Gold: Boulevard
Gold winner Boulevard is home base for our Chef of the Year Roger Ma, and there’s no better person to entrust with a meal to honour a special occasion. “Nobody comes close to the haute cuisine that he is capable of,” said one judge. The words “perfect” and “perfection” popped up again and again in the judges’ notes on Ma’s menu, whether to describe a mushroom rotolo showered with Italian white truffles, a side of slow-roasted halibut stuffed with lobster or the mixed shellfish platter with the tasting trio of sauces. Pastry chef Kenta Takahashi (our 2024 Pastry Chef of the Year) whips up works of art as a complementary finishing touch, playing with lightness, creaminess and intense tropical fruit flavours.
845 Burrard St.
boulevardvancouver.ca
Silver: Five Sails
The experience at silver winner Five Sails can feel like a bit of throwback—the white tablecloths, the beautiful surroundings, the glorious view of the Burrard Inlet—but Top Chef Canada darling Alex Kim balances out the old school vibes with a fresh, downright fun approach to flavours. The trompe l’oeil oyster shell is a delight, but his talents go beyond optical illusion: scallops, duck and lobster prawn bisque showcase an attention to detail and deep appreciation for ingredients.
999 Canada Pl.
glowbalgroup.com/five-sails
Bronze: Hawksworth
Another longstanding downtown room, Hawksworth, takes the bronze this year. Though celebrated chef David Hawksworth is attempting to cultivate a more casual vibe—these days, you’re more likely to catch him in a denim apron, not crisp chef whites—there’s no denying the softly lit, art-filled room, precisely plated dishes and impeccable service create prime conditions for a special experience.
801 W Georgia St.
hawksworthrestaurant.com
Honourable Mentions
Botanist
1038 Canada Pl.
botanistrestaurant.com
Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie
909 Burrard St.
lecrocodilerestaurant.com
