Where the Locals Eat

Don Taco

One of the most common questions I get from Arizona and California transplants is, where do you go to get Mexican food. Many people will swear, there is no good Mexican food in Vancouver, and I said it myself easily for 6 months when I first moved here. I hesitate to recommend Mexican food because there are so many varying opinions on what's good... Do you want the place that has sizzling fajitas and sings Happy Birthday in Spanish? Or do you want soups loaded with weird animal parts and a badass salsa bar and street tacos? If the latter is your preference, the answer is Don Taco. It's on Fourth Plain with 500 other Mexican food restaurants but save yourself the research and just go here. 

La Valentina

If the sizzling fajitas were what you wanted, alongside a full margarita variety, saltillo tiles and traditional decor, La Valentina is your spot. This is the Mexican food I felt like I was missing as a Californian, for so long. Hot chips, wonderful salsa, and the best enchiladas in Vancouver, hands down. I'd totally come here with a party of ten for a kiddo's birthday party. Bonus? They're SO QUICK and there's never a wait to be seated. With a little one in tow, I struggle to wait 20 minutes for food, but they send everything out piping hot and fast here.

River Maiden

It's hard to find a great cold cut sandwich in Vancouver. But with just a few options on their lunch menu, River Maiden never disappoints. The ingredients are so fresh and they include condiments like lemon artichoke spread to make them uniquely delicious. They have a club, and italian, and a herby turkey guy. Plus a couple other salad options and excellent baked goods. Do prepare yourself for a bit of a wait in the parking lot after you drive through and order, but it's absolutely worth it, and you can just eat your decadent brownie, fresh crumbly scone, and rice krispy treat first, while you wait. If you don't feel like waiting, order online, and if you sign up you can earn points to get a free meal every once in a while.

Petra House

With a middle-eastern heritage, kafta and falafel are my food love languages. And Petra House is a VIBE. With all kinds of imported tchotchkes and floor-seating in private nooks, you certainly don't feel like you're in a strip mall in Vancouver. They start you out with a beautiful tableside rose water hand washing, and then offer a delicious array of Jordanian dishes. The lamb stew is going to be an essential this winter, I already know it. The pita is fluffy, salads are fresh, and everything we tried was wonderfully seasoned. I waited far too long to go here.

Szechuan Brothers

Honestly our asian food game in Vancouver is pretty great, but this is a hidden gem that not as many people name, and if authentic Chinese is what you're looking for, it's delicious. We like to go here with a larger group, 4-6 people, so we can all eat family-style and get a few bites of everything. Comparing it to a more American-inspired Chinese restaurant like Peking Garden (which I also like!) is apples to oranges. They don't mess around with spice levels here, so if you like it hot, just say so. And they have something for everyone, whether you're into chicken feet or more basic b flavors. 

Szechuan Brothers

Honestly our asian food game in Vancouver is pretty great, but this is a hidden gem that not as many people name, and if authentic Chinese is what you're looking for, it's delicious. We like to go here with a larger group, 4-6 people, so we can all eat family-style and get a few bites of everything. Comparing it to a more American-inspired Chinese restaurant like Peking Garden (which I also like!) is apples to oranges. They don't mess around with spice levels here, so if you like it hot, just say so. And they have something for everyone, whether you're into chicken feet or more basic b flavors. 

Pho Star

There's absolutely no shortage of pho in Vancouver, and everyone has a favorite. Ours, is Pho Star, where we get takeout from on the regular. Full confession, pho isn't my favorite soup, it's just too many noods for me. But I do love their vermicelli with lemongrass & honey pork dish, and I would like to aggressively shovel their coconut shrimp into my face. They're very consistent, which we always appreciate in a restaurant. And my weird meat part loving partner does find their pho to be some of the best he's had here.