The Lowdown on All Eight of Vancouver’s Michelin-Starred Restaurants

Adam Bisby October 31, 2022

The culinary rivalry between Canada’s largest and third-largest cities only became more intense with the Oct. 27 revelation of the Michelin Guide Vancouver’s contents.

On the one hand, Vancouver’s eight single-starred eateries and 60 recommended restaurants fall far short of Toronto’s total, which includes Canada’s only two-star venue. On the other hand, Vancouver’s per-capita star distribution is about three times more generous than that of Toronto. (Earlier this month we asked some of Vancouver’s top chefs to predict which eateries would earn stars, and they turned out to be much more accurate than their Toronto peers.)

While Canada still lacks a three-star dining room, it should be noted that Michelin’s highest rating has been awarded to fewer than 150 restaurants globally, with New York and San Francisco being the only North American cities with more than one. That could change if and when Michelin’s incognito inspectors visit Montreal, which remains conspicuously absent from coverage.

Here’s how Vancouver’s starred selections break down:

One star: AnnaLena

Cuisine: Contemporary

Inspector notes: “Don’t be fooled by AnnaLena’s unassuming atmosphere, as dining at Chef Mike Robbins’ restaurant is a polished experience from top to bottom. Beginning with the graceful service and carrying through to the impeccably prepared dishes, this is a restaurant that aims to impress — sans the fuss.”

One star: Barbara

Cuisine: Contemporary

Inspector notes: “Chef Patrick Hennessy spent time at many top spots, including Eleven Madison Park in New York, but he is clearly at home at Barbara. Oysters with local Northern Divine caviar are impeccable; crisply fried slices of Japanese eggplant with local honey and chimichurri are delightful. Simple-sounding broccolini is cooked to precise tenderness, then plated with perfectly toasted almond romesco sauce for a sensational bite.”

One star: Burdock & Co

Cuisine: Contemporary

Inspector notes: “Chef Andrea Carlson’s concise menu highlights the best of the season. First, grilled sourdough, herb-flavored gougère and nori cornbread with aged sake kasu butter prove that this is not your average bread basket. Then, miniature Hazelmere radishes roasted with house-made shio koji deliver unexpected glee.”

One star: Kissa Tanto

Cuisine: Japanese

Inspector notes: “Inspired by the jazz cafes of 1960s Tokyo, Kissa Tanto seduces with a moody vibe complete with white mosaic floors, antique Japanese panels and steely colored walls loaded with artwork and photos. If the stack of vinyl records by the bar didn’t offer enough of a hint, the terrific music certainly will. There is a definitive laidback vibe here, but the ambitious kitchen pulls no punches with its mingling of Japanese and Italian cuisine.”

One star: Masayoshi

Cuisine: Japanese

Inspector notes: “Chef Masayoshi Baba brings Japan’s luxurious, jewel-box sushi counters to Vancouver and lets British Columbia’s bounty guide this omakase, spotlighting locally sourced fish in his Edomae-style nigiri. Supple sea bass folded over snappy wakame; steamed monkfish in a tart broth; and abalone rendered soft as pudding—it’s one hit after the next.”

One star: Published on Main

Cuisine: Contemporary

Inspector notes: “Whether showcasing it on the plate or pickling and preserving it (those jars even double as decor), chef Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson and his team are sourcing and foraging from local farms and forests. This is food that is at once familiar and surprising. A small dish of asparagus with brown butter crouton and a sauce gribiche is the very essence of spring, while an artful bowl with a pinwheel of side-striped prawns, refreshing apple and cucumber and a cool touch of horseradish delivers a sweet-tart, one-two punch.”

One star: iDen & QuanJuDe Beijing Duck House

Cuisine: Chinese

Inspector notes: “It has a pedigree that traces back to an original location in Beijing from 1864, but the latest outpost in Vancouver proves that this place lost any of its luster. They’re best known for its superlatively crispy and juicy duck. Delicious as the signature fowl may be, there is plenty more: a bevy of other delicacies are on offer, including bird’s nest, sea cucumber and even a whole king crab if you’re up for a splurge.”

One star: St. Lawrence

Cuisine: French

Inspector notes: There is so much to love about St. Lawrence with its textured walls, mosaic-tiled floor, antiques and open kitchen. A hit ever since opening, this charming Québécois bistro shares a true sense of place—it’s even named for the region’s mighty river. Sit close enough to Chef/owner Jean-Christophe Poirier’s kitchen to experience the heady aromas of his rustic and hearty French-Canadian cooking.