8 Restaurants In English Bay That Locals Love For Food, Views & Vibes!
As one of Vancouver’s finest vacation spots, English Bay welcomes folks to soak up the sun, take a dip, and unwind. That said, no trip is complete without treating the palette, and there are some incredibly impressive restaurants in English Bay offering a mind-boggling variety of cuisines.
So as you’re in for a ride with unique flavors, we’ve put together a collection of some of our favorite restaurants in English Bay, many that are close to the beach and have great views too.
Experience Spanish tapas, Nigerian delicacies, Australian pies, casual pub grub, and much more at these charming eateries.
Bon appetit!
Our Top Eight Restaurants In English Bay: Food Worth Waiting For!
1. España
Tapas bar with many Spanish wines served in a small and cozy dining area and patio
Intimate, cozy, and relaxed – España is everything you could want from a tapas bar. It’s the perfect spot to sample Spanish comfort fare that’s elevated to its level best, alongside some fantastic wines from the region.
The chefs prepare the dishes using locally-sourced fresh produce, so you’ll often find items priced differently depending on the market value that day.
It’s a chill and dimly-lit atmosphere here, with a nice bar area, an often busy yet intimate 39-seat dining area, and a laid-back patio.
Kick things off by ordering the honey and smoked paprika-doused chicharrones or one of their beautifully presented charcuterie boards displaying some fine ingredients.
Even though they’re technically tapas, everything is well-portioned here and of course, brimming with bold flavors.
Proceed with the Galician-style grilled squids, roasted baby beets with a homemade labneh and herb picada, and the duck breast with an intense romesco sauce. Oh and, don’t forget the daily paella. Or the hand-rolled churros with a side of hot chocolate.
Everything goes really well with some of their exceptionally good sherry. Offering dinner from 5-10 pm between Tuesday-Sunday, it’s wise to make reservations before coming here as it is one of the most popular restaurants in English Bay.
Drop by between happy hours (4-5 pm) for some gourmet food on a budget!
Address: 1118 Denman St, Vancouver, BC
2. Giardino
Renowned upmarket Italian eatery featuring Tuscan flavors in an elegant and bright setting with a romantic garden patio.
Located just a 2-minute drive away from English Bay beach, Giardino is Italian cooking star Umberto Menghi’s outpost for fine dining and wining.
]Savor Tuscany’s regional flavors in a very Tuscan-inspired dining room with exposed wooden beams, hand-painted artwork on the walls, and a brightly-lit glamorous atmosphere.
And if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to snag a seat in the brick-walled garden patio that’s surrounded by lush plants in summer and heated during winter.
Despite how impressive the setting is, the restaurant’s splurge-worthy dishes prepared with meticulous care remain to be the main draw.
Start with the antipasto platter featuring pecorino cheese and fluffy focaccia or smoked salmon gravlax. Move on to their pasta featuring some beloved classics like Linguine alle Vongole, Spaghettini Carbonara, or lasagna.
Don’t overlook the entrees – the roasted sablefish in a horseradish crust and venison loin with bone marrow pudding and a chianti reduction will leave you dazzled, swooning, and everything in between.
Reserve your tables for any day between Tuesday-Saturday, 5.30 pm onwards for dinner in the lap of luxury.
Address: 1328 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC
3. Ofra’s Kitchen
Vegan Restaurant serving Israeli delicacies in a tiny and warm dining space
It’s not easy to find great food that’s vegan/vegetarian, which is why Ofra’s Kitchen has been one of the most welcome additions to the neighborhood’s dining scene since 2019.
Owner Ofra cooks up some of the most amazing Israeli and Middle Eastern delicacies that soothes the soul and warms the heart. She makes you feel at home at the quaint venue, with an open kitchen where you can see her busily preparing meals, and a handful of tables across from it.
It’s got that cozy and homey vibe that’s hard to come by at this touristy location, with some occasional live music for an additional warm touch.
Her menu is not too broad, but every item is prepared with utmost care and in-house, which clearly shows. Try the fluffy falafels wrapped in laffa – an Israeli flatbread – doused in tahini, hot sauce, and a tangy mango pickle called amba.
An even more hearty pick would be the Israeli staple sabih featuring hard-boiled eggs, fried eggplants, and some condiments inside a pita, or one of the five different shakshuka.
And if you’ve been hunting for vegan shawarmas, try their soy curl stuffed shawarma. It’s known to have won over many meat lovers.
Pair your meals with some of their scratch-made hummus, then finish off with homemade honey-drizzled baklava and Turkish coffee. Drop by between Thursday-Sunday, 11.30 am onwards and 1.30 am onwards on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Address: 1088 Denman St, Vancouver, BC
4. Cafe Portrait
Family-run cafe serving brunch items with a Middle Eastern twist in a cozy and artsy space with a patio
If brunch before going to the beach sounds like a good idea, head towards Cafe Portrait which serves your classic brunch items with an unmistakable Middle Eastern flair.
What sets it apart, though, is its artsy and magical atmosphere. The entire place, though small, has unique paintings hanging all over it – even the tables are made of glass panels with portraits painted by the owner’s father.
It’s almost like dining at an art gallery, only that it’s cozy and full of warm vibes. It comes as no surprise that the place gets super busy, in which case you might want to settle on their patio tables.
Although their menu has less than a dozen items, there’s not a weak link among them. The eggs benedict come with either ham, smoked salmon, or a spinach florentine, all of which are drool-worthy.
Meanwhile, for those craving Middle Eastern flavors, try the homemade beef kofte on sourdough, spicy beef sujuk with eggs and toast, or the shakshuka brimming with vegetable medley, avocado, and feta.
And even if you’re not into coffee, their Turkish coffee will win you over. It’s a best-seller for a reason.
Don’t forget to grab some pastries to-go – they’ve got gluten-free and vegan ones too. Find them open every day from 9 am onwards, or come for their recently-initiated dinner service between Friday-Sunday.
Address: 1120 Denman St, Vancouver, BC
5. Vonns
Popular eatery serving sizable scratch-made burgers and sandwiches in a chill dining space and patio with beach views
Badass burgers with views of the beach is something Vonns is famous for. Almost 3 years ago, their jaw-breaking sized burgers and juicy steaks took the neighborhood by storm, and once you get a taste of them, you’ll understand why.
Although Vonns is a laidback and super chill restaurant, they’ve set up the venue in pretty lights, accent walls, and fun artwork. Even better is their patio which offers a view of the beach, and if you come at the right time, a gorgeous sunset!
With patties ground in-house, scratch-made sauces, and freshly-baked bread daily, you can taste the distinct freshness and vibrant flavors in their food.
Their American cheeseburger on a potato bun can either be devoured on its own, or in its triple-tier beast form. Ultra juicy, filling, and oh-so-satisfying – it’s everything from your wildest burger dreams.
Alongside classics like mushroom swiss, you’ll find big and sloppy sammies like the grilled ribeye and onion-parsley slaw stuffed hoagie or the even heartier cheesesteak doused in provolone, mushrooms, onions, and truffle aioli. Everything is 100% halal here, and they’ll gladly cater to other diet restrictions too.
For the ultimate meat nerds, they’ve got melt-in-the-mouth steaks served with chimichurri or peppercorn sauce. Do get a side of their truffle fries for the ‘oomph’ factor. They’re open every day from 2 pm onwards.
Address: 1184 Denman St #104, Vancouver, BC
6. Bayside Lounge
Lively bar with globally-influenced entrees and drinks served in a dim atmosphere with live DJs and beach views
Music, cocktails, and good food with a side of beach views – if that’s your idea of spending a fun weekend evening, then Bayside Lounge is your best bet.
With an eclectic menu of elevated entrees, dozens of varieties of drinks, and live DJs almost every night, this is the place to be to experience the town’s nightlife at its best.
Not to forget, their upstairs venue features a gorgeous circular bar, sweeping views of the ocean from large windows, and a dimly lit, groovy atmosphere to dance the evening away.
As one of the most popular bars and restaurants in English Bay, their focus remains on serving great quality food, and that too, in very generous portions.
Appetizers have everything from coconut-breaded prawns and charcuterie boards to easygoing loaded nachos. Meanwhile, their burgers are imaginative and scratch-made – think smoked gouda and mango with grilled chicken, or avocado, salmon, and a citrusy tartare sauce over brioche buns.
The mains are just as enticing; try the Moroccan lamb chops doused in a mint demi-glace with pesto gnocchi or the bacon-wrapped NY steak medallions with blue cheese crumble, red pepper coulis, and peppercorn demi-glace.
With happy hours every day from 3-6 pm, and brunch on weekends (12-2 pm) featuring inventive bennies, Bayside Lounge never fails to please its patrons.
Find them open every day from noon onwards to as late as 2-3 am – this is one of the liveliest restaurants in English Bay after all!
Address: 1755 Davie St, Vancouver, BC
7. Arike
Nigerian-influenced tasting menu served in a dimly lit, formal atmosphere
Only a few restaurants can replicate the unique and sensational flavors Arike offers.
Located on Davie street, this Michelin guide-recommended eatery serves a rotating tasting menu of Nigerian-inspired dishes, featuring exotic flavor combinations unheard of before. It’s the kind of place you have to book well in advance and is perfect for those splurge-worthy special occasion dinners.
Located in a low-lit space below street level, their dining area has limited seating and feels very intimate, as fine china grace the tables and knowledgeable servers give you VIP treatment and explain the concept behind every dish. There’s a small patio open during summer too.
The carefully curated menu changes every couple of months, featuring local ingredients with Nigerian spices and highly creative twists on classics.
Take your taste buds on a spin with their 5-course tasting menu, excluding the starters, dessert, and wine pairings, with everything artfully plated. Each element on the plate serves a purpose, and everything marries together beautifully to create flavors you’ve probably never experienced before.
Expect stuff like rabbit ragout with yam dough, seared fish with plantain and buttermilk mousse, and rare wines to go with it. There’s also an equally unique vegetarian tasting menu with vegan wines.
Find them open only on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 pm onwards on a strictly reservation-only basis.
Address: 1725 Davie St, Vancouver, BC
8. Peaked Pies
Traditional and inventive Australian peaked pies served in a bright and casual cafe atmosphere with outdoor seats
Few things come close to the satisfaction you get while biting into a giant Australian meat pie, which is exactly what Peaked Pies is known for.
A family-run business since 2013, they’re quite popular for their handmade, extra flaky pies and rich Aussie coffees, especially with a prime location just a few blocks away from the beach.
Come here for breakfast, lunch, or dinner in the airy, bright, and well-decorated cafe and on the few outdoor seats, or grab some pies to-go for a picnic on the beach.
With over a dozen delights ranging from a traditional Aussie pie to a creative butter chicken variant and a kangaroo meat stuffed delicacy, there’s a pie for everyone here.
Chunky pieces of steaks with intensely flavored sauces and cheese make up most of their sizable pies that are a whole and complete meal on their own. If you wish to take it to the next level, get your pie topped or ‘peaked’ with mushy green peas, mashed potatoes, and some delicious gravy.
They’ve also got vegetarian varieties and light, snackable rolls. Pinch yourself back to reality after tasting them, because they definitely look and feel heavenly.
Oh and, don’t miss the buttery breakfast pies (served 8-11 am) stuffed with beef, bacon, and egg filling.
Swing by any day from 8 am onwards.
Address: 975 Denman St, Vancouver, BC
The Best Restaurants In English Bay: Our Final Thoughts
Before you get overwhelmed with the countless choices, try some of our favorite restaurants in English Bay that offer a vast variety of cuisines and stunning atmospheres. Thank us for it later!
