This isn't your typical "best restaurants" list, that's for sure.
The folks at Yelp have just come out with their data-generated roundup of the platform's Top 25 Places to Eat in Vancouver, and while you won't find many of the "usual suspects" when it comes to pricey, buzzy Vancouver spots included, you will see a lot of hidden gems and unsung heroes get a little attention.
Yelp explains that the rankings were created by applying "a number of factors" to businesses in its restaurant category, "including the total volume and ratings of reviews." Spanning the Metro region to include not only Vancouver proper but also neighbouring municipalities like Richmond, North Vancouver, Surrey, and Langley.
The user-generated review site also notes that the restaurants on the list were all marked open as of June 15, 2022, and, when the data was available, had a "passing health score" as of that time.
Several Vancouver small, independent restaurants in the spotlight
Taking the top spot is a Vancouver greasy spoon that is a picture-perfect definition of a hidden gem. For one thing, its location is actually hidden: the Northern Cafe and Grill is located within a business and perched atop a hardware store, all very off the beaten path - and it is one of Vancouver’s oldest restaurants. Run by an independent operator and known for their Chinese-Canadian diner eats, Northern is a bit of a time travel experience in a very unexpected place.
The other Vancouver restaurants that made the list include Davie Village's much-loved Tom Sushi (4), French bakery L'atelier Patisserie (6) and Kits' small but mighty Chewie's Chicken & Biscuits (18). Perhaps the only spot that routinely finds itself on high-profile best-of lists is Kistilano's AnnaLena; the modern Pacific Northwest restaurant landed in 12th place on the Yelp roundup.
Middle Eastern fare proved popular, with Vancouver's Manoush’eh coming in second, New West's terrific Wild Thyme in 17th position, and Main Street's trendy Superbaba ranking 22nd, among the picks.
Ever wondered where to get Armenian food in Metro Vancouver? Richmond's Lamajoun is a definite star, and it ranked in spot number 9 on Yelp's list.
If you're further afield, look for South Surrey's Afghan Kitchen (13), Langley's Hot & Toasty Cafe (15), and beers and bites at Four Winds' taproom in Delta.
Top 25 Places to Eat in Vancouver 2022
- The Northern Cafe and Grill (Vancouver)
- Manoush’eh (Vancouver)
- Incognito Coffee (Vancouver)
- Tom Sushi (Vancouver)
- Number e food (Vancouver)
- L’atelier Patisserie (Vancouver)
- Banh Mi Bar Restaurant (New Westminster)
- Pawans Indian Kitchen (North Vancouver)
- Lamajoun (Richmond)
- Workshop Vegetarian Cafe (North Vancouver)
- Absinthe Bistro (Vancouver)
- AnnaLena (Vancouver)
- Afghan Kitchen South Surrey (Surrey)
- Anar Persian Cuisine (Richmond)
- Hot & Toasty Cafe (Langley)
- The PokéMan (Vancouver)
- Wild Thyme (New Westminster)
- Chewie’s Chicken & Biscuits (Vancouver)
- The Only Cafe (Vancouver)
- Tour De Feast (North Vancouver)
- Tavola (Vancouver)
- Superbaba (Vancouver)
- Everbean Cafe (Surrey)
- Four Winds Brewing (Delta)
- Sushi Jin (Vancouver)
