Lucas CloutierOn my first tasting menu experience, I found myself dressed in a suit that felt a little too tight. I sat at an impeccably laid-out table, meticulously observing the diners around me and hoping to pick up on some unspoken-tasting menu etiquette.
The first course arrived—a dainty, artful arrangement that looked like it belonged in a museum. On my first bite, I went in with the enthusiasm one reserves for devouring a cheeseburger. Suffice it to say, I demolished the exquisite dish in one bite, much to the horror of the waiter.
Since that night, I’ve matured—both in my palate and my comprehension of tasting menus. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed various tasting menus, and inspired by my experiences, I’ve curated a list of the best tasting menus in Vancouver.
Here are all my favourites.
1. AnnaLena
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Address: 1809 W 1st Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 5B8, Canada
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 5 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +17783794052
Price: 148 CAD
The tasting menu at AnnaLena is best for true food enthusiasts looking to experience cutting-edge cuisine. The ever-changing selection ensures that each visit is unique, dictated by what’s in season.
When I went, the menu kicked off with oysters paired with apple jalapeño mignonette and shaved foie gras. Each dish, from the farm herbs and ikura (salmon fish eggs) that elevate the crab to the hickory smoked tuna with shiso, offered something new and exciting.
The Pacific halibut in green curry velouté with summer vegetables was light and aromatic, providing a pleasant break before diving into umami-packed alkaline noodles with chanterelle mushrooms.
For the dessert, the intricate flavours of liquorice root and long pepper float to a delightful yuzu-glazed blueberry creation.
| Pro Tip: Ask your server for wine pairings to go with your meal! |
2. Hawksworth Restaurant
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Address: 801 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1P7, Canada
Hours:
Phone: +16046737000
Price: 99 CAD
Hawksworth Restaurant’s tasting menu is best for those who appreciate an innovative and refined take on Pacific Northwest cuisine. The tasting menu showcases both the seasonality and the artistry that Chef David Hawksworth brings to the table.
In August, I enjoyed a refreshing dish of Dungeness crab and melon paired with crisp champagne. This was followed by West Coast mussels with halibut mousseline and farm-fresh spinach in an exquisite velouté, offering a delicious dive into local sea flavours.
A palate cleanser of sorrel granita refreshed me for the next course. This was a sumptuous pheasant ballotine served with Vancouver Island figs, foie gras, and delicate chanterelle mushrooms.
| Pro Tip: Wind down with any of their desserts. Two of my favourites are their summer corn gelato and custard cake. |
3. Botanist
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Address: 1038 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 0B9, Canada
Hours:
- Monday – 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
- Tuesday to Friday – 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, 5:30 PM to 10 PM
- Saturday – 11:30 AM to 2 PM, 5:30 to 10 PM
- Sunday – 11:30 AM to 2 PM
Phone: +16046955500
Price: 90 CAD
Botanist’s tasting menu is best for food lovers who crave innovation and sustainability. Helmed by Executive Chef Hector Laguna, the menu evolves to showcase the freshest local produce.
Savour a savoury doughnut filled with foie gras, perfectly balanced with a tangy rhubarb compote. Seafood lovers will love the seared sablefish paired with clams and asparagus.
Each bite is a burst of oceanic freshness. The presentation is also a feast for the eyes, with every plate resembling a work of art.
| Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on their terroir-driven wine program! Pair your courses with a glass of Moscatel de Setúbal or Nebbiolo. |
4. Published on Main
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Address: 3593 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3N4, Canada
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 5 PM to 11 PM
Phone: +16044234840
Price: 80 CAD
Published on Main’s tasting menu is best for food enthusiasts looking to experience Scandinavian food.
Chef and co-owner Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson curates around 20 intricately put-together small plates. The simple names of the dishes (chicken liver, albacore, Pacific squid, etc.) mask the complex flavours and time invested in their creation.
The chef’s foraging experience ensures a reflection of British Columbia’s landscapes through the dishes. Anything not foraged comes from trusted local producers, adding to the authentic taste.
The wines are carefully chosen, mainly natural and low-intervention options. Many of them are available by the glass to pair perfectly with the small plates.
| Pro Tip: If you’re coming as a group of over six people, you’ll have to split up your group into separate tables because you won’t be able to book a reservation. |
5. Farmer’s Apprentice Restaurant
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Address: 1535 W 6th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 1R1, Canada
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 5 PM to 8:30 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 5 PM to 9:30 PM
Phone: +16046202070
Price: 120 CAD
Farmers Apprentice’s tasting menu is best for those who crave a hearty dining experience.
The menu’s hyper-local focus is evident in dishes like the sunseeker oyster with lemon verbena and cucumber. The egg yolk potato rosti sando adorned with Yarra Valley salmon caviar is another great choice.
These dishes showcase not just taste but also sustainability and local sourcing.
The attention to detail in the forbidden rice red fife sourdough reflects the chef’s dedication to quality. And the pistachio and morel chicken ballotine that comes with broccolini is absolutely delicious.
And yes, each course is paired with a glass of wine of your choice.
| Pro Tip: Farmers Apprentice sometimes hosts pop-up events, such as a BBQ pop-up. Keep an eye out for these special events. |
6. L’Abattoir
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Address: 217 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2J2, Canada
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 5 PM to 11 PM
Phone: +16045681701
Price: 80 CAD
L’Abattoir’s tasting menu is best for those who appreciate French cooking finesse. The menu is designed by Chef Lee Cooper, who masterfully combines French techniques with Pacific Northwest ingredients. It offers dishes that are both intricate and satisfying.
Start with the artichoke tart. It’s a combination of creamy egg custard and zesty sauce ravigote. The milk-poached pork loin stands out for the mains. They’re paired with vibrant summer vegetables and a smoky bacon touch that elevates the dish.
Wrapping up the meal, the sweet corn and white chocolate dessert offers a unique blend of textures and flavours.
For the best experience, this tasting menu should be enjoyed before 6:00 PM, and remember, reservations are essential.
| Pro Tip: Book a window seat to enjoy the bustling vibes of Gastown as you dine. |
7. St. Lawrence Restaurant
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Address: 269 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1G3, Canada
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 5 PM to 10:30 PM
Phone: +16046203800
Price: 125 CAD
The tasting menu at St. Lawrence Restaurant is best for anyone craving traditional Québécois food.
Starting off, you’re greeted with a light and refreshing mix of cucumbers, pickles, squid, and herbs. Then comes a tomato tart with a caper and tuna sauce vierge.
Their mussels are cooked just right—not too chewy and not too soft. The morels, stuffed with rabbit, come swimming in a rich rabbit broth with farfalle pasta.
For your third choice, if you’re up for sharing, the 45-day dry-aged steak with sauce Charon and a smoked tomato omelette could be the perfect bonding meal.
And oh, dessert couldn’t be more enchanting. Whether you go with their simple yet tempting berries and cream with white chocolate crumble or the Pêche Melba, you’ll finish on a high note.
| Pro Tip: Book your table well ahead of time, and definitely clue them in on any dietary needs early on. |
8. The Mackenzie Room
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Address: 415 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1G7, Canada
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 5:30 PM to 10 PM
Phone: +16042530705
Price: From 89 CAD
The Mackenzie Room tasting menu is best for food lovers who crave an adventure on their plates.
Each dish on the seasonal tasting menu captures the essence of the Pacific Northwest. Chef Sean Reeve masterfully combines flavours in ways that are both innovative and deeply satisfying.
The tasting menu comes in three options to suit your dining needs. “I Want It All” is designed for four people to share, featuring twelve dishes over five courses.
“Just the Two of Us” is perfect for couples, with five courses crafted for two to enjoy. “Riding Solo” provides a five-course journey for those who prefer their own culinary adventure.
| Pro Tip: Come with four or more people, and you can have the whole menu at a set price. |
9. The Acorn
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Address: 3995 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3P3, Canada
Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 5:30 PM to 11 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 10 AM to 2 PM ,5:30 PM to 11 PM
Phone: +16045669001
Price: 85 CAD
The Acorn’s tasting menu is best for those who want the very best of vegetarian and vegan cuisine. Each dish is artfully crafted to showcase the unique flavours and textures of vegetables in ways you might never have imagined.
Delicate zucchini blossoms stuffed with herb-infused cheese, smoky eggplant with a tangy tomato reduction, and crispy cauliflower with a hint of curry are just a few examples of what you might find on the menu.
The chefs have an unparalleled talent for balancing flavours, whether it’s the umami punch of a mushroom consommé or the sweet and tart notes of a beetroot carpaccio. The meal is served family-style, fostering a sense of community and shared discovery.
For an added treat, opt for the wine pairing. It features biodynamic and low-intervention wines from local BC wineries.
| Pro Tip: Make a reservation, as the tasting menu often sells out quickly. |
10. Savio Volpe
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Address: 615 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5T 3K5, Canada
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 5 PM to 10:30 PM
Phone: +1 (604) 428-0072
Price: 85 CAD
The tasting menu at Savio Volpe is best for those seeking an unforgettable Italian food experience. Savio Volpe excels by featuring fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and handmade pasta, resulting in dishes that are both vibrant and sophisticated.
The tasting menu includes an array of flavours, from wood-fired meats to seasonal vegetables. Each bite is crafted to reflect both tradition and innovation, offering diners a journey through Italy without leaving the city.
| Pro Tip: Start with their house bread, dipped in olive oil and balsamic. And don’t forget to linger over their carefully curated wine list. |
