The Diverse and Fresh Flavours of Kitsilano

The release of the 2024 edition of MICHELIN Guide Vancouver is set for October 3, bringing the possibility of further stars and distinctions for local restaurants.

The highly anticipated reveal will take place at the Commodore Ballroom during an invitation-only ceremony in the evening. The lead-up to the reveal is the perfect time to visit key neighbourhoods that are food hubs, and whose restaurants have received numerous MICHELIN recognitions.

Kitsilano or Kits, bound by Alma and Burrard Streets, and West 16th Avenue and the water, is a bustling neighbourhood known for its laid-back, friendly vibe, and commitment to healthy, sustainable living. Kitsilano Beach is a particularly gorgeous spot for getting to know the area, while West 4th Avenue and Broadway are its main retail and dining streets.

The diversity of Kits is evidenced by its current residents as well as the long-thriving community in Greektown, which is located along West Broadway, roughly from Blenheim to Macdonald Streets. Recently, Kitsilano has taken on renewed prominence in Vancouver due to the calibre of its dining scene, with many outstanding restaurants—representing a range of culinary cultures—with Michelin nods.

Below are MICHELIN dining establishments to visit in Kitsilano:

AnnaLena

The jewel of Kitsilano is AnnaLena, which earned a MICHELIN star in 2022 and retained it in 2023 due to the refinement of its cuisine, all while remaining unpretentious and inviting. The restaurant, helmed by talented executive chef Mike Robbins, has evolved considerably since it opened in 2015. The kitchen now offers only a tasting menu ($149), one that changes depending on seasonal availability as well as the whimsy of the kitchen. This menu allows cooks to be nimble, as well as craft a wonderfully orchestrated meal. In its latest iteration, you’ll find fresh summery dishes such as heirloom tomatoes, parmesan, Castelvetrano olives, and fresh herbs; dry aged duck breast or A5 wagyu striploin with charred corn, chanterelles, and basil; and summer berries with almonds and miso ice cream.

Maenam

Chef Angus An presides over numerous outstanding food establishments: Sen Pad Thai on Granville Island, Longtail Kitchen in New Westminster, and Fat Mao Noodles in Chinatown and the downtown core. Nonetheless, Maenam (MICHELIN recommended) is where An really showcases the breadth and depth of his cooking prowess. The restaurant specializes in incredible Thai cuisine incorporating local, seasonal ingredients. The room is elegant and modern, with attentive service that makes you feel at home.

The menu is designed to be shared family-style, with dishes that play with textures as well as a balancing of sweet, savoury, and tangy—along with kicks of heat. Freshness of flavour and ingredients is key. Start with dishes such as a grilled Thai sausage and crispy rice salad with coriander, lemongrass, and fried shallots; or steamed local mussels with lemongrass, makrut lime leaf, tomato, and bird’s eye chili—served with fresh nahm jim. Mains include a fragrant massaman lamb shank curry with sieglinde potatoes, warming spices, and crushed cashew, and one of the best pad Thai in the city. Order 48 hours in advance one of An’s specialities, such as a lobster claypot with crispy pork jowl and vermicelli. Or, you can opt for the family style chef’s menu ($88), which is a multi-course sharing menu that spans snacks, a relish, soup, salad, curry, stir-fry, and assorted daily desserts. The cocktail menu is Thai-inspired with drinks like a longan old fashioned and Bangkok beehive.

Fable Kitchen

Fable Kitchen, which also has two sister restaurants (Fable Diner and Fable Diner & Bar), was one of the pivotal restaurants in Vancouver’s embrace of farm-to-table dining. Since its opening in 2012, the restaurant has become a Kitsilano staple and continues its commitment to local producers and sustainability. This MICHELIN Bib Gourmand establishment turns out brunch dishes that are high in comfort, including pulled pork Johnny cakes and an excellent smash burger. Some of the brunch items are also on their lunch menu (e.g., a traditional benny). Their dinner menu showcases their farm-to-table ethos with seasonal dishes like an heirloom tomato salad with burrata, tomato consommé, and basil oil; and a share plate of pan seared zucchini with basil, whipped feta, pistachio, honey, and olive oil. More substantial items include steamed halibut with blistered tomatoes, potato puree, and romesco; and crisp pork belly with agrodolce tomato sauce and fennel and grapefruit salad with anise vinaigrette. You can also go for a three-course tasting menu ($50), which changes monthly.

Delara

Delara (MICHELIN-recommended) offers something truly unique in Vancouver: contemporary Persian food with seasonal, West Coast inflections, in beautiful surroundings. Chef Bardia Ilbeiggi cooks with his heart and well-honed technique, showing nuance in his melding of ingredients and flavours. There is something comforting in the dishes at Delara, reflective of Ilbeiggi’s passion for the cuisine of his familial homeland. In addition to a lovely brunch (e.g., a braised lamb shoulder sandwich), Delara offers a delicious and varied dinner menu.

Start with the roasted cauliflower with spicy yogurt, topped with hazelnuts, sumac, sesame seeds, and mint or the tender koofteh (meatballs made of beef, rice, split peas, herbs, walnuts, and plums) served with seedy sourdough flatbread. Dishes invite sharing, such as the turmeric marinated grilled chicken breast with roasted vegetables, herbs, and a barberry orange sauce. The accompanying crispy saffron rice alone makes a trip to the restaurant worthwhile. End with walnut and date baklava in cardamom honey syrup. Cocktails and zero-proof drinks lean towards the fragrant, with options like the Bazaar Coffee Milk Punch with dark rum, Bruinwood espresso vodka, cardamom syrup, rose water, and orange.

Little Bird Dim Sum & Craft Beer

Many diners visiting Little Bird Dim Sum & Craft Beer (MICHELIN Bib Gourmand) don’t realize that the restaurant reflects three-generations of hard work and innovation in Vancouver’s Chinese dining landscape. Owner Jonathan Lee continues what his grandfather, Yuk Sing, and father, Joseph, began. The latter opened the beloved Flamingo Restaurant, which was the first restaurant to offer authentic dim sum in the city beyond Chinatown. It continues to thrive to this day. Jonathan has reinvented the dim sum experience while still staying true to his familial roots by serving dim sum at night (as well as during the day on weekends), while also pairing it with local craft beer and wine.

The vibe is lively and warm, with groups of friends and family feasting on chive and shrimp dumplings, shrimp toast, and classic egg tarts. The restaurant also has extensive vegetarian selections, including siu mai, Shanghai buns, and spring rolls.

Folke

With numerous accolades, including being named as one of Canada’s Best New Restaurants in 2023 and a MICHELIN recommendation, Folke has become a bright spot on West Broadway. The restaurant, co-owned by chef Colin Uyeda and pastry chef Priscilla Deo, is a charmer: intimate with sincere service and food that celebrates plant-based cooking.

This is vegan cuisine at its best, with dishes that are unexpected in their melding of local, seasonal ingredients. Current dishes include tapioca dumplings with mushroom XO, chili oil, and ponzu; chickpea tofu with Sungold tomatoes, shiso, and sesame; and pappardelle with tomato, horseradish, and corn—and they’re all meant for sharing. The kitchen can adeptly take the steering wheel with their tasting menu ($90), a series of dishes that will end with a lovely dessert, often incorporating local fruit. There’s no tipping since the menu prices include hospitality. Local wine selections are thoughtfully curated.

Yuwa Japanese Cuisine

There is a delicacy to the dishes at Yuwa Japanese Cuisine (MICHELIN recommended) that matches the room, which is understated and tranquil. In the warmer months, they have one of the nicest patios in the neighbourhood. Yuwa prides itself on the freshness of their local, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients, as well as the exacting quality of the dining experience. You can’t dine at Yuwa without ordering the fresh sashimi (e.g., local uni), nigiri, and special maki, like the Hydrangea Roll with albacore tuna, Japanese purple yam tempura, cucumber, mango, alfalfa, and yuzu mayo sauce,

Yuwa offers many seasonal dishes, such as a chilled free-range chawanmushi with prawns, mitsuba, okura, summer corn, and goji berries; and matsutake tempura with green tea salt. Other standouts include udon in soy dashi broth with sliced roasted duck, wakame seaweed, green onion, yuzu citrus zest, and tempura bits; and grilled sablefish marinated in yuzu citrus soy served with sweet soy simmered kabocha and ginger soy marinated pickles. For pairings, choose from the lengthy sake list and wine selections.

Octopus Garden

For over thirty years, Octopus Garden (MICHELIN recommended) has been delighting Vancouver diners with its quirky exuberance and creative cooking. Fresh local and Japanese ingredients reign here. Sada Hoshika is a jovial host who is also a phenomenal sushi chef. Go for the kitchen’s nigiri and sashimi or their fun shooters, with seafood like uni, caviar and ikura. Chef Sada also features many other playful creations like a premium Uni on the Beach with Japanese uni, spot prawns, and white truffle, as well as other kitchen specials such as anago tempura and foie gras chawanmushi.

Reserve to secure a limited number of omakase each day ($200), which will come with an uni shooter, appetizers, sashimi, sushi, a soup, hot items, and dessert—all crafted based on seasonality and availability of ingredients. Order a glass or bottle of sake, and sip it over a great meal at the consistently delicious Octopus Garden.

Karma Indian Bistro

Karma Indian Bistro was under the radar until receiving a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand distinction in 2023. It’s a low key, casual spot—well suited for a night out with good friends and family over lip-smacking primarily northern Indian cooking (there are some other regions represented like Goa). You can expect many of your favourite dishes here, maximizing flavour with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Starters range from vegetable samosas stuffed with spiced potato, onion, and peas and served with tamarind and mint chutney, to tandoori wings tossed in homemade masala sauce.

While Indian food at Karma is always a good idea, it’s especially pleasurable when you’re craving cosseting curries such as chicken korma, lamb pasanda (in a cream, tomato, onion, mint, and cilantro sauce), or a Goa fish curry featuring mustard seeds, curry leaves, and coconut. Tandoor options include chicken tikka and tandoori prawns. There are also several fragrant biryanis, such as with lamb or chicken. The kitchen offers a wide selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes, like palak paneer, eggplant bhartha, and dal makhani. Order saffron rice pudding or gulab jamun for a sweet finish.