Your guide to Dine Out Vancouver 2026

Dine Out Vancouver offers locals the chance to try food at more affordable fixed-menu prices. The event has its detractors, but it’s an opportunity for those who don’t eat out often or can’t afford it to try a wider variety of places that might be too costly otherwise.

I went through the 450+ participating restaurants, so you don’t have to. These places are ones I’ve visited, as well as spots I’ve heard from others are great. This is part one of my list, and I’ll share part two later. The list is in no particular order.

Lila

I visited Lila in December, and I was impressed, especially after a lacklustre meal at Vij’s in the summer. It’s a vibrant menu, with dishes that push Indian dining in a modern direction (a review is coming sometime this year).

• The price for a set menu is $55 and includes an appetizer, main and dessert. 

The Mackenzie Room

It’s been over five years since I last visited the Mackenzie Room, so take my recommendation with a grain of salt. But it’s a memorable meal, a team executing at a high level in a lovely, intimate space. It’s perfect for a next date night.

• The price for a set menu is $70 per person for a two-person dinner and includes five items.

Maenam

Vancouver’s best Thai spot for a reason, Maenam is an institution and must be visited for anyone who loves Vancouver’s dining scene. 

• The price for a set menu is $65 per person for a two-person dinner and includes an appetizer, meal, and dessert, along with wine pairings or $38 per person. It’s an extensive list of meal options!

The Acron

I love the Acorn for both the vegetarian food and the fact that chefs from my favourite restaurant of 2025, Nero Tondo, came from there. It’s a Vancouver institution for a reason. 

• Their dinner menu is $70 and includes eight dishes. 

Chez Céline

I have not been, but those who’ve visited love it. Plus, we need more Québécois restaurants in Vancouver. 

• Their dinner menu is $65 per person (minimum two) and includes four dishes meant to be shared. You can add more people as well, and the restaurant will increase the portion sizes.

Delara

My last visit to Delara was over 1.5 years ago, but I love everything about this Persian restaurant. Frankly, we need more restaurants from that region of the world. 

• Dinner menu $56 per person, with appetizer, entrée and dessert. 

Fiorino

This was my go-to restaurant when I lived in Chinatown, a spot I’d always take friends. While the prices were a little high, I appreciate the regional focus on Venetian food rather than generic Italian. 

• Dinner menu $39 per person, with appetizer, entrée and dessert. 

Gary’s

Gary’s calls itself “a nice place”. I’d change that to an excellent place. It was my favourite new restaurant of 2024, though to be honest, I didn’t manage to visit as many places as I would’ve liked. 

The French-inspired restaurant should be on everyone’s list, and can be a lovely date night for you and your partner. 

• Dinner menu $70 per person, with snack, small dish, large dish and dessert. 

Ophelia

I had a wonderful meal at Ophelia just over a year and a half ago. While slightly on the expensive side, the elevated Mexican food hits all the right notes for those looking to try more than just tacos.

• Dinner menu is $55, with appetizer, entrée and dessert

Pax Romana

Another restaurant that doesn’t make many lists, Pax Romana a little gem of a spot on Commercial that is doing interesting things with fermentation, with a focus on tapas. It’s a varied menu, but I was sold on the quality. 

• Dinner menu $40 per person, with an appetizer, entrée and dessert. 

Read our review

House of Dosas

House of Dosas is an institution on Kingsway. Our visit included a perfectly crispy, satisfying dosa meal, with everyone in my group happy with what they ordered, especially those the vegetarians amongst us.

• Brunch, lunch, dinner and vegetarian menus, between $24-40.

Tasty Indian Bistro - Yaletown

I’ll set the scene for you — our friend who knows the place well orders all the dishes. We’re surrounded by couples on dates, multiple 10+ family groups, friends having one too many drinks, all in a varied state of dress, including cocktail attire and t-shirts. 

As you can guess by the intro, Tasty Indian Bistro serves a wide clientele. Its modern decor lends itself to Yaletown’s vibes, but judging from the families visiting, its quality attracts everyone. I can attest to the food, given how great it was.

• Dinner, lunch and vegetarian menus, $45 for starter, main and dessert.

Pepino’s Spaghetti House

As the name entails, this Pepino’s is all about pasta. It’s been a while since I visited, but the last time I stopped by, I was impressed by the quality and diversity of the pasta. The place is also a perfect intimate spot for a date night.

• Dinner is $45 for starter, main and dessert.

The Watson

Come for the drinks, stay for the drinks, visit again for the drinks. The Watson is a classy neighbourhood cocktail bar on Main, serving up an ever-changing list of drinks that push the envelope on creativity. For my money, it’s one of the best cocktail bars in the city, without veering into the ostentatiousness that you find at places like Prophecy.

• Dinner is $45 for an appetizer, entrée and dessert.

Torafuku

I never got around to writing about Torafuku. Maybe one day. My singular memory is their lunch rice bowl, specifically the rice. Laced with deep, smoky flavour, and delicately cooked, it spoke to a team that isn’t happy to settle. I can’t wait to visit again for dinner. 

• Lunch is $32 for an appetizer, dinner and dessert. Dinner is $70 per person and is designed to be shared for two people, with five courses. 

Zarak by Afghan Kitchen

I ate at Zarak over three years ago, so I cannot say whether the food has held up. But my one visit was exceptional, a kitchen team confident to experiment with classic dishes, all flavourful and well-made.

• Brunch menu is $25-40 with appetizer, entrée and dessert. Dinner menu is $40 with appetizer, entrée and dessert.  

Zoomak Korean Tavern

I trace my love of Korean food to my first visit to Zoomak. It’s not that Zoomak is traditional or the best Korean I’ve ever had. Rather, it showed how modern ideas can influence Korean cooking, offering a varied, approachable menu that piqued my interest in the cuisine. Every visit since has been solid. For those on the fence about Korean food, it’s a safer place to explore the cuisine.

• Dinner menu is $40, with appetizer, entrée and dessert.