Best Vancouver restaurants, bars and food of 2024

2024 was a year of learning here at Vancity Lookout. I learned that writing a food newsletter and a news publication takes way longer than I envisioned, which meant something had to give. And sadly, that meant fewer food stories than I had hoped to write last year.

Luckily, Vancouver continues to deliver when it comes to restaurants, drinks and the food scene. The diversity of options, both higher-end and cheap eats, and creativity on display means you should never not have a good meal in this city. 

As one person, it’s practically impossible to cover every new opening or properly rank what may be “the best” in the city. So the Best Of lists here at Vancity Lookout Eats represent my personal tastes and things I enjoyed, rather than a comprehensive list looking at all spots in the city. Frankly, it wouldn’t be financially feasible, or recommended for my personal health.

My hope is that for those who’ve stuck around with us for a while, you’ll trust my choices.

Best Bar: It’s Okay

Sometimes, all you want is a cold beer, a game on the TV and some classic pub food. It’s Okay at 2481 East Hastings is that, and more. It’s a neighbourhood spot that’s a hit with the locals, unpretentious food and service and curly fries. It’s more than just okay.

What else could you want? 

Best Pizza

This is a cop-out, but I’ve chosen three places because I think they represent the variety of pizza up for offer in the city.

Best New York slice

Don’t Argue Pizza at 1321 Commercial Drive is hands down the best representation of what a New York slice should be, with a crispy bottom, crunchy crust and the perfect combination of melted low-moisture cheese and sauce. 

Best Neapolitan pizza

I visited early in the year, and it has held up ever since. Gastronomy Gastown has perfected Italian pizza. Their perfectly cooked dough and creative approach to ingredients, with things like Chinese chili crunch, candied mushrooms and preserved lemon cream, make this a standout spot in the city. (My hope is the temporary closure is only temporary).

Honourable mention

Just Pizza at 1629 Kingsway stood out for integrating some truly creative cultural ingredients. Where else can you get Chicken Tikka Masala, cumin lamb and Filipino longganisa? 

Best Bakery: Bahar Bakery and Cafe

This was a hard one. I’ve been to so many bakeries this year, each one with something special to offer. But Bahar Bakery and Cafe at 579 Robson stood out for their use of Persian and Armenian ingredients and distinct items that you can’t find anywhere else. A city as diverse as Vancouver should have more diverse bakeries like this. 

Best Drink: VanMak Makgeolli

A cocktail would be an easy choice, the city is exploding with new bars serving butter-washed bourbon and unpronounceable, obscure liqueurs. But this year’s best drink award goes to a drink I enjoyed at a small hole-in-the-wall spot near Gastown.

VanMak’s Makgeolli, a Korean rice wine brewery based in Metro Vancouver was the standout this year. Easy to drink (almost too easy), with a smooth complexity and enjoyable flavours like Citron and Green Apple, my hope is that Makgeolli spreads further than just Korean restaurants.

Best Food Court: Parker Place

I wasn’t able to visit as many Chinese food courts this year as I hoped. But Parker Place was the real standout. Homemade pork buns bursting with steamed juice, Taiwanese pork buns layered with sweet peanuts, and heaping portins of Chinese baobing shaved ice, it’s a revelation for anyone looking for delicious, authentic Chinese food at an affordable price.

Best New Restaurant: Gary’s

Gary’s at 1485 W 12th Ave. was one of the first spots I visited in 2024 and it has stayed at the top of my list as the best new restaurant opening I visited of the year. The French-forward, constantly changing menu is accompanied by an excellent wine list. A date night, a celebration, a memorable weeknight meal, Gary’s is a versatile visit and a welcoming addition to the city’s culinary scene. 

Best Cafe: Aiyaohno Cafe

Aiyaohno Cafe at 425 Carrall St., run by a husband and wife duo, is frankly more than a coffee shop.

The drinks, like the Sakura Latte were exquisite, if expensive. But the food is what stood out. The uni butter udon was an inspired combination, a perfect respite from traditional lunch items. Keep an eye out on them, I wouldn’t be surprised if their ambitions outstrip the small spot they currently occupy. 

Best Neighbourhood Restuarant (And Pasta): Autostrada on Main

Sadly, Autostrada on Main is no longer with us. But if you read my review, you know the place left an indelible impression, the feeling of what a neighbourhood restaurant could and should be. I hope to find more places like this in the future.

I admit I haven’t been to as many Italian restaurants in the city as I should’ve last year. But the agnolotti with ricotta and soppressata would likely still have ranked near the top.

Favourite Grocery Store: Afra

There’s nothing I love more than spending time walking through and exploring a small, independent, specialty grocery store. As someone who counts Middle Eastern cooking as some of my favourite foods to make, Afra at 3-46 Main St. holds a special place in my heart. 

My Favourite Non-Review: A Better Brunch is Possible

In a fit of frustration and inspiration, while neck deep in reading Anthony Bourdain’s Medium Raw, I wrote a post about my hatred of “brunch.” It wasn’t a review, more of a rumination, and I wasn’t sure how people would receive it. To say I was surprised at the outpouring of agreement would be an understatement.

It’s my favourite non-review food story of the year, and if you haven’t read it, I encourage you to check it out. 

Best Hidden Gem: Bali Thai

The term hidden gem is overused and abused. But I feel confident saying that Bali Thai, a small non-descript Indonesian (yes Indonesian, not Thai) food court restaurant in the much-maligned International Village Mall, with almost no online presence or social media viral video reviews, takes my top spot as a true hidden gem. Go and maybe post about it on social media, as they deserve more attention.