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    Elem Vancouver

    4.3 (29 reviews)

    Elem Vancouver Photos

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    ELEM VANCOUVER ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Elem Vancouver

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    Dessert: weird popcorn, good chocolate cake
    Christina L.

    This is the most modern/contemporary restaurant I've been to in Vancouver. The restaurant embodies the 4 elements: earth, water, air, fire. Being a foodie, the quality and presentation of the food is far more important to me than the concept and marketing. Paying a lot for food does not enhance my taste buds unfortunately. Between the 4 of us, we ordered 7 things to try. The bill was around $525. Portion sizes were small, and 2 women at our table are still a bit hungry at the end. Food presentation was mediocre compared to most restaurants I frequent downtown. The taste of the food was average or above average for most dishes, but nothing was spectacular, and there is nothing I would come back for. Two of us hated the popcorn dessert. It tasted like a savoury buttery greasy whipped cream that could perhaps go on top of a latte. Ambiance was contemporary, but I prefer the nicer fine dining restaurants at other places. Service was excellent though. It was the best part of the evening.

    Masala chai
    brian l.

    The food tasted amazing. However, the server never really gave us any introduction to the menu and their dishes. Nearby we heard all the other introductions to their dishes from the other servers and their off menu dishes. We originally got the masala chai whiskey but when they realize it was not the cocktail we were looking for, they gave us a swap to the white rabbit which I very much appreciated. Their tasting menu is amazing and very well worth.

    Chicken fried rice
    Annie M.

    Elem has been on my to-eat list for a while and I finally tried it tonight. We opted for the let-the-chef-cook menu. Our waitress was attentive and friendly. We advised the server no lamb and cheese on our meal. Unfortunately, they were extremely busy and served the wrong dish a few times. However, we received XX% off our bill and a complimentary dessert, which impressed us. The juniper berry mango sorbet was perfectly sweet and refreshing.

    Dungeness crab toast
    Annie W.

    Hands down one of the best experiences we've had in a while. We felt welcomed as soon as I walked in the door. When we sat down, our waitress asked if we were celebrating anything special. After telling her it was my birthday, she wished me happy birthday and wished me again before her shift ended. Other staff members wished me happy birthday as well. In terms of food, we opted for the $98 tasting menu. We got to taste 5dishes and they were all delicious! I highly recommend trying out this restaurant.

    Justin K.

    We celebrated my belated birthday dinner at Elem and were absolutely blown away. From start to finish, the experience was exceptional -- warm, welcoming service, a beautiful atmosphere, and a set menu that truly impressed. We opted for the set menu, and every dish delivered -- thoughtfully curated, beautifully plated, and full of bold, balanced flavours. If you're going to try just one dish, you have to try the lamb skewers. Perfectly cooked, tender, and packed with flavour -- they were an absolute standout. The service was just as memorable -- friendly, attentive, and clearly passionate about the food and wine pairings. They made the whole evening feel personal and celebratory in the best way. Whether you're celebrating something special or just in the mood for an exceptional night out, Elem is a must. We left completely satisfied and already planning our next visit.

    Elk tartare

    This restaurant is definitely the kind of place you'd take a date to impress them. The atmosphere and presentation are beautiful, but when it comes to the food itself, I found most of it pretty average. The only dishes that really stood out to me were the popcorn cake dessert and the elk tartare, both were genuinely excellent. One thing that made me laugh was the cocktail presentation. They used a giant cube of ice to make the drink look fancy, but it took up about 90% of the glass, so my overpriced non-alcoholic cocktail ended up being only a few sips. Honestly, if you removed the upscale vibe, high prices, and reputation of being an award-winning restaurant, I don't think I would've guessed it was supposed to be fine dining. A lot of the dishes just didn't feel very special. Not to sound egotistical, but some of the food honestly tasted like something I could make at home myself. I also think the bread service should be complimentary. Paying extra for bread and then receiving such a tiny loaf felt disappointing. Beyond the food, the bathroom audio was honestly strange and uncomfortable. There were loud recordings of a woman and sometimes a man, speaking while I was trying to use the restroom, which felt more awkward than immersive.

    Lamb skewer
    Gloria M.

    Came here with my partner and we tried their Let Us Cook For You at $98 per person. Their lamb skewer and dessert stood out to me - the lamb melted in my mouth and the dessert was very tasty with a great array of texture. The atmosphere and setting is definitely more elevated with a keen attention to detail in their service. Price was a bit high since it came to $196 for 5 plates of food plus dessert. Overall, definitely worth a try but likely wouldn't come back for a while unless it's to celebrate a special event.

    Mon T.

    My husband and I came on our wedding anniversary, we were greeted promptly and sat punctually at our booking time. Server was very attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. I'm blown away by their creative cocktail menu, and started with a black sesame whisky sour, my hubs ordered their s'mores old fashion. Our second cocktails are white lotus and Negroni. Cocktails are very unique, delicious and well balanced. Especially the s'mores old fashion and white lotus definitely have the wow factors! As for food, since we are not picky eaters and not allergic to anything, these are what they have served us, and we looooved all of the dishes: Yellowfin tuna bhel Dungeness crab toast Grilled lamb skewers Short Rib Scarpinocc Whole Grilled Fish Olive cake with berry compote (bonus) Chicago Mix Popcorn cake Pacing is good, they change plates and cutlery after every dish. Another surprise is when I go to washroom, instead of playing background music, they play positive mindset talks!!! Talking about mindfulness/ gratitude/ purpose in life/ law of attraction, which are totally up my alley. Who knew you could have such a 'breath of fresh air' in the washroom? Lol From cocktails, food quality, portion, service, ambience... I couldn't ask for better! Will definitely come back!!!

    Rosalyn M.

    Simply divine, from start to finish. We were celebrating a birthday and reservations were made weeks in advance. We opted for the larger tasting menu for the 2 of us because why not. Or course it ended up being too much food but in the best way possible. We were full halfway through the steak but it was cooked to perfection. What I enjoyed most was how every dish had an influence from a different cuisine such as Thai, Indian, Italian with a modern take that's been brought forth by a chef's culinary experience. I also appreciated how only a few items on the menu had been there since day 1 of opening just under a year ago, where returning in the future would allow you to try new dishes to keep things fresh and exciting. I found it difficult to find anything lacking or unbalanced in a dish. The atmosphere was romantic and lively where all tables were full. Perfect for a date night or a smaller group celebration. The price was also very reasonable for the quality and quantity of food received.

    Lamb skewers
    Shazia N.

    This place is an upscale restaurant with amazing service and great ambiance. I give it a 3 star just because even though the food was good, it's overpriced for what it actually is. It's small portioned simple food with over the top embellished descriptions, and maybe ingredients you wouldn't think go together. My friend ordered something that was basically kheema (minced meat) curry, and I got 2 tiny skewers of lamb. It tasted good, but I'm glad I ate before I came.

    Chloe T.

    Came here for a birthday celebration. Our server was super knowledgeable and nice. Ordered their "Let us cook for you" chef special! It's a good deal especially if you're adventurous and not picky about what you eat. Overall, I enjoyed almost everything that was presented to me. I'm not going to lie though, I tried 2 of their cocktails and it left a little something to be desired. Their old fashion was a bit more palatable for me. I'm glad they changed my drink. And the Dungeness crab toast was a bit soggy for my liking. But the rest was great. If you like lamb, the skewers what be a great choice. Can't really go wrong with medium rare strip loin. Loved the dessert they gave us. The birthday freebie cake was a bit dry though. Loved the soupli. P.s. the lighting is a bit dim though and seats weren't incredibly comfortable, but I didn't mind so much. Overall, a solid 4 star experience for me

    Main and 5th
    Nicole G.

    Outstanding in every way! Had very high expectations of ELEM and was blown away. They spared no expense in the lavish decor. Every detail has been tastefully executed. The service - superb. The food - mouthwatering. The drink - unique and wow! The desserts - nom, nom, nom. Couldn't be happier to have gotten to enjoy dinner at one of, if not the best restaurant I've ever enjoyed in Vancouver. Well done, ELEM.

    Rose W.

    Had a wonderful evening at Elem.Their drink menu is focused on elements of air, fire, water and earth. It's very innovative and drinks are unique. Great ambience and perfect for a night out or date night. We tried the Jakarta, Melon, Tokyo drinks. They even gave us a sample of their Seoul drinks which had gochujang inside. My fave was the Melon. The food was decent. It's not in big portions so don't expect to be super full. The yellow fin tuna bhel, duck fried rice and January king cabbage were tasty. My fave was the duck fried rice as it had a spicy kick to it. They are pricey $20-$36 but I wouldn't say they are the most amazing dishes I've ever tried for that price point. Worth checking out at least once!

    Mexican Coca Cola ($28) - 4 stars. Good, you could taste some coca cola. Sat evening 2024-12-28

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    Great wait staff. Food was inventive and well prepared. It is too bad the evening started out poorly with a very rude and dismissive host.

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    Tokyo In April

    Tokyo In April

    4.4
    (132 reviews)
    1.7 km
    $$

    Absolutely delicious!…read more Decided to give this place a try because of the variety they offered. Our party of 3 came on a weeknight and were seated immediately. Service was great even when they kept apologizing for being so busy. We each had a toro nigiri for $4 CAD a piece. Yum! The stars were the omurice, unagi stone bowl, and karaage. They were each perfect, we could not stop eating! We also had: tuna maki, salmon lover rolls, assorted sashimi, and gyoza. They were all good. Great place to eat with friends!

    not quite up scale, but a bit nicer than a mid range sushi spot. Seating area was on the smaller…read moreside and bit tight quarters. servers were great, but the call service button was LOUD, and to be honest, with such a small seating space, it seems unnecessary and flagging someone down seems more efficient since you can see the entire seating area from any table. little bit disappointed with the lack of raw fish options on the menu, mostly seems to be like non raw fish options like scallop, shrimp, and crab. The raw fish options seem to be limited to salmon and tuna. which is fine, despite this, all the rolls we got were pretty delicious and well thought out. Super close to the hockey arena, so lots of folks seem to stop by before the game. All in all, it was pretty good. I will probably seek out a more traditional spot next time with more raw fish options though.

    Photos
    I thought they had uni and hotate
    I thought they had uni and hotate
    Unagi Hot Stone Bowl Rice
    Unagi Hot Stone Bowl Rice
    Aji Furai ( deep-fried horse mackerel ) 3 pcs deep fried breaded horse mackerel served with shredded cabbage 12.95

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    Aji Furai ( deep-fried horse mackerel ) 3 pcs deep fried breaded horse mackerel served with shredded cabbage 12.95
    Okeya Kyujiro

    Okeya Kyujiro

    4.8
    (44 reviews)
    1.8 km

    I went here for a special occasion dinner. Reservations are highly recommended because they are…read morevery small - 12 diners per sitting and 2 sittings per night. I made reservations about 4 months in advance. Upon arrival, one of the hostesses opened the door for us, and asked us to wait in a very ornate waiting area. We only waited a couple of minutes before another hostess seated us at the main seating area. The space is very dark, and only lit with candles while the rest of the diners trickled in. During that time they take drink orders, which is limited to sake, wine, beer and a few non-alcoholic drinks. Of note, they don't provide a drink menu, so we were a little surprised by the cost - the yuzu sake and the plum wine were $30 each. My non-alcoholic drink was $12, but a fair size. The theatrical portion started a few minutes later than the official start time - closer to 6pm. The shades lifted, the lights turned on, and the chefs introduced themselves. And from that moment on, they immediately went to work preparing our meal. They operate like clockwork to show the ingredients whole to the diners, and then preparing them, and serving them. Soon as the one dish was completed by all the diners, the next round came shortly after. Over 20+ dishes, there was very little wait time in between each. Each time a dish was served, a hostess was there to describe the dish and provided tips on how best to eat it. The food was overall was very good. I thought a few items were very average, most of them were very good, and a select few were truly outstanding. Most of the ingredients are imported from Japan, so I would imagine that it's part of the reason it's so expensive. This is definitely a splurge meal. I think half the diners at our sitting was celebrating a birthday. On the most part, the food is very good, watching the chefs at work is part of the entertainment, and the service is excellent. It's not some place I could afford to go to often, but glad to do it at least this one time.

    I made a reservation at Okeya Kyujiro for my partner's 40th birthday, and he had the best time…read more Honestly, it was one of the most memorable omakase experiences I've had in Vancouver. Okeya Kyujiro is a Michelin one-star theatrical omakase restaurant, and when they say theatrical, they mean it! From the moment you're welcomed by smiling ushers in kimono to the closing tea ceremony, every movement feels intentional, precise, and elevated. The ambiance is serene and anticipatory. At the start, guests sit in silence as a black screen conceals the chefs. You see their shadows moving behind it. A bell rings, the screen lifts, and the performance begins. Dinner is a 25+ course experience priced at $325 per person. It's undeniably a splurge, but for a milestone celebration, it feels justified. The menu is seafood-forward, with many ingredients flown in from Japan. Each ingredient is presented before preparation, then carefully assembled and served directly from chef to guest. Courses arrive one by one, never rushed. The service team moves seamlessly in the background, refilling water and attending to drinks (available as an add-on) without disrupting the flow. The finale is a matcha ceremony, whisked in front of you with the same quiet precision that defines the evening. When the final sip is taken, the bell chimes once more, the chefs and staff bow, and the screens close. It was a beautifully choreographed dining experience, perfect for marking a special moment, and one I'd gladly return to for the next celebration.

    Photos
    Inside the waiting area before being taken to your seat.
    Inside the waiting area before being taken to your seat.
    Lychee jelly w/ brown sugar syrup, ginger icecream monaka, crown melon + japanese orange
    Lychee jelly w/ brown sugar syrup, ginger icecream monaka, crown melon + japanese orange
    A5 wagyu sukiyaki

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    A5 wagyu sukiyaki
    Saku

    Saku

    4.5
    (526 reviews)
    3.4 km
    $$

    First time at this Japanese restaurant, and it was really great!…read more Signature Japanese Fried Pork Cutlet Rosu Katsu $27 This time I was smarter and ordered the cut with a good balance of fat and lean meat. The moment I bit into it, it was bursting with juice! The meat was incredibly thick but not dry at all, and the outer skin was crispy like snowflakes. The first bite was amazing; I've never had such a delicious pork cutlet in Shanghai. Curry Pork Cutlet Rosu Curry $29.5 My friend ordered the curry pork cutlet today, and it was surprisingly excellent! The curry flavor was incredibly rich and full-bodied. Wrapped in the crispy pork cutlet and eaten with rice, it was pure carb bliss! Freshly Ground Sesame Powder I have to praise their freshly ground sesame powder; the aroma of the sesame seeds you grinded yourself was a real highlight. * With lemon salt: Refreshing and original, a perfect way to cut through the richness! * With barbecue sauce: Mixed with sesame powder, the flavors develop layer by layer. With two flavors to choose from, it's really hard to stop! I'll definitely come back to try it again next time.

    We had a great meal here celebrating our 25th 1st anniversary…read more and reminiscing the great katsu dishes we had in Japan just a few months ago. We both ordered the Tokujyu Rosu Katsu. The crust was light and crispy and tte pork loin pieces have the perfect balance of fat and lean meat. How was it perfect? Every bit I took had a good portion of juicy fat. The lean meat was tender and moist as well. The whole meal was mouth watering bite after bite. Rice, miso soup, and cabbage came with unlimited refill. I was planning on requesting a second serving of cabbage but I was full at the end. The dipping sauce for the katsu was a little too tard for me though so I could only dap my katsu pieces very very lightly in it so I wasn't able to experience the full flavour of the sauce. However, I was able to savour the flavour of the pork loin itself. It was a lovely meal. The staff was very helpful, professional and friendly as well. The restaurant decor is modern, airy, comfortable, and inviting.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Zenbu set with refillable soup, rice and salad
    Zenbu set with refillable soup, rice and salad
    Zenbu katsu

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    Zenbu katsu
    Takenaka Uni Bar

    Takenaka Uni Bar

    4.5
    (73 reviews)
    1.9 km

    Takenaka was probably the best meal I've had in Vancouver. Talk about authentic Japanese food!…read moreEverything was super fresh and perfectly curated to blow your taste buds. Everyone working here is Japanese and the service is top notch. 10/10 would recommend.

    Beautiful atmosphere and professional service. The food and drinks were good, but with uni in the…read morerestaurant's name and all over the menu, that part was a letdown. Maybe I'm spoiled from years of uni nigiri from Sushi Bar Kilala (iykyk), but I was disappointed that the uni at Takenaka was small and often a background note rather than the star. Uni Colada cocktail: white rum, fino, montenegro, coconut, uni mango foam, chili - refreshing, tropical drink with a smooth foam top. It's a pricey cocktail because there's uni, but you don't taste much of it. The mango and chili are stronger. It's a nice drink, but not $17 nice. Uni and Beef Yuk-hoe: seared beef, green onion, quail egg, garlic chips, stem wasabi, uni, seaweed - delicious! However, I felt like the uni may as well not have been there. I had a piece on its own and it had a lovely buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture. However, it was quite mellow (uni usually pops with briny, umami notes). Then I had the other piece with everything else and it got overshadowed by the beef. Uni California DIY hand roll: crab meat, uni sauce, roll-it-yourself seaweed wrap - it's smart to make this a DIY experience because the seaweed remains crisp. The mini soy sauce syringes on the side are cute too. I don't like using a lot of soy with my sushi, so it was great to control the amount. There didn't appear to be any uni sauce inside the hand roll...maybe it was used to marinate components? Even then, the flavours that come through are the sweetness of the crab and salty pop of fish roe (tobiko, I think). Truffle Egg DIY hand roll: truffle flavoured egg omelette, roll-it-yourself seaweed wrap - it's like all the luxury ingredients they highlight on their menu are less prevalent. The egg omelette was tasty, but I would never guess there was truffle incorporated. I want to reiterate that all the food was good and I enjoyed it! I just don't feel like I can rate higher when the uni didn't shine.

    Photos
    Takenaka Uni Bar
    Uni comparison bowl
    Uni comparison bowl
    Bluefin Tuna Toro Temaki Sushi ($7/ea)

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