Restaurants

In Search of Vancouver’s Best Beef Tartare

Menus across Vancouver are increasingly putting their own spin on the classic beef tartare and (with apologies to Wu-Tang Clan), baby, we Vancouverites like it raw.

By Kristi Alexandra /

1. Nomo Nomo

At Commercial Drive’s newest Japanese snack bar, Nomo Nomo, the steak tartare ($26) is a medium chop of rich Carrara wagyu beef served with a fragrant perilla leaf. Here, Asian flavours take hold of the French staple, with soy, sesame and a splash of citrus creating an umami-driven bite (which pairs well on the toasted milk bread served with the dish). 1268 Commercial Dr., @nomonomo

2. June

June on Cambie takes many classically indulgent dishes and makes them playful, and the spot’s beef tartare ($22) is no exception. The dish is a snackable take: a finely chopped savoury tartare is served with a halo of crisp potato chips dusted in dill. It’s a texture contradiction that works: crispy potatoes against a soft, bright and herby tartare make for an easy bite. 3305 Cambie St., juneoncambie.com

3. Chez Céline

Over at Fraserhood’s French-Canadian concept Chez Céline, the dish is made homey. Their beef tartare with anchovies ($26) is punchy and fatty, perfect for spreading on torn pieces of rustic bread. Somehow, they make the sophisticated European dish feel like a comfort (perhaps it’s that all-Canadian angle they’re going for), which pairs well with a glass of the Pinard and Filles honeymoon wine (a Frontenac noir)—from the heart of Quebec, of course. 4298 Fraser St., chezcelinerestaurant.com

4. Sainam

Our 2025 Chef of the Year Angus An puts a Southeast Asian spin on tartare in his new West End room. An’s Isaan beef tartare ($21) is a medium-ground delight loaded with fresh Isaan herbs (like lemongrass, sawtooth coriander and holy basil) with chili and rice powder, delivering a distinctly Thai take on the French dish.  1235 Davie St., @sainamrestaurant

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].