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Salmon n' Bannock

4.5 (269 reviews)
ModerateCanadian (New)
Open 3:00 pm - 9:00 PM

Salmon n' Bannock Photos

Business Info

SALMON N' BANNOCK ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Intimate
Quiet
Good for kids
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Salmon n' Bannock

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Reviews With Photos

Duck Special
Kate K.

Not sure where I found this place but this is the definition of "don't judge a book by its cover." It's located in the middle of the block and very small, might almost miss it if you blink. But once you step foot inside you are immersed into the culture. The 3 ladies took great care of us and especially recommended the elk sausage. In addition, we got the Bison Pot Roast and Duck Special w/ GF bannock! Every single bite was to die for. Completions to the chef. Reservations extremely recommended (which I did prior to even arriving in CAN). Would eat here often if lived in Van.

Jake Z.

Unique experience that I certainly don't regret trying since I sought out to eat something in Vancouver that I genuinely can't get elsewhere in the states. However, the execution just felt flat. The salmon sample platter didn't really feature anything that tasted good. The bison wasn't bad but there wasn't anything particularly special about it either. The ambiance was probably the coolest part as it had native Canadian decor. However, service was incredibly slow such that it took over an hour to get our food. Beer recommendation (strawberry milkshake?) was on point though.

Urban Smoked Salmon Burger
Charlene C.

My friend and I were visiting from California and I really wanted to check this place out! My friend and I went salmon heavy (wish we tried other dishes!!) and got the salmon mousse, fiss n rice, and the salmon burger. Of course the bannock which they're known for was really good! The taste reminds me of biscuits but no crumble consistency and in a dinner roll form. The salmon burger was okay, again, I wish I tried something different on the menu. What was REALLY GOOD and something I'd get again is the fiss n rice! The flavor hit! The rice was different from anything I've ever had, paired with the veggies, and salmon -- it was perfect! I loved how seasoned the veggies are. If you're picky with veggies, this might change your mind!

Game Sausage Dinner
Marc K.

I'm not exactly the most adventurous diner, so having Indigenous Canadian food is not exactly something I'm looking for, but the menu looked inviting, and the Yelp reviews were so positive, that my wife and I decided to give it a shot when we were up in Vancouver. Add us to the list of people who loved this place. My wife ordered the bison pot roast, while I ordered the Game Sausage Dinner, which my night was Venison and Blueberry. I read a recent Yelp review that was lukewarm to both of these dishes, but we loved them. We also had something called "West Coast Soup," which was a salmon soup, and that was also very good. At first, I was the only one who ordered it, but when my wife saw it and tasted it, she ordered one for herself! The bannock was also very, very good. It was kind of like eating a Wolferman's English Muffin, if you've ever had one of those. You most definitely should make reservations before going there. We did about an hour before we went there, and while we had no trouble getting the reservation, the place is VERY small. I think they can only fit about 20-25 people at a time. As I'm writing this review, the average Yelp rating is extremely high. There's a reason for that. Give it a shot!

Salmon and rice.
Jasmine A.

Salmon n' Bannock is a well regarded restaurant that serves Indigenous dishes. We have a friend from out of town visiting who enjoys trying different cuisines, so we suggested Salmon n' Bannock for dinner. My husband and I have been to the smaller location at the airport at the international departures gate and loved the food and we have wanted to go to their main location for quite some time, so we were excited to finally go to Salmon n' Bannock. I made a reservation for the three of us for Friday July 25 at 7pm. We arrived promptly at 7pm and were seated right away. It was a small restaurant and most of the tables were full, so I'm glad we made a reservation. It took a while for the server to take our order (over ten minutes) but it was understandable as they were busy. I ordered the salmon, my husband ordered the elk sausage, and our friend ordered the bison pot roast. We also all had bannock with butter and jam for starters, and I splurged on a bottle of the Dreamcatcher wine to share. (I know that restaurants mark up wine, but goddamn, the markup was almost criminal.) After we ordered, it took about another 10 to 15 minutes to get the wine and bannock. Thank goodness we had the bannock appetizers to tide us over, because it took TWO HOURS to get our food. No exaggeration -- TWO HOURS. We had asked the server if there was an issue with our order, and she said that they were busy and the kitchen was backed up. I understand having to wait, but TWO HOURS? Also, there was a table that was seated about half an hour (or more) after us, and they got their food well before we did. (They were pretty much done eating when we got our food!) The food finally came at 9pm, and it was not great. My husband and our friend said their food was alright, but nothing noteworthy, and my fish was awful. The description of my dish was: "Wild Sockeye (6oz) served on a bed of Ojibway Wild Rice with a brown butter sauce. Served with Daily Vegetables and our Signature Bannock." First, the fish was burnt and dry, and there was absolutely no sauce (or flavour) of any kind. Second, the rice, like the fish, was dry and flavourless. And the "daily vegetables" consisted of one small, sad piece of overdone broccoli and two or three small slices of carrot. Frankly, the restaurant should be embarrassed for serving that dish. To top it all off, the server didn't really acknowledge the absurd wait time (she just gave a lacklustre "sorry for the wait"), nor offer a small discount to our bill, which would have been a nice gesture. Based on the TWO HOUR WAIT TIME and the terrible food, I will not go back, nor do I recommend Salmon n' Bannock. The one positive is that the bannock with butter and jam was excellent.

Black tea lager from Locality Brewing - IG @bougiefoodieboi
Kyle W.

A fairly unique dining experience to try Indigenous Canadian cuisine! This is a small restaurant so reservations are a must, unless you plan to eat like at 3pm. There are a lot of 2-3 seaters but not many 4+ seaters so the exact guest count is respected and there is not much leeway to adding another person to the reservation. There are outside seating mostly for walk-ins, but you somewhat lose out on a part of the experience admiring Indigenous Canadian artworks on the walls. As the name suggests, they are mostly known for salmon and bannock, but they also have a handful of not as common dishes like bison too. We got the mushroom on toasted bannock with sage blueberries, brie, and bison gravy; venison blueberry game sausage, wild sockeye salmon with Anishinaabe wild rice, and bison pot roast with mashed potatoes. We got some wines that come from indigenous purveyors and black lagoon black tea lager from Locality Brewing. Mushroom on toasted bannock with sage blueberries, brie, and bison gravy is a fairly aesthetic dish and the easiest way to describe this dish is "biscuits and gravy" but this is much more delicious with the bannock being toasted outside and soft and chewy inside, and the bison gravy was hearty and creamy. Venison blueberry game sausage was a bit special but it was on the drier side and a bit bland Wild sockeye salmon over Anishinaabe rice was pretty good. The salmon was cooked perfectly and the rice is like a black rice that is al dente and has a unique flavor that pairs well with the salmon. Pairs perfectly with the Dreamcatcher wine Bison pot roast was interesting but the bison was a bit dry. The bison gravy on top helped with it, and pairs well with the Merlot we got. Service was a bit of a miss. Food did come out in courses, but the bannock that came with the main entrees (salmon, bison pot roast) did not come until we were almost done with the main entrees. When the bill came, the server hovered around too closely to us seeing how much we tip, which was pretty awkward. Also, it made no sense that there was no way to do a custom charge for 3 oz of wine upgrade when we ordered a 6 oz merlot and there was a 9 oz option, so increments of 3 oz are doable, so we were forced to pay for another full glass and overpay. Granted that the server was new, so take this a feedback for improvement.

Game Sampler
Austin B.

tl;dr despite the admirable concept, the prices are high for lackluster food, and service was even more absent than flavor Across Vancouver's eclectic food scene, I was most excited to try Indigenous cuisine, and one of the few specialists is Salmon n' Bannock. This semi-casual sit-down restaurant just south of Granville Island puts a sophisticated and modern spin on traditional Indigenous eats, including bannock (Indigenous-style bread), wild game, and local seafood. The storefront is at the corner spot of an outdoor shopping plaza. A black-and-red awning hangs above the door. Clear dividers with indigenous designed etchings separate the black-clothed tables. Bright red walls are heavily decorated with colorful local artists' paintings and carvings, and a small wooden canoe hangs above the front window. Indigenous acoustic music echoes across the walls. My partner and I arrived for dinner, and we were seated immediately. We ordered an assortment of Salmon n' Bannock's most popular items. Across them, we were most impressed by the Game Sampler and its rich venison terrine and unique cedar jelly. Meanwhile, the spicy elk salami and the juniper elk salami were tasty, albeit extremely limited in quantity (we were only given 3 thin rings of each). Less exciting was the Salmon Sampler, featuring salmon 3 ways: candied (sweet and chewy), mousse (simultaneously flaky and creamy), and ceviche (strongly lemony and dill-y). All options were decent but not particularly remarkable. Unfortunately, the most memorable aspect of the meal was the terrible bannock crackers -- they were either rock hard or jaw-crampingly chewy. The couple beside us called the "Fiss n' Rice" the best salmon they had ever eaten. But I'll never know for sure -- after an hour-long wait for drinks and appetizers (during which time, no server checked in), my partner and I were ready to call it a night. The two appetizers and a hastily thrown-together cocktail ran us nearly $60, and our experience was met with a semi-apologetic shrug. The food was passable, but the overall experience left an unsavory taste in our mouths -- you will find better service at the Tim Horton's down the block.

Entrance
Roselia G.

Very interesting indigenous Canadian restaurant. Both the staff and menu. Their Bannock is like the best biscuit ever! Not too dry, but also not very moist either, and served with butter. The Bison Pot Roast is the number one thing to get here, over mashed potato's, gravy, broccoli and asparagus. They did have some dessert items too. Every plate was based on the food of the natives to the region, but with a current culinary twist. They even have Salmon Candy as an appetizer. If you haven't tried this yet, this is the best place to have some.

Salmon 3 ways appetizer
Deb C.

Went searching for bannock after trying fried bannock at the Squamish Cultural Centre in Whistler. Here it's baked but still tasty and like somewhere between a dinner roll and a scone. Service and food were great (Brigitte was the friendliest!). Definitely make a reservation because it's a tiny place that books up quickly. Came here for date night with my husband and it was a fantastic choice - low light and candles on the table + not kid-friendly which is exactly what we wanted. Had the bison bone marrow and salmon 3 ways appetizers (salmon mousse was my favourite but beware of dairy for the lactose-intolerant); bison pot roast and salmon with rice for mains. Husband got a coffee (in a massive mug available through https://nativenorthwest.ca/ceramic-mugs/) at the end. We were too full for dessert which was apple crumble. Parking on top of Toys R Us was $6.50 for two hours. Would return and ask for what I think were soapberries in the salad garnish that came with the salmon 3 ways. Those were delightful.

Lauren D.

Planning a train ride up to Vancouver, I was so excited to finally get the opportunity to try Salmon n' Bannock. This is an amazing restaurant! Definitely make reservations as their intimate space can fill up fast! The food and service were both impeccable. The menu has a wide variety of rotating local, seasonal, sustainable, wild caught options from First Nations cuisine. I tried the Nk'Mip Cellars dry rosé and I must say it was exceptional. Gorgeous light pink color and loads of red fruit flavors. The signature bannock is very good traditional baked bread served with some butter and fantastic house made berry jam. Great texture, forever craving it now.. The candied smoked salmon was peppered perfectly and the sweet element of maple was tasty especially drizzled over a bed of crisp fresh greens. The bison barley soup warmed me right up! It was quite flavorful and rich, packed full of veggies, and a great choice for something comforting and hearty. I highly recommend visiting this place! I had such a lovely time :)

Salmon Sampler (ceviche salmon, candied salmon, salmon mousse) and Game Sausage (Elk)
Alison C.

Vancouver's only indigenous restaurant, it's a gem for anyone to visit. It's a bit pricy, but the dim lights and beautiful interior make it great for date nights or business meals. Have patience with staff and cook time. I went with some friends and the Salmon Sampler was the big winner among all three of us. Everything else was delicious in varying degrees. I personally loved the wild rice, but we also tried elk, bison, duck, and salmon. That's a lot of unique protein right there! Bannock bread is served with many dishes. It's worth a first taste, but it is pretty dense and similar to a biscuit. Not a dealbreaker if you're deciding between a dish with or without bannock. It's a great restaurant to support because it's very local and cultural as it is indigenous owned and operated. My only tip is that you should make a reservation in advance and expect to be patient with your experience. It is a small restaurant, but the organization was still a bit disorganized. Our table and the one next to us both had orders taken incorrectly and table check-ins were inconsistent. For example, someone stopped to ask how the food was right after a server had stopped by and I hadn't even finished my first bite. And then when our plates had been empty for a long time, we had to flag down someone for the check even though our host passed by us multiple times. However, the staff is very kind and this is not something that would stop me from coming back, especially with how great the food is. Metered street parking available.

interior
Rose F.

Thank you so much to the staff here for accommodating me on a busy night. It was clear to me that this restaurant really cares about diners. I was seated promptly and checked on regularly. The quality of the salmon was very good and it looked amazing. I also enjoyed reading through the facts and statements on the back of the menu. It is a bit of a louder place though so keep that in mind depending on what you're looking for but I enjoyed looking at the First Nations art on the walls and was glad to see they are supporting local artists.

Brendan T.

The dinner we were lucky enough to have at this intimate First Nations Vancouver bistro was a singularly unique and inspiring experience I won't soon forget. Not only delicious but deeply enlightening, educational and nourishing to the soul. Indigenous preparations and ingredients are at the forefront of the delicious cuisine on offer, and history and culture is relayed on the menu and the plate as well as in the explanations and land acknowledgements read at the start of the meal by the fully First Nations staff, and further brought home by the indigenous art decorating the walls of the cozy, dimly lit, lived in space, the type you would die to have back in your own neighborhood, the kind of place it seems impossible to find most anywhere now.. The most revelatory deliciousness of the meal for me was undoubtably among the apps, namely the Pemmican Mousse. This was my first experience in any way with Pemmican in general. For those as unenlightened as I, is a traditional pan-indigenous preserved mixture of dried meat and animal tallow, often along with any number of wild berries or other fruits. The mousse here deviously served a very blueberry forward Pemmican mixture whipped to perfection with cream cheese that hit the sweet and savory sweet spot in an altogether new way, served with crackers from the eponymous house specialty of Bannock, think basically a thicker, denser indigenous biscuit.Pro tip; While the Bannock is undeniably delicious and highly addictive, as well as subsequently infuriatingly beguiling once you realize after the fact, as we did that it is apparently not offered at any retail or restaurant anywhere close to back home, it is served often alongside not only most every entree but also a great many of the apps, so surely no need to order an order of them alone unless you are seriously starch addled. All of the other apps were uniformly delicious including mousse appearing again in salmon form as a part of the salmon sampler, along with candied and smoked and pickled preparations, and an unctuous wild game charcuterie board, chock full of various meaty and cheesy gamey goodness. Moving onto mains, high lights of the meal, perhaps not surprisingly considering the Squamish' deep connection to the bounty that is offered from the nearby cold Pacific waters, were the fish dishes, namely a simply and perfectly prepared Wild Salmon along side some profoundly earthy and delicious wild rice, nothing short of top ten best lifetime rices so far, and a smokey and sumptuous smoked Sablefish, with a rich and creamy white sauce. A Bison Pot roast was gamey and rich with a meaty and delicious gravy, with along with the aforementioned white sauce we lapped up with the bountiful and delicious bannock at our disposal. The lasting vibes and memories were only enhanced and made shinier by the warm buzz generated by tasty and refreshing cocktail and earthy red wine sourced exclusively from First Nation producers. We were too stuffed to sample the desserts, but are very much looking forward to trying them on a future visit, as this place is surely a must on any Vancouver itinerary, whether on the first visit and/or one of many.

Blueberry venison sausage and bannock

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Miku

Miku

4.4(2.6k reviews)
2.9 kmDowntown
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Who gave this spot anything less than 5 stars? I just want to talk lol. Seriously, were we…read moreexperiencing the same meal. Steep as it is, I decided I wanted a "quick little sushi lunch with a view", and a quick little sushi lunch with a few is exactly what I received. Although I don't recommend it, I walked right in from the street, no reservation, and was seated at the bar (in pretty casual street clothes I may add). I enjoyed a premium sake flight (which was fine...just fine), an old fashioned served with the perfect accompanying dark chocolate, and a good amount of sushi including their signature aburi style sushi in flight form and nigiri tuna flight (bluefin, chutoro, otoro). After visiting Japan last December, I'm a bit of an otoro snob but I have to hand it to them, all three of these cuts were perfect. The accompanying rice, perfection. The quality of the fish, divine. The view was the cherry on top of this experience. This will certainly be a spot I revisit next time I'm in Vancouver.

3.5 stars if I could…read more Excellent service from the staff. They were attentive, checked in periodically and very professional. Michelin starred quality in their service by how they explained the menu, brought out the food, came back around to refill waters. Just top notch service and elegantly so. The food was good but not of value. Their lunch set was a good introductory to what they offer. I enjoyed the food for its flavours and presentation but I thought that it was a bit overpriced. Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful, fresh and definitely elevated, but it was $50 for 10pcs of sushi, 2 appetizer sized samples of their appetizer or entree dishes, and miso soup (which we did not get and didn't realize till much later in the day). If you're wanting an upscale experience (and portion) of good quality food or wanting to impress other parties, then this is a nice spot. For regular eats, it's a bit too luxurious to be a casual thing in my opinion. The ambiance is nice and calm. They have a patio, which has a meh view overlooking the harbor, but beware of a breezy day. It will catch a bit of a wind tunnel. They have heaters and blankets but the heaters don't really reach unless you're sitting next to it.

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Tokyo In April - Dynamite Roll and Chopped Scallop Roll

Tokyo In April

4.4(126 reviews)
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Whenever I visit Vancouver, I'm usually centered near the area where Asian Groceries meets Costco…read more And near this magical intersection is a piece of Japan tucked away in an unassuming spot called Tokyo in April. I've had Omurice many times... the classic method which is just a thin omelette covering ketchup rice... to the now more viral Omelette which is cut open to some runny egg goodness. And this place measures up to a lot of the ones in Japan! Ever since the viral sensation of the new evolved form of Omurice, many locations in Tokyo now also serve this dish. Outside of Japan, it's hard to find ones much better than what they serve here. The rice is cooked very well, the curry is delicious and has more depth than the store bought roux, and the eggs are cooked perfectly. We had a wonderful server who was able to answer all my questions in a friendly manner, and they were also pretty quick to serve. The prices are pretty good too, as they are remarkably cheaper than what I'm used to in Portland. Anyone craving Omurice should give this place a try!

The restaurant is in the heart of Chinatown, right beside the international village building. It's…read morespacious and welcoming. We got to try the famous omurice, which is the Japanese omelette rice, and had some side dishes. The avocado bomb was super yummy, filled with avocado and covered with a deep fried layer of rice. The kontatsu tastes fresh and crunchy, the meat a little bit on the dry side but it's common. Chicken karaage was just okay to me. Personally it had too much batter on it. We both had the traditional omurice. The omelette was nicely cooked. When cut open, all the juice came out nicely. The fried rice underneath has a large portion, tastes good, but a little bit hard. The curry sauce on the side of the plate is quite salty, but it complement the egg well. The service was really good, and our server even came to ask some feedback for improvement. Overall, we really like this place and will stop again when in the area. Free parking is available in the underground parking lot. Friendly tip: Do not use the door on the side to take the stairs if you are visiting after the building hours. The alarm will go off and there's no way out...

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Chinatown BBQ - Duck

Chinatown BBQ

4.4(412 reviews)
2.8 kmChinatown
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A Gastronomic Awakening in Chinatown! You don't truly know…read moreuntil you go--and now that I've been, I'm haunted. As I write this, I am literally still dreaming of the Hong Kong Style BBQ Pork. It didn't just "eat" well; it dissolved into a decadent, sweet, fatty puddle of pure bliss. Walking in, the vibe is quintessential Chinatown: a bustling counter, a glass case showcasing glistening roasted treasures, and a seating area that trades fancy decor for pure, functional authenticity. We were clearly out of our element, probably looking like deer in headlights, but the staff met our confusion with warm smiles. Then came Bobby--the absolute heart and soul of this place. We walked in expecting the standard American-Chinese routine, but Bobby whisked us away to a cozy table and treated us like family. He started us off with a fragrant jasmine tea so naturally sweet and floral it didn't need a grain of sugar--perfect for a biting winter night. While we flirted with the Happy Hour menu, Bobby took the reins. You don't say no to a man with that much charisma and passion! On his expert recommendation, we pivoted to the Two-Meat Combo (BBQ Pork + Soy Chicken) with a side of their famous Roast Duck. The food arrived in a lightning-fast 10 minutes, but the real treat was Bobby's play-by-play on how each dish was prepared. You can taste the pride in every bite. The balance was masterclass: a symphony of sweet, salty, and umami. The meats were succulent, the skins were shattery-crisp, and the glazes were perfectly sticky. The undisputed heavyweight champion, however, was that Hong Kong BBQ Pork. Imagine the best "burnt ends" of your life, drenched in a caramelized, mouth-watering sauce that demands your full attention. We left Chinatown BBQ feeling more than just sated--we felt enlightened. If you're looking for a "one in a million" meal, let Bobby order for you. You won't regret it.

Unbelievable. Came here on a whim. Not a huge menu, but…read morestraight to the point. The noodle soup was bland and boring. Should've stuck with rice. The char siu and soy sauce chicken were both cooked perfectly, moist and flavorful. The green scallion sauce was not necessary but it was still delicious ! Would've been great over rice. The extra fatty char siu the server gave me to try was over the top! Perhaps the best char siu I've had to date. My server, Bobby? Did a fantastic job and was very informative and I can tell he really likes what he does thru his enthusiasm

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Okeya Kyujiro

Okeya Kyujiro

4.8(41 reviews)
1.6 kmYaletown, Downtown

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.

Service was really amazing with servers explaining each dish and drinks were always topped off…read more Food was good, but maybe this isn't quite my style of omakase compared to the other ones I've tried. This is a more theatrical style so expect louder music and a more theatrical experience (eg one of the servers played the flute for the guests celebrating birthdays). I prefer a more intimidate and interactive style of omakase where you can talk with the chefs. This lunch also felt a little fast in terms of progression of the meal. Some of the dishes were very tasty while others didn't wow us. With drinks, we were quite full despite some reviews saying portion is on the smaller size. Our total was around $500 with drinks for 2 people. A really good experience for omakase, especially if you are looking for a unique experience though not my favourite one I've tried.

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Okeya Kyujiro - Inside the waiting area before being taken to your seat.

Inside the waiting area before being taken to your seat.

Okeya Kyujiro - 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

Okeya Kyujiro - A5 wagyu sukiyaki

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A5 wagyu sukiyaki

The Flying Pig - Yaletown - West Coast Seafood Paella - delicious!!

The Flying Pig - Yaletown

4.0(1.4k reviews)
1.4 kmYaletown, Downtown
$$

one of the best restaurants we tried in vancouver for sure…read more honestly, i would skip most of the main courses and just order off the happy hour menu because that was easily the highlight for us. the carpaccio was insanely good! super savory, rich, fresh, and packed with flavor. it had that perfect balance where the meat practically melts in your mouth, and every bite tasted bright, salty, and satisfying without feeling too heavy. definitely the standout dish of the night. i also really enjoyed the poutine. the melted cheese curds made it extra comforting and indulgent, and the whole dish felt way more elevated than standard poutine. the drinks were also amazing. both the mocktails and cocktails were genuinely well made and memorable instead of feeling like an afterthought. the only misses for me were the short rib and the steelhead trout, which both really needed salt. the risotto was also pretty mid and not very memorable compared to the other dishes.

I came here for an early dinner on a Friday evening. I strategically planned it that I would arrive…read morefor dinner during their happy hour. Food: Jumbo Mac & Cheese - This was pretty good! I'm not sure if I would say it was "jumbo" but delicious nonetheless. Parmesan Truffles Fries - The fries were standard, as was the aioli it came with. Organic Beet + Arugula Salad - This was a happy hour portion. It was a good salad, but I wish it came on a bigger plate for easier eating. Service: Service was friendly and quick. The food came out of the kitchen pretty quickly. I was asked more than once if I wanted a drink since it was happy hour which was a little awkward but not too bad! TL;DR - Good happy hour deals with quick service

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The Flying Pig - Yaletown - Chic and cozy vibes!

Chic and cozy vibes!

The Flying Pig - Yaletown - Mount Lehman Roasted Half Chicken - this was so good we came back again and had it a second time lol!

Mount Lehman Roasted Half Chicken - this was so good we came back again and had it a second time lol!

The Flying Pig - Yaletown - Happy Hour Beet & Arugula Salad - so light and refreshing!

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Happy Hour Beet & Arugula Salad - so light and refreshing!

Saku

Saku

4.5(521 reviews)
2.9 kmWest End
$$

Eating at Saku has totally reset my katsu scale because this is far and away the best katsu I've…read morehad. They make their own panko and the chicken katsu was cooked perfectly. It was so light and crispy and the chicken was tender and juicy. Saku's katsu was so good that when I think about the katsus I've had is the past at other places I realize now they were just decent katsu. Other highlights here are their house made sesame dressing - so good. They sliced the cabbage salad so thin that in combination with the sesame dressing it was a great combo. I usually don't like that much raw cabbage but I ate every bit of it. The ambience is airy and cool. The staff were really great and asked us about any allergies. We'd walked by this place before and seen a line out the door. Now we know why.

I came back for dinner. Had the Rosu nabe this time (last time I had the regular Rosu)…read more The pork katsu comes served in a (super hot) cast iron dish with a nabe broth with onions and eggs cracked into it. Still comes with a little side of pickles, and unlimited rice, cabbage, and miso soup. No katsu sauce. The katsu was fried to perfection. Juicy, tender, cant complain. But since they serve it in a broth, it does get soggy really quick. Still good, but after a few minutes its just soggy. The broth is nice with rice; comforting kind of meal. The unlimited rice/soup/cabbage is just icing on the cake. My dining partner had the Kake udon (pretty good, noodles good texture and slightly smaller strands than most places) and Menchi Cheese side - basically a pork meatball with cheese and deep fried katsu-style, served with katsu sauce. This was excellent. My original review still stands. Excellent katsu, plus they have the consistency and reliability. $28-30/meal and its plenty of food for 1, especially with unlimited cabbage/rice/soup. Restaurant is nice and comfortable, good spacing and not cramped. Easy recommend. 5/5.

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Saku - Inside

Inside

Saku - Zenbu set with refillable soup, rice and salad

Zenbu set with refillable soup, rice and salad

Saku - Zenbu katsu

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Zenbu katsu

Takenaka Uni Bar

Takenaka Uni Bar

4.5(63 reviews)
2.9 kmGastown, Downtown

Takenaka Uni Bar on Robson had me questioning why I don't eat sushi every day…read more Everyone on YouTube has been talking about this spot... so I had to see if it lives up to the hype The verdict? Yeah... it does. The fish? BUTTERY. fresh. melt-in-your-mouth perfection. You can tell immediately -- this is Vancouver-level sushi. And if you know, you know... the seafood here just hits different. Salmon = insanely fresh, rich, and silky Rice = perfectly seasoned (subtle, balanced, never overpowering) Presentation = clean, minimal, all about letting the fish shine What I really love? It's not trying to be trendy or flashy. No gimmicks -- just proper, high-quality sushi done right. Exactly what you want when you're downtown and craving something reliable but still hits. Service was quick, relaxed, and no fuss -- ideal for a casual lunch or a lowkey dinner. Final thoughts: If you're on Robson and need a sushi fix, this is one of those quietly solid gems that never misses. Not overhyped... just consistently good.

Takenaka Uni Bar was hands down one of the best meals of our entire Vancouver trip. If it were up…read moreto me, we would've gone here every single day. My partner and I ordered the Takenaka omakase course and it was unreal -- genuinely one of those meals you don't stop thinking about after. I love uni, and this absolutely delivered. There was both American and Japanese uni, and everything tasted incredibly fresh, rich, and deeply umami in the best way possible. The staff were amazing and so friendly, and the restaurant itself had the perfect vibe -- intimate, intentional, and special without feeling stuffy. This was the one place I marked as a MUST GO on our itinerary, and it exceeded every expectation. Do not skip this spot if you're in Vancouver.

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Takenaka Uni Bar
Takenaka Uni Bar - Bluefin Tuna Toro Temaki Sushi ($7/ea)

Bluefin Tuna Toro Temaki Sushi ($7/ea)

Takenaka Uni Bar - Japan Uni, Bluefin Tuna Toro and Ikura Rice Bowl ($48)

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Japan Uni, Bluefin Tuna Toro and Ikura Rice Bowl ($48)

Salmon n' Bannock - newcanadian - Updated May 2026

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