Here’s a list of my favorite places to eat in Metro Vancouver, organized by country or region.
BAKERIES AND DESSERT SHOPS
CHINA
Level V Bakery: A wonderful vegan bakery and café in Mount Pleasant offering an impressive lineup of traditional pastries like macarons, croissants, and cream puffs, alongside Asian-inspired treats like hojicha opera cake and mochi muffins. They also offer vegan takes on classic Chinese bakery items, such as pineapple buns, egg tarts, and barbecue pork buns. Click here to learn more about the owner, Monica, and the story behind the bakery.
FRANCE
Bon Macaron Patisserie: A Granville Island Public Market vendor offering an extensive array of sweet and savory macarons—airy French treats made with two meringue shells and a scrumptious filling—along with weekly and seasonal specials. NB: You can also take French Macaron Baking Classes at their Granville Island and downtown Victoria locations. Click here for more information.
La Bise Bakery: An artisanal bakery specializing in canelés, a delectable French pastry with a crunchy, caramelized exterior and a moist, rum-and-vanilla-infused custard interior. Click here to learn more about owner Nicole Scriabin and the story behind La Bise Bakery.
INDIA/JAPAN
Tokyo Mithaiwala: An innovative Surrey-based business offering Indian sweets (mithai) with a Japanese soul. Click here to learn more about owners Raji and Tomoko Sandhar and the story behind Tokyo Mithaiwala.
JAPAN
Kanadell Japanese Bakery: A Japanese bakery owned by Keiko Nakanishi, who came to Vancouver from Japan on a working holiday visa in 2011 with no intention of staying long-term. The name Kanadell comes from the Japanese verb kanaderu (奏でる), which Keiko translates as ‘making great sounds with objects in great harmony.’ Click here to learn more.
Wa-Bagel by Aburi: A popular downtown Vancouver spot offering Japanese-style bagels. Click here to learn more about Wa-Bagel’s head baker, Yukiko Iikura, and how she crafts her beloved bagels.
MEXICO
La Bakeria Bakeshop: An unmissable destination for plant-based, Mexican-inspired baked goods, including unique and delicious conchas—a type of brioche-like pan dulce named for its crunchy, seashell-shaped topping. Click here to learn more about the founders, Lucía and Estefanía, and the story behind their women-owned and operated business.
ROMANIA
Transylvanian Traditions: A petite West End bakery offering an impressive and extensive array of decadent delights, including over a dozen preservative-free European cakes, macarons, and Transylvanian breads and pies. Click here to learn more about the owners, Alexandru and Narcisa Stoian, and the story behind their business.
RESTAURANTS
AFGHANISTAN
Jamila’s Afghan Cuisine: A halal restaurant on Commercial Drive offering Afghan-Indian fusion eats. Click here to learn more about Malik and Jamila Malikzada, the award-winning husband-and-wife duo behind the business.
AUSTRALIA
Peaked Pies: A family-run business with locations in Burnaby, Vancouver, and Whistler, named for their iconic specialty: Aussie-style pies ‘peaked’ with mashed potatoes and mushy green peas, then smothered in gravy. Click here to learn more about the owners, Kerri and Alex, and the story behind their business.
BAHAMAS/JAPAN
The Lion’s Den Café: A legendary all-day breakfast joint founded by Bahamas native Ken Brooks. The café’s budget-friendly menu, curated by Ken’s wife and co-owner Junko, features breakfast classics, sandwiches, hot and cold drinks, and ‘Japaribbean’ dishes that honor the couple’s Japanese and Caribbean heritage. Click here to learn more about Ken, Junko, and the café.
BRAZIL
Brazilliant Café & Catering: A vegan-friendly downtown Vancouver spot offering authentic Brazilian fare. Options include dine-in, pick-up, delivery, catering, and meal prep. Click here for more information.
EGYPT
Koshari Zooba: A Port Moody gem serving delicious homemade Egyptian cuisine. The name is an homage to Egypt’s iconic national dish, koshari—a hearty combination of rice, vermicelli, pasta, brown lentils, chickpeas, and fried onions. Click here to learn more about Ahmed and Asmaa, the lovely husband-and-wife duo behind the business.
EL SALVADOR
El Caracol Café: A colorful, casual, and incredibly welcoming three-generation family restaurant serving Mexican, Honduran, and Salvadoran street fare. Click here to learn more about the owner, Maria, and her family’s story.
NETHERLANDS
Dutch Wooden Shoe Café: A breakfast and brunch spot opened by the late John Dys, the BC legend who introduced pannekoek (thin Dutch pancakes made without sugar or leavening agents) to Vancouver in 1975. Click here to learn more about Dys and the Dutch Wooden Shoe Café.
SOUTH KOREA
Illo Kimbap Café: A must-visit Coquitlam joint offering healthy and tasty Korean food made with handmade, non-processed ingredients. Owner Bona Kwon created Illo Kimbap Café to spread the joy of kimbap (김밥)—a beloved Korean roll made with seaweed (김) and rice (밥). Click here to read more about Bona and Illo.
SYRIA
Tayybeh: A fantastic social enterprise, caterer, and restaurant that helps newcomer women find employment, financial independence, and social integration while sharing the food they know and love. They offer a delightful Traditional Syrian Brunch and a Middle Eastern High Tea that I can’t wait to try next time I’m in the area. Check out their website to learn more.
Market Hauls and Local Noms 