Stories and photos by Michelle Fedosoff (unless otherwise indicated)
8 Restaurants Awarded the Golden Plate
Every year the Golden Plate Awards are presented to the best restaurants in each category. This is a great way to eat what Vancouver designates as its best. Following is a sampling of some of this year’s winners.
Peaceful Restaurant
Master Chef Huang incorporates the seven basic flavors of Northern China into all of his signature dishes while imbuing his personal touch into the dishes. Peaceful Restaurant has won many awards over the years, and if you are looking for authentic Chinese food, this is the place to be. Must tries include Sichuan string beans, Dan-Dan noodles, and the pan-fried dumplings.
Located at 3320 Kingsway Avenue
Calabash Bistro
This cozy “reggae centric” restaurant serves Caribbean curries, jerk chicken, rum drinks, and features local art and live bands. The Gastown location makes it ideal for those staying in the downtown core.
Located at 428 Carrall Street
Chambar Restaurant
This venue has been around since 2004. Chambar Restaurant brings the best of Belgium to Vancouver, and you can finish your dining experience with exceptional cocktails. The Ratatouille is a specialty and not to be missed.
Located at 568 Beatty Street
Ask for Luigi
This casual Italian restaurant specializes in fresh handmade pasta. Dishes are made for sharing with family style service. If you are a fan of Grappa there are several options rotated through. And to finish off the meal, fresh ground coffee beans allow the baristas to execute the perfect espresso.
Located at 305 Alexander Street
Nuba
Awarded the best Lebanese restaurant in Vancouver, Nuba offers up some amazing kebabs and falafels, and even serves a vegan stew. Choosing to use organic and local ingredients wherever possible, founder Victor Bouzide’s goal is to share the goodness of his grandmother’s cooking
Located at 146 East 3rd Avenue
West Coast Poke
Serving food with chef inspired flavors and using fresh ingredients when serving up their fish dishes is West Coast Poke’s trademark. This restaurant is also the first in Canada to serve Ahimi, a plant-based tuna for their vegan friends. They offer a build your own bowl option if you do not want to try one of the chef’s options.
Located at 463 West 8th Avenue
Bishop’s
Since opening in 1985, Bishop’s has become one of Vancouver’s best restaurants for Pacific Northwest Cuisine. PEI beef striploin and Pacific crab are some of the delights waiting for you here. If you cannot decide on your meal, Bishop’s offers a Chef’s tasting menu with wine pairings.
Located at 2183 West 4th Avenue
Maenam
Chef Angus An, also the owner, serves up authentic Thai dishes that have won several awards and have received rave reviews from the New York Times and Food & Wine. Using fresh ingredients and locally sourced products, all dishes are based on traditional Thai recipes. The chicken red cumin curry dish and halibut cheek served with caramelized chili are some of the favored dishes here. And if you want to try your hand at cooking some of these amazing dishes yourself, there is a cook book available for purchase.
Located at 1938 West 4th Avenue
So Many Great Choices to Eat in Vancouver
These are the best of the best of what Vancouver offers for dining. And after you have tried and eaten at all of these wonderful restaurants, Vancouver still has many more dining experiences, just waiting for you. Bon Appetite.
