Tianna ClarkeWhen I was a kid, I remember coming home from a bad day at school. My mom would always comfort me with a rice porridge, mashed potato, or even homemade pizza, just to make me feel better.
There’s really something magical about simple and familiar meals—those that we can’t live without, especially now that we’re facing real problems in the real world. Good thing, Vancouver has lots of comfort food spots around, perfect if you just want to reset.
So if you want to slow down a little with meals that are made with love, keep reading as we give you a list of the restaurants that we tried here in the city.
Italian Eats
We all know someone who finds comfort in eating Italian favorites. Well, we’re definitely that someone who loves a slice (or more) of pizza and a bowl of cheesy and saucy pasta to get through a tiring day.
Let’s check the top spots that will give you instant Italian comfort when in Vancouver.
Di Beppe
Media credit: @dibepperestaurant
Website: http://www.dibeppe.com/
Address: 8 W Cordova St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1C9
Contact Details: +1 604-559-1122
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Friday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Saturday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Sunday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Once you step inside Di Beppe, you’ll likely second guess if you’re still in Vancouver as this Italian restaurant immediately gives you the vibe of a charming little corner in Italy.
If you decide to get a table inside, you’ll be greeted by the brick walls, tiled floors, espresso cups by the bar, and jazzy tunes. Meanwhile, they also mimic the famous outdoor comfort seating along Italian streets if you opt to dine at their patio.
We went here for a late lunch and ordered their crowd-favorite Margherita pizza. If you love thin but chewy crust then you shouldn’t skip it on your visit.
Since most of us love our pasta with a little kick, we opted for their rigatoni alla amatriciana, it’s rich but a little spicy, which is perfect for those who don’t like dishes that are too cloying.
More importantly, this Italian comfort food stop has a full bar, making it a perfect spot for you to unwind at the end of a tiring day.
Pro tip:
Serving portions at Di Beppe are quite small, so consider ordering a couple of dishes to share, especially if you’re extra hungry.
Nonna’s Cucina
Media credit: @forkthatdish
Website: https://nonnas-cucina.com/
Address: 2166 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V5L 1V2
Contact Details: +1 604-423-9200
Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
When someone says Nonna’s Cucina, one thing pops instantly into our heads: burrata. And here’s where it gets even more exciting: you get a full bar of burrata if you decide to get your fix here!
This just means you get to mix and match toppings such as tomatoes, prosciutto, and other types of cheese, in creating your own comforting dish.
And if you want to maximize their dishes with friendlier rates, then make sure to drop by this Italian restaurant during happy hour—everyday from 3 in the afternoon until 6 in the evening. And yes, they offer that even on weekends!
When we were here, we also ordered their tagliatelle bolognese, and we instantly fell in love. We loved how the sauce just sticks to the al dente pasta, making it richer and creamier.
Pro tip:
Save room for some dessert, and make sure to try their tableside tiramisu.
Asian Finds
When you’re in the mood for comfort food, another cuisine hits the spot: Asian food. Good thing, Vancouver has several Asian restaurants, ready to give you the comforting bites that you need.
Here are some of them:
The Saigonville Restaurant
Media credit: @saigonlela
Website: https://www.thesaigonville.ca/
Address: 2129 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V5L 1V2
Contact Details: +1 778-800-6168
Operating Hours: Thursday – Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
If you want to pho-get about your worries (pun intended!), then make sure to grab a bowl of well–pho–here at The Saigonville Restaurant.
This restaurant just gives you a very chill vibe, so you won’t have to worry about dressing up so well when visiting this place. In fact, we frequently eat at this place whenever we want to cure a hangover.
Here, their pho has a rich (but not too heavy) broth. We were informed that they prepare a fresh batch daily, and they even allow it to simmer all day just to keep the flavors tasty!
And when you’re here, make sure to not skip on the spring rolls. They offer both the fresh and the fried alternatives, so just order the one that feels more comforting to you.
Pro tip:
The Saigonville Restaurant has a quick service, making it a great option if you just need to have a quick bite during your break.
Heritage Asian Eatery
Media credit: @eatheritage
Website: http://www.eatheritage.ca/
Address: 1108 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6E 4J6
Contact Details: +1 778-737-1108
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM; Saturday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 8:30 PM
We recently discovered our love for duck dishes during our recent Asian trip. So if you’re craving for slow-roasted, juicy duck meat, then we’re sharing Heritage Asian Eatery with you too!
Aside from Peking ducks, this casual restaurant offers handcrafted dumplings too. They also got the five-spice chicken rice bowl, perfect if you prefer a dish that’s bursting with flavors.
You’ll also love their pork belly plate. You can even suggest them for the less fatty parts if you want it to taste more like pork barbecue.
The service here is quite fast too, so if you want to grab a comforting dish on the go, then the Heritage Asian Eatery would be your best bet.
Pro tip:
Make sure to pre-order the duck plates as this offering is limited on the menu.
Upscale Comfort
There’s also an upscale side to these cozy eats, so if you want to taste your favorite familiar dishes with a little extra finesse, then here are your upscale comfort food options in Vancouver.
The Victor
Media credit: @thevictorvancouver
Website: https://www.parqcasino.com/the-victor
Address: 39 Smithe St, Vancouver, BC V6B 0R3
Contact Details: +1 778-370-8600
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM; Friday – Saturday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM; Sunday: 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM
We all have that one moment when we say “I deserve this treat!”, and here at The Victor, you’ll get to scream that statement while ordering your comforting steak dishes.
When we went there with a couple of friends, we ordered several dishes that probably got our waiters thinking if we hadn’t eaten all week.
Of course, we had our steak fix, which is consistently juicy on the inside, and a little crusty on the outside.
You can also satisfy your sushi fix here at The Victor. While sushi sounds a bit random in a steakhouse, you still need to try their spicy tuna roll—it surprisingly pairs well with the meat.
It’s also great that we got to enjoy the city skyline views while talking about our recent favorite TV shows, and yes, our office rants too!
Pro tip:
The walk from the hotel elevator to The Victor’s entrance is quite long and isn’t fully covered. Consider bringing an umbrella, especially during unpredictable weather days just to make sure you won’t get soaked in the rain.
Alchemy Bar & Kitchen
Media credit: @_alchemybar
Website: http://www.alchemybar-kitchen.ca/
Address: 1269 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1E2
Contact Details: +1 604-428-3232
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday: 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM; Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM; Sunday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
If you’re looking for a fun night out all in one spot, then we highly recommend Alchemy Bar & Kitchen. The place has a great cozy and modern interior—we even find their bathrooms so inviting!
We went there for late dinner and had the short rib gnocchi. It’s a perfect dish if you’re searching for a melt-in-your-mouth meal.
The other highlighted dishes on their menu are their crispy chicken wings and loaded nachos. Make sure to pair these with a glass (or two) of frozen margarita.
Pro tip:
Consider visiting Alchemy Bar & Kitchen on a Tuesday so you can grab a pasta bowl for only $14, which means you get that upscale comfort without breaking the bank.
Brunch Spots
Of course, there’s nothing more comforting than a mid-morning meal with great coffee on the side. Here are Vancouver’s brunch spots if you want to start your day slow with the perfect comfort food.
Jam Cafe
Media credit: @jamcafeyvr
Website: https://jamcafes.com/
Address: 556 Beatty St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2L3
Contact Details: +1 778-379-1992
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM; Saturday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Whenever I see my kids enjoying their waffles and pancakes in the morning, I’ve got to admit that I get a little jealous. But today’s not one of those days, as we’re getting ours too here at Jam Cafe.
For your savory dish, don’t miss out on their eggs benedict with a thick bacon slab on top. Their hollandaise sauce tastes great too!
If you want more carbs to start your day, make sure to have a crispy hash brown on the side.
Our only challenge here was the longer wait time. So if you’re a large group with kids in tow, expect to wait for at least 45 minutes before getting a good table.
Pro tip:
If you aren’t too hungry or just want to try several dishes in one go, consider asking the waiter for their half-order options on the menu.
Cafe Medina
Media credit: @analogcoffeeyaletown
Website: http://www.medinacafe.com/
Address: 780 Richards St, Vancouver, BC V6B 3A4
Contact Details: +1 604-879-3114
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
After weeks of trying, we finally went to Cafe Medina for a mid-morning meal, and now we fully understand why people love this place.
Upon entering the cafe, we immediately felt like we just took a trip to Europe, giving us this laidback and cozy vibe in the middle of Vancouver. We didn’t even plan on staying for too long, but we ended up enjoying our conversations for more than three hours.
If you’re ordering their waffles, we recommend pairing it with their milk chocolate lavender. It’s their most popular homemade topping that has a sweet milk chocolate with a lithe floral lift from their signature lavender.
You’ll also be served warm coffee in their big mugs, which we honestly wanted to bring home with us!
Pro tip:
If you’re ordering their slow-cooked stew (also called tagine), make sure you’re ready for a bit of a kick, as this one’s a little spicier than usual.
Homestyle Flavors
There’s nothing more comforting than home cooked meals. And if you’re out and about, there are spots around Vancouver that serve up those homestyle flavors that will make you feel like you’re just at your own dinner table–minus the dishes!
Tap & Barrel
Media credit: @tapandbarrel
Website: http://tapandbarrel.com/
Address: 1055 Canada Pl #76, Vancouver, BC V6C 0C3
Contact Details: +1 604-235-9827
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Friday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM; Saturday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM; Sunday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
If you’re craving for a hearty and familiar dish, then Tap & Barrel should be on your list. The best part is that this restaurant has a waterfront view, adding to the comforting vibe that you need for the day.
And if you would really want to maximize the view, consider requesting for any table in their patio area. Don’t worry, each table has an outdoor umbrella, ready to guard you in case the sun gets too intense.
There are several salad dishes that you can choose from, perfect if you want to stay healthy. Our most favorite was the quinoa power bowl, which we normally get after a morning stroll around the area.
You can also order their mac and cheese with chicken on the side. The serving is pretty large, so you can share this dish with someone.
Pro tip:
Tap & Barrel is a pet-friendly restaurant, so you may consider bringing your furry pals here with you too.
Burgoo
Media credit: @burgoobistro
Website: https://www.burgoo.ca/
Address: 3096 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3G5
Contact Details: +1 604-873-1441
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
There are just some days where we just want to eat something warm and familiar. And sometimes, we just want to be in a place where we ordered almost every single thing in the menu—and that’s Burgoo to us!
Aside from the classic dishes like mac and cheese, and their grilled cheese and tomato soup combo (our top favorite), you can also try their turkey stew and beef bourguignon if you prefer heavier options.
And if you want to enjoy your comfort dishes while people-watching, opt to be seated at their patio. We enjoy spending our time here during late afternoon as it gets more cozier during this time.
Pro tip:
Since you’re getting your familiar meals, consider exploring a little for your booze and order Burgoo’s mango sticky rice cocktail—it’s an experience!
