Vancouver’s culinary scene continues to evolve offering diverse options and international cuisines to choose from. Here are some of the city’s newest, award-winning restaurants that are definitely worth a visit!
Whenever I hear about a new restaurant that is getting rave reviews, my inner foodie gets excited! I start to research, review the menu, and make a reservation; after all, I can’t wait to visit the latest hot spot to sample fresh, innovative and mouth-watering culinary creations!
Vancouver and the Lower Mainland have so many diverse options and international cuisines to choose from – we are extremely lucky in our foodie quests in British Columbia. Here’s a list of some of Vancouver’s newest, award-winning restaurants that are definitely worth a visit. Your palate will thank you afterwards, as you’ll be blown away – bon appétit!
Nomad
Nomad is a trendy eatery to catch up with friends for brunch or celebrate a birthday. Located in up-and-coming Mount Pleasant, Nomad focuses on seasonal, sustainable ingredients and goes a step further, by creating their own unique preserves and syrups, tinctures and bitters for their renowned cocktails.
Signature, must-try dishes are the Grilled Calamari with house-cured chorizo, chickpea relish; Braised Elk with mashed German butter potatoes, stewed vegetables; and Yarrow Meadows Duck Breast with carmelizedonion, sweet potato perogies.
At the helm of Nomad are Taylor Burnham, Matt van Dinther (recently voted ‘Best Bartender’ in Vancouver), and head chefs Scott Swanson and Ryan Reed (‘Chopped Canada’ champion and ‘Vancouver Island Chef of the Year’ in 2011).
According to Burnham, what sets Nomad apart is “our creation and use of preserves, our unique dining experience that blends a casual atmosphere with high-end food. We keep the lights dim, the hip hop and R&B loud, but the plates and drinks are highly stylized.”
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Bauhaus Restaurant
Located in the historic Boulder Hotel in the heart of Gastown, Bauhaus Restaurant serves contemporary German-inspired cuisine under the helm of Michelin-star chef Stefan Hartmann, who has received international acclaim for his unique style of elevating German cuisine.
“For me, German food is something that brings me home somehow. I think that’s the way it is for everyone, that food can remind them of a time, a place, of childhood or of family,” says Hartmann, who uses local, organic and fresh seasonal ingredients in his culinary dishes.
Besides sampling the evolving chef’s tasting menu, Bauhaus’ signature dishes are its Schnitzel with seared potatoes and cranberry marmalade; Braised Veal with cabbage and herb spätzle; Chicken Fricassee with risotto; and Beef Tenderloin with oxtail and brussels sprouts.
“Chef Hartmann is continually working on his tasting menus, using organic and biodynamic ingredients, to surprise and delight our guests,” says Uwe Boll, German director turned restaurateur. “We also have a great wine menu featuring wines that aren’t readily available here, including a selection of Austrian wines that we just procured.”
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AnnaLena
AnnaLena is all about modern Canadian cuisine, “food influenced by a melting pot of cultures, flavour profiles and techniques and one that uses largely Canadian ingredients,” says chef and owner Mike Robbins, who was also a contender on Top Chef Canada.
Located in picturesque Kitsilano, AnnaLena’s dishes are created with sharing in mind, and the elevated buttermilk fried chicken and seared scallop appetizers are perfect for this. Signature, must-try entrees are the sablefish with eggplant puree, miso glaze, baby bok choy and chive beurre blanc; and the Wagyu beef with sunchoke, cauliflower puree, onion, blue cheese and peppercorn jus.
“We are so grateful to be a small part of an amazing restaurant scene in both Vancouver and Canada,” says Robbins, who named the restaurant after his two grandmothers for “what they represent in his life – imagination, creativity and possibility.” This hot spot is a brunch haven on weekends, and a fun place to hang out with friends while sipping on unique cocktails.
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Meet on Main
