Vancouver’s Top 12 Restaurants

We couldn’t stop at 10. Our criteria: Excellent food. Excellent concept. Excellent design. (No playing favourites among these favourites; we’ve listed our top picks in alphabetical order.)

33 Acres: When we heard that one of the founders of this modern brewery worked in set dec, it made a lot of sense. This is a movie about really creative people in an über-cool space in an industrial neighbourhood enjoying really good beer and snacks. Roll credits. 15 W. Eighth Ave., Vancouver, 604-620-4589 http://33acresbrewing.com | Read our full review <<

Ask for Luigi: The pillowy pasta, handmade before your eyes, is some of the best in the city. Be prepared to wait for a table, though, as seats at this quaint neighbourhood spot are hard to come by. Weekend brunch is a highlight—try the pork belly and polenta with a fried egg. 305 Alexander St., Vancouver, 604-428-2544 www.askforluigi.com | Read our full review >>

Bel Café: We do a lot of our business lunches at this casual spot in the Rosewood Hotel, in the company of everyone from the attorney general to Matt Dillon. The spicy chicken salad and the chicken coconut soup are staples in the Vitamin Daily diet. 801 W. Georgia St., Vancouver, 604-673-7000, www.belcafe.com | Read our full review <<

Bestie: That the banquette colours are matched to the original palette of a circa-1970s Volkswagen van is just one reason to love this German hotspot in Chinatown. Also, nothing hits the spot like late-night currywurst after dancing.105 E. Pender St., Vancouver, 604-620-1175, http://bestie.ca | Read our full review >>

Burdock & Co.: The level of sophistication, quality of ingredients and perfect execution astound us time and again—even more so in a casual-yet-cool neighbourhood environment. 2702 Main St., Vancouver, 604-879-0077, http://burdockandco.com | Read our full review <<

The Farmer’s Apprentice: Likely the closest thing we have to a French bistro, the bavette (a petite Gaelic steak) with foamed potatoes at lunchtime strikes us as a perfect Vancouver-style power lunch. Gather après work with your besties and order anything from the fresh sheet.1535 W. Sixth Ave., Vancouver, 604-620-2070, www.farmersapprentice.ca | Read our full review >>

The Fish Counter: It’s mostly a fishmonger, but the chowders and bouillabaisse at the stand-up lunch counter are on par with what you’d get at a fine-dining establishment (without the stuffiness and crippling bill). 3825 Main St., Vancouver, 604- 876-3474, www.thefishcounter.com | Read our full review <<

Heirloom: We never thought we’d include a vegetarian restaurant on this list, but Heirloom makes the cut for its contemporary design, great location on the South Granville shopping strip and bright, airy brunches. 1509 W. 12th Ave., Vancouver, 604-733-2231, http://heirloomrestaurant.ca | Read our full review >>

Longtail Kitchen: When the big door rolls up and the riverside patio opens for summer, we strongly suggest a road trip to this Thai street-food resto in New West to taste what chef/proprietor Angus An has prepped. (An was once headhunted for a consulting gig at NYC’s Thompson Hotel so, yes, it’s worth the drive.)810 Quayside Dr. #116, New Westminster, 604-553-3855, www.longtailkitchen.com | Read our full review <<

L’ufficio/La Quercia: The new-ish La Quercia (the restaurant to L’ufficio’s wine bar) was a badly needed addition to Vancouver’s restaurant scene, where it seemed impossible to get a small-but-delicious plate of food and an excellent glass of wine (from a sommelier who can tell you exactly how and who harvested the grapes right down to the colour if his shorts). Before now.3689 W. Fourth Ave., Vancouver, 604-676-1007, www.laquercia.ca | Read our full review >>

The Parker: We never thought we’d include a second vegetarian restaurant on this list, but the Parker (again, with a very cool location on a strip of great new shops and bars) is the type of place that doesn’t need to deep-fry its veggies in order to make them taste good. Meatless Mondays never looked so mouthwatering. 237 Union St., Vancouver, 604-779-3804, www.theparkervancouver.com | Read our full review <<

Taco Fino: The design itself is a draw but, really, where else can you get grilled chicken hearts on a stick? 2327 E. Hastings St., Vancouver, 604- 253-8226, http://tacofino.com | Read our full review >>

Happy eating! —Sarah Bancroft