*Cactus Club Cafe entered into the Hall of Fame in 2024 and is no longer eligible for this category
Gold: Nook
Nook brings home a hat trick with its third gold in as many years for a chain that, despite expanding with its most ambitious restaurant yet in Coal Harbour, “continues to effortlessly blend the uniqueness of a stand-alone with the consistency of a chain better than anyone,” noted one judge. And while stalwart items like the rigatoni boscaiola—a flavour bomb of a dish with mushrooms, prosciutto and sundried tomato—are fan favourites for good reason, “lean into the specials,” advised another judge, “especially in late summer when Milan [Djordjevich]’s Stoney Paradise Farm tomatoes are in.”
Silver: Joey
Joey nabs silver this year for its “ridiculously consistent food and service” and the kind of menu that can please a crowd, executed at the highest level. (Go for the soul-warming blackened chicken—paired with the warm potato salad, it’s a dish that’s made for a crisp night.)
Bronze: Sula
Sula takes home bronze again this year for its elevated North Indian and Mangalorean seafood cuisine, where every dish pairs classic techniques with fresh and local produce (a must have: the marvai gassi—Salt Spring Island mussels in a rich broth of caramelized onions, citrus, tamarind and coconut).
Honourable Mentions
Big Way Hot Pot
bigwayhotpot.com
Crab Hot Lau
crabhotlau.ca
