As proprietors of our very own restaurant-industry awards—The Vanmag Restaurant Awards—we have to say, we are nothing short of delighted when the gems of our city’s food scene are spotlighted for just how incredible they truly are. Being in the third year of the Michelin Awards means we’re in a groove now; we know the drill.
But just in case you haven’t been following them as closely as the food editors of the world, here’s a quick rundown from last year: in 2023 nine restaurants were awarded the sought-after star, while 17 secured Bib Gourmand designation (great restaurants at accessible price points), and 51 were named “recommended restaurants.”
This year the competition has gotten that much more exciting and we’re all wondering the big questions: will anyone new gain a star? Will anyone lose one? And how quickly can I snag a reservation before everywhere’s booked solid for the next year?
The wait is finally over. Read on for the 2024 list of Michelin winners: 10 starred restaurants, 16 Bib Gourmand, 50 recommended—a total of 76 restaurants who will be celebrating tonight.
Curious about how Michelin inspectors judge our food scene? We’ve got the inside scoop.
New Michelin Star Restaurant in Vancouver
Sushi Masuda
New to the list of spectacular one-star Vancouver restaurants in 2024 is Sushi Masuda, a Japanese restaurant run by Chef Yoji Masuda that caught the eyes of inspectors with its 14-to-17-course omakase experience.
Michelin said: “Entering this humble five-seat counter that is tucked in the corner of an unrelated restaurant and through the glass doors of a print shop serves as a pointed reminder not to judge a book by its cover. The plain, spare room is brought to life by the artfully simple, meticulous preparations of Chef Yoji Masuda, whose time spent in a top counter in Tokyo is amply apparent, though his own personality comes through. With the assistance of his wife Akari, who provides a warm, attentive hospitality, the meal proceeds gracefully, from an indulgent savoury ‘pudding’ of sweet, pure-tasting monkfish liver to a wonderfully gelatinous beltfish cooked with sake and kombu, before arriving at the impeccable nigiri, which showcase exceptional ingredients alongside a singular delicacy and precision.”
Returning Michelin Star Restaurants in Vancouver
All nine of Vancouver’s one-star restaurants remain on the list for 2024.
AnnaLena
Read more about AnnaLena in Vanmag’s Restaurant Awards. (Hint: It was a massive win)
Barbara
Read more about Barbara here.
Burdock and Co.
Read about what it’s like to win a Michelin star from Burdock and Co’s Chef Andrea Andrea Carlson.
iDen and QuanJuDe Beijing Duck House
Read more about iDen and QuanJuDe Beijing Duck House.
Kissa Tanto
Read about where Kissa Tanto co-owner Tannis Ling likes to eat, and how the restaurant snagged our 2024 Reader’s Choice Award for Best Chinatown restaurant.
Masayoshi
Read more about Masayoshi.
Okeya Kyujiro
Read about how Okeya Kyuijiro won gold in our 2024 Restaurant Awards.
Published on Main
Read about why Published on Main won gold in “Best Upscale” in the 2024 Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards.
St. Lawrence
Read more about St. Lawrence, our 2024 Best French Restaurant award winner.
New Bib Gourmand Restaurant in Vancouver
The Michelin Guide’s definition for its Bib Gourmand titleholders are restaurants that have “great food at a great value.” With high prices across the board as of late, we know that value is subjective… but Michelin makes it clear-cut by defining the parameters: at these restaurants you can have two courses plus a glass of wine or dessert for less than $60. Here’s who’s new to the list in 2024.
Gary’s
Gary’s is the only new addition to the 2024 Bib Gourmand list, charming the inspectors with both its vibe and food. And we’re pretty big fans, too—read about why it snagged bronze in the Best New Restaurant category in our 2024 Restaurant Awards.
What Michelin says: “It’s easy to be won over by this convivial neighbourhood spot, which owes its easygoing charms to the combined efforts of partners Bailey Hayward and Mathew Bishop (who oversee the service and the kitchen, respectively). To match the relaxed, friendly vibe, the cuisine is rustic and approachable, offering hearty dishes that draw inspiration from French country cooking, as in asparagus with saffron rouille, or pork collar with parsley sauce—and don’t miss out on the fluffy, freshly baked rye rolls, served with green garlic butter. For a final slather of indulgence, do order dessert, like a rum baba soaked with chamomile-scented syrup and capped with a ribbon of decadent pistachio custard and a cloud of Chantilly.”
Returning Bib Gourmand Restaurants in Vancouver
These are the spots that Michelin inspectors (and us Vancouverites) can’t get enough of—between price and high quality food, these restaurants have maintained their spots on the Bib Gourmand list for 2024.
Note: You’ll notice that Nightshade and Fiorino are missing on this list despite being part of it last year—that’s because Nightshade unfortunately shuttered its doors last year. And to Fiorino, we’re sorry you didn’t make this year’s cut. We’re fans of your sandwiches—better luck next year!
Anh and Chi
Chupito
Fable Kitchen
Farmer’s Apprentice
Karma Indian Bistro
Little Bird Dim Sum and Craft Beer
Lunch Lady
Magari by Oca
Motonobu Udon
Phnom Penh
Say Mercy
Seaport City Seafood
Song (by Kin Kao)
Sushi Hil
Vij’s
New Recommended Restaurant
Bravo
We agree wholeheartedly with the Michelin inspectors in all their choices, but the first recommended really stands out. Read about how earlier this year we awarded Bravo with our Best New Restaurant award.
Zab Bite
Zab Bite’s Thai cuisine captured our hearts as well as the Michelin inspectors. Read more about them here.
Below are the rest of the restaurants that remain recommended by the Michelin Guide.
Note: You’ll notice that Hanai is missing on this list despite being part of it last year—that’s because it unfortunately closed last year after a devastating fire.
Como Taperia
Acquafarina
Archer
Ask for Luigi
Bacaro
Bacchus
Bao Bei
Bar Gobo
Bar Susu
Bonjour Vietnam Bistro
Botanist
Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster House
Cafe Medina
Carlino
Chang’An
Chef’s Choice Chinese Cuisine
Cioppino’s
Delaara
Dynasty Seafood
Elisa
Fanny Bay Oyster Bar
Folke
Hawksworth Restaurant
Homer St. Cafe
L’Abattoir
Maenam
Miku
Moltaqa
Nammos Estiatorio
Neptune Palace Seafood Restaurant
New Mandarin Seafood Restaurant
Nightingale
Octopus Garden
Ophelia
Osteria Savio Volpe
Per Se Social Corner
Pidgin
Riley’s Fish and Steak
Sushi Bar Maumi
Sushi Jin
Suyo
Tetsu Sushi Bar
The Acorn
The Lobby Lounge and RawBar
The Mackenzie Room
Torafuku
Wildlight Kitchen and Bar
Yuwa
Special 2024 Vancouver Michelin Awards
Fraser Crawford of Kissa Tanto was awarded the Michelin Exceptional Cocktails Award for his mixology skills.
Reverie Bell of AnnaLena was honoured with the Michelin Sommelier Award—which pairs perfectly with our 2024 Restaurant of the Year award.
Bailey Hayward is celebrated for their front of house chops at Gary’s with the Michelin Outstanding Service Award.
Sushi Masuda may have only opened in March of this year, but Chef Yoji Masuda wowed the inspectors, and in addition to the restaurants Michelin star—he has been awarded the Michelin Young Chef/Culinary Professional Award. Congrats!
That’s it for the 2024 Vancouver Michelin winning and recommended restaurants—time to open up your reso apps and get booking.
