Tianna ClarkeAs we all know, Yaletown is a neighborhood in Vancouver known for its restored warehouse buildings. And ever since I was a teenager, it amazes me how these spaces were used to something completely different to what we’re seeing today.
I feel even luckier that some of the restaurants and bar lounges around town are part of this transformation. Now, I get to explore these historical spaces while enjoying delicious cuisines around Yaletown.
So if you’re also curious about these spaces, keep reading this blog as we go over the best ones we’ve seen and tried around town!
1. Blue Water Cafe
Media credit: @bluewatercafe
Website: https://bluewatercafe.ca/
Address: 1095 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2W9
Contact Details: +1 604-688-8078
Operating Hours: Sunday – Wednesday: 4:30 PM – 10:30 PM; Thursday – Saturday: 4:30 PM – 11:30 PM
For those who want to satisfy their seafood cravings, Blue Water Cafe is one of the best spots that you should add to your list when visiting Yaletown.
This restaurant is known for its fresh and sustainable seafood with a modern touch, making it an appealing choice to the younger crowd.
Upon entering, you’ll immediately notice its cozy interiors. Additionally, the sound acoustics are great inside, allowing you and your friends to catch up while enjoying your meals.
You can also opt to be seated at the patio if you want to enjoy the outdoor breeze. Don’t worry, we noticed that it’s quite warm outside, making it a great spot even for families with young kids around.
For big groups, we recommend trying their seafood tower. Here, you can get a shareable amount of oysters, mussels, and scallops, without splurging too much.
Aside from the seafood, you’ll love that their booze menu is quite diverse too. You can even request the bartender to create a special cocktail based on your preference!
Meat lovers will also enjoy their stay here at Blue Water Cafe. While you’re here, don’t forget to try their wagyu beef.
Meanwhile, you’ll also love that their service crew remains attentive during your stay. Aside from making sound recommendations about their dishes, they will gladly take good photos of your group too!
Pro tip:
You can also get your sushi fix here at Blue Water Cafe. Additionally, if you prefer a more interactive experience, you may request to be seated at the sushi bar so you can watch the Japanese chef in action.
2. Elisa
Media credit: @elisasteak
Website: https://elisasteak.com/
Address: 1109 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5P6
Contact Details: +1 604-362-5443
Operating Hours: Monday – Saturday: 4:30 PM – 12:00 AM
For those looking for a premium steakhouse in Yaletown, Elisa is a great choice. This restaurant has elegant interiors, making it a great option if you want to impress your date.
Here, you can order high-quality steaks such as wagyu, filet mignon, ribeye, and dry-aged beef. Additionally, this restaurant specializes in wood-fired grilling, ensuring that you get to taste bold flavors from their premium cuts of meat.
You’ll also love that they have a great selection of side dishes. Even better, they come in large portions, allowing you to share them with the rest of the group.
You can also complement your steaks with their wide selection of booze. For the best experience, you can even ask their sommelier for the perfect wine that goes perfectly well with your main dish.
Meanwhile, if you want a more casual experience, this restaurant still has a great list of cocktails which they craft really well.
Pro tip:
For dessert (with a twist!), don’t forget to try Elisa’s mini donuts. These donuts are topped with whisky toffee sauce so you can jumpstart your drinking session while having your sweet fix.
3. Brix and Mortar
Media credit: @brix_vancouver
Website: https://www.brixandmortar.ca/
Address: 1137 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6M5
Contact Details: +1 604-915-9463
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
If you’re looking for a romantic spot in Yaletown where you can invite your crush for an intimate dinner then Brix and Mortar should be on top of your list. This restaurant can be found in a historic brick building.
Aside from their cozy dining rooms, you can try to reserve a table at their famous courtyard patio to impress your date even more.
Here, you can try their modern Canadian dishes such as the yarrow meadows duck breast, wild sockeye salmon, and lamb rack.
When it comes to their service, you’ll love that the staff is highly attentive to your needs. They will make sure all your orders come out in time.
Additionally, you’ll appreciate that their manager constantly checks out on every table, ensuring everyone has a personal touch to make their dining experience even more memorable.
Pro tip:
Consider trying Brix and Mortar’s tasting menu so you can sample their most-recommended dishes during your stay.
4. Dovetail
Media credit: @dovetailvancouver
Website: https://www.brixandmortar.ca/
Address: 1079 Mainland St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5P9
Contact Details: +1 604-336-1088
Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM; Friday – Saturday: 11:30 AM – 1:00 AM
Dovetail in Yaletown offers California-inspired dishes around Yaletown. Once you enter the restaurant, you’ll immediately notice the California energy through its modern boho interiors.
At any time of the day, you’ll also hear upbeat house tunes, inspiring you to order your favorite booze even if it’s just lunch break!
When it comes to food, you can order your favorite pasta dishes along with your comfort bistro food such as burgers and steaks. Meanwhile, if you’re a seafood lover, don’t miss out on the crowd-favorite bang bang shrimp, and tuna tartare!
What’s great about this restaurant is that they don’t just offer happy hour selections. They introduced daily ‘happy days’ (for both food and drinks), allowing you to enjoy a dedicated menu at discounted rates from 11:30 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon.
And if you’re a martini lover, they have an exclusive offering for you during weekdays. From 5 in the afternoon until 6 in the evening, you can enjoy a great selection of martini at discounted rates too.
Pro tip:
Since Dovetail can accommodate various dietary restrictions, make sure to align your food requests before your booking so the kitchen have time to prepare.
5. Hapa Izakaya
Media credit: @hapaizakaya
Website: https://hapaizakaya.com/
Address: 1193 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5P6
Contact Details: +1 604-681-4272
Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Friday – Saturday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
If you love Japanese tapas and late-night bites, then Hapa Izakaya is a great stop while you’re in Yaletown. Once you step inside, you’ll be greeted by its dimly lit space but with lively sounds, making you feel welcome right off the bat.
Here, you can enjoy your favorite Japanese tapas such as the mackerel sashimi, tempura prawns, karaage, and takoyaki. You can also enjoy their rice meals and noodle bowls, great if you prefer to eat something heavy.
If you’re looking for a more interactive dining experience, consider ordering their saba and watch the chef prepare it on your table.
Meanwhile, if you’re here for their fresh selections, you should try their hamachi carpaccio and tuna tataki.
Of course, your stay at Hapa Izakaya won’t be complete without ordering from their drink menu. Here, you can try ordering their Japanese whiskey and sake, which we think will pair well with your Japanese tapas.
Pro tip:
Request a table at the patio area if you prefer to have a more quiet and intimate dinner at Hapa Izakaya.
6. Provence Marinaside
Media credit: @provencemarinaside
Website: https://www.provencemarinaside.ca/
Address: 177 Marinaside Crescent, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2Y3
Contact Details: +1 604-681-4144
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Provence Marinaside in Yaletown should be your top choice if you want to dine in a restaurant with a waterfront view. Upon entering, you’ll love that their staff will gladly take off your coats or jackets so they can properly store them for you while you dine in.
Here, you can enjoy your favorite seafood platters inspired with French flavors. Some of the dishes that you should try are their sauteed wild prawns, seafood linguini, and crispy calamari.
For big groups, you may want to order their seafood platter provencal, allowing you to share clams, mussels, grilled fish, and wild prawns without overeating.
Interestingly, because of the great view, customers often come here for brunch. During this time, you can order your brunch favorites with a seafood twist such as the crab cake benedict.
You can also pair your seafood dishes with your favorite cocktails or spirits. They also have a good range of wine and champagne, making it a perfect spot for celebrations.
Meanwhile, for music lovers out there, you’ll find it even more romantic to dine in at this restaurant as there’s live jazz music every Wednesday from 6 until 9 in the evening.
Pro tip:
If you prefer a better wine service, consider sitting at the bar area. This will allow you to converse with the bartenders and sample their wine selection before you fully commit to a full bottle.
7. Social Corner
Media credit: @socialcornerrestaurants
Website: http://www.persesocialcorner.com/
Address: 891 Homer St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2W2
Contact Details: +1 604-428-6111
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
If you’re curious about the fusion of Spanish and Italian dining, then you should try the Social Corner. Here, you can get to order all-day tapas such as hummus, patatas bravas, along with Italian favorites such as pastas and pizza—all under one roof.
You’ll love that they only serve wood-fired pizzas, ensuring that you get the authentic Italian experience. Some of the flavors that you should try are the carbonara pizza, capricciosa, and the criminale.
While you’re here, you should also try their foie gras burger. You’ll be treated with a thick piece of foie gras topped with a juicy burger meat and crispy onion crunch!
For vegetarians out there, just order the Drunken Goat pizza so you don’t need to adjust your dietary restrictions while you’re here at Social Corner.
You’ll also appreciate sampling various cocktails, allowing you to taste the creativity of their bartenders.
Pro tip:
Consider the seats by the window so you can watch the kitchen staff as they prepare your favorite pizzas!
8. Robba da Matti
Media credit: @johnlaujohnlau
Website: https://www.robbadamatti.com/
Address: 1127 Mainland St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5P2
Contact Details: +1 604-558-1174
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Another Italian restaurant that you should try visiting when you’re in Yaletown is Robba da Matti, a great spot where you can satisfy your craving for authentic Italian comfort food while you’re on another side of the world.
In fact, you’ll love that most of the servers here are Italian, giving you a complete authentic Italian dining experience.
Meanwhile, you’ll love that this restaurant has limited seating. Aside from controlled noise inside the restaurant, it’s a great spot for intimate dinner dates.
For pasta lovers, make sure to try their Pappardelle Rosche Rosche, a family recipe of ragu slow cooked in tomato sauce. You should also try the Italian classic, risotto alla zucca.
If you’re having a romantic date, you may consider ordering their couple set menu, allowing you to grab huge portions at a much reasonable price.
Don’t forget to end your night with a tiramisu or a panna cotta!
Pro tips:
• Avoid the seats near Robba da Matti’s kitchen as that corner is quite hotter compared to the other areas inside the restaurant.
• Avoid visiting the restaurant on a Saturday night, especially if you prefer to stay longer, as you’re only allowed to stay for two hours on the said day.
