Good eateries that won’t bust budgets
Our list of Metro restaurants serving first-rate food at cut-rate prices
It seems a few of you were very generous with Christmas gift-giving. At least that’s my read on your emails responding to my column on the best new restaurants in 2017. All well and good, you said, but how about a list of great places to dine that don’t bust budgets.
No problem. I love cheap eats and this city is very well endowed in that regard — thanks partly to the many cultures serving up cuisine.
And let’s not forget: Dine Out Vancouver begins Jan. 19 and runs to Feb. 4, with some 300 restaurants joining in this year with fixed price menu deals.
I’m often on the lookout for quick meals, and I won’t stand for mere fuel food. There’s no reason a lowbrow meal can’t be delicious and totally enjoyable and, in most cases, in a pleasant setting with friendly vibes. I hope some of these places will see you through the cold, stingy heart of January.
The Arbor 3941 Main Street | 604-620-3256
Info: thearborrestaurant.ca A vegetarian restaurant even meat-eaters will like.
Bao Down 12 Powell Street | 778-379-3611
Info: baodown.net I love the bao-wiches, but there’s more pan-Asian casual dishes. There are branches in Olympic Village and Commercial Drive.
Beastie 105 East Pender Street | 604-6201175
Info: facebook.com/bestiewurst German style currywurst is the prima diva here, but that’s just the start.
Chau Veggie Express 5052 Victoria Drive | 604-568-9508
Info: chowatchau.ca Healthy, delicious Vietnamese food in a bowl.
Chef Hung Taiwanese Beef Noodle
Aberdeen Centre, 4151 Hazelbridge Way, Richmond | 604295-9357
Info: chefhungnoodle.com Award-winning chef has several beef noodle outlets, including one in Ambleside.
Chinatown BBQ 130 East Pender Street | 604-4282626
Info: chinatownbbq.com A very cool recreation of an old BBQ joint. Delicious and hearty.
Cioffi’s Cucina 4150 Hastings Street, Burnaby | 604-291-9373
Info: cioffisgroup.com/cioffiscucina
Offspring of the great Cioffi’s Meat Market, with a free range men.
Davie Dosa Company 1235 Davie Street | 604-669-5899
Info: daviedosacompany.com A dosa is enough to fill you up, but you’ll find other South Indian dishes.
Dosanko 566 Powell Street | 604-251-2020
Info: dosankorestaurant.ca Homestyle Japanese comfort foods with lots of umami.
The Fish Counter 3825 Main Street | 604-876-3474
Info: thefishcounter.com Sustainable seafood dishes with standout fish and chips.
Flower and Horse in Spring 1741 Robson Street | 778-379-6198
Info: facebook.com/flowerandhorseinspring
Yunnan food in a charming and hallucinogenic room.
Fujiya Japanese Foods 912 Clark Drive | 604-251-3711
Info: fujiya.ca
Dine at one of the few tables or do a takeout of bento or sushi packs.
Gyoza Bar 622 West Pender Street | 604-3365563
Info: gyozabar.ca I’m more a fan of the ramen than the namesake gyoza.
Haru Korean Kitchen 324 Cambie Street | 778-370-9488
Info: harukoreankitchen.com A light and bright version of Korean in modern digs.
Harvest Community Foods 243 Union Street | 604-682-8851
Info: harvestunion.ca A community-centred store and café operated by notable chef Andrea Carlson.
Hawkers Delight Deli 4127 Main Street | 604-709-8188
Info: dinehere.ca/vancouver/ hawkers-delight
Humble spot, really cheap Singaporean and Malaysian dishes.
Hoi An Cafe 5002 Victoria Drive | 604-566-9283
Info: facebook.com/Hoi-AnCafe-165356560204589
Run by a lovable family. Central Vietnamese dishes hold surprises.
Heritage Asian Eatery 1108 West Pender Street | 778737-1108
Info: eatheritage.ca Former high-end Chef does fabulous job with Asian bao and bowl food.
Japadog 530 Robson Street | 604-569-1158
Info: japadog.com The brick and mortar Japadog keeps you dry while gnawing on your Japanese style hotdogs.
Joyeaux Cafe and Restaurant 551 Howe Street | 604-681-9168
Info: joyeaux-cafe-restaurant.com This Vietnamese spot is always crammed at lunch, less busy for dinner. Juke w 182 Keefer Street | 604-336-5853
Info: jukefriedchicken.com Crispy fried chicken rules here, with sides to match.
Laksa King 2546 East Hastings Street | 604428-0155
Burmese and Malaysian dishes. The laksa gets a special nod.
Longtail Kitchen River Market, 810 Quayside Drive, New Westminster | 604-553-3855
Info: longtailkitchen.com Thai street food that really sings.
Molli Cafe 1225 Burrard Street | 604-336-6554
Info: mollicafe.com The owners have put the business up for sale so their tacos, sopas and tortas have a limited life span.
Mr. Red Cafe 2234 East Hastings Street | 604710-9515
Info: mrredcafe.com A second Mr. Red opened in Kits following the huge popularity of this East Van original.
Nook 781 Denman Street | 604-568-4554
Info: nookrestaurant.ca Nook (also on Yew Street and another about to open in Olympic Village) has great neighbourhood buzz.
Peaked Pies 975 Denman Street | 778-3795612
Info: peakedpies.com Eat in or take out, the Aussie style pies are everything they should be.
Phnom Penh 244 East Georgia Street | 604-6825777
Info: phnompenhrestaurant.ca It’s earned plenty of awards and recognition. Cambodian and Vietnamese num nums.
Pizzeria Farina 915 Main Street | 604-681-9334 Info: pizzeriafarina.com If you like voluptuous pizzas, you’ll find them here.
Ramen Santouka 1690 Robson Street | 604-6818121
Info: santouka.co.jp/en Just one of the many great places for a ramen fill.
Sal y Limon 701 Kingsway | 604-677-4247
Info: salylimon.ca The tacos, tortas, quesadillas, huaraches and taquitos create lineups.
Save on Meats 43 West Hastings Street | 604-5693568
Info: saveonmeats.ca A ’50s throwback with affordable diner food.
Sen pad Thai Granville Island Public Market | 604-428-7900
Info: senpadthai.com/ Inspired by street food in Chanthaburi, Thailand.
Shishinori Japanese Eatery 2328 Cambie Street | 604-5598166
Info: shishinorivancouver.com Successful enough to follow up with a downtown sister version.
Tacofino Commissary 2327 East Hastings Street | 604253-8226
Info: tacofino.com This company offers delicious tacos and also run a branch in Gastown and a downtown food truck.
Two Rivers Specialty Meats 180 Donaghy Avenue, North Vancouver | 604-990-5288
Info: tworiversmeats.ca Much loved for the sustainable, quality meats, the company started a café in North Vancouver.