The 10 Best Restaurants in Vancouver

Vancouver is one of the most exciting food cities in Canada, and every street feels like a doorway to a new flavour. Visitors and locals love the mix of Asian fusion, fresh seafood, creative cafés, and international dishes that make the city stand out. Anyone searching for the best restaurants Vancouver has to offer quickly discovers that choosing where to eat can be overwhelming, especially when every corner has something tempting. Platuni makes that food journey easier, fun, and more organised for students, newcomers, and residents exploring the city.

Many people arrive in Vancouver with big questions about food, culture, and the right places to enjoy great meals. These questions often include:

• Where can I find the best restaurants Vancouver is known for?
• Which restaurants offer good prices and amazing food?
• What areas of Vancouver serve the most popular dishes?
• How can I discover restaurants that match my lifestyle, budget, or student schedule?

Platuni helps you explore the city with confidence by giving you the tools to plan outings, discover places near you, and enjoy meals with roommates or friends.

This page gives simple, clear answers to these questions while guiding you through the best restaurants Vancouver is proud of. You will see what makes these places special, what to expect from the menu, and how Platuni supports your food adventures. Whether you are moving to the city, studying, working, or exploring neighborhoods, Platuni helps you stay connected, organised, and ready to enjoy Vancouver’s amazing food culture.

Also Read: Top 10 Affordable Restaurants in Montreal

What is the Average Cost of Feeding in Restaurants in Vancouver

Here’s a breakdown of the average cost of eating out in restaurants in Vancouver, Canada, useful if you're planning visits, budgeting, or moving there. These figures reflect typical meals (cheap, mid-range, fast food) based on data as of 2024-2025.

Typical Meal Costs in Vancouver

• A meal at an inexpensive or casual restaurant: about CAD 25.99.
• A mid-range restaurant three-course meal for two people: around CAD 120 (though ranges vary widely depending on restaurant and what you order).
• Fast-food or a basic combo meal (e.g. burger or simple lunch): roughly CAD 10–17 depending on the option.

Also Read: Cost of Living in Toronto, Canada

What That Means for Average Monthly/Per-Person Spending

Your monthly cost for eating out depends a lot on how often you dine outside, here’s a rough guide:

• If you grab a cheap meal now and then (say once or twice a week), you might spend around CAD 100–200/month on eating out.
• Eating out more frequently (mid-range meals several times a week) could push expect costs toward CAD 300–500/month, especially if drinks or extras are included.

How Platuni Users Can Use This Info

• Platuni’s roommate and shared-living model makes eating out more affordable, splitting costs or sharing meals helps lowers individual spend.
• Knowing these average meal costs helps you budget properly if you’re relocating, studying, or starting a new job in Vancouver.
• Sharing meals or cooking together with roommates (using Platuni) can balance out costs, giving you flexibility between dining out and saving money.

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What is the Most Famous Food in Vancouver?

Wild Pacific salmon

Wild Pacific salmon is the food most people associate with Vancouver. The city sits on the West Coast, so restaurants serve salmon in many styles, grilled, smoked, cedar-planked, baked, or raw as sushi. Locals and tourists love it for its fresh taste, high quality, and cultural importance.

Other Iconic Foods Vancouver Is Known For

Although salmon is number one, Vancouver also celebrates several other famous dishes:

#1. Sushi and Sashimi

Sushi and Sashimi

Vancouver is known as one of the best sushi cities outside Japan. Fresh fish, skilled chefs, and affordable prices make it extremely popular.

Also Read: Affordable Coliving in San Francisco | Best Places to Live

#2. Poutine (West Coast Style)

Poutine

A Canadian classic made with fries, cheese curds, and gravy. Vancouver’s version often includes toppings like smoked meat, mushrooms, or seafood.

#3. Japadog

Japdog

A Vancouver-born street food. It is a Japanese-style hot dog topped with seaweed, teriyaki sauce, mayo, or tempura. Tourists line up for this.

#4. Spot Prawns

Spot Prawns

A seasonal delicacy loved by chefs. The arrival of spot prawn season is a big event in the city.

Also Read: Roommate Compatibility Quiz | Find Your Ideal Housemate

#5. Dungeness Crab

Dungeness Crab

Served steamed, stir-fried, or in Asian fusion dishes. Many restaurants near the water offer it fresh.

10 Best Affordable Restaurants in Vancouver

#1. El Furniture Warehouse

El Furniture Warehouse

El Furniture Warehouse serves large pub meals like burgers, bowls, and poutine at very low prices. Many dishes stay under CAD $10, so friends and students can eat well without spending much. The place has a casual, loud vibe that works for groups and quick dinners after work. Platuni helps you find roommates who love casual nights out, so visits to El Furniture Warehouse become regular, affordable hangouts among compatible housemates, one reason it belongs on lists of the best restaurants Vancouver.

Also Read: Affordable Coliving in Chicago | Best Places to Live

#2. Banh Mi Saigon

Banh Mi Saigon

Banh Mi Saigon makes fresh Vietnamese sandwiches that cost only a few dollars and fill you up fast. Locals choose it for quick lunches, easy takeout, and honest flavour without the high price. The shop is perfect for busy students and early professionals who need a tasty meal between classes or shifts. Use Platuni to find nearby roommates who enjoy cheap eats, plan lunch runs together, and split food costs, ideal when exploring the best restaurants Vancouver has for cheap, tasty options.

#3. Budgie’s Burritos

Budgie’s Burritos

Budgie’s Burritos cooks large, cheap burritos that keep you full for a long time. Menu prices stay low and portions are generous, which makes it popular with students and anyone watching their budget. The food works great for sharing with roommates or grabbing on the go. Platuni matches you with housemates who like the same food style, so trips to Budgie’s Burritos become fun group meals and smart budget choices among the best restaurants Vancouver offers.

#4. Japadog

Japadog is a famous Vancouver street food spot that serves hot dogs with Japanese toppings like teriyaki, seaweed, and special sauces. Prices remain modest while the flavours feel special, making it a good quick treat after class or work. The stands are friendly and fast, perfect for outdoor eating or a late snack with friends. Platuni makes it easy to meet roommates who want to try unique local foods, so Japadog becomes a great shared experience when exploring the best restaurants Vancouver has for street bites.

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#5. Pawn Shop YVR

pawn shop yvr

Pawn Shop YVR offers great-value tacos, especially during happy hour when prices drop even lower. Food is tasty, the atmosphere is lively, and the menu fits small budgets while staying creative. Many people go in groups to sample different tacos and drinks without spending much. Platuni helps you organise group nights, split the bill, and find local roommates who enjoy the same spots, a simple way to enjoy one of the best restaurants Vancouver has for affordable tacos.

#6. Mr. Shawarma (food truck)

Mr. Shawarma (food truck)

Mr. Shawarma serves large, juicy wraps and plates from a food truck, and prices stay low while flavours stay strong. Students and workers love the quick service and generous portions, which makes it perfect for a busy lunch or a late snack. Platuni helps you find nearby roommates who enjoy street food, so you can share meals, split costs, and explore one of the best restaurants Vancouver has for quick, tasty eats.

#7. Good Thief

Good Thief

Good Thief offers tasty, value-driven dishes inspired by Vietnamese flavours and small plates. Many dishes deliver great flavour for the price, making it a top pick for budget diners who still want quality. Platuni connects you with housemates who enjoy similar food styles, which turns visits to Good Thief into social nights out and a smart way to eat well while saving money.

Also Read: What are the Best Neighborhoods In Vancouver Canada

#8. La Tortilleria (Granville Island)

La Tortilleria

La Tortilleria on Granville Island makes fresh tortillas, bowls, and tacos with honest ingredients and fair prices. The market setting adds charm, and the food fills you without costing much, so it works well for visitors and locals alike. Platuni helps roommates plan simple food trips here, so exploring Granville Island becomes easy and fun while hitting some of the best restaurants Vancouver has for affordable Mexican food.

#9. Hon’s Wun-Tun House

Hon’s Wun-Tun House

Hon’s Wun-Tun House serves classic Chinese comfort food at low prices, including big bowls and filling combos. Longtime locals and students choose it when they want a warm, cheap meal that feels like home. Platuni makes it simple to coordinate group meals, so grabbing food at Hon’s becomes a regular, low-cost habit shared with matching roommates.

#10. Downtown Food Trucks & Street-Food Stalls

Downtown Food Trucks & Street-Food Stalls

Downtown Vancouver’s food trucks and stalls offer huge variety and budget-friendly meals across many cuisines. Options change with the day and location, which means you can try new flavours without spending a lot. Platuni helps you find roommates who love street food adventures, so you can discover different trucks together and enjoy some of the best restaurants Vancouver offers for cheap, delicious bites.

Also Read: Best Apps to Find International Student Apartments in Montreal

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Restaurants in Vancouver

What type of food is Vancouver most famous for?

Vancouver is famous for fresh seafood, especially salmon, sushi, and spot prawns. The city also has excellent Asian cuisine, from Chinese to Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Filipino dishes. These foods appear in many of the best restaurants Vancouver has today.

Where can I find cheap but good food in Vancouver?

Affordable food spots are everywhere, food trucks, markets, small cafés, ramen shops, Mexican stalls, and Chinese diners. Places like Hon’s Wun-Tun House, La Tortilleria, and popular food trucks offer great meals at low prices. Platuni helps you locate these places easily and plan group meals with your roommates.

What is the average cost of eating at a restaurant in Vancouver?

Most affordable restaurants charge between $12 and $25 per meal, depending on what you order. Nicer restaurants may cost more. Platuni helps you budget better by allowing you and your roommates to plan meals and manage expenses.

Does Vancouver have good vegetarian and vegan restaurants?

Yes. Vancouver has many great vegetarian and vegan restaurants. You can enjoy plant-based burgers, bowls, sushi, tacos, and desserts. These options also appear on the list of the best restaurants Vancouver has today.

Which areas in Vancouver have the most good restaurants?

Downtown Vancouver, Gastown, Commercial Drive, Kitsilano, and Richmond are some of the most popular areas for food. You will find everything from cheap meals to fine dining.