Hawksworth

Situated in an elegant room at the legendary Rosewood Hotel Georgia, this gem has garnered multiple awards for its dazzling food and star chef David Hawksworth. His 48-hour beef short rib with black pepper jam, shrimp salt, honeydew, and green papaya is the standout dish (For further details see Hawksworth).

CinCin Ristorante & Bar

The Italian-inspired menu of this inviting space includes dishes from the wood-fired oven. If you’re not in a rush, order the melt-in-your-mouth free range chicken cooked under a brick in the wood-fired oven for 25 minutes. On the terrace, trees mute the hustle of the street below. Choose from 800 wines (For further details see CinCin Ristorante & Bar).

The freshest and finest wild seafood is served in a 100-year-old brick-and-beam warehouse. The decor is contemporary, the atmosphere friendly, and the kitchen serves mouth-watering delicacies such as sablefish in soy and ginger broth, and seafood towers of fresh shellfish, sushi, and Dungeness crab. The Raw Bar is the domain of a master sushi chef. Superb champagne list (For further details see Blue Water Café and Raw Bar).

The 48-hour braised short ribs at this hip Gastown eatery has brought diners to neardelirium. Wildebeest’s “farmhouse chic” food features unique produce, such as black Spanish radishes and heritage Romano beans, while adventurous meateaters are catered for with roasted bone marrow and sweetbreads. Finish with a selection of delicious cheeses from around the world, served with fruit bread, honeyed nuts, and seasonal fruits.

On the edge of Chinatown, hipsters and oldsters alike rave about the sliders of lamb sirloin, heavenly dumplings, and innovative small plates at this Chinese brasserie. This restaurant does not take reservations so it is best to arrive early. With advance notice, groups of 8 to 12 diners can enjoy a tasting menu at the large family table (For further details see Bao Bei).

Chef Hamid Salimian is a master of molecular gastronomy, serving up innovative cuisine from Diva’s open kitchen. His unique offerings include puffed foie gras in caramelized fig dotted with candied walnuts and pickled green strawberries. A sommelier helps choose from 550 wines (For further details see Diva at the Met).

Success hasn’t spoilt this Belgian restaurant in the Crosstown neighborhood. It is one of the hottest eateries in town and therefore perenially packed. Traditional dishes such as moules frites excel, but for a real treat try the Congolaise version, where mussels are cooked in a tomato and coconut cream sauce with smoked chili and lime (For further details see Chambar).

White tablecloths, leather banquets, and wood floors, combine with killer views over English Bay, creating casual yet upscale dining. The menu is organic and seasonal: game in winter gives way to fish choices in summer (For further details see Raincity Grill).

Inventive cucina-style dishes are made with fresh vegetables, olive oil, and low-fat cream sauces for a pleasing meal that is easy on the waistline. Or choose the juicy Black Angus beef with calamari, lobster, and escargot. A patio and excellent wine list round out the experience (For further details see Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill).

This sleek waterfront eatery is devoted to serving sustainable seafood and ingredients that are distinctive and homegrown – try the divine Qualicum Bay scallops or the seared BC albacore tuna. C is the founding restaurant in the Vancouver Aquarium Ocean Wise Program (For further details see C Restaurant).