Gold: Suyo
Suyo continues to reign as queen of the Latin American hot spots in Vancouver, once again taking home gold as it has every year since it became eligible in 2023. “Suyo is a wonder of a place that almost single-handedly raised the idea of fine dining in the Latin America genre in Vancouver,” said one judge. Its drinks program is, dare we say it, nearly unmatched in the city—we’d happily pop in for happy hour just for a creative cocktail like the Reef: Gray Whale gin, vermouth, pear, aloe vera, tomato water and, yes, ocean foam. But the draw of the menu is what keeps you well past cocktail hour, with bright Peruvian fare like ceviche, as beautiful as it is flavourful (the steelhead trout tartare is layered with with avocado and tangy nikkei leche de tigre—and a few lovely flower petals).
3475 Main St.
suyo.ca
Silver: Chupito
Silver winner Chupito feels like the kind of tucked-away spot you’d rave about if you discovered it while travelling. Now in its permanent digs on Yukon Street, it still brings its back-alley warmth to the table with elevated Mexican fare like pulpo colimense: tender sautéed octopus with capers and olives, and charred lemon and jalapeno. The cocktails hit here, too—the Xochimilco is a feast for the senses, with its temperature contrasts and icy clarified milk punch, spiced with mezcal, Averna, cream sherry and spent coffee topped with a hot horchata foam.
2450 Yukon St.
chupito.ca
Bronze: Cuchillo
Cuchillo takes home bronze for its great value and modern Latin American: don’t pass on the roasted beet salad with coriander chilli cinnamon, paired with whipped ricotta, navel oranges, pistachios and local honey.
261 Powell St.
cuchillo.ca
Honourable Mentions
Monarca
181 Carrall St.
monarcavancouver.ca
Chancho
2096 Commercial Dr.
chancho.ca
