50 Best asks some of Vancouver’s most lauded chefs and bartenders for the inside scoop on their city, from tried-and-tested late-night snack spots to weekend-ready escapes to the countryside.
Set between the cold expanse of the Pacific Ocean and the jagged North Shore Mountains, Vancouver is a city where breathtaking landscapes collide with cosmopolitan cuisine and a thriving bar scene. Ahead of the 2025 edition of North America’s 50 Best Bars, check out an insiders' guide to how to spend your time in the city, whether you fancy getting your steps in with a downtown bar crawl or hiking through some of Canada’s most Instagram-worthy scenery.
Amber Bruce, beverage director of apothecary-themed The Keefer Bar (No.49 in North America’s 50 Best Bars 2024), recommends:
Post-shift spot: Fat Mao
217 E Georgia Street
“The place you’ll most often find me is Fat Mao in Chinatown. It is hands-down my favourite noodle place, and it just might also serve my favourite meal in the city. I always get the hot & sour pork noodle which is a perfect meal for a rainy Vancouver day.
“As for post-work drinks, I love a freezer martini, specifically a Gibson. It’s easy, it’s ready-made; just pour, garnish and enjoy. Either that or a cold, crisp dry cider. After I take a sip of cider after a long shift, I feel like Mario powering up – it’s like my version of an energy drink!”
Day-off destination: Barnet Marine Park & Museum of Anthropology at UBC
8181 Barnet Road & 6393 NW Marine Drive
The Museum of Anthropology at UBC is a cultural highlight of the city
“I really enjoy getting out into nature whenever I get the opportunity. We’re incredibly fortunate to have access to fresh mountain air, crystal-clear streams and the bracing deep blue Pacific Ocean in Vancouver. I love spots like the Brother’s Creek Trailhead in West Vancouver – it’s about 7km long and takes about 1.5 hours to complete and there are waterfalls, abundant wildlife, creeks and bridges along the way.
“Another favourite is Barnet Marine Park. The park runs along the Burrard Inlet, which is dotted with little beaches. I wish I could visit the Museum of Anthropology at UBC more often – it’s a stunning piece of architecture and houses an amazing collection of Indigenous art and cultural artifacts.”
Chef Andrea Carlson from Burdock & Co, a diminutive farm-to-table restaurant serving homegrown produce from local suppliers, recommends:
Post-shift spot: Oku Izakaya
2 Water Street
“Oku Izakaya has become a solid team favourite for a post-shift meal. Lately I’ve really been enjoying the okra tempura – it’s just so crisp and crunchy – and the shrimp tempura with eel and avocado temaki sushi is also deeply satisfying. It has an excellent selection of vegetable dishes in addition to sashimi and other izakaya classics. My ultimate tip is to get the yellowfin maguro with blue cheese – it’s a must-try!”
Day-off destination: VanDusen Botanical Gardens
5251 Oak Street
Retreat to the VanDusen Botanical Gardens for serenity
“VanDusen Botanical Gardens would be the place to unwind for me. Easily accessible in the Shaughnessey neighbourhood, it’s a great place for walks through the different planted environments. I can really connect to the sights and smells of nature unfolding through the seasons, which is crucial to menu creation for me. They host lots of events through the year as well as some niche plant nerd stuff like meetings for the local mycological society and orchid society (of which I’m a member).”
Grant Sceney of Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel’s Botanist Bar (No.24 in North America’s 50 Best Bars 2024, winner of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award 2023) recommends:
Post-shift spots: Danbo and Butcher & Bullock
1333 Robson Street & 911 W Pender Street
“After work, my go-to spot depends on the kind of shift I’ve had, whether that’s a mid-day break or a late-night wind-down. If I’m craving food, ramen is always the answer. Danbo serves up an excellent bowl, with rich broth and perfectly made and cooked noodles that hit the spot after a long shift, and they have a few locations across the city.
“For a cocktail, I’ll swing by The Keefer Bar or Bagheera to catch up with industry friends. But if it’s a late-night beer with the crew, Butcher & Bullock is the spot. It’s just around the corner from our bar, offers cheap drinks specials, and has arcade games, so it’s perfect for relaxing.”
Day-off destination: Lynn Valley in the North Shore Mountains
The Lynn Valley suspension bridge is an ideal location to soak up Vancouver's natural beauty
“On my days off, I love to take advantage of Vancouver’s natural beauty. The North Shore mountains offer plenty of great hiking trails and forest walks, many of which wind past rivers and waterfalls.
“Lynn Valley is a favourite spot for me as it has a snap-worthy suspension bridge, lush surroundings and a natural swimming hole that’s perfect for a dip in summer. If I fancy a challenge, the Grouse Grind walking trail (known locally as Mother Nature’s Stairmaster) is a great workout, but for a more relaxed trip, I’ll take the gondola up and just enjoy the view.”
(Image: Eric Miller photography)
Chef Lee Cooper of L’Abattoir, an eight-seat restaurant and bar in Vancouver’s former meatpacking and butchery district, recommends:
Post-shift spot: Oku Izakaya
2 Water Street
“I know I’m not the only person recommending this, but after work the team and I love to head next door to Oku. The restaurant opened last year and has quickly become our after-work hang out.
“Chef Takashi and his team are always happy to see us and they have a great menu that’s perfect for late-night dining. I’m particularly into their innovative twist on poutine using Hokkaido sweet potatoes, which is simply awesome! Plus, they have a great drinks menu with a selection of Japanese beers and whiskies.”
Day-off destination: Bowen Island
“I spend most of my time away from work on Bowen Island as it’s where I live with my family. It’s just a short 15-minute ferry ride from West Vancouver and the act of travelling between the island and the mainland allows me to feel like I’m truly ‘away’ from the restaurant when I’m home.
“Bowen has some great hiking trails and coastal spots that we try to make the most of as a family – the beaches at Tunstall Bay and Bowen Bay on the west side of the island are a great place to swim, grill some hot dogs and enjoy a beer or two, weather permitting of course.”
Lewis Hart from Laowai and Bagheera, two lavishly decorated speakeasies hidden in the depths of a dumpling shop and a betting shop respectively in the heart of Vancouver’s Chinatown, recommends:
Post-shift spot: Mount Pleasant Vintage & Provisions
67 W 6th Avenue
Mount Please Vintage offers serious cocktails in a fun setting
“Mount Pleasant Vintage is the unsung hero of Vancouver's bar scene. The team consistently does a great job and is active in bringing the whole bar community together. Visually it’s a super fun space that doesn't take itself too seriously, but the bar programme is top notch and Soren Schepkowski and Cameron Bogue have built the most lovable team in the city. When I visit, I usually find myself starting with a Tiger Claw (a supercharged vodka soda) while I contemplate the bar’s newest cocktail creations.”
Day-off destination: Lynn Canyon
“Having two venues with no windows definitely creates a need for some outdoor activity, so I find myself heading to Lynn Canyon with my family to get into nature and switch off. It takes about an hour to hike the shortest loop, but it provides a great snapshot to the Pacific North West’s rainforests.”
Chef Mike Robbins of AnnaLena, a contemporary restaurant known for its concise seasonal tasting menus, recommends:
Post-shift spot: The Keefer Bar
The Keefer Bar is a staple of Vancouver's bar scene
“It’s got to be The Keefer Bar, where I’ll be ordering whatever old fashioned-style, booze-forward option looks good on the menu. I can’t wait until their new spot, June, opens on Cambie Street – the whole team behind the bar is super talented.”
Day-off destination: River District
“Days off are always family time for me as my weekdays are so hectic. I love going for long walks with my wife and son in the River District of South Vancouver that’s built along the Fraser River waterfront. We moved there last year, and it’s been great to explore the new neighbourhood and watch it continue to grow.”
Chef Joël Watanabe of Kissa Tanto, the Vancouver hotspot that serves Italian dishes with a Japanese ethos and ingredients, recommends:
Post-shift spot: Meo
265 E Pender Street
Chef Joël Watanabe heads to Meo for his post-shift drink
“After work I usually go downstairs to our Meo to say hi and maybe have a whisky or mezcal. I’ve been going to The Keefer Bar for many years as they are our neighbours and now friends. I’ll have a mezcal soda with a little yuzu. Some of my cooks are big fans of the bar’s rosemary gimlet and the Smokey & the Bandit [scotch, mezcal, red bitters, sweet vermouth].”
Day-off destination: Lynn Canyon
“On my weekends I really like to go for a hike and a plunge in Lynn Canyon in North Vancouver. We are so lucky in Vancouver as you can change scenery in an instant: it takes about 20 minutes to get from the middle of the city to the woodland, where you’re surrounded by wildlife.”
The list of North America's 50 Best Bars 2025, sponsored by Perrier, will be revealed at a live awards ceremony in Vancouver on 29 April.
