My Dine Out Vancouver 2018 Picks
Dine Out Vancouver is the perfect excuse to hit up that restaurant you've always wanted to visit at a lower price. The dining festival has grown from 57 establishments to over 300+ participating restaurants since 2001 so I get it, deciding where to go can be overwhelming. Don't worry; I did the studying so you don't have to. Here are my top picks for each Dine Out Vancouver price range:
— $20 —
Burnaby Mountain Clubhouse
The location of Burnaby Mountain Clubhouse may be a trek for some (read: me) but the menu looks extremely promising for the price point. They emphasis on using fresh, local and West Coast ingredients to create global flavours and continue to do so in their dine out dishes. I'd definitely start with the Mushroom Soup or Kale Caesar Salad, AAA Angus Striploin or Seared Sea Scallop & Prawn Risotto as my main, and finish the meal with a Warm Apple Crisp or Tiramisu Parfait.
Cuisine: West Coast | Neighbourhood: Burnaby, New Westminster | Gluten Free & Vegetarian Options Available
Dosanko
Newly opened in Japantown, Dosanko shares their love of homestyle Japanese cooking. Their dine out menu offers comfort food staples such as Niku-Jaga, Hayashi-Rice, and a vegetarian baked doria.
Cuisine: Japanese | Neighbourhood: East Vancouver | Gluten Free & Vegetarian Options Available
Gyoza Bar
I'm a huge fan of the Aburi Restaurants but Gyoza Bar is the one that I haven't visited since they first opened. I'm curious about how their Pork Teppan Gyoza & Spicy Aka Tonkotsu Ramen compares with other ramen joints in the city. PS. their lunch menu is only $19!
Cuisine: Japanese | Neighbourhood: Downtown Vancouver | Gluten Free & Vegetarian Options Available
Juke Fried Chicken
After several trips to Juke Fried Chicken, they still amaze me with how they consistently cook their chicken to perfection. How do they keep the chicken so JUICY and tender?! Don't forget to add their house honey sauce and hot sauce to the deep fried goodness.
Cuisine: American | Neighbourhood: Chinatown | Gluten Free & Vegetarian Options Available
Timber
aka. the home to Canadian comfort food; shout out for doing something a little different this year! They will be switching up the entree for each day of the week, so you can visit everyday & try something new. I'd personally go on Monday for Timber Beer Steamed Mussels and Clams (with frites & fennel aioli), Saturday for Steak Night, and Sunday for Bison Roast.
Cuisine: Canadian | Neighbourhood: West End, English Bay
— $30 —
Catch 122
If you're up for some tasty contemporary Canadian food in Gastown, then Catch 122 is the spot for you. This year, I was lucky enough to get a preview of all the dine out dishes, so I can say with confidence that this menu will not disappoint. Think Smoked Albacore Tuna, Sturgeon Hot Dog, Mushroom Cannelloni, Smoked Pork Shank Croquette, Sticky Toffee Pudding, and Coffee Pot de Creme!
Cuisine: Canadian | Neighbourhood: Gastown | Gluten Free & Vegetarian Options Available
Chewies Steam & Oyster Bar
I might be slightly bias here but I recently visited Chewies for brunch and had the BEST chicken & waffles. So if you're a fan of this sweet & savoury combination for dinner, you HAVE to try it and maybe see if you can top it with a fried egg.
Cuisine: Cajun | Neighbourhood: Coal Harbour | Gluten Free Options Available
Wildtale
Since I started working in Yaletown, Wildtale has been a staple for all my lunch and happy hour needs. For dine out, it was the entrees that won me over — Crab Crusted Steelhead Trout (with brown butter bay scallops), Duo of Lamb, or Braised Shortrib and Wild Mushroom Pappardelle? Count me in!
Cuisine: Seafood | Neighbourhood: Yaletown/Olympic Village
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
I love the interactivity of Japanese barbecues, being able to cook your meats over a flaming charcoal grill for yourself and your partner-in-crime is such a fun experience. Plus, how about ending the meal with DIY Smore's?
Cuisine: Japanese | Neighbourhood: Downtown Vancouver
— $40 —
Acorn
This gem seriously comes up with the most creative dishes from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Yes, their dishes cater to vegetarians, vegans and gluten free diners BUT definitely ensure that carnivores leave fully satisfied as well. Like c'mon, they have Brussel Sprouts and Beer Battered Halloumi on the menu, and three desserts to choose from!
Cuisine: Vegan & Vegetarian | Neighbourhood: Mount Pleasant | Gluten Free & Vegan Options Available
AnnaLena
Another contemporary Canadian eatery to visit — you'll be pleasantly surprised by their modern twist on each plate. Fun fact: I'm pretty sure one of my first blog posts gave a shout out to this very place, this was way back when they still served brunch on the weekends.
Cuisine: Canadian | Neighbourhood: Kitsilano, West Side | Gluten Free Options Available
La Pentola
Your stop for a traditional Italian meal, and they're doing four courses instead of three! I love that they're offering pastas as a primi, a meat or seafood option for secondi, and have a sweet or tart option for dolce.
Cuisine: Italian | Neighbourhood: Yaletown | Gluten Free & Vegetarian Options Available
Maenam
There is a requirement of minimum 2 guests in order to enjoy this dine out menu as they encourage the meal to be shared family style. So grab a friend and prepare for Steam Salt Spring Island Mussels, Ahi Tuna Tartare with Taro Cracker, Pork Belly Salad, Roasted Chicken Panang Curry, 3 Flavour Lingcod, and Thai Ice Tea Pannacotta!
Cuisine: Thai | Neighbourhood: Kitsilano, West Side | Gluten Free & Vegetarian Options Available
Notch 8
I haven't been to Notch 8 yet but I'm always so intrigued by their poetic menu. For example, one of the appetizers is named "Garden Under the Sea" and features Marinated Char Grilled Octopus and BC Shellfish, Sea Asparagus, Kelp, Smoked Oyster Horseradish Cream, Sake Fermented Radish, and Nori Chips — can you imagine the rest of the menu?
Cuisine: West Coast | Neighbourhood: Downtown Vancouver | Gluten Free Options Available
Cactus Club Cafe
Did you know there are twelve participating locations and Coal Harbour is the only one that's serving Sablefish? Just that dish alone is typically $36.50 so getting an additional appetizer and dessert for $40 is a total steal!
Cuisine: West Coast | Neighbourhood: Coal Harbour
The Keg
I know what you're thinking. You think I've ruined my list by including "2 chains" (ha ha ha) to my list but TRUST, its seriously the best bang for your buck and you're pretty much guaranteed a solid meal.
Cuisine: Canadian | Neighbourhood: All Participating Locations
Whew, this sums up my top 16 picks for your 16 days of DINE OUT VANCOUVER 2018! I hope this made your life a teeny little bit easier and let me know where you're going this year in the comment section below. HAPPY EATING!
XOXO,
Steph
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