Vancouver Restaurant for Boys Weekend

AuxTown · #1 Posted **Apr 16, 2026, 4:10 AM**

Hey Vancouver folks, I will be in Vancouver with 4 of my buddies for a world cup game on June 17-19. Where would be a good place to go out for dinner? Some place nice but not too fancy and has good vibes. Steak house? Trendy spot? Hoping to make a reso soon. Thanks!

Chirpythecougar · #2 Posted **Apr 16, 2026, 4:23 AM**

Try Cactus Club Cafe at Canada Pl, it's a bit of a hidden gem

giallo · #3 Posted **Apr 16, 2026, 2:13 PM**

If you're into quality Chinese food, or more particularly, Taiwanese food, Canada's first Din Tai Fung opened in downtown Vancouver last year. I've been, and it holds up to the ones I've eaten at in East Asia.

https://dtf.com/en-ca/locations/vancouver

ecbin · #4 Posted **Apr 16, 2026, 2:38 PM**

My port of choice is Boulevard in the Sutton Hotel - I've done everything from date night to family dinner to my 50th birthday. Great food, great service, comfy room that's not TOO bougie, nice mix of demo (being a hotel restaurant there are kids there), and right in the middle of downtown.

madog222 · #5 Posted **Apr 16, 2026, 3:45 PM**

Do you want a proper restaurant or would a nice bar work?

IMO Cactus Club is overrated and past it's prime but can be a good time. In June I would head to the English Bay location.

For a steak house Gotham is number 1 and priced accordingly.

Tysonbrown · #6 Posted **Apr 16, 2026, 5:26 PM**

Salmon House on the Hill

chowhou · #7 Posted **Apr 16, 2026, 5:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by giallo

If you're into quality Chinese food, or more particularly, Taiwanese food, Canada's first Din Tai Fung opened in downtown Vancouver last year. I've been, and it holds up to the ones I've eaten at in East Asia.

https://dtf.com/en-ca/locations/vancouver

I would like to say that I personally thought the Vancouver Din Tai Fung was absolutely terrible both in terms of value and overall quality in comparison to the Din Tai Fungs I've been to in Taiwan. Maybe they've improved since opening but what a disappointment it was when it first opened.

My personal recommendation: If you can find a sixth person you can make a reservation at Phnom Penh and get the butter beef, a beef luc lac with egg per person, and some garlic chicken wings. That's always a favourite. A little less upscale compared to some of the other options here, but it's recommended by several celebrities that frequent Vancouver.

Changing City · #8 Posted **Apr 16, 2026, 5:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tysonbrown

Salmon House on the Hill

Could be a problem getting a reservation.

Tysonbrown · #9 Posted **Apr 16, 2026, 5:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Changing City

Could be a problem getting a reservation.

How sad. That is a real loss for many reasons.

whatnext · #10 Posted **Apr 16, 2026, 6:05 PM**

Staying downtown? I'd suggest Joe Fortes.
If you're looking for a "Vancouver view" then Carderos or as others have said Catcus Club at Canada Place are good casual alternatives.

RedArbutus · #11 Posted **Apr 16, 2026, 6:09 PM**

Joe Fortes for a nice old school chophouse vibes, or (my personal recommendation to out of town visitors, because I think it's one of the best overall restaurants in the city across multiple criteria) Nightingale. Not Hawksworth expensive, huge menu, beautiful interior, great hospitality. Good for happy hour as well.

madog222 · #12 Posted **Apr 16, 2026, 8:23 PM**

Another vote for Joe Fortes

Tysonbrown · #13 Posted **Apr 16, 2026, 8:26 PM**

https://www.hyssteakhouse.com/

virk89 · #14 Posted **Apr 16, 2026, 9:56 PM**

Parlour or Elisa in Yaletown. Walking distance from BC Place.

whatnext · #15 Posted **Apr 16, 2026, 11:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tysonbrown

https://www.hyssteakhouse.com/

Might be a bit stuffy for a "boys weekend".

logan5 · #16 Posted **Apr 16, 2026, 11:53 PM**

For chain restaurants, I would suggest Local in Gastown. They have a big a outdoor space in the summer. That would be an awesome spot, right in the middle of Gastown. Tap and Barrel at Olympic Village is another good patio spot. City, water, and mountain views. Perfect view of BC Place as well, as that fits in with the theme of your trip.

Conrad Yablonski · #17 Posted **Apr 17, 2026, 1:44 AM**

edited

Changing City · #18 Posted **Apr 17, 2026, 2:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by virk89

Parlour or Elisa in Yaletown. Walking distance from BC Place.

Elisa is closed for a while. They had a fire in the vent system and there's some water and fire damage.

giallo · #19 Posted **Apr 17, 2026, 3:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by chowhou

I would like to say that I personally thought the Vancouver Din Tai Fung was absolutely terrible both in terms of value and overall quality in comparison to the Din Tai Fungs I've been to in Taiwan. Maybe they've improved since opening but what a disappointment it was when it first opened.

My personal recommendation: If you can find a sixth person you can make a reservation at Phnom Penh and get the butter beef, a beef luc lac with egg per person, and some garlic chicken wings. That's always a favourite. A little less upscale compared to some of the other options here, but it's recommended by several celebrities that frequent Vancouver.

I figure this must have been the issue. We went a couple of months ago, and it was fine. I've eaten at DTF countless times in Taiwan, China, South Korea, HK and in Seattle, and both my wife and I thought the Vancouver one was above average. The worst DTF I've been to was in Seoul.

DTF would never be my first recommendation for Chinese food in Metro Vancouver, but it's a decent choice if you're centred around downtown and want some Taiwanese staples.

For me, the best Taiwanese food in Vancouver is at A.Bento. I've eaten there more times than I can count.

RedArbutus · #20 Posted **Apr 17, 2026, 8:54 PM**

A.Bento is around the corner from my workplace and I've always been curious.