An authentic Italian, family-style restaurant, local to downtown Vancouver
Locanda dell’Orso is inspired by the old legend of the Innkeeper and the Bear. Here you’ll find the ambiance of a warm Italian home, built on the promise of a welcoming and indulgent culinary experience throughout. Fresh pasta made in house daily, with dishes found across Northern and Coastal Italy, ingredients are sourced locally from small farms and imported especially from the Italian regions from which they are best known.

Top review

barbara

Dined 1 day ago

Fantastic restaurant overall. Great service and atmosphere. Aperol sour a must!

Stock & Supply

4.3

4.3 (199)

CAN$30 and under

Canadian

Gastown

About the restaurant

Hyper-local, engaging social hub with exciting new dishes and crafted cocktails to explore. Situated in the Delta Hotels by Marriott Vancouver Downtown Suites on the edge of historic Gastown, Stock & Supply offers guests a warm and approachable environment with a focus on local and sustainable ingredients. Find a service-driven guest experience with knowledgeable, personable staff team and the talented Chef Mike Reid leading the kitchen.

Top review

Marinna

Dined 5 days ago

Great board options and really delicious items. The beet hummus is really good, but I think could use more dukkah spice to balance out the sweetness. It was definitely quiet, and took a little bit to get our board out, but definitely worth it when it arrived to the table. The server was a cool gal and was pleasantly chatty here and there. Overall a nice place with good happy hour and boards!

Discover more

4.3

4.3 (109)

CAN$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Yaletown

About the restaurant

A classy and cultured yet approachable speakeasy cocktail bar tucked behind Hundy Burger and designed with some lively, tropical island vibes meets intoxicant stockroom. Clandestine libations and merrymaking.

Top review

OpenTable Dinervip

Dined 1 day ago

Amazing cocktails and the vibes were immaculate. 11/10 recommend

Explore Diners' Choice best of Vancouver

Explore more Diners' Choice lists