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Food-loving urbanites flock to bistros, dining rooms and cafes that range from home-style grub in perpetually busy diners to gourmet masterpieces in refined restaurants. Visitors can savour exotic Malaysian fare at lunch and Russian by nightfall, or choose from dozens of other ethnic cuisines. There are so many good restaurants in this city that it is difficult to narrow any list down to a few, but here are some noteworthy highlights.
Downtown
Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House is a local favourite and a great place to go for beer and fresh smoked oysters. Other downtown highlights include Chartwell Restaurant, Diva at the Met, Le Gavroche, CinCin Ristorante and Piccolo Mondo.
West End
This beachside neighbourhood is known as one of the largest gay and lesbian communities in the country. The dining selection here is superb: busy Stepho's Souvlaki Greek Taverna has traditional Hellenic treats and the award-winning Raincity Grill, has elegant decor that is upstaged only by its West Coast flavours. Another award-winner, Sami's, has its second location here (the other is in Kitsilano), serving up Indian-inspired original creations. The popular Cafe de Paris celebrates Gallic cuisine here, too.
Yaletown
This is a good place to start your exploration of the city's culinary creativity. Many of the city's hottest eateries brighten this film and fashion centre. The Italian romance of Villa del Lupo and La Terrazza will soften even the most Scrooge-like of connoisseurs. If you prefer your meals more laid-back and inexpensive, Subeez and the Yaletown Brewing Co. are trendy hangouts with good food, eager-to-be-seen crowds, and in some cases, pouty and aloof wait-staff. The Southern-style barbecue creations at Dix BBQ & Brewery are also popular.
Gastown
This charming historic area has an eclectic selection of eateries. For hot and spicy dishes to warm up with on cool days, the Jewel of India Restaurant will satisfy. For a relaxed atmosphere and interesting experience, try the internationally-known Blunt Bros. Cafe. The Irish Heather is a relative newcomer to the area, and packs them in almost every night.
Chinatown
From Dim Sum to fine dining, Vancouver's Chinatown offers Asian delicacies and treats. Some of the most popular venues include the busy and noisy Pink Pearl Seafood Restaurant and the Floata Seafood Restaurant, for authentic Hong Kong-style creations hot and fresh from the wok. Hon's Wun-Tun House is a good choice as well.
Granville Island
This once-industrial island was transformed in the 1970s into what it is today: a city oasis with a famous public market, heavenly bakeries and cafes and fresh-food restaurants. Seafood lovers will revel in Bridges' three-level restaurant, wine bar and bistro. Other choices include the Creek Restaurant and the Arts Club Backstage Lounge.
Kitsilano
This casual and health-conscious neighbourhood has some of the top restaurants in town. Weekend line-ups shouldn't daunt you from trying out the kitschy, faux-greasy spoon humour of Sophie's Cosmic Cafe, whose breakfasts are rumoured to be the best in town. The Naam is a landmark, open 24 hours and offering a selection of organic and vegan health food. Top of the heap is Lumiere, with its fine French cuisine infused with a West Coast sensibility and the freshest of ingredients. Other critic's darlings: Sami's Indo-American Bistro's fresh and creative Indian-style; Pastis' French cuisine taken to new heights; and the raved-about Vij's Indian fusion creations. For young and casual hangouts, try the bar-like atmosphere of Nevermind.
Point Grey
This somewhat sleepy and upscale section of the city offers many dining choices.. Try the Celtic hospitality of Dentry's Irish Grill for a good time and meal. If you want something more intimate, the Brock House Restaurant provides an elegant setting for special dinners, and Cafe Madeleine has live music, readings and artwork. True Confections is the place to go afterwards for rich desserts.
East Vancouver
There is plenty to sample all over vibrant East Vancouver, from Main Street's Little India to Victoria Drive's Portuguese neighbourhood to Commercial Drive's Little Italy. Try the savoury Indian fare at Nirvana and All India Sweets, both on Main Street. Farther east on Commercial Drive, there is so much to choose from that it may take a week of dining just to get an idea of its offerings. Places like Federico's Ristorante & Supper Club offer traditional Italian meals, while newer places like the Cuba-inspired Havana and the literary Bukowski's offer hip alternatives with live entertainment. Fet's has a 1950s diner feel, while Cafe Deux Soleils serves creative vegetarian meals. Further west on Main Street, young and artistic hangouts like the Locus and the Grind & Gallery Coffee Bar are changing the shape of city dining.
South Vancouver
Restaurants are fewer and farther between in this suburban uptown area, but there are gems worth the quick drive from downtown. The elegant Seasons Hill Top Bistro in Queen Elizabeth Park offers fine dining.
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