Ava GabouryDid you know Vancouver is often touted as one of the top cities for romance? (Okay, I made that up, but it sounds legit, right?) But seriously, Vancouver’s dining scene is a dream come true for couples looking to add a dash of magic to their date nights.
From cozy corners in Chinatown to sleek waterfront views (restaurants with view vancouver), these romantic restaurants will make sure your date night is memorable for all the right reasons.
So, grab your special someone, put on your best “I totally know what I’m doing” face, and let’s explore where you should be making dinner reservations.
Grapes & Soda
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Address: 1541 W 6th Ave
Contact details: +1 604-336-2456
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 5PM-11PM
Pricing: $$$
Grapes & Soda is your go-to spot for a cosy, unpretentious date night. With just 22 seats, it feels intimate and special, perfect for sharing cheese and charcuterie boards while sipping on a glass of organic wine.
Try their cauliflower tempura or dry-aged beef tartare, and pair your nibbles with one of their inventive cocktails. They’ve got a fantastic selection of BC and European wines, as well as sake, mezcal, and whisky.
The place has a laid-back vibe, and the farm-to-table philosophy means the menu is always fresh and seasonal. If the date’s going well, make a plan to visit their partner restaurant, Farmer’s Apprentice, next door.
| Pro tip: Their “trust the chef” tasting menu is a great way to explore new flavours. |
Torafuku
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Address: 958 Main St
Contact details: +1 778-903-2006
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 5PM-10PM
Pricing: $$$
Torafuku is all about sharing, with a menu full of pan-Asian dishes that are perfect for sampling together. Warm up with their cod miso chowder, loaded with tiger prawns, or try the spicy cornbread topped with mushrooms and mascarpone cream.
If you’re up for it, their seven-course tasting menu is a fantastic way to stretch out the evening. The dim lighting and cosy booths set a romantic tone, but if you’re looking for something more casual, grab a seat at the communal table.
Don’t leave without trying one of their original cocktails – the Passion Libre, with mezcal, passionfruit, lime, and oolong tea syrup, is a real winner. Pair your meal with their inventive cocktails or choose from a well-curated wine list to complete the experience.
| Pro tip: The communal table is great for easing first-date nerves. |
Yuwa Japanese Cuisine
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Address: 2775 W 16th Ave
Contact details: +1 604-731-9378
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 5:30PM-10PM
Pricing: $$$
Yuwa Japanese Cuisine offers a sophisticated dining experience that’s both relaxed and elegant. The restaurant’s ambiance is enhanced by quiet jazz and stunning white orchid arrangements, making it an ideal spot for romance.
Choose a seat at the counter to watch the sushi chefs in action or opt for table 12 in the corner for a more private setting. Chef Masahiro Omori crafts a menu that changes with the seasons, featuring dishes like sockeye salmon tartar with pine nuts and taro root chips.
Co-owner Iori Kataoka, an advanced sake professional, can guide you through their award-winning sake and wine collection, ensuring you find the perfect pairing for your meal.
| Pro tip: Ask for table 12 for a cosy, intimate dining experience. |
Kissa Tanto
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Address: 263 E Pender St
Contact details: +1 604-687-6631
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 5:30PM-10PM
Pricing: $$$
Kissa Tanto is the kind of place where you can either start a beautiful love story or celebrate years of togetherness. It snagged its first MICHELIN star in Vancouver’s inaugural guide in 2022 and again in 2023.
The name is a delightful mix – ‘kissa’ refers to a Japanese jazz café, and ‘tanto’ means ‘a lot’ in Italian, which perfectly describes how much you’ll adore the fusion dishes.
Executive Chef Joël Watanabe’s creations, like the wagyu ragù sauce spaghettoni with Japanese curry and spiced breadcrumbs, or the magret duck breast with mushrooms and yuzu jus, are simply divine.
The vinyl-spinning ambiance adds a charming touch, making it a top spot for a romantic dinner.
| Pro tip: The wagyu ragù spaghettoni is a must-try – it’s a perfect blend of Japanese and Italian flavours. |
Botanist
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Address: 1038 Canada Pl
Contact details: +1 604-695-5500
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 7AM-10PM
Pricing: $$
Led by Executive Chef Hector Laguna, Botanist transforms British Columbia’s finest ingredients into culinary masterpieces. The dreamy interior, complete with a white baby grand piano and a stunning 180-foot origami light structure, makes it an ideal spot for proposals.
The decor blends natural elements with modern design, creating a sophisticated yet welcoming ambiance. The butter-poached lobster with crispy rice is a standout dish, and the hand-cut tagliatelle with mushroom soil and wagyu carpaccio is perfect for sharing.
The seared scallops with truffle sauce are another must-try, bursting with rich, decadent flavors. Don’t skip the desserts – the hazelnut maple caramel tart with rosemary cream and squash ice cream is simply delightful.
For a truly special evening, go for the “We’ll Take it From Here” tasting menu.
| Pro tip: Opt for the tasting menu for a culinary journey that’s perfect for celebrating special occasions. |
The Victor
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Address: 39 Smithe St
Contact details: +1 778-370-8600
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 5PM-10PM
Pricing: $$
Whether you’re in the mood for a hot seafood pot brimming with king crab, lobster, scallops, jumbo prawns, and mussels, or a perfectly cooked steak, The Victor at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver delivers.
The seafood tower is another popular choice, piled high with the freshest catches of the day. Pair your meal with one of their expertly mixed cocktails, like the signature Victor G&T, which features house-made tonic.
After dinner, take a romantic stroll around Parq Vancouver’s sixth-floor park, complete with its own lake – it’s the perfect way to end a lovely evening. The park offers stunning views of the city skyline and is beautifully lit at night, making it a magical experience.
| Pro tip: Leave room for dessert – the crème brûlée doughnuts are a sweet finale to a fantastic meal. |
ARC Restaurant
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Address: 900 Canada Pl
Contact details: +1 604-691-1818
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 6:30AM-11PM
Pricing: $$
If stunning views are your thing, ARC Restaurant at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel has it. With two-storey windows showcasing harbour and mountain vistas, it is hard not to feel the romance, especially at sunset.
For the best views, snag a table near the gas fireplace. The menu is West Coast-inspired, featuring fresh, local ingredients, some from their rooftop herb garden.
Try the oysters or the Asian-flavoured sablefish for a true taste of the coast. After dinner, take the elevator up to one of the hotel’s luxurious rooms for a full night of pampering.
Don’t forget to return for their Weekend Brunch Experience – a perfect way to cap off your stay.
| Pro tip: Book a table near the fireplace for the best views and a cosy ambiance. These tables offer stunning views of the harbor and mountains, especially magical at sunset. |
Frankie’s Jazz Club
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Address: 765 Beatty St
Contact details: +1 604-688-6368
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 5PM-10PM
Pricing: $$
Live jazz and blues set the scene at Frankie’s Jazz Club, making it a lively spot for a date night. The club, which is part of Frankie’s Italian Kitchen & Bar, serves up Italian favourites with a twist.
Start with the arancini or an antipasto platter, then move on to the family-recipe spaghetti and meatballs for a bit of Lady and the Tramp charm. Finish with their decadent tiramisu – it’s perfect for sharing.
The intimate setting and live music make it easy to relax and enjoy each other’s company. Plus, the club has been featured in DownBeat Magazine’s “Great Jazz Venues,” so you know the tunes will be top-notch.
| Pro tip: Order the tiramisu for dessert – it’s perfect for sharing and deliciously decadent. Plus, sharing this dessert is a sweet way to cap off a romantic evening, leaving you both satisfied and ready for the next date. |
Bells & Whistles Fraser
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Address: 3296 Fraser St
Contact details: +1 604-620-7990
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 11:30AM-10PM
Pricing: $$
The menu at Bells & Whistles Fraser goes beyond typical pub fare (pubs vancouver) with options like chicharrones and a refreshing arugula, beet, goat cheese, and pumpkin seed salad. They also offer an impressive selection of burgers, including a plant-based option.
For those who enjoy a good brew, their rotating tap list features local craft beers that pair perfectly with their elevated pub dishes. For dessert, choose from warm mini-donuts, soft-serve ice cream, or sundaes – and yes, they have a boozy version.
Their root beer float with a splash of bourbon is a nostalgic treat with a grown-up twist. The casual vibe is perfect for low-key romance, and the low-tech arcade games provide plenty of opportunities for a little friendly competition.
| Pro tip: Grab a seat on the patio during warmer months for a relaxed outdoor dining experience. And try the boozy sundaes for a fun twist on dessert! |
East is East
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Address: 4433 Main St
Contact details: +1 604-734-5881
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 11:30AM-10PM
Pricing: $$
Owned by Afghan siblings who have infused their heritage into every dish, East is East offers an eclectic mix of regional cuisines from Turkey, Iran, Tibet, India, and Mongolia.
The menu is a feast for the senses, with highlights like Tibetan mantu dumplings, rich chicken, lamb, and salmon curries, and a standout vegan option: the mango butternut squash curry.
The restaurant’s interior is cozy and inviting, with a decor that evokes the small dhaba eateries along the historic Silk Road. Often, you’ll be treated to live music featuring instruments and sounds from around the globe, adding an extra layer of magic to your dining experience.
| Pro tip: Drop by in the evenings for live music that perfectly complements the global cuisine and cosy ambiance. |
Bao Bei
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Address: 163 Keefer St
Contact details: +1 604-688-0876
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 5:30PM-10PM
Pricing: $$
Bao Bei is a treasure in Vancouver’s Chinatown, where modern Chinese cooking meets the comforting flavours of Taiwan. The name, which means ‘precious,’ aptly describes the dining experience here.
The menu is designed for sharing, offering small plates that are perfect for sampling a variety of flavours. Don’t miss the crispy pork belly or the sticky rice cakes, both crowd favourites.
If you need to wait for a table, they have arrangements with nearby bars, so you can enjoy a drink while waiting. This setup ensures your evening flows smoothly without any hassle. B
| Pro tip: The Family Feast is a fantastic option if you’re dining with a group – it’s a great way to experience a wide range of their delicious dishes and enjoy a truly communal dining experience. |
