If you’re like us, that means you’ve crossed almost every restaurant off your list in town. But don’t worry; we went on a hunt to find some hidden gems that you may have overlooked. 

After trying so many dishes and taking in the ambiance of each restaurant, we’ve finally finished our curated list of the best unique restaurants in Vancouver. 

What makes these restaurants unique, you may ask? Well, keep reading! We promise we’ll make it worth your while.

Vancouver’s Best Unique Restaurants

We selected Vancouver’s best unique restaurants based on their unique concept and ambience, as well as their unique features like how they serve their food, their innovative ingredient combinations, and their overall dining experience.

Quality of Food: In this criterion, we assess the quality of their dishes based on factors such as freshness, presentation, and taste.

Features
• Concept: We included restaurants that have unique concepts that are not commonly found in other establishments, such as unconventional themes or fusion cuisine.
• Ambience: We selected restaurants with distinct ambiences by observing their interior design, lighting, and overall atmosphere.

Availability
• Store Capacity: In this criterion, we look into their capacity to accommodate a large number of customers at a given time and if they require reservations in advance.
• Operating Hours: We evaluate the operating hours of the restaurants to ensure that they are open during convenient times for customers, including weekends and holidays.

Quality of Service: We interviewed past and previous customers of these restaurants to gain insight on the quality of service they provide.

1. Dark Table

CRITERIA	RATING
Quality of Food	★★★★☆ 4/5
Features	★★★★★ 5/5
Concept	★★★★★ 5/5
Ambience	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★☆ 4/5
Store Capacity	★★★★☆ 4/5
Operating Hours	★★★★★ 5/5
Quality of Service	★★★★★ 5/5

The Dark Table offers a whole new way to experience food by dining in complete darkness. We’re telling you right now that the restaurant is completely pitch black, so much so that you wouldn’t be able to see a single speck of light inside.

Phones aren’t also allowed here, so we weren’t able to snap some pics of our food, but trust us when we say that the unique concept of dining in the dark made us more focused on what we were tasting rather than how the food looked.

So, the first thing we did when we arrived was sit in a waiting area where we ordered some of their dishes: AAA Canadian Steak and Chicken Kafta for mains, and we also got a bunch of their cocktails.

We were then led by one of their waiters, and we found out that all their wait staff are visually impaired, which we thought was a truly inspiring and inclusive aspect of the restaurant.

Customer Reviews

A truly unique experience

“Dark Table Restaurant offers a truly unique and unforgettable dining experience. As you step into complete darkness, your senses are heightened, and the focus shifts entirely to taste, smell, texture, and sound”

-Ehsan T.

Delicious food and great atmosphere

“It was an awesome experience! Our first time there and we liked it. Our server Omid was fun. The food was perfect and the atmosphere was great. Amazing experience! We will come back again.”

-Ashly C.

2. The Mackenzie Room

CRITERIA	RATING
Quality of Food	★★★★★ 5/5
Features	★★★★☆ 4/5
Concept	★★★★☆ 4/5
Ambience	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★★ 5/5
Store Capacity	★★★★★ 5/5
Operating Hours	★★★★★ 5/5
Quality of Service	★★★★☆ 4/5

We discovered this restaurant, which bills itself as a “hidden gem,” while strolling through Oppenheimer Park. The Mackenzie Room, which opened in 2015, has a very interesting vibe that feels very welcoming and casual.

The decor, furniture, and lighting create a homey atmosphere, as if you’re dining with a community of familiar faces. Likewise, the service was friendly, as if there was already a sense of familiarity, allowing for casual banter.

On to our orders! We opted for the “I Want It All” option ($85 per person), where we got to enjoy a 12-course meal, but what stood out to us was the “Of Bison Men”.

The meat was perfectly cooked, and the spinach, potato, mushroom, and shallot servings were generous, so maybe don’t fill up on any appetizers beforehand. 

It’s just too bad that they didn’t have bread service because we would’ve cleaned the plates!

Customer Reviews

Beautifully-decorated dishes

“Absolutely delicious food and great service! Each dish was beautifully decorated, accompanied by delicious sauce…”

-Cranrine G.

Welcoming and casual atmosphere

“Amazing service and great food inside a very unassuming exterior. The Mackenzie Room somehow manage to land a very interesting vibe that feels very welcoming and casual all the while delivering a great fine dining experience.”

-Dani H.

3. Gringo

CRITERIA	RATING
Quality of Food	★★★★☆ 4/5
Features	★★★★★ 5/5
Concept	★★★★★ 5/5
Ambience	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★☆ 4/5
Store Capacity	★★★★☆ 4/5
Operating Hours	★★★★★ 5/5
Quality of Service	★★★★★ 5/5

This vibrant back-alley spot in Gastown definitely hits the late-night cravings. Tacos and cocktails? Uh, yes, please! Gringo in Gastown’s Blood Alley has a special west coast ambiance, with its abundance of neon-lit signs and quirky painted interiors.

We tried many of their tacos, one of each of the chicken, beef, and shredded pork. Everything was delicious and well-marinated, but a little on the spicy side, but that’s what the cocktails are for.

The margarita bucket and cocktails we ordered came with little candies, but our favorite cocktail here has got to be the Pink Flamingo (pink grapefruit, tequila, and beer).

Customer Reviews

Pretty cool place

“Pretty cool place! We had this place marked as to go for a while and decided to give it a shot today. I was a bit discouraged when I walked in the alley to get there but we went in anyway and I’m happy we did!…”

-Ghazal H.

Very inviting vibe

“This place is my favorite taco place on the west coast! Sorry tacofino. The vibe here was so inviting and friendly. The flamingos and pink really made me feel like I was on an adventure…”

-Jessica D.

4. Botanist

CRITERIA	RATING
Quality of Food	★★★★☆ 4/5
Features	★★★★★ 5/5
Concept	★★★★★ 5/5
Ambience	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★★ 5/5
Store Capacity	★★★★★ 5/5
Operating Hours	★★★★★ 5/5
Quality of Service	★★★★☆ 4/5

A high-end restaurant that serves Canadian meals? Inside the Fairmont Pacific Rim, you wouldn’t really expect anything but class and sophistication, and that’s where the Botanist comes in.

We came here for brunch, and we were super impressed with the unique concept of this restaurant. Spacious, elegant, and surrounded by lush greenery as you enjoy seasonal menus.

The Crab + Avocado Benedict is definitely our top choice here. Not only was it delicious, but it was also beautifully presented which was expected for a restaurant of this caliber.

The crab was fresh, the avocado was creamy, and the hollandaise sauce added a tangy kick. The crispy potatoes were also a great addition.

They also had live piano playing, the lighting was perfect, and the service was very attentive as they anticipated every refill.

Customer Reviews

Pricey but worth every cent

“We had an awesome 30th birthday dinner here. Everything we had was perfect. The food was incredible and so were the cocktails. The service was also really friendly but not overbearing and the vibe was good. It’s pricey, but it’s worth every cent.”

-Brandon M.

Great attention to detail

“Came here for brunch and chose 3 courses with 2 cocktails included. I think that was a great deal for everything. It was delicious. Service was great. Love the atmosphere.. it was a perfect spot to brunch with my gals.”

-Micah E.

5. Fable Kitchen

CRITERIA	RATING
Quality of Food	★★★★☆ 4/5
Features	★★★★☆ 4/5
Concept	★★★★★ 5/5
Ambience	★★★★☆ 4/5
Availability	★★★★★ 5/5
Store Capacity	★★★★★ 5/5
Operating Hours	★★★★★ 5/5
Quality of Service	★★★★★ 5/5

Being awarded the prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand, we knew we had to try out the Fable Kitchen. Led by head chef Josef Driemel, the ambiance of a diner and a popular restaurant make this establishment pretty unique.

The food here is a little bit country and urban, and they have a diverse range of both rustic and modern flavors. The duck breast was what stood out to us. The meat was tender, and the sauce that came with it was rich and flavorful.

For dessert, we had the Lemon Meringue Parfait. The lemon curd was tangy and refreshing, and the poppy seed streusel added a delightful crunch but not so much as to overpower the London Fog Ice Cream.

Customer Reviews

Classic and famous restaurant vibe

“Has the ambience of a diner and a popular restaurant. That’s pretty unique. Loved watching the live kitchen do their thing while eating my breakfast…”

-Sunny Y.

Overall taste good

“Overall taste good. However, the kitchen messed up the order so we had to wait for almost an hour for the food lol. Would recommend the dessert, both options are great.”

-Bun B.

6. Kissa Tanto

CRITERIA	RATING
Quality of Food	★★★★☆ 4/5
Features	★★★★★ 5/5
Concept	★★★★★ 5/5
Ambience	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★☆ 4/5
Store Capacity	★★★★☆ 4/5
Operating Hours	★★★★★ 5/5
Quality of Service	★★★★★ 5/5

This chic space within Chinatown is inspired by 1960s Tokyo jazz cafes, combining Italian and Japanese flavors that we knew we just had to try.

So the idea here at Kissa Tanto is to create Italian staples with Japanese ingredients. While we didn’t really know what to expect and weren’t sure how both flavors would blend together, we weren’t disappointed.

We decided to go for the omakase ($120 per person), and let us tell you, it was worth every penny. 

We went for their twist on Italian pasta and Japanese udon—the Charcoal Udon — and it was so flavorful and had the right amount of spice from the Calabrian chili sauce.

Another must-get is the octopus salad. Everything about this dish is exquisite, from the crispy octopus, rich sauce, slightly pickled daikon, and endive leaves that blend well with the dressing.

Kissa Tanto is truly a one-of-a-kind gem of a restaurant that is worth experiencing for its distinct flavor and flair.

Customer Reviews

Good food and great service

“Good food with amazing service. Everything was done perfectly and there was nothing that we didn’t like…”

-Michael W.

Great portions of food and wine

“Made a reservation for 1 over the phone followed up with credit card confirmation. Food, wine and portions are great. It was my last night so decided to splurge and try 4 dishes…”

-Andrew W.

7. Forage

CRITERIA	RATING
Quality of Food	★★★★★ 5/5
Features	★★★★☆ 4/5
Concept	★★★★☆ 4/5
Ambience	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★★ 5/5
Store Capacity	★★★★★ 5/5
Operating Hours	★★★★★ 5/5
Quality of Service	★★★★☆ 4/5

As soon as we stepped inside Forage, we immediately thought of how we wanted this exact concept for our home: open, minimalist, and filled with natural light that highlighted the neutral palette of the space.

We loved that they had a yummy and unique twist on flavors for breakfast! The French Toast had salted duck yolk custard instead of the traditional maple syrup, and they use homemade back bacon for their Eggs Benedict.

But without a doubt, the star of the table for us was the turkey hash. Not only was it crispy and savory, but the side bread was nicely buttered and toasted. This was enough to fill our tummies but there’s always room for dessert, right?

The Neufchâtel with berries is a must try! But if you’re a fan of sweets, we highly recommend the hazelnut chocolate mousse and the rhubarb shortcake.

Customer Reviews

Nice modern feel and welcoming staff

“Spent a few days at the Listel Hotel and Forage was recommended to me by several folks. The restaurant has a nice modern feel, the staff were welcoming and helpful in their recommendations.”

-Haritos K.

Great and fresh food

“Great fresh, local restaurant! The best oysters I have ever had (said they got them from the area every morning)! Would recommend everyone come here and try anything.”

-Dailey N.

8. Nightingale

CRITERIA	RATING
Quality of Food	★★★★★ 5/5
Features	★★★★☆ 4/5
Concept	★★★★☆ 4/5
Ambience	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★★ 5/5
Store Capacity	★★★★★ 5/5
Operating Hours	★★★★★ 5/5
Quality of Service	★★★★☆ 4/5

We know we’ve had a bunch of farm-to-table restaurants here, but hear us out. Nightingale’s wood-stone pizza is a must-try. 

This restaurant is supplied by local farmers, growers, foragers, and fishermen, which is immediately apparent when you bite into anything on the menu.

We’re just going to go straight to our recommendation — get the Truffle pizza. There’s a strong taste of earthiness from the truffle oil that pairs perfectly with the creamy mozzarella and crispy crust.

The fried chicken is another noteworthy dish! The sweetness balances everything out nicely, and the pickles are the icing on the cake.

It’s such a quaint restaurant as well, with bar seating and second floor tables. As the sister restaurant to Hawksworth, you can definitely feel the mix of modern and casual.

Customer Reviews

Energetic atmosphere

“A delicious experience. We sat on the upper floor with a view of the kitchen. We loved how energetic it was up here. The maple fried chicken and meatballs were a standout.”

-Gaby

Cute place with delicious food

“Service was excellent! Food was delicious, the place is really cute, we were there for a late lunch and it was not too busy…”

-Alejandra B.

9. The Red Accordion

CRITERIA	RATING
Quality of Food	★★★★☆ 4/5
Features	★★★★★ 5/5
Concept	★★★★★ 5/5
Ambience	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★☆ 4/5
Store Capacity	★★★★☆ 4/5
Operating Hours	★★★★★ 5/5
Quality of Service	★★★★★ 5/5

The Red Accordion will certainly make you feel homey. Located in a charming converted home (that looks a little like Stuart Little’s House), you’d definitely want to have brunch here.

Very vintage vibes as soon as you go in, with antique furniture and dim lighting. It’s a surprisingly spacious restaurant spread across two levels in a historic home, with a warm, intimate vibe.

Now, we love burgers, but we were like, “$20 for a burger?!” Well, we just had to try it, and it didn’t disappoint. It was huge and had a fair amount of crispy fries on the side.

The Red Accordion Burger is a must-try. It’s got 6 oz of AAA 63-acre beef, applewood-smoked cheddar, double-smoked applewood bacon, and a variety of other veggies. It was really nothing short of a gourmet burger experience. 

Customer Reviews

Amazing cocktails

“I am very impressed with this place. It’s such a hidden gem with AMAZING cocktails. I highly recommend stopping by…”

-Paula H.

Big portions

“The food was excellent! The portions were big enough for the price and high quality of the food. I had chicken from the oven with seasonal vegetables which were delicious…”

-HD1710

10. Twisted Fork

CRITERIA	RATING
Quality of Food	★★★★☆ 4/5
Features	★★★★★ 5/5
Concept	★★★★★ 5/5
Ambience	★★★★★ 5/5
Availability	★★★★★ 5/5
Store Capacity	★★★★★ 5/5
Operating Hours	★★★★★ 5/5
Quality of Service	★★★★☆ 4/5

We came across this unpretentious French bistro filled with the warm aroma of freshly baked bread, so we just had to go in. Right off the bat, we’re telling you, they have uniquely designed brunch recipes that are just délicieux!

Our top pick? The Shakshura. This Maghrebi dish features poached eggs simmered in a flavorful tomato and pepper sauce, with crusty baguette slices on the side, and it was absolutely divine. 

The eggs blended well with the tomato and bell pepper sauce, and oh, don’t forget to dip the baguette slices in the sauce for an extra burst of flavor.

The croque monsieur and French toast were also delicious, and we liked how they were prepared, as if they were elevated versions of classic dishes. Pair these meals with a hot cup of coffee (or, in our case, wine), and you’re good to go!

Customer Reviews

Uniquely-designed brunch spaces

“Uniquely designed brunch recipes are amazing in taste. Both sweet & savoury options are available…”

-Manbir R.

Generous food portions

“Outstanding brunch and drinks. The food portion was more than generous. I ordered the eggs Benny and it was unreal it’s a shame we’re heading back home I would love to have had it again…”

-Alex E.

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We hope we added a few names to your restaurant bucket list! All that’s left to do is make reservations and decide whether or not you want to try these restaurants out for yourself.

Now, just in case you run out again, here are a few articles to keep in handy for future reference.

• Best Restaurants in Vancouver’s Davie Street
• Kitsilano Beach Restaurants 
• Best Restaurants in Hastings Street

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