The TOP 10 Modern Restaurants in Vancouver

What is it? Elisa sits at 1109 Hamilton St, a fifteen-minute walk from Canada Place. This fine dining destination holds a spot at no. 19 on the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants list and carries a Wine Spectator Excellence Award.

Why we love it: Elisa differentiates itself by pairing the precision of a top-tier steakhouse with a broader contemporary seafood program. It manages to balance a heavy-hitting international ranking with a consistently high guest rating of 4.78 across nearly three thousand reviews, proving the service matches the kitchen's technical ambition.

Good to Know: The terrace is the primary draw for those looking to experience Elisa's grill-focused menu in an open-air setting, so request an outdoor table when the weather allows.

What is it? Vancouver Lookout sits at 555 W Hastings St. This restaurant is a six-minute walk from Canada Place and sits within half a mile of Gastown.

Why we love it: It manages an expensive price point while securing a 4.62 rating from over 2,700 guests, a rare balance for a fine dining space offering an international and seafood-focused menu. The location pulls diners away from the Robson Street retail corridor, prioritizing a refined, modern atmosphere over the noise of the surrounding streets.

Good to Know: The kitchen balances international and seafood influences with a level of formality that demands a smart and elegant dress code, so save your casual wear for the trek back toward Robson Street.

What is it? Nightingale is a restaurant located at 1017 W Hastings St. It sits an eight-minute walk from Canada Place and roughly ten minutes from the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Why we love it: While many spots in the area lean into singular culinary identities, Nightingale bridges the gap between casual international flavors and a refined, fine-dining setting. It manages a significant volume—averaging a 4.69 rating from over 3,500 reviews—without sacrificing the polished, beautiful aesthetic that makes the room a destination for more than just the food.

Good to Know: The kitchen focuses on a modern, fusion-driven menu; opt for the bar seating if you want a direct view of the preparation process in this upscale space.

What is it? Brix and Mortar sits at 1137 Hamilton St, a three-minute walk from Gastown. This contemporary restaurant offers a blend of seafood and modern cuisine within a luxury, fine dining setting.

Why we love it: The space relies on its beautiful, romantic atmosphere to separate itself from the high-traffic corridor between Gastown and the Vancouver Waterfront. With a guest rating of 4.68 across over 1,500 reviews, the venue leans into its upscale, elegant reputation rather than chasing the casual trends common in the Granville Island vicinity.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Brix and Mortar is best complemented by a seat on the terrace to make the most of the restaurant's distinct layout.

What is it? Bacchus Restaurant & Lounge is a fine dining venue on Hornby Street, located a six-minute walk from the Vancouver Art Gallery. It offers a menu defined by modern international and seafood preparations within a setting that emphasizes a romantic atmosphere.

Why we love it: The space balances the intimacy required for fine dining with a versatile menu that bridges global flavors and locally sourced seafood. With a 4.72 guest rating, it maintains a consistent level of service that justifies the higher price point for those seeking a more curated dining experience than the casual spots near Granville Island.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Bacchus Restaurant & Lounge is strictly enforced, so opt for structured tailoring before heading over from the nearby Robson Street shops.

What is it? Barbara sits at 305 E Pender St, a six-minute walk from the Gastown district. It holds a Michelin star and operates within a price tier that demands a significant budget.

Why we love it: This is a high-stakes, modern space that rewards those looking for serious fine dining rather than a casual drop-in. With a guest rating of 4.68 across over a thousand reviews, the kitchen succeeds in balancing creative international technique with a deeply romantic atmosphere.

Good to Know: The creative, modern menu at Barbara shifts frequently, so consult your server on the night’s current international pairings before committing to your wine.

What is it? Le Crocodile sits at 909 Burrard St #100, a ten-minute walk from the Vancouver Art Gallery and roughly forty minutes on foot from Stanley Park. This Michelin-starred restaurant specializes in French, modern, and creative cuisine within a high-end, fine-dining environment.

Why we love it: Le Crocodile remains a standout in the city because it balances its Michelin-starred status with a consistent, luxury experience that rewards those who prefer a traditional, elegant dinner. It is a rare find within 400 meters of the busy Robson Street corridor, offering a quiet, formal alternative to the surrounding commercial bustle.

Good to Know: The kitchen at Le Crocodile leans into a creative French style, so keep the dress code smart and elegant to match the refined atmosphere of this luxury dining room.

What is it? Five Sails Restaurant sits at 999 Canada Place, a four-minute walk from the Canada Place landmark and roughly ten minutes on foot from Waterfront Station. This fine dining destination specializes in contemporary seafood and modern cuisine.

Why we love it: The restaurant commands a high-end price tier, but the 4.81 rating across more than 1,500 reviews confirms it delivers a level of consistency rarely found in such a central, high-traffic location near Coal Harbour. It distinguishes itself from the nearby tourist-heavy dining options by prioritizing a formal, luxury atmosphere over sheer volume.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Five Sails Restaurant is strictly enforced, so leave the casual wear behind if you plan to experience their contemporary seafood menu on the terrace.

What is it? Burdock & Co sits at 2702 Main St, roughly a 20-minute walk from Vancouver City Hall. This restaurant focuses on creative, contemporary, farm-to-table cooking within a space that leans into a cozy, luxury aesthetic.

Why we love it: While many Vancouver spots chase trends, Burdock & Co remains disciplined in its approach to the farm-to-table ethos. Its 4.57 rating from 580 reviews suggests a consistent execution that earns its place among the city’s more polished, fine-dining rooms.

Good to Know: The kitchen at Burdock & Co rotates its creative menu based on local seasonal availability, so expect the contemporary offerings to change frequently.

What is it? Mott 32 is a fine dining restaurant located at 1161 W Georgia St. It is an eight-minute walk from the Vancouver Art Gallery and holds a Michelin star, along with a Wine Spectator Excellence Award.

Why we love it: It sits in the upper tier of Vancouver’s modern Chinese dining scene, balancing a high-end price point with a consistent quality that earned it the no. 46 spot on the 2024 Canada’s 100 Best list. The space offers a rare combination of refined, romantic interiors and technical precision, distinguishing it from the more casual spots found closer to nearby Robson Street.

Good to Know: The kitchen at Mott 32 specializes in complex, modern Chinese preparations, so lean into the wine list—it holds a Wine Spectator Excellence Award for a reason—to balance the spice and depth of the menu.