Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Vancouver

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Vancouver? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Grapes & Soda

4.9

4.9 (195)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Cocktail Bar

Fairview

About the restaurant

An intimate restaurant featuring innovative cocktails and natural wine.

Top review

A.J.

Dined on Dec 28, 2024

Always feel taken care of and appreciated at Grapes and Soda as well as their sister restaurant Farmers Apprentice. It’s tasty, feels like a special occasion and reasonable enough to enjoy nice dinners, snacks and drinks there without feeling too guilty. An especially friendly FOH and kitchen staff. A great dining experience.

Bistro Sakana

4.8

4.8 (483)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Japanese

Yaletown

About the restaurant

Bistro Sakana is located in Vancouver, British Columbia and offers a range of both traditional and fusion Japanese food that are innovative.

Bistro Sakana also offers Vancouver's largest list of premium sake. In addition to a well rounded list of VQA British Columbia Wine, killer cocktails, with plenty of beer and spirits.

Top review

DorisVIP

Dined on Dec 29, 2024

We sat at the chef’s counter and ordered Omakase. Every dish was delicious. Service was superb. The chefs paid attention to the smallest details. Host was humble and kind upon entry and exit. I have eaten in many parts of Japan, and rank this restaurant equal to one of the best sushi restaurants I have been anywhere in the world.

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4.7

4.7 (14)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Asian

Kerrisdale

About the restaurant

Okini celebrates traditional and modern Japanese flavours with their West Coast flair, showcasing a harmonious blend of land and sea ingredients while emphasizing in sustainable and locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Located in Kerrisdale, experience their chef-driven menu, fun cocktails and extensive wine offerings in their dining room, atrium, or patio.

We invite you to experience Chef Kevin Lin's signature dishes and local favourites such as Salmon Soba, Wagyu Tantanmen, Endive Caesar, A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Tenderloin Bento, Gindara Saikyoyaki, Truffle Yakiudon, and Wagyu Bolognese to name a few.

Top review

MichaelVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Overall is excellent. Just the wine list didn’t have much selection. A bit noisy and ventilation wasn’t the best. Besides that the food was excellent n service was good.

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Experience

Valentine's Day 2025

Experience

(We missed the deadline) Dine Out at Okini

Experience

Happy Hour at Okini

BREWHALL

4.6

4.6 (87)

CAN$30 and under

Comfort Food

Mount Pleasant

About the restaurant

BREWHALL a craft brewery and beerhall bringing the community together with fresh beer and tasty food.

Top review

Kaitlyn

Dined on Dec 21, 2024

Great for large groups and for kids! Will definitely come back.

The Flamingo Room

4.6

4.6 (19)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Cocktail Bar

Commercial Drive

About the restaurant

Welcome to the Flamingo Room, a Miami-inspired venue in Vancouver’s all-embracing Commercial Drive community. Eclectic neighbourhood watering hole meets live stage, the Flamingo Room is an escape from the outside world, a fusion of fun drinks, late night snacks, and a groovy vibe brought to life with music, comedy & more.

Top review

Giselle

Dined 6 days ago

It’s a great room and I can’t get enough of the crispy chimichurri sauce sooo good.

Alouette Bistro

4.5

4.5 (203)

CAN$30 and under

Bistro

Downtown

About the restaurant

Aloutte translates as “Lark,” a beautiful and cosmopolitan songbird, that is easy to pronounce and instantly recognizable. Alouettte Bistro the restaurant borrows its culinary philosophies from the enduring dishes and methods of classic French bistros and invigorates them utilizing local West Coast flavors. Dishes like Coquille St Jacques and Steak Frites remain loyal to their French roots but redesigned with flavours that reconnoiter the beauty and variety of British Columbia.

Top review

T.S.

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent happy hour dishes and really appreciate the complimentary dessert for my girlfriend's birthday

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Fun and Fabulous French Happy Hour

Brass Fish Tavern

4.5

4.5 (233)

CAN$30 and under

Contemporary Canadian

Coal Harbour

About the restaurant

A grandiose yet earnest tavern playing host to an izakaya and stylish parlour room located inside of Vancouver’s iconic Marine Building on Burrard. Its modern pub menu includes classic and contemporary dishes as well as a considered bar program best enjoyed over happy hour and live music.

Top review

Liz

Dined on Dec 24, 2024

The steak with fries was cooked to perfection. The mushroom gravy was full of flavor completed the dish.

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Experience

Chelsea Supporters' Club Vancouver

Experience

Brass Fish Living Room

Capo & The Spritz

4.3

4.3 (11)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Italian

Yaletown

About the restaurant

Relax and unwind at Capo & The Spritz: the former, a true neighbhourhood Italian gem, and the latter, a cozy, sophisticated cocktail bar nestled just off the lobby at OPUS Vancouver. Led by Executive Chef Lucais Syme and his flavour-forward Italian fare, Capo is a hub for Yaletown locals, Vancouverites, and out-of-towners alike with a come-as-you-are vibe. The Spritz offers the classics, as well as original libations that speak to the romance and craftmanship of Italy's aperitivo culture.

Top review

NeilVIP

Dined 4 days ago

First time and it was great. Food was good and quick and service was friendly

The Rec Room - Granville

4.2

4.2 (5)

CAN$30 and under

Contemporary Canadian

Yaletown

About the restaurant

The Rec Room redefines the meaning of fun with exciting arcade games, attractions, mouth-watering eats and live entertainment all packed under one roof. We’re Canada’s premier “eats & entertainment” hot spot!

For reservations of parties of 13 guests or more, please call the venue directly. We kindly request our guests refrain from making multiple reservations for a single large party. While we will do our best to accommodate large groups, we cannot guarantee multiple reservations will be seated together.

Top review

zaheedVIP

Dined on Dec 26, 2024

Thank you for a wonderful evening Granville Rec room Vancouver. Shane was very attentive and hospitable, and deserves five stars!

Karma Lounge @ Paradox Hotel Vancouver

4.1

4.1 (108)

CAN$30 and under

Contemporary Canadian

Coal Harbour

About the restaurant

Changing the way Vancouver views lounge entertainment, Karma presents a new era of socializing. Located inside the hotel, this modern, warm and inviting lounge is the go-to meeting spot for Vancouver's elite. Converging business professionals, local socialites and visitors this opulent lounge offers a wide range of local & imported beers, refined wines, eclectic champagnes and enticing cocktails. Karma lounge has a wide range of locally sourced food options to keep you fueled into the evening when this hybrid room blossoms into a space of revelry.

Top review

Dona

Dined on Jan 5, 2025

Nice restaurant nice place the food good! Will come back!

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