Restaurant Awards 2025: The Best Japanese Restaurants in Vancouver

Gold: Okeya Kyujiro

1038 Mainland St.
okeya.ca

Silver: Tetsu

775 Denman St.
tetsusushibar.com

Bronze: Sushi Hil

3330 Main St.
sushihil.com

For two years running, Okeya Kyujiro has earned gold for its immersive dining experience. “From the traditional prayers, hand carving skills, traditional tea ceremony and more, this is more than dinner,” raved one judge. And when the food arrives, wow: grilled eggplant and wagyu are gloriously lush, and clay-pot rice cooked during the meal is deeply flavoured with fish broth, its pearly texture perfect. Tetsu brings home silver for its intimate, omakase-style menu. “The local spot prawn nigiri—glazed with Chinese Shaoxing wine—may be the most incredible bite of sushi I have had all year,” said one judge. Chef Hilary Nguy’s expert execution on sushi and sashimi out of his Main Street boîte, Sushi Hil, earns his restaurant bronze this year, with delightful takes like spicy toro sashimi and Hokkaido scallop steamed in sake butter.

Honourable Mentions

Dosanko
100–566 Powell St.
dosankorestaurant.ca

Oku Izakaya
2 Water St.
okuizakayabar.com

Find more of the best Vancouver restaurants on our list of 2025 Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Award winners.