Dining & Wine

Eat Your Way Through The City: Dine Out Vancouver 2026 Highlights You Still Have Time to Book

January 29, 2026

Dining & Wine

Dine Out Vancouver 2026 (on until February 8) is your ticket to discovering hidden gems, savouring diverse flavours, and supporting Greater Vancouver’s restaurant community. While the festival is already underway, there’s still plenty of time to explore the city’s vibrant culinary scene.

From mouthwatering seafood to innovative vegetarian dishes, there’s something for every palate. New this year is the opportunity to dine aboard the iconic Rocky Mountaineer—without ever leaving its Vancouver station.

With more than 450 eateries participating in 2026—the most in the event’s history—restaurants across the region are offering thoughtfully crafted lunch and dinner menus that reflect Vancouver’s dynamic food culture. Most menus are priced between $20 and $70, and more than 25 MICHELIN-accredited spots are part of the lineup. With so many options, we’ve highlighted four standout experiences worth booking now. —Michelle Hopkins

Rocky Mountaineer

This Dine Out Vancouver Tasty Event takes luxury dining to a whole new level. I embarked on a three-course culinary journey that began with cocktails and canapés in the upper level of the glass-dome GoldLeaf railcar, before moving downstairs to the sophisticated dining room. The experience felt straight out of a MICHELIN-starred restaurant—complete with bespoke tableware, an elegantly appointed dining space, and impeccable white-glove service.

Curated by Director of Culinary Strategy and Red Seal Chef Kaelhub Cudmore, the menu opened with salt-cured albacore crudo, followed by melt-in-your-mouth pan-seared Kuterra salmon with beurre blanc, and finished with a decadent chocolate hazelnut crèmeux. $75 per person.

Kobe Japanese Steakhouse

Resembling a traditional Japanese country house, this beloved 55-year-old institution delivers a truly memorable experience. Kobe specializes in teppanyaki—a theatrical style of dining where chefs cook tableside, transforming dinner into a sensory performance.

I was pleasantly surprised that the $60 Dine Out menu included tiger prawns, sirloin steak, and teriyaki chicken, all grilled to perfection and served with rice and a colourful mix of soy-glazed seasonal vegetables sprinkled with sesame seeds.

Desi Indian Lounge

Tucked away on Hornby Street, Desi Indian Lounge is a warm and inviting oasis of spices and flavour. Executive Chef Bal Ajgaonkar, a classically trained chef from Western India, creates dishes that honour his heritage while delivering elevated, artful presentation.

The $40 four-course menu begins with a tangy lentil-and-tamarind broth soup, served alongside what may be the softest, most pillowy naan I’ve ever tasted. From starter to main (choose from four excellent options) and dessert, every bite was thoughtfully balanced and deeply satisfying. Desi’s hospitality, ambience, and refined flavours redefine Indian haute cuisine.

COMO Taperia

Come hungry. This MICHELIN-recommended restaurant’s Taste Our Travels eight-course menu takes diners on a culinary journey through Spain, with a focus on Catalonia and Barcelona. Executive Chef Amir Saman Ahmadivafa draws inspiration from his travels, showcasing Spain’s most beloved dishes through an inventive, modern lens.

Standouts included the marinated olives and vegetables, the iconic potato bomba—a chunky croquette that melts in your mouth—and the Esqueixada, featuring cured black cod in a bright tomato vinaigrette. The pork belly was rich, tender, and unforgettable. Priced at $185 for two, this experience is a splurge worth savouring.

share:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Contests
Shopping

get social

VITA

get more out of

READ THE MAGAZINE

Want the best, curated headlines and trends on the fly?

get more out of vita

Sign up for one, or sign up for all!

VITA EDITIONS