Restaurants

Let’s Go Out! 4 Great Spots to Grab a Big Group Dinner in Vancouver

Looking for group dinner spots in Vancouver? These restaurants nail the vibe, food and atmosphere

By Kristi Alexandra /

The right spot for a group dinner hits all the marks: shareable plates, a drinks list that caters to every personality at the table and music just loud enough that you can get animated about the conversation without being overheard at the next table. You don’t want to feel rushed—so a setting that encourages a leisurely dinner is a must. For some, that means sexy, low light; for others, the spot should be bright and unpretentious. In all, the big dinner out requires some lively discussion, but hopefully doesn’t start a fight in the group chat.

READ MORE: Editors’ Choice Award for Best Group Dining, Restaurant Awards 2025

Ideas for Your Next Group Dinner

Photo by Leila Kwok

Crab Hot Lau

2141 Kingsway, crabhotlau.ca

$

The Vibe: Loud, lively and no-frills, this Northern Vietnamese restaurant is all about flavour-packed hot pots, standout bún riêu cua and spring rolls served up square (you definitely haven’t seen that elsewhere in the city). There’s a reason this spot has taken home gold for Best Vietnamese Restaurant in the Vanmag Restaurant Awards for two years running.

Perfect For: A bubbly group dinner with friends who are (hopefully) not allergic to shellfish.

Sing Sing

2718 Main St., freehouse.co

$$

The Vibe: Breezy, airy and drenched in light at any time of day (thanks to the roll-up garage doors that open the space right to Main Street), this easygoing spot has possibly the most “Vancouver” of all menus. Pho, pizza and dumplings pair well with a sharp lineup of local craft brews and inventive cocktails.

Perfect For: Impressing out-of-town guests—without looking like you’re trying too hard.

Kozak

1 W Cordova St.,  kozakeatery.ca

$$

The Vibe: A buzzing, cozy spot where homey Ukrainian classics get elevated. Think: boar perogies, cabbage rolls (including vegan options) and 1½-oz cocktails, including the Kyiv Sunset and Malyna sour. You can even watch your drink come to life at the bar, perhaps using their housemade Ukrainian vodka to soak fruits and berries. Exposed brick, modern folk art and Ukrainian tapestries bring the ambiance together.

Perfect For: Your sibling’s birthday dinner when they asked for a homecooked meal—but with better cocktails.

Photo by Leila Kwok

Moltaqa

1002 Mainland St.,  moltaqarestaurant.ca

$$

The Vibe: Forget you’re in Vancouver for a moment and get transported to Morocco through sight, sound and smell. Rain will be a distant memory once you’re hit with the aroma of tagines opening to a group of diners, light spilling out from Moroccan lamps, the sound of an Arabic harp being played and the jingle of belly dancing on weekends. Complementing it all are dishes that draw from Berber, Arab, Andalusian and Mediterranean influences. We gave it a gold star in our recent Restaurant Awards, but we’re not Moltaqa’s only fans: the spot is Michelin-recommended.

Perfect For: When you want dinner and a show, but you’re not quite sure where the show is yet. Psst—it’s here.

Kristi Alexandra

Kristi Alexandra

Kristi Alexandra is the managing editor, food and culture, at Canada Wide Media. She loves food, travel, film and wine (but most of all, writing about them for Vancouver Magazine, Western Living and BCBusiness). Send any food and culture-related pitches to her at [email protected].