A First Look at Dine Out Vancouver 2026

Vancouver’s culinary scene is a dream come true for foodies looking to expand their palates and taste flavours from around the world. And there’s no better way to experience it all than through the city’s many food festivals. As winter approaches, so does the most anticipated of these celebrations, Dine Out Vancouver.

Your Dine Out experience doesn’t end when the plates are cleared. Keep exploring with special offers on the city’s top attractions to make your festival experience even more memorable. Hotels across the city also sweeten the deal. For out-of-town foodies, or those craving a staycation, the full hotel list is available now, inviting you to settle in and sample more of the festival’s flavours.

For the last 24 years, the lead-up to Dine Out Vancouver has followed a similar trajectory. Everyone counts down the days for the restaurant list’s big reveal. It arrives, and the menus are reviewed. Wishlists are made. And then it’s a mad dash to secure coveted reservations. It’s an exciting time for foodies from near and far. To tide you over until the announcement on January 12th, here’s a taste of what’s to come.

Dine Out Tease: Restaurants in Gastown

West Coast flair meets classic French technique at one of the city’s most compelling dining destinations, L’Abattoir. This Gastown darling has been on the MICHELIN list since the Vancouver food scene first caught the attention of inspectors in 2022. That said, locals have been flooding their books since it first opened over 15 years ago.

Just steps away is another Dine Out Festival pick for those craving a taste of the Mediterranean. The Greek by Anatoli is a family-run restaurant serving up signature Greek hospitality alongside generous portions of all the classics. Expect the tastiest assortment of dips, juicy grilled meats, and citrusy roasted potatoes to flood the table. For nights that call for a cocktail, order a glass of Helen’s Sangria. Perfectly spiced, bright, and balanced, it’s a secret family recipe that you’ll be forever trying to recreate.

Dine Out Tease: Restaurants and Events in Chinatown

As one of the city’s most celebrated flavourhoods, festival-goers should plan on a trip to Chinatown. Walkable from downtown, or easily accessible by transit or a 5-minute Uber, this neighbourhood blends culinary innovation with time-honoured tradition. MICHELIN-recognized eateries, decades-old landmark establishments, and hotshot newcomers line the streets. And many are welcoming you in during the Dine Out season.

Celebrated for its bold flavours, playful techniques, and unmatched hospitality, Torafuku is one of Vancouver’s most inventive modern Asian restaurants. Serving shareable dishes and a creative cocktail program, it offers a warm, inviting atmosphere where gastronomy and hospitality take center stage.

Beyond the restaurant stops, Dine Out Vancouver features a range of culinary events at special prices to further immerse you in the Vancouver food scene. Historical Chinatown Tours is offering deals on three unique experiences, including the Dumpling Hop ‘n Cocktails Tour, a Dumpling Masterclass, and a Historical Talk and Dim Sum tour. Explore each tour in more detail and reserve your spot on their website.

Dine Out Tease: Restaurants in Yaletown

Vancouver’s culinary reputation shines in many ways. But when it comes to sushi, it truly shows off. Often praised as having the best Japanese cuisine outside of Japan, Vancouver is home to nearly 500 sushi restaurants. With competition this stiff, it can be tricky to stand out. But Minami has done just that.

Serving up Japanese tapas and whimsical cocktails in the chic neighbourhood of Yaletown, Minami provides a more elegant experience than your average sushi joint. Alongside top-tier Ocean Wise seafood and premium-grade wagyu, the restaurant’s in-house pastry team turns out mouthwatering Japanese-European style desserts. The result is a night that’s flavourful, refined, and lingers long after the last bite.

Dine Out Tease: Restaurants in South Granville

In a 15-minute Uber from downtown Vancouver, you cross a bridge into the bustling neighbourhood of South Granville. A favourite among foodies and shoppers alike, this vibrant area is home to more than its fair share of top Vancouver food establishments, ready to welcome you this Dine Out season.

First on that list is Salmon n’ Bannock Bistro. As Vancouver’s only Indigenous restaurant, it offers visitors an enriching cultural and culinary experience that’s rooted in tradition while celebrating contemporary creativity. Think land-to-table game meats. Fluffy housemade bannock. And dishes that showcase the richness of local lands and waters. A proud celebration of Indigenous heritage and culture, the experience is both nourishing and deeply meaningful.

Just around the corner from the main strip sits another South Granville MICHELIN-recognized gem, Gary’s. The menu rotates frequently, guided by whatever is freshest and in season. Dishes are designed for sharing, and the wine list is intentionally kept small. With French-inspired roots and a respect for simplicity, Gary’s has mastered the art of a no-fuss, refined dining experience. It has somehow situated itself as the ideal spot for a casual weeknight dinner or a milestone celebration.

Dine Out Tease: Restaurants in Mount Pleasant

In just a 10-minute Uber drive from downtown, you’ll find yourself in one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, Mount Pleasant. Home to endless independent boutiques and neighbourhood coffee shops, it’s also a paradise for Vancouver food enthusiasts.

In the heart of this bustling neighbourhood is one of the city’s most celebrated plant-forward locavore restaurants, The Acorn. It serves up some of the city’s most creative dishes, crafted with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients in a zero-waste kitchen. The restaurant is also proud to serve dishes where 99% of everything on your plate is grown, harvested, or made in British Columbia and Western Canada.

Another standout on the Dine Out features this season is a restaurant with a lot of local buzz, ELEM. The restaurant concept is centered on the four classical elements, which serve as a foundation for pushing the boundaries of creative gastronomy and cocktail making. Sustainability is a primary pillar of the restaurant ethos, and is evident across every aspect of the dining experience and building itself. Kitchen scraps goes into a Mother Stock. Overflow vegetables are pickled. And every effort is made to reduce the use of PETs and aluminum.

These teasers are just a sampling of what Dine Out Vancouver has in store. In a few short days, hundreds of restaurants and culinary experiences will be at your fingertips, inviting you in to eat, experience, and explore. Until then, let the anticipation build. The Vancouver food scene’s biggest celebration is almost here.