The top awards that Vancouver restaurants received this year

It’s no secret that Vancouver has a top-notch dining scene — and we have the awards to back it up.

This year, multiple Vancouver restaurants received highly regarded accolades, from the world-renowned Michelin Stars to being named the best new restaurants in Canada.

So, we rounded up some of the biggest awards that Vancouver restaurants received this year to remind ourselves just how great our food scene is here.

Without further ado, here’s your list of the biggest awards Vancouver restaurants received this year.

One of North America’s Top Steak Restaurants

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ELISA (@elisasteak)

Avid steak fans in Vancouver will not be surprised to hear that Elisa, Yaletown’s swanky steakhouse from the Toptable Group, has once again been named among the top steakhouses in North America.

World’s Best Steak Restaurants recently revealed its list for the best steakhouses in North America, and Elisa nearly made the top 10, landing at number 11 on the list.

Elisa was also the highest-ranked Canadian restaurant on the complete list.

“Thank you for this incredible honour! We are truly humbled by this recognition,” said the restaurant.

Best Luxury Hotel Restaurant in Canada

H Tasting Lounge was named the best luxury hotel restaurant in Canada.

The award, presented by the World Luxury Awards, was announced on Nov. 20 and saw the restaurant win in three categories: Best Luxury Innovative Restaurant in North America, Best Luxury Hotel Restaurant in Canada, and Best Cocktail Menu in North and Central America.

“These awards celebrate H Tasting Lounge’s commitment to innovation and artistry in both its culinary and beverage programs. The restaurant continues to push boundaries through its imaginative cocktail creations, seasonal tasting menus, and immersive guest experiences that highlight craftsmanship and creativity,” wrote the World Luxury Awards.

Additionally, the Westin Bayshore itself walked away with numerous awards, including Best Luxury Business Hotel in North America, Best Luxury Waterfront Hotel in North America, and Best Luxury Hotel in Canada.

Top 10 Best New Restaurants in Canada

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dished Vancouver (@dishedvancouver)

Air Canada revealed its top 10 list for the best new restaurants in Canada, and Vancouver eateries dominated, with four making the final cut (the most out of any city on the list).

Among the Vancouver restaurants that made the list, the highest ranking was Sushi Hyun Omakase, which landed at number four on the list.

Others included Nero Tondo (sixth), Sumibiyaki Arashi (eighth), and Niwa (10th).

Best Chinese Restaurant in Canada

The Chinese Restaurant Awards have revealed their Elite 30 Canada Awards earlier this year, and, to no one’s surprise, a Vancouver restaurant has taken the number one position

Dynasty Seafood Restaurant, located at 108-777 W. Broadway, Vancouver, was listed as number one in Canada.

But Dynasty isn’t the only Metro Vancouver restaurant to have made the list, with four of the top five restaurants being from Vancouver, and a total of 19 Metro Vancouver restaurants landing on the top 30.

Chang’ An, located at 1661 Granville St. in Vancouver, took the number two spot, while Landmark Hotpot House at 4023 Cambie St. and celebrity-favourite Mott 32 at 1161 W. Georgia St. (which also has a location in Toronto) took fourth and fifth, respectively.

Best Restaurant in Canada

Well, they’ve done it again! Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine was named the Best Restaurant in Canada for the second consecutive year at the 2025 World Culinary Awards. What makes this exciting is that it’s the first Canadian restaurant to have received the award twice.

Baan Lao is a Thai restaurant helmed by chef Nutcha Phanthoupheng, a former nurse and cancer researcher from Thailand who came to Canada with a dream of healing through food.

“[Phanthoupheng’s] signature 18-item tasting menu honours centuries-old traditions passed down from the Thai royal court while embracing the finest local ingredients,” wrote the World Culinary Awards. “Each dish is an exquisite work of art, served on handcrafted plateware and complemented with premium tea, wine, cocktail and sake pairings curated by world-class consultants.”

Michelin stars

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by すし炫 I SUSHI HYUN (@sushihyun_vancouver)

Two Vancouver restaurants were awarded stars in this year’s Michelin Guide.

Sumibiyaki Arashi, led by Peter Ho, has received one Michelin star at this year’s ceremony.

“With this understated 14-seat Mount Pleasant counter, Chef Pete Ho has ushered in a
new gold standard of yakitori to Vancouver,” wrote Michelin.

“The multicourse omakase spans dishes like red crab chawanmushi with yuzu, or crispy, delicately fried tofu accented with sweet soy, but the centrepiece of the menu is meticulously prepared skewers of chicken grilled over binchotan coals. Combining specially sourced heritage breed birds, skillful butchery, masterful seasoning and brilliant use of the grill, the results are uncomplicated yet profound. From impeccably cooked crisp-skinned breast and thigh to less conventional cuts like chicken ‘oysters’ and heart, each piece is revelatory—no wonder it’s the most hotly in-demand reservation in town.”

Sushi Hyun, spearheaded by Juhyun Lee, also joined the list of newly starred Vancouver restaurants, receiving one star.

“An unremarkable exterior belies the lavish omakase that awaits diners once they step
inside Chef Juhyun Lee’s sophisticated oasis,” wrote Michelin.

“Japanese luxury pervades every element of the meal, from exquisite seafood and hand-made ceramics to the silken, subtly fragrant hinoki counter (crafted from a tree more than two centuries old). Subtlety goes hand in hand with indulgence in Chef Lee’s meticulous preparations, with spectacular ingredient quality allowed to take the spotlight, from perfectly tempered Edomae-style nigiri to a comforting rice dish of fried karei flounder, a nod to his Korean background. Effortlessly attentive, unobtrusive service and a thoughtful collection of wines and sakes, selected by Chef Hyun himself, provide an additional layer of comfort and refinement.”

Michelin Bib Gourmand

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dished Vancouver (@dishedvancouver)

Good Thief joined the list of Bib Gourmand winners in Vancouver.

Led by chef Jonathan Lee and owned by the brother-sister duo Vincent Nguyễn and Amelie Thuy Nguyễn, Good Thief has been described as having the spirit of a “modern-day Robin Hood.”

“Described as the rebellious younger sibling to next-door Anh and Chi (Bib Gourmand), this lively bar and restaurant offers a more freewheeling, inventive take on Vietnamese
cuisine, matched with equally inspired cocktails,” wrote Michelin.

“The compact menu comprises small plates ideal as bar snacks, like juicy binchotan-grilled skewers, or impeccably fried, crunchy frog legs anointed with torn mint and a seductive sweet-tangy sauce glaze, as well as more substantial plates like humble garlic noodles enhanced with morsels of Dungeness crab. The excitement continues into dessert, as in a layered mousse cake featuring banana, peanut and Thai chili, paired with coconut sorbet and fish sauce caramel. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on the brilliant drinks—many of which can be made spirit-free.”

Best Restaurants in North America

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine (@baanlaosteveston)

World’s 50 Best shared its list of the best restaurants in North America, and two Metro Vancouver spots made the cut.

Landing itself at number 12 on the list is none other than the Richmond restaurant Baan Lao, which cleaned up at the awards by also being named the best restaurant in Western Canada. Last year, it was also named the best restaurant in Canada at the 2024 World Culinary Awards.

The other Vancouver restaurant to make the list was Published on Main, which ranked number 28.

“I am so proud of our team. Accolades like this are so validating for all the hard work our team puts in, day in and day out,” said Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson, executive chef at Published on Main. “Being recognized amongst our peers as one of the Top 50 restaurants in North America is a bit surreal. The topic of World’s 50 often comes up when we’re sitting and eating staff meal before service, and now, for us to be included amongst such highly regarded restaurants is really a dream come true.”

The Pinnacle Guide

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @whereisbagheera

Three Vancouver spots were added to the renowned Pinnacle Guide this year that you might want to check out.

The Pinnacle Guide is a renowned accolade of excellence for cocktail bars with a three “pin” system, where restaurants can receive one, two, or three pins. One pin means “excellent,” while two pins mean “outstanding,” and three pins mean “exceptional.”

Bagheera, the Chinatown speakeasy disguised as the Happy Valley Turf Club, received one pin, while the other Vancouver bar that received one pin was Mount Pleasant Vintage and Provisions.

As for the Vancouver bar that received two pins, it’s none other than Prophecy.

“When a team as passionate, creative, and relentless as ours comes together, extraordinary things follow. We are truly honoured to be recognized alongside some of the top talents in the world, and receive two Pins from the acclaimed Pinnacle Guide. Thank you to all the judges, writers, and critics – there’s always more to come from our incredible team,” shared Prophecy.

Still hungry? Discover Dished Vancouver on TikTok