Vancouver Magazine
Sneak Peek at the Limited-Edition Premium Aburi Oshi From Miku
4 Tips and Tricks to Save Time in the Kitchen During the Back-to-routine Season
Much-Loved Trattoria by Italian Kitchen Re-Opens Its Doors
The King of Champagnes Is Coming to Vancouver
Ask a Wine Expert: 11 Wine Recommendations for 11 Very Specific Wine Problems
Five Cafes Ideal for Avid Readers and Coffee Enthusiasts
How to Start an Art Collection, According to a Gallerist
5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (September 16-22)
What It’s Like To… Find Out You Have 40 Brothers and Sisters
The Outsider’s Guide: The Best Places to Rock Climb Outside of Vancouver
The Outsider’s Guide: You’ve Conquered the Chief… Now What?
These Are the Best Swimming Holes Near Vancouver
On the Rise: Aselectfew Blends Tech and South Asian Nostalgia
Article is open in Vancouver with a gorgeous new store you didn’t know you were craving
Inside Jewellery Designer Melanie Auld’s Chic Dunbar Home
These local heroes have expanded beyond one location to bring consistency, quality and good times to many corners of the city.
* 2023 Gold winner Cactus Club Cafe moved into the Hall of Fame this year, and was not judged in the Best Chain category
Nook grabs gold for the first time in this category with its personable ambiance and classic (or classic-with-a-twist) takes on pizzas and pastas. “This is the class of the category—each spot has personality and feels like there’s an actual chef making actual decisions to serve the customer,” said one judge. That’s as clear from the daily location-specific specials as it is from the standards: chicken liver crostini topped with port-glazed onions, for example, or a puttanesca that’s the perfect balance of salt, sweet and heat—a dish that made a fan of Jamie Dornan the last time he filmed in Vancouver.
Various locations nookrestaurants.com
Taking silver, Tacofino hasn’t strayed too far from its original beachside food truck in Tofino, and that’s a good thing. Taco selections vary by location, but Yaletown’s lemongrass chicken burrito—stuffed with crispy garlic rice, pickled veg and tamarind mayo—is middle-of-the-night-craving worthy, while Ocho’s lamb birria quesadilla is made for the more adventurous eaters. “Maybe I eat here too often?” joked one judge.
Various locations tacofino.com
Joey takes bronze for a reliable great night out over share plates of roasted corn guacamole and smoky paloma cocktails.
Various locations, joeyrestaurants.com
Honourable mentions go to Maruhachi Ra-men, where noodle-lovers line up for perfectly balanced broth and soy eggs, and Nuba, the city’s longtime (and long-popular) Lebanese mainstay.
Maruhachi Ra-men Various locations, maruhachi.ca Nuba Various locations, nuba.ca
