Looking for a place to grab a bite? Head to Vancouver’s Chinatown. From Michelin-recognized restaurants and trendy new eateries, to neighbourhood gems that have been loved by locals for decades, there’s no shortage of options. Chinatown does, in fact, have it all.
Here are some of our team’s favourite restaurants in Chinatown.
Chinatown BBQ
Set in a charming, checker-tiled space, Chinatown BBQ is a family-run restaurant specializing in traditional Chinese barbecue. For a hearty introduction to the menu, try the “four treasures” chef’s plate – their sampler of char siu BBQ pork, roast pork belly, soy sauce chicken, and salty duck egg. Don’t forget the ginger scallion sauce.
130 E Pender St
chinatownbbq.com
DD Mau
Another beloved family-owned spot, DD Mau is a modern Vietnamese restaurant with a menu ranging from authentic pho and vermicelli bowls, to a rotating seasonal-inspired fresh sheet. Go on a Friday for their DJ nights, order the wings with chilli fish sauce, and a round of peanut butter shots (“bar snax”!) for the table.
145 E Pender St
ddmau.ca
Juke Fried Chicken
For the ultimate comfort food, Juke Fried Chicken has perhaps the crispiest fried chicken in the city. Classic fried chicken with a gluten-free batter, crushable chicken sandos, BBQ ribs, plus monthly featured flavours to keep you coming back for more. It’s open every day until midnight – and just across the street from Keefer House. Pro-tip: Visit their sister-bar-next-door The Chickadee Room between 4 to 6pm for the best deal in town: Order a cocktail off the HH menu and get 2 free pieces of Juke chicken.
182 Keefer St
jukefriedchicken.com
Bao Bei
Just a few doors down from Keefer House, Bao Bei is a modern Chinese restaurant that has been a fixture in the neighbourhood since 2010. Order the handcrafted dumplings (delightfully called “petits cadeaux”), add the silky omelette to their kick ass fried rice, and try what we consider the best piña colada in the city. Make a reservation in advance if you don’t want to wait for a table.
163 Keefer St
bao-bei.ca
New Town Bakery
A beloved family-owned Chinatown eatery since 1980, New Town Bakery is part bakery, part old-school Hong Kong-style diner. Come for breakfast or lunch to try their classic wonton noodle soup, then pick up a freshly-baked pineapple bun and a HK milk tea for the road. Oh, and don’t forget to leave without trying their famous apple tarts.
148 E Pender St
newtownbakery.ca
Say Hey Cafe & Deli
For those who love to get their hands a little messy, Say Hey makes some of the best sandwiches in the city. And sometimes it really is just as simple as fresh ingredients piled into a soft, sesame-crusted hoagie bun. Their signature meatball hoagie gets most of the attention, but beyond that, there’s still a whole elite line-up of sandwiches to work through.
156 E Pender St
sayheycafe.square.site
Los Sapos Tacos
A late-night taqueria with colourful graffitied walls and limited seating, Los Sapos Tacos is known for their authentic al pastor, birria, and street-style tacos. And the best part? They’re open until 3am on Friday & Saturdays, making it the perfect late-night bite on your way home from a hockey game at Rogers Arena, concert, or just a fun night out in the neighbourhood.
210 Keefer St
lossapostacos.com
Uchu Cevicheria
From the team behind award-winning SUYO, UCHU brings upscale, innovative seafood and Peruvian cuisine to the neighbourhood. The city’s first dedicated cevicheria, a ceviche must be the first move, then follow it up with bright seafood flavours. And for something to sip on, the pisco-driven cocktails are well worth a look too.
156 Pender St
uchurestaurant.ca
Where to Stay in Chinatown
Located at the edge of Chinatown, Keefer House is a boutique aparthotel and the only hotel in the neighbourhood. With modern studio to three-bedroom apartments with full kitchens, thoughtful layouts, and everything you need to stay like you own it, Keefer House is designed to be your home away from home, whether you’re here for a weekend or a while. The neighbourhood’s best bites, bars, and cultural landmarks are all just a short walk away, making it the perfect home base to explore Chinatown.
Ready to keep exploring? Book your stay at Keefer House
Looking to pair a drink with that? Check out our guide to the best bars in Chinatown.
