If you’ve been craving a perfect dining spot for a memorable date night in the city of Vancouver, look no further. We’ve enlisted the guidance of some of the city’s top foodies, each with their unique culinary passions and recommendations. From Italian street food to modern Vietnamese cuisine, and Canadian fare to innovative tasting menus, these local experts have you covered with their top picks for a romantic evening out. —Ashley Harris
Clarissa Nuttall: Fiorino, Italian Street Food
Clarissa Nuttall, also known as @bitemevancouver, hails from Vancouver, and she’s a multi-talented individual, wearing the hats of a food blogger, social media manager, and photographer. Her passion for food has always been intertwined with her creativity in photography.
Nine years ago, Clarissa started her blogging journey, establishing it as a creative outlet and a platform to refine her photography skills. Today, thanks to her dedication, she’s an integral part of Vancouver’s vibrant foodie community.
With a plethora of dining experiences under her belt in the city, when it comes to choosing the ideal spot for a date night, Clarissa’s top pick is Fiorino, Italian Street Food. Nestled discreetly in Chinatown, this charming eatery serves up authentic Italian cuisine that’s garnered them the prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition.
According to Clarissa, Fiorino is perfect for a dinner date, a drink rendezvous, or indulging in delectable desserts. She enthusiastically attests, “Pre-and post-Michelin guide, they’ve excelled in what they do for Italian fare. All around, their food is amazing, and the service matches this.”
Among the delectable offerings on Fiorino’s menu, Clarissa’s personal favourite is the Panzanella. This delightful dish features a vegetable salad accompanied by vanilla pickled strawberries, a sweet sherry vinaigrette, and luscious whipped maple ricotta.
Tony Huynh: Lunch Lady
Meet Tony Huynh, also known as @raincouvereatery, an accountant by day, and food enthusiast by night. Tony’s love for food started at a very young age while watching his mother teach others how to cook.
“Her expertise in the kitchen and her dedication to teaching others about the joy of cooking ignited my own love for food. Watching her create delicious dishes and witnessing the joy it brought to those she taught, I couldn’t help but be drawn into the world of gastronomy,” Tony said.
After some convincing from his friends, Tony turned his passion for food into an online platform to be shared with others. It has been five years since he started his blog and now, he is well-known in the local foodie world because of it.
When it comes to romantic date nights, Tony’s go-to cuisine would have to be modern Vietnamese and his go-to restaurant for it is a Michelin Bib Gourmand eatery called the Lunch Lady.
“It’s the perfect choice for a date night because the food here offers a balance of familiar and exotic dishes, providing a unique culinary experience that can be shared and appreciated together. The vibrant herbs, aromatic spices, and fresh ingredients used in Vietnamese dishes create a romantic and flavourful dining adventure that adds to the special ambiance of the evening,” Tony said.
He added, his favourite dish to order on the menu is the Mi Xao Toi, Garlic Fried Noodles.
Jenn Chan: Archer
Meet Jenn Chan, a city photographer whose journey led her from capturing urban landscapes to immersing herself in Vancouver’s thriving foodie scene. Her unwavering passion for both gastronomy and exploring new dining establishments inspired her to transform one of her social media accounts, @jennchanmedia, into a delectable canvas of food photography.
With all of the exceptional eateries in the city, choosing a single must-visit spot for a memorable date night becomes a delightful challenge. For Jenn, that cherished place is none other than Archer. While she cherishes more than a few local favourites, Archer holds a special place in her heart.
According to Jenn, Archer stands out not only for its outstanding cuisine but also for its inviting ambiance and welcoming staff. It also has the distinction of being Michelin-recommended.
Archer is renowned for its delectable Canadian fare, presented in a contemporary setting. Jenn’s personal menu highlights include the Fried Enoki Mushrooms, Uni and Lardo, and the delectable Cheeky Berkshire.
Beyond her affection for this beloved restaurant, Jenn remains ever-eager to explore new culinary horizons. She enthusiastically expressed, “We are so lucky to live in Vancouver with so many amazing chefs from all over the world—my taste buds love it!”
Kley & Michael: Caffé La Tana
Introducing Kley and Michael, the creative minds behind @jewkarta, your passport to Metro Vancouver’s vibrant culinary scene—from restaurants, bars, cafés, to bakeries—showcasing not just the delectable cuisine but also the incredible individuals behind these establishments.
Their combined foodie journey was sparked during the COVID-19 Pandemic. “After the pandemic had led to us both being unemployed and eager to help local restaurateurs whose livelihoods were in jeopardy because of dine-in restrictions,” they shared, “Jewkarta was an opportunity for us to try to help them in some small way and to create some adventure for ourselves during a very quiet time in our lives.”
As connoisseurs of Italian cuisine, Kley and Michael’s hearts beat passionately for a specific local gem. For their ideal date night, they turn to Caffé La Tana, where they adore the welcoming staff, enchanting ambiance, and consistently stellar food.
“Their menu changes often, but simply trust that whatever Vish Mayekar (chef here and at the adjoining Pepino’s Spaghetti House) and his team have created,” said Kley and Michael.
Laura Ullock: AnnaLena
Laura Ullock, @laura.ullock, is your go-to gal when it comes to finding fun things to do and some of the best eats around the lower mainland and beyond. After 10 years of working in the non-profit world, Laura left her role as Director of Fundraising at Make-A-Wish to do content creation and marketing full-time.
What inspired Laura to create such an outstanding social media platform was all due to the fact that she wanted to inspire others to get out there and enjoy what the world has to offer. Laura emphasized, “Food and fun are what life is all about!”
When it comes to picking one restaurant in Vancouver for a date night, Laura would pick AnnaLena in a heartbeat. From the flavours to the ever-changing tasting menu, this place always hits the spot.
“Each dish tastes like nothing you’ve ever had before; they create magic in the kitchen. They’re also experts at the cocktail game and have a wine pairing option, too—if that’s your style,” Laura said.
One menu item that always stands out to her is the torn and toasted bread. “Picture this: a fluffy piece of bread that’s perfectly torched. Then, you dip it into the seasonal dish’s dreamy sauce. It’s heavenly every time and they’re famous for it,” she added.
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