These spots show off Vancouver's flourishing restaurant and bar scene at its best.
From French-Canadian fusion to Japanese-Italian inspiration, Vancouver's restaurant and bar scene is one of the most dynamic in North America. Ahead of North America's 50 Best Bars returning to the city for the reveal of its 2026 list, 50 Best asked veteran bartender and Canadian native Lauren Mote – global director of on-trade excellence for Patrón and founder of Bittered Sling Bitters and Mob of Mentors – for her Van City hitlist.
"As a bartender of more than 27 years who was born and raised in Canada, I have great admiration for the country's hospitality community, with the last 20 years seeing multiple cities blossom into top food and drink destinations that can easily go head-to-head with some of the old cocktail capital of the world," Mote says.
"Firstly, there are a few rules for every visitor to Vancouver," she adds. "Don't skip on the coffee, fitness studios, diverse global foods or the outdoors." Beyond these rules, here are Mote's must-visits around the Pacific Northwest gem.
1) Botanist Bar & Lobby Lounge Sushi
"For the best sushi in the city, paired with lively music and an amazing view on the ocean, this is the venue. Start with Botanist Bar, managed by the incredible Grant Sceney, for its precision-led, seasonal cocktails, then head to the Lobby Lounge for top-class sushi and non-stop fun."
2) Marutama Ramen & Harvest Community Foods
"Looking for noodles in the city? These are two of the best places to fix the craving. At Marutama, its ethereal cloudy chicken broth is a ramen I regularly dream about. At Harvest – owned by the team behind Burdock and Co. – chef Gabriel Meyer's standout creations include the vegan hazelnut noodles and salted chocolate chunk cookies."
3) L'Abattoir
"A Gastown institution with renewed energy and a standout bar programme, L'Abbatoir is located at the site of Vancouver's first jail, providing a nod to the city's rugged past. Head to the bar for the Avocado Gimlet, masterfully put together by bar manager Alexa Gervais."
4) St. Lawrence
"Head here for French-Canadian cuisine crafted with depth, narrative and technical precision. The level of talent and artistry on show in each dish is notable, with a special mention for the pâté en croûte, terrine and the dessert selection, which cannot be skipped."
5) Maenam
"One of my favourite lunch spots in the heart of Kitsilano, this restaurant delivers elevated Thai cuisine rooted in authenticity and refinement led by the thoughtful vision of chef Angus An. Try the locally legendary black pepper crab – make sure to order in advance – along with any of the curries and the banana blossom and pomelo salad."
6) Mount Pleasant Vintage & Provisions
"One of the coolest spots in Vancouver with amazing atmosphere every night, Mount Pleasant excels at being more than your average bar and grill. It's the type of bar of where everybody belongs and everyone knows your name, even after only a few visits. Great service, tater tots, alcoholic slushies and ice-cold beers – what more do you need?"
7) Bao Bei
"A timeless Chinatown staple that consistently delivers on both food and atmosphere for more than15 years, Bao Bei offers family table-style of dining, encouraging sharing and togetherness. Overseen by Tannis Ling and partners chef Joël Watanabe and Alain Chow, inventive cocktail and food menus are the order of the day. Fan-favourites include the mantou buns with the 48-hour slow-cooked Brant Lake wagyu short rib and the bean curd skin with king oyster mushroom and chili ginger emulsion."
8) AnnaLena
"For some fine dining, AnnaLena offers a fun tasting menu paired with one of the city's most incredible wine programme. Chef Mike Robbins curates a polished and consistently creative selection of dishes with both a fun yet refined approach. Thanks to its menu that changes with the seasons, it's a place you can experience again and again with repeated joy. A current favourite dish is the Bait & Switch, comprising cured and smoked albacore tuna, XO sauce, shiso, oyster and foie gras."
9) The Keefer Bar
"This is the destination for late night industry get togethers, where you are guaranteed to run into friends – so much so that I had my wedding party there. A local favourite for culturally rooted cocktails, cocktails are anchored in Chinatown's identity and traditional medicinal ingredients, put together by incredibly fast bartenders."
10) Como Taperia
"Inspired by classic Spanish tapas bars, Como offers a lively, social dining room that is always filled with energy. Shaun Layton and his partners perfectly captured the vibe of Spanish tapas and convivial dining, so much so that the only thing that feels missing is the feeling of soft sand and flamenco music."
The list of North America's 50 Best Bars 2026, sponsored by Perrier, will be revealed in Vancouver on Wednesday 22 April.
