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    The Mackenzie Room

    4.5 (217 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndCanadian (New)
    Open 5:30 pm - 10:00 PM

    The Mackenzie Room Photos

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    THE MACKENZIE ROOM ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Wolf of Wall St - IG @bougiefoodieboi
    Kyle W.

    On my list for an insanely long time because this place requires reservations in advance, a trip up to Vancouver as I am not from here, and total of 4 people to try the whole menu. As a foodie, I cannot settle for less with the 2 person tasting menu so lots of patience culminated to this very moment on a Sunday. The 4 person tasting menu, famously dubbed as the "I want it all!" menu, features everything listed on the board for the menu, served across 5 courses. 89CAD per person, so it is an amazing value. I put as asterisks the ones I loved, for those that opt to do a la carte or the abridge tastings. Showstopper salad - not really showstopper but pretty delicious nonetheless. Fresh arugula with creamy ricotta *Chicken of the sea - for the longest time, thought it was chicken but it is actually uni. I love this dish as it is unique with squid ink brioche (super flaky and crunchy) and hazelnut and black garlic puree for a flavor explosion. The look makes it seem like the dish is not for the faint of heart, but trust me, it is so good Beets by Charley - nicely named dish, not really anything stood out for this dish Big Dipper - white fish rilette with croquettes. I am not big of a fan of the vinegary taste of the gel in the bowl but it is a unique experience and does cut out the fattiness of the croquettes Mi Amore! - beef tartare. It has a bit strong of pickles and the pickled egg wasn't really my preference but works well here with how they prepared the fresh raw beef. Buffalo Bill - another salad with chicken skin and gorgonzola. Leans heavier than the Showstopper Salad and Beets by Charley, and it is for good reason as part of the cadence into the entrees in the upcoming courses. *Filet o Fish - an expensive Filet o Fish, just kidding. The fish preparation here is spot on - fresh, soft, and tender. It comes with crispy potato that combined feels like the inverted Filet o Fish sandwich that is apparent in a fast food chain. *Steely Dan - steelhead trout. Very fresh, soft, and tender. Some of the best fish preparations I have seen in these upscale places! *Cherry Bomb - duck breast. We opted for a $25 supplement for foie gras (total for the whole table, and we split the foie gras into 4 afterwards), which is decently seared but not the best I tried. The duck breast is really flavorful and the dish is prepared with flavor profiles leaning Asian fusion. I love their use of the candied cherries that you see in some drinks. Piggy Smalls - pork collar. Not really my favorite as I don't really prefer Southern US style food and this dish is prepared as such. But it was still done well What's up Doc? - carrot cake. Nice dessert to finish off *Wolf of Wall St. - financier. I like the naming of this dish. This one was pretty hearty and more innovative in comparison. Overall, the value is amazing and the food is good, but there is a large fraction of dishes that for those with even a sliver of hesitation of trying a particular dish or has certain aversions, you wouldn't really have a good time, particularly the first half of the menu. Service is good and is similar to that of a Michelin star restaurant, with complimentary coat check and bag check as needed, to ensure a comfortable dining experience.

    Salmon crudo and spicy gailan
    Jing C.

    The food and services exceeded expectation for two picky eaters. We did the pescatarian version of the tasting menu for two with chicken of the sea addition. Almost all the dishes delivered. Starting with chicken of the sea, definitely worth it, visually impressive and tastes even better. My favorite was probably the vegetable dish: Gailan with chili oils and fried garlic. Bold but well balanced. Makes me crave more. The restaurant was next to a rough looking park but inside it's warm and inviting. I would go back again to try new dishes.

    Sablefish
    Richard T.

    We had a family dinner on a trip to vancouver and I have to say this place did not disappoint. Hannah our server was unbelievably thoughtful. Her service was amazing, always checked on us, and also gave us a list of recs for other restaurants to try out. My whole family thought the meal itself was special. The best weve had all year. Really great quality and a great modern twist on classics. Highly recommend checking out this unassuming restaurant. Very cute interior as well.

    Valentine's 2025 menu!
    Thu P.

    Came here on Valentine's Day with my partner and had the Valentine's Day tasting menu. It was very pricey and they upcharged the tasting menu for Valentine's Day, but overall everything was so good and I would gladly come back. For the amuse bouche, we had some sort of biscuit with an olive and fish on top.. it was good but nothing really special to note (I don't like olives). For the appetizers, the BBQ'd gailan was good but there were a lot of elements here that didn't make the dish particularly better than any regular Chinese restaurant's standard garlic gailan. I don't think the coconut vinaigrette did any favours for me here. The beef tartare was really good and I really enjoyed the egg yolk on top! For the mains, the star of the steelhead trout dish was the delicata squash. It was so delectable, I wanted an entire plate of just that. The fish was cooked to perfection. The endives were meh and I would've rather not eat them. The lamb two ways dish was the best dish of the night for me. Wow. The lamb was absolute perfection. The mushrooms delicious. The celeriac puree was quite good, but holy cow.. the celeriac foam on top of the lamb ragu was phenomenal. One of the best things I have ever tasted in my life. For dessert, whatever we had was quite interesting.. I don't know if I liked it, but I didn't not like it. The mignardise was more to my taste -- I think it was passion fruit-flavoured. Something sweet and tart to end the night. Service was really great. It's kind of dark in the restaurant, and can be quite loud. Tables are really close together.

    Carmen P.

    Service is top notchand wait staff knows exactly what the menu is and the pairing wines are. Ambience is cozy and dimly lit. Only disadvantage is the location but every dish was fantastic.

    Menu for two - August 2024
    Nancy H.

    FOOD: We did the prix fixe menu, but in case you are contemplating the a la carte option, I have put an asterisk next to the items I recommend. *Amuse bouche: Fried potato with creme fraiche and caviar. Salty caviart that contrasted well with the cool freshness of the creme fraiche. I wish the piece were bigger. *Chicken of the Sea: Buttery sweet ink brioche as the vehicle for the sea urchin pate. I am usually neither a fan of sea urchin nor pate, but the melding of the two was perfect and not overwhelming to the palate. The poached pears add a sweet and bright contrast to the dish Reed's radishes: Pickled watermelon, crunchy radishes, and crisp bread crumbs made up this salad. The buttermilk ranch was light and did not overwhelm the flavor of the dish. I liked it, but my partner felt like the radishes were just big hard pieces of raw vegetables. *Hidden gem: The gem lettuce was steamed or cooked, which I am not familar with (I've only ever eaten it raw), and it tasted kind of strange and bitter. That being said, the salmon was SO tender. It looked to be less than a 6 oz piece, and I am not sure if you get a larger piece when you order a la carte. Down the rabbit hole: Tender rabbit meat wrapped in crisp chicken skin. Actually, the whole thing tasted like chicken. We are in general not huge fans of rabbit. The sauce moutarde was too salty. But the buttered brioche was warm, fluffy, and delicious. I would pass on this dish. Blue velvet: I wish our meal had come with the chocolate-based dessert instead. The rye chiffon cake tastes like punishment, some whole grain healthy version of cake. I liked the hint of plum flavor in the blueberry compote, but the sweetness did not offset the bitter taste of the brie cream cheese. It was not a great note to end the meal on. Ambiance: I enjoyed the music playlist, but it just seemed so noisy in the restaurant. Service: The waitstaff was friendly enough.

    Mei R.

    Finally here to celebrate my birthday and they did not disappoint! Totally worthy of all the accolades. The restaurant was cozy & comfortable. All the service staff were fun & attentive. I highly recommend their tasting menu "I Want it All" $80 per/4 ppl. Basically the entire menu, built for four. Every course was sumptuous and we definitely did not go home hungry! We will be back

    Stephanie M.

    We came with reservations for 6pm. We were promptly seated in a very full restaurant. I ordered the pearl martini. It was a little too strong for me and had a bit too much onion flavour. We got the I want it all! For 89$ per person. The showstopper salad with legumes, cheese and salsa Verde. It was really fresh tasting. very big portion. The chicken of the sea was complex and delicious. But I was really disappointed with the black squid brioche. It lacked the fluffiness that you usually get with the brioche. The texture just wasn't right. But the sea urchin with the hazelnut was a really good combination. I liked the addition of the fruit as well to help cut through the sea urchin. I would recommend this dish if it wasn't for the brioche. The garden state was probably one of the best dishes of the night. I loved the puree on the bottom. It was really good and addictive. It needed a tad more chicken skin for a bit of extra crunch but other than that. I also loved the asparagus. This was perfect. The faux tartare was disappointing. The beef had no beef flavour. I liked the crackers. Very crunchy. But other than that it was disappointing. The pierre Elliot credo with the hamachi was okay. Nothing show stopping but the flavours were there. Needed a bit more sourness for it to taste fresh The straight outta comte was not bad. I loved the fingerling potatoes and the endive. The arctic Charley was okay. Not my favorite. I loved the crispness of the skin. I didn't think the sauce Vin rouge went with it. The de la sole with leeks truffle and pate brisee was okay. It needed way more truffle flavour. The Cauliflower cakes were creative but didn't tie well with the sole inside the pastry. The sole itself was very flaky and light. A bit too seafoody for us. The down the rabbit hole was quite interesting. The mortadella inside the rabbit was very interesting. The chicken skin wrapped on the outside of this dish was pretty good. I loved the contrast of textures. The mortadella was a bit tofu feeling but interesting. The full English with the morel mushrooms was okay. The lamb didn't have much lamb flavour but this dish tasted pretty standard, nothing special. The desserts pear necessities and pink chiffon desserts were okay. The pear necessities was kind of one dimensional and tasted mostly like chocolate. The chocolate part on the bottom had a kind of weird texture. I didn't have enough room for the pink chiffon . The creme diplomat was delicious though. Overall the service here was really good. The food started great and ended on kind of a disappointing note. If I visit again I would not get the I want it all because it's just too much food. Off their current menu I would recommend the garden state, chicken of the sea, straight outta comte and down the rabbit hole.

    Charnika P.

    Came here with a large party which we were glad they could accomindate considering how small the dining room is. I was open to trying this place but honestly wasnt to optimistic as the menu was all over the place for me. We tried the full menu and the restaurant did its best to make adjustments for us as we had a lot of dietary restrictions. My party had mixed reviews of the restaurant. There were hit and miss moments. I personally did enjoy the duck and the salmon. I have to be honest about the desert portion of the experience. It was one of the worse desert culinary experience I have ever had and my whole party agreed. The "Golden ticket" which includes chocolate and banana mousse was an epic NO. I couldnt even swallow it. No one at my table ate it. Not sure I would return but glad I was open to experience it.

    Chicken of the Sea
    Molly T.

    The Mackenzie Room was full of surprises, and all great ones. We tried things we loved that we initially didn't expect to like, we had supremely accommodating and friendly service, we ran into people we knew in a city we had never been to before, and we entertained a menu concept that was right up our alley. When we finished our last few bites here, I remarked that the food here was subtly unique but I couldn't put my finger on how. Maybe it's because I don't have much exposure to Canadian cuisine, which is very similar to American cuisine but not necessarily the same. We had been in Whistler for a wedding for a long weekend and wanted to spend a night in Vancouver, a city neither of us had been to before. I looked up a zillion restaurants for dinner, of course. A good number of them were closed because it was Sunday, and I ultimately chose The Mackenzie Room because it a) was open, b) had a great pre fixe concept, c) had an amazing-looking menu, and d) seemed relatively central. As soon as we walk in, who do we see but another couple who had been at the wedding that weekend, two of the few people we actually knew there. Great minds (they also loved their meal). The ambiance here is warm and inviting, and very down to earth considering how refined the food is. Though not posted online, the cocktail menu here is a formidable one. Clearly everyone dining here thought so, because the bartender was working nonstop while we were there. It took a while to get our first round of drinks so our server brought us a little glass of champagne. After that, I had the Werewolf in Vancouver (odd society mongrel, chili, maple, black walnut bitters) which was a rich and spiced old fashioned variation with unaged rye (essentially moonshine). A delicious winter cocktail. I then got the featured cocktail which I did not take a picture of but I know it was made with pork fat-washed bourbon, a complex whiskey sour. My partner loved his drinks too (he got a gin sour-type drink and a tiki-style drink with calvados). So food-wise, Mackenzie Room offers a pre fixe set menu of five courses for two people. I saw each dish listed up on the chalkboard with accompanying prices, making me think that a la carte was an option, but they said it was not. You can ask to maybe swap one thing out but otherwise you've got what you've got. We ended up swapping out pork for quail but otherwise kept the menu as is. I was sad to miss out on a few things (we also weren't intending to get dessert) but most of what we got was seriously great. Eats, below: Amuse bouche - something delicious on top of a gourmet tater tot. Can't remember much else other than it being a sign of great things to come. Chicken of the Sea (sea urchin, hazelnut, squid ink brioche): A+ This is their signature dish, the only one you are absolutely forbidden from swapping out. My partner is not a fan of sea urchin so he was nervous, but ultimately he may have loved this dish more than I did. It was rich, savory, umami, altogether decadent. I have a gluten sensitivity so I ate it by the spoonful which was just fine by me. Root 66 (parsley root, almond, salsa verde, radish): A I believe they said this was the only vegan dish on the menu. Such a beautiful and creative winter salad, with perfectly roasted yellow carrots, thinly sliced parsley root and a nutty salsa that brought it all together. Arctic Charley (salsify, split pea sauce vin rouge): A Stunning cook on the fish (said in a Gordon Ramsey voice), with a flavorful shallt puree, raw cabbage, delicious roasted mushrooms and a light but flavorful sauce. You've Got Quail (root vegetable pave, mushroom, currants): A+ Another spectacular dish, with chicken sweetbread-stuffed quail that melts in your mouth. The root vegetable pave nearly won out as my favorite component of the dish. The Pear Necessities (chocolate, salted caramel, peppercorns): A- The only A- of the night because the chocolate cake itself was a bit dry. The other components were excellent. When our server asked how the meal was we gave a rave review but my partner mentioned the cake -- our server said he had heard this a few times already so perhaps it was an off night for the cake. Speaking of our server - this guy was so kind, friendly, and generous. This sort of thing really does make a difference. He seemed genuinely interested in knowing about our travels. He gave us a little bit of Montenegro as a digestive to close out our meal, a perfect way to end our short Vancouver adventure.

    Hal 9000
    Kristine L.

    Came here on the first night of a bachelorette. We had to make 2 reservations for 4 at 8pm and 8:15pm since they did not allow more than that online but would not pick up their phone or answer any emails. Immediately we were greeted extremely poorly and accused of bypassing the appropriate reservation system. That they would need to stagger our orders and would not even listen when we tried to explain that we wanted to make reservation for large group. Ok well we're hungry and tired from flying in so we just take it. Then we're told that we have to order the tasting menu which our group initially didn't consider cuz of certain food preferences and allergies and we would have been forced to try all the dishes on the menu. They were very unaccommodating and frankly pretty rude about it that we didn't want to make a fuss and just do the tasting menu. Dish highlights: Chicken of the sea dish was absolutely scrumptious and I never heard of squid ink brioche buns but they were delicious! Sashimi Not was also quite good as well as the pigs in a blanket. Never thought I'd enjoy deep fried sweetbreads but here we are. The other dishes were decent but nothing I'd necessarily go out of my way for. The halibut was overcooked and the bend and snap salad had way too much harissa. Desserts were also pretty meh. I'm not a huge fan of rhubarb so I was particularly disappointed. The service really deterred me from ever wanting to come back here despite a few very good dishes. I think it's very trendy and they lean on unique ingredients and preparations for the experience which is ok but not something I'm willing to dish out so much money for if the core taste is not there ($85CAD/pp). Ambiance was also way too dark and loud for me to enjoy.

    One of the tastes to share
    Jim N.

    3rd time at this restaurant. Very cool experience and innovative chefs. Delicious taste sensations. Service was excellent and interesting wines. It's got a great vibe and energy though the music could be turned down a couple of notches

    Showstopper salad
    Allison Y.

    Truly one of the best meals I've had in a long time. I was afraid that The Mackenzie Room's recent recognition by the Michelin Guide would cause it to become overrated, but I was relieved to find that was not the case. I genuinely enjoyed every aspect of my dining experience here. The best way to do this is to gather three of your friends, convince them to spend $82 per person, and order the "I Want It All," which is a tasting menu that features... well, the whole menu. The four of us jumped at this chance to try all twelve dishes for a price that isn't cheap but also isn't absurdly expensive. If I started talking about all twelve dishes, this review would become a novel, so I'll talk about my highlights. The Chicken of the Sea is hands down one of the most unique dishes I've had. I'm not sure how they got sea urchin to have that dense, creamy texture, but there was some wizardry involved I imagine. The Wesley Snips was a luxurious blue cheese parsnip dish that balanced sweet and salty like no other. The miso beurre blanc in the Sir Salmon Rushdie was rich and smooth; I wanted to drink it. I loved Hello Clarice; I was amazed at how they managed to cut the gaminess of raw lamb to make an Asian inspired tartare. My friends also raved about the cocktails, a smoky Mezcal Manhattan. For $82 per person before tax and tips, this is not cheap. But it is worth going to for a special occasion. Now to go brainstorm what "special occasion" I can come up with so that I can come back...

    Chicken of the sea

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    Miku

    Miku

    4.4(2.6k reviews)
    1.4 kmDowntown
    $$$

    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.

    idk how people like this place honestly it feels like the type of restaurant that exists mostly…read morefor business lunches and people in suits trying to expense a meal. the view was also super mid to me... i genuinely don't understand why people hype it up so much. maybe if you're not from a big city it feels impressive? but it really didn't wow me at all. the sushi was fine, but the quality of the fish felt pretty average for the price point. everything is insanely expensive and nothing tasted memorable enough to justify it. the whole vibe also felt really sterile and corporate instead of cozy, exciting, or luxurious. the one star goes to our waiter though he was genuinely super nice and gave great service. otherwise... pass!!!

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    Tokyo In April - Dynamite Roll and Chopped Scallop Roll

    Tokyo In April

    4.4(126 reviews)
    1.0 kmDowntown
    $$

    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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    Tokyo In April - Aji Furai ( deep-fried horse mackerel ) 3 pcs deep fried breaded horse mackerel served with shredded cabbage 12.95

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    Chinatown BBQ - Duck

    Chinatown BBQ

    4.4(412 reviews)
    0.6 kmChinatown
    $$

    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

    Photos
    Chinatown BBQ - General Atmosphere

    General Atmosphere

    Chinatown BBQ - Roast duck

    Roast duck

    Chinatown BBQ - Three BBQ meat and Gai Lin greens

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    Three BBQ meat and Gai Lin greens

    Okeya Kyujiro

    Okeya Kyujiro

    4.8(41 reviews)
    2.0 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.

    Photos
    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)
    2.2 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

    Photos
    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(519 reviews)
    2.8 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.

    Photos
    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)
    0.6 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.

    Photos
    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)

    The Mackenzie Room - newcanadian - Updated May 2026

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