Restaurant Awards 2026: Readers’ Choice, Best of the Neighbourhoods

Our judges cover a lot of ground over the course of a year, but there’s only so much eating one supergroup of foodies can do. So we turn to you, our brilliant readers, to help fill in the gaps. With your help, we’ve identified neighbourhood faves, beloved brunch spots and more. The people have spoken!

Vancouver Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Winners 2026

Best Downtown: Nightingale

1017 W Hastings St.
hawknightingale.com

The upscale-casual Nightingale (sister to the legendary Hawksworth) has an ambitious West Coast menu featuring the best the Pacific has to offer, from its decadent rigatoni all’arrabbiata served with a dollop of whipped ricotta to handmade pizzas and zippy raw plates.

Best Fraserhood: Savio Volpe

615 Kingsway
saviovolpe.com

If there’s one thing to know about our readers, they’re consistent—and so, too, apparently is Savio Volpe, once again the reigning champ of Best Fraserhood with its handmade pastas, tangy, fresh salads and expertly curated wine list.

Best Gastown: L’Abattoir

217 Carrall St.
labattoir.ca

Set neatly in Gastown’s most walkable square of brick-lain ground, L’Abattoir remains the neighbourhood’s favourite dining experience—where chef Jasper Cruickshank sharpens the French sensibilities of the restaurant with the introduction of decadent dishes like the baked Pacific oyster (topped with whipped garlic butter and black truffle) and Parisian gnocchi.

Best West End: Maxine’s

1325 Burrard St.
maxinescafebar.com

When it comes to cozy favourites, Maxine’s café and bar has once again snagged the Best West End vote from our readers. From its truffle omelette at brunch (think: fine herbs and black truffle wrapped up in a La Sauvagine cheese sauce) to its succulent braised pork cheeks for dinner, Maxine’s delivers both comfort and sumptuousness.

Best Kerrisdale: Minerva’s

2411 W 41st Ave.
minervas.ca

Family-run Greek spot Minerva’s has been a staple of Kerrisdale since 1975, and has built a loyal fanbase along the way (including Ryan Reynolds). Classic dishes like moussaka and souvlaki are balanced and flavourful, served in generous portions.

Best Hastings-Sunrise: Dachi

2297 E Hastings St.
dachivancouver.com

Dachi snags the victory in our Reader’s Choice roundup for a third time. No surprise: innovative small plates (soy braised beef shank; roasted Hokkaido sweet potato with charred onion mole) and natural wine by-the-glass are a winning combo in this intimate, casual-chic room. 

Best Kitsilano: Cockney Kings

1934 Cornwall Ave.
cockneykings.ca

Fish and chips are a staple of most beach boardwalks, so it’s appropriate that Kits has crowned this authentic chippie on Cornwall Avenue as its champ. Snag some crispy cod from the takeout counter to pair with your next beach day. 

Best Chinatown: Phnom Penh

244 E Georgia St.
@phnompenh.restaurant

Our Best Chinatown winner is a neighbourhood institution that turns first-timers into regulars. The salt-pepper-sugar wings are the move, and the beef luc lac seals the deal.

Best Commercial Drive: Lunch Lady

1046 Commercial Dr.
thelunchlady.com

Lunch Lady is a popular-vote winner in back-to-back years for a reason. Slurpable Vietnamese bowls are built on deeply balanced broth and generous toppings. It’s the kind of lunch that becomes your whole afternoon.

Best Yaletown: Elisa

1109 Hamilton St.
elisasteak.com

This Yaletown room is a readers’ favourite for flame-grilled cuts, a serious wine list and a room that makes even a Tuesday steak dinner feel like a rare occasion.

Best Mount Pleasant: Anh and Chi

3388 Main St.
anhandchi.com

Our readers deemed this spot worth the lineup for modern Vietnamese that hits big on flavour. Bonus: you can turn dinner into a full night out with sister bar Good Thief right next door.

Best Neighbourhood Wildcard: Northern Cafe

1640 E Kent Ave. S
northerncafeandgrill.com

When we say that this spot is a “hidden gem,” we mean it: find this cozy diner tucked away in a South Vancouver lumberyard, serving up Chinese comfort food favourites alongside Canadian classics.

Find more of the best Vancouver restaurants on our list of 2026 Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Award winners.