Where to Eat in Yaletown, Vancouver
Welcome to my guide of where to eat in Yaletown – one of Vancouver’s best neighbourhoods for foodies (and for beautiful water views!).
While living in Yaletown from 2021-2023, my husband, Colin, and I did our best to try new restaurants and make the most of living in such an awesome neighbourhood.
And while we no longer live in Yaletown, we’re just a 5 minute drive away. And since my mom still lives there, we visit and eat in Yaletown pretty regularly. I’ve eaten at many of the 21 restaurants below multiple times.
Plus, as a Vancouver resident since 2010, I’ve been eating in Yaletown for years!
And now, I get to introduce my top 21 Yaletown restaurants to you! Below I’m sharing my picks for where to eat in Yaletown based on your budget and cravings, plus a map to find all of your new favourite eats!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Keychains.co. Custom metal keychains, when coupled with your company’s logo, are a beautiful, practical and cheap way to market your business. Thank you to Keychains.co for your support!
Map of where to eat in Yaletown, Vancouver
For delicious fried chicken in Yaletown: Kurotaki Chabann
Kurotaki Chabann: 496 Drake Street
Taiwanese fried chicken and less than a two minute walk from our apartment? Sold! That’s what first attracted us to Kurotaki Chabann when we lived around the corner.
I’ve only eaten from this place once but my husband, Colin, has ordered from them a number of times.
We haven’t eaten in yet but the interior looks pretty cool with comfy seats and lighting, so we plan to try it one day.
While the chicken is great, I did not enjoy the bubble tea I ordered. So I’d suggest you stick to the meat.
Recommended order: Popcorn chicken
For a snack or sandwich in Yaletown: Tartine Bread & Pies
Tartine Bread & Pies: 770 Beach Ave
I believe there are a couple of Tartine locations in Vancouver, but this one in Yaletown is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a baked good, sandwich or light snack.
Colin, Ellie (our dog) and I first visited in the spring of 2022 and really enjoyed the sandwich and pastries we got. I’ve been by a few times since and have never been disappointed.
Everything feels very homemade, which gives the place a cozy feel.
Recommended order: Turkey sandwich and a butter tart
PS: Speaking of sandwiches, have you heard of the pan bagnat? Learn all about it, and other food from Nice, France, in this post!
For the best salad & pizza in Yaletown: The Parlour
The Parlour: 1011 Hamilton Street
The Parlour is a great place to eat in Yaletown, or grab takeout from. We went one evening before they got too busy and weren’t expecting much, but were totally blown away!
This might just be my favourite pizza in Yaletown. And the caesar salad was also incredible with candied bacon and thick pieces of cheese.
Warning: This place can get pretty busy if there’s a Canucks game on, so plan your dinner time accordingly.
Recommended order: Any kind of pizza and a large Caesar salad
For really good tuna: Ki Isu Sushi
Ki Isu Japanese Restaurant: 1275 Pacific Blvd
I’m somewhat of a sushi addict. After finding a great sushi restaurant when we lived in the West End (shout out to Momo Bidwell!), I was hoping to find my Yaletown replacement.
I don’t think Ki Isu is quite ready to take on the title, but they did some stuff well.
The tuna was awesome but the sushi rice, tamago and udon were just okay. Colin also enjoyed the chicken teriyaki that came with his order.
Recommended order: Tuna sashimi
PS: For more Japanese food in Yaletown, check out Bistro Sakana. We went with my mom for her birthday and can recommend the chawanmushi and yam fries!
For affordable Thai food: Zab Zaab Thai (best budget restaurant in Yaletown!)
Zab Zaab Thai Cuisine: 1211 Hamilton St
Delicious Thai food for less than $16? That’s what makes Zab Zaab one of my favourite places to eat in Yaletown, Vancouver.
I was introduced to this place by my friend, Cathy, and quickly made it a staple in our eating out routine.
For lunch you can enjoy a curry or stir-fry dish, spring roll and rice for just $15.95 (price current as of Jan 2025). Everything is tasty, portions are large and service is super quick!
Recommended order: Yellow curry with chicken
For yummy Vietnamese sandwiches in Yaletown: Obanhmi
Despite having eaten sandwiches from Obanhmi many times, I only have this photo of the outside of the store because every time we get them, we eat them too fast!
These banh mi Vietnamese sandwiches are delicious, affordable and the perfect quick meal in Yaletown. They’re a hit with our moms too who have had them with us a few times.
Luckily, Obanhmi also has a location near our new place in Fairview, so I haven’t been without these sandwiches for long. Their juices are also really delicious.
Obanhmi probably gets my vote for second best budget restaurant in Yaletown!
Recommended order: Honey garlic chicken banh mi
PS: We also had some amazing Vietnamese food in Brixton at Banh Banh, if you ever find yourself in South London, and from Earl’s in Brighton if you’re looking for delicious food in Brighton, UK.
For Chinese food in Yaletown: Happy Noodle House
Happy Noodle House: 630 Davie St
Sadly, I don’t have a photo of this place or the food we ordered but you’ll just have to take my word that Happy Noodle House serves up some pretty decent Chinese food in Yaletown.
We’ve ordered from them a couple of times and the dishes seem to be hit and miss.
But the hits are delicious and worth ordering if you need a Chinese food fix and can’t make it all the way to Richmond!
Recommended order: Yang Zhou fried rice, Shanghai noodles and ginger beef
For a fancy night out in Yaletown (on a mid-budget): Brix & Mortar
Brix & Mortar: 1137 Hamilton St
We ate at Brix & Mortar the night before our wedding – and affectionately dubbed it The Last Supper. To be honest, I can’t remember exactly what we ordered but I remember it being tasty and a fun time.
Yaletown has no shortage of fancy eateries if you’re looking for a big night out. Other high-end places to eat in Yaletown include Elisa (for steak), Blue Water Cafe (for seafood) and Minami (for sushi). More on all of those below!
Brix and Mortar is also known as a wedding venue with a really cool space for ceremonies. Give it a look if you’re planning a wedding in Yaletown!
For specialty vegetarian cuisine in Yaletown: Do Chay
2025 update: Sadly, the Do Chay location in Yaletown has closed. But luckily, they have a location on Kingsway where you can enjoy many of the same delicious dishes!
My friend, Emilie, suggested this spot in Yaletown for fancy, modern, vegan Vietnamese food. Do Chay is super trendy with some great food options.
We got the spring rolls (delicious but a small portion), tempura (tasty with a great sauce) and tomato curry (didn’t feel all that Vietnamese, but still good).
However, my favourite dish (lettuce wraps) was one I sampled at their Kingsway location. And luckily, that location is still open! So head a little east of Yaletown and enjoy.
Recommended order: Lettuce wraps
For more vegetarian food in Yaletown: MeeT
MeeT in Yaletown: 1165 Mainland St
I’ve been a fan of MeeT, a fun vegetarian chain with a few locations around Vancouver, for years and have dined with them at their Yaletown, Gastown and Main Street locations.
Despite loving their food, I couldn’t find a single photo of it in my camera roll! But I promise, it’s really tasty.
While I’m not vegetarian or vegan, I have friends who are and I can appreciate the cuisine. I love the rice and noodle bowls from MeeT, and their cauliflower bites are a must-order!
MeeT is a good option if you’re dining with a mixed group of vegetarians and non-vegetarians. In my opinion, they have enough “safe” options for meat eaters that either mimic meat or stick to simple vegetables.
Recommended order: Sweet-chili cauliflower
For a cute breakfast in Yaletown: Craffles
Craffles, a play on croissants and waffles, opened around the corner from where we lived in Yaletown and I couldn’t wait to try it. It’s the most adorable spot for breakfast!
I really liked their sweet and savoury options for waffle toppings – and loved my eggs benny version – but they have tons of non-waffle food too.
There’s an extensive menu that includes acai bowl, vegan options, shakes, omelettes, French toast, and more!
Heads up that this restaurant is quite small, so you might have to wait a while to get a table.
Recommended order: Smoked salmon eggs benny on a craffle
For steak and a big night out: Elisa
Elisa is one of the more high-end restaurants in Yaletown, and likely all of Vancouver. Colin likes to tell me it’s the restaurant of choice for many of his beloved Canuck hockey players!
We’re not exactly high-end steakhouse people, so the only time I’ve been to Elisa was to celebrate my birthday in 2023. My mom and aunt (whose name actually is Elisa!) have been a few times and enjoyed it.
The steak we had back in 2023 really was good and the service was excellent. But I think we felt a little out of place at such a fancy spot.
Recommended order: The nicest steak you can afford
For a Indian food in Yaletown: Tasty Indian Bistro
Tasty Indian Bistro: 1261 Hamilton St
Tasty Indian Bistro is another delicious Yaletown spot with sister locations throughout the Lower Mainland.
One rainy night we ordered an absolute feast from them for dinner and were not disappointed! We’ve ordered from Tasty Indian Bistro a few times since and it’s always been good.
Portions were big, almost everything was tasty and it was ready very quickly. If you’re craving Indian food in Yaletown, it’s a solid choice.
Note: Everything was also pretty spicy, so be prepared! And in my opinion, skip the appetizers and stick to the curries.
Recommended order: Butter chicken, lamb vindaloo & prawn biryani
For high-end sushi: Minami
If you love sushi and fine dining, you’ll definitely want to check out Minami in the heart of Yaletown. I’ve been lucky enough to eat at this restaurant a few times and it’s always been delicious.
As a fan of raw fish, I love ordering the nigiri here as it’s so fresh! But I believe they have excellent appetizer and warm dishes as well.
They also operate a small Japanese grocery store right next door!
Recommended order: One of the nigiri sets and oshi platters
For Greek food in Yaletown: The Greek Yaletown
The Greek Yaletown: 1043 Mainland St
If you’re looking for a slightly upscale Greek restaurant, you’ll find it at Yaletown’s The Greek by Anatoli. Prices are not cheap (welcome to Yaletown!) but good value can be found.
Colin and I split the souvlaki platter for two, feeding both of us for $46 (price current as of Jan 2025). We loved the pork, chicken, rice and potatoes! (The shrimp and vegetables were just okay.)
If you’re a fan, The Greek has locations all around Vancouver so you can enjoy their food throughout your time in the city.
Recommended order: Souvlaki platter for two
For fancy seafood: Blue Water Cafe
Blue Water Cafe: 1095 Hamilton St
As much as I love seafood, regularly dining at Blue Water Cafe is just not in the budget for us. So the only time I went was to celebrate my big 30th birthday in 2022.
Colin and I splurged on a seafood platter and it really was delicious. It was nice to get a variety of seafood and everything was very fresh.
To be honest, I didn’t love the service. I don’t know if we were projecting because we felt a little out of place, but I expected more hospitality from such a fancy restaurant and on a big birthday occasion.
Recommended order: Seafood tower
For quality dessert: Yaletown Gelato
Yaletown Gelato: 1208 Homer St
It’s not cheap but it is good! A scoop or two at Yaletown Gelato will set you back about $10 but it’s well worth it. This isn’t regular ice cream; this is quality gelato!
You can taste the difference and every flavour we’ve tried has been rich and flavourful. I usually lean towards the chocolate-y flavours, but the fruit ones are good too.
Recommended order: Your gelato flavour of choice!
For fancy brunch or dinner in Yaletown: Provence Marinaside
Provence Marinaside: 1177 Marinaside Cres
Provence Marinaside is a popular Yaletown eatery for lunch, dinner and brunch. It’s also one of my mom’s favourite restaurants, so we’ve dined here quite a few times.
I’ve been to Provence most often for brunch, where their brioche French toast is a must-order. We usually get an order for the table so everyone can try some.
Provence Marinaside is also next to OEB, a breakfast place, but I think Provence is tastier (and has a shorter line up on weekends).
We’ve also had dinner and lunch at Provence over the years. I’m a big fan of their seafood pastas and appetizers.
Recommended order: Brioche French toast
For good pizza and pasta in Yaletown: Seahouse
2025 update: Sadly, Seahouse has closed. Here’s hoping a just-as-delicious restaurant takes its place!
We enjoyed the pizza from Seahouse so much that we served it at our wedding! This Italian restaurant is a hidden gem in Yaletown, and never as busy as I think they should be.
The pizza is awesome and the pasta dishes we’ve sampled are great too. However, we did get the tiramisu to-go one time and it wasn’t great, so give that a miss.
Recommended order: Quatro salami pizza and seafood linguine
For incredible seafood in Yaletown: Fanny Bay Oyster Bar
Fanny Bay Oyster Bar: 762 Cambie St
On the far end of Yaletown is one of my favourite restaurants in the whole city, and a hit with visitors, Fanny Bay Oyster Bar. This restaurant is always super popular – and for good reason!
The food is delicious and while on the slightly pricy side, completely worth it. (Go at happy hour for a bit of a discount.) Their fresh seafood is absolutely amazing!
I’ve eaten here countless times and have never been disappointed. It’s conveniently nearby the QE Theatre, Rogers Arena and BC Place, so the perfect spot to enjoy happy hour before a show or game.
Recommended order: Local oysters, mussels & clams, pork belly with scallops, and vongole pasta
PS: If you go, say hi to my friend, Malindi, whose family owns the place!
For a quick & affordable meal in Yaletown: Tacofino
Tacofino Yaletown: 1025 Mainland St
Looking for a quick bite that’s tasty and affordable in Yaletown? Head to Tacofino! With a few locations around BC, and the original in Tofino, you can’t go wrong with a meal at Tacofino.
Whether you eat meat, seafood or only veggies, you’ll find great options. Enjoy tacos, burritos, bowls or sides for a very reasonable price.
I’ve eaten at Tacofino locations all around Vancouver and they’ve all been delicious. Each menu is slightly different and there’s always a new fusion taco to try.
The churros and drinks are also excellent!
Recommended order: Pacific cod taco
Eating in Yaletown FAQs
Is Yaletown a good neighbourhood for foodies?
Absolutely! Yaletown is one of the best foodie neighbourhoods in Vancouver and the perfect place to try a wide variety of cuisines.
The main Yaletown foodie hub, along Mainland and Hamilton, is full of restaurant options, many spilling onto the street in nice weather.
Before or after your meal, you can enjoy a stroll on Yaletown’s Seawall and you’re a short walk away from the shopping and entertainment districts of Vancouver.
What food is Yaletown known for?
Yaletown is home to all different types of cuisine; there really is something for everyone.
That being said, Yaletown is most well-known for having some of the fanciest (and most expensive!) restaurants in the city of Vancouver. If you’re looking for a fancy night out, you’ll find it in Yaletown.
Of course, as you can see from my list above though, there are also budget restaurants a plenty in Yaletown.
Where can you eat in Yaletown on a budget?
Just because Yaletown is known as a fancy area and home to a lot of pricy restaurants doesn’t mean you can’t eat in Yaletown on a budget.
My favourite budget restaurants in Yaletown are Zab Zaab Thai, Obanhmi and Tacofino.
Wrapping up the best places to eat in Yaletown, Vancouver
I’m so glad we played our restaurant jar game – putting local restaurants in a jar and pulling one out whenever we wanted to try somewhere new – and used it to explore more of the delicious places in Yaletown.
It was so fun discovering where to eat in Yaletown, trying new cuisines and mixing up our regular routine. We need to do this everywhere we live!
Yaletown has a reputation as a pricy place where people go for a fancy night out. And while many restaurants do cater to that, there are lots of options for people looking for something more casual and cheaper in Yaletown.
After that list of Yaletown restaurants and reviews, are you drooling yet? I certainly am! I can’t wait to revisit all of these places and continue exploring the Yaletown neighbourhood.
I’d love to know: Which one of these Yaletown restaurants would you most want to try on your next visit to Vancouver?
PS: Looking for even more great food to try all over the world? Check out my top restaurant recommendations in Orleans, where to eat in Montreal, and must eats in Spain!
I feel famous with my arm in the background of a pic!
You’ve made it 😉
What a well-researched and helpful post! I love that you’ve included photos and maps. I think the jar game is going to be something that I start too! Time to check out some of your recommendations!
Thanks so much, Jodie! Hope you enjoy any that you check out!