Vancouver's tastiest hidden gem restaurants

Even if you know the restaurant scene in Vancouver like the back of your hand, there are probably still a few hidden gems you have yet to discover. I’ve put together this hot list to help you in your quest to explore new and uncharted culinary territory! [Photo credit: iStock/ g-stockstudio]

Vancouver's tastiest hidden gem restaurants
Serena Matter By

Caveman Cafe Ltd

1
1005-88 Pender St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 6N9

Paleo dieters, your dream has come true: Caveman Café in the International Village mall serves up fresh, clean and 100-percent Paleo eats in very generous portions. The owners are beyond dedicated to what they do, so just about every ingredient has been carefully sourced (think grass-fed, organic meats), plus most of their condiments and sauces are made in-house – they even make their own ketchup! While you can’t go wrong with anything you order, the Paleo pizza is a definite must try; pick your fave ingredients from their extensive selection of toppings, and ask them to drizzle a bit of their homemade pomegranate molasses on top for a truly winning combo.

Molli Cafe

2
1225 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Z5

Despite its location on a busy thoroughfare, Molli Café gets very little foot traffic; unless you’ve been tipped off to it, you might not even realize this little Mexican gem is there. Opened by a husband-and-wife chef duo who earned their stripes cooking at Michelin Star restaurants El Bulli and El Celler de Can Roca, Molli serves up a small menu of delicious nibbles – from a phenomenal milanesa torta to freshly baked sweet treats like the concha buns, topped with a sugary streusel topping. Yummmm.

Campagnolo Restaurant

3
1020 Main St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2W1

Everyone knows (and loves) Campagnolo on Main Street, but did you know that just above the restaurant lies a semi-secret sister establishment? While the same team is behind both ventures, Camp Upstairs has a distinct speakeasy vibe, with a rotating menu of clever snack food creations to whet your appetite (plus a must-try burger that’s consistently ranked as one of Vancouver’s best). They also serve a mean weekend brunch with tempting plates of bacon pancakes, decadent bennies, and fried chicken and biscuits. And if you’re looking for something to sip on, try one of the feature cocktails – there’s one for every day of the week!

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Boteco Brasil

4
2545 Nanaimo St, Vancouver, BC V5N 5E6

Not only does Boteco Brasil evoke the feel of a Brazilian house party with its lively atmosphere and perfectly crafted caipirinhas, but it also happens to be located in an actual house – one that has been converted into a great little restaurant. Serving up a mix of snack foods like coxinha (chicken croquettes) and cassava fries alongside traditional dishes like black bean feiojada stew, Boteco’s authentic menu will give you a great introduction to the country’s cuisine. And for an added dose of culture, pop by on a Thursday or Sunday evening for live music and perhaps a little samba to boot!

Ba-Le Deli & Bakery Ltd

5
25-701 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5T 3K6

Ba Le is one of those culinary discoveries you almost want to keep to yourself, but it’s such an exceptional find that you feel compelled to tell everyone you know about it. Why? This tiny spot in a Kingsway strip mall absolutely slays the competition when it comes to their bánh mì sandwiches. You will be in rapture as soon as you bite into one of these carefully assembled Vietnamese sammies. Served on French baguettes that are baked in-house daily and topped with pickled veggies, fresh cilantro and filling options ranging from lemongrass pork to meatballs, these bánh mì sandwiches often sell out by the early afternoon – so arrive early, and arrive hungry.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Sal Y Limon Mexican Cuisine

6
5-701 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5T 3K6

While Fraserhood’s Sal y Limon serves up terrific tacos, burritos and other Mexican fare, the true gem on the menu is the huarache flatbread. A traditional dish from Mexico City, the huarache is rather difficult to find in most local Mexican joints – but at Sal y Limon, you’ll hit the jackpot. Made of fried corn masa, these oblong-shaped flatbreads are hands down a must order. Take your pick between toppings like slow-roasted spiced pork or chorizo with egg, and be sure to order a side of the oh-so-addictive chipotle aioli to drizzle on top.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:
More from Serena Matter Serena Matter
Serena is a writer, food fanatic and editor-in-chief of The Wanderlust Report, an online lifestyle magazine for global tastemakers. She’s also the Canadian editor of Savoteur and contributes to several lifestyle publications, including NUVO Magazine, Vitamin Daily and It’s To Die For. Obsessed with fusion eats, Serena will go to the ends of the earth (or at least the city limits) to uncover hidden food gems.
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