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Dine Out Vancouver is back for its 21st season! Running from January 20-February 5, 2023, 366 restaurants are offering prix fixe menus between $20 and $65 (side note: this was up from $20-$59 last year). Now that we’re settling into our new “normal”, I think more people would want to do this again this year. However, with the increasing food costs that we have been experiencing, I have my doubts about the value and attractiveness of these menus.

As per previous years, I took the time to review the menus and here are what caught my eyes, based on past experiences (Dine Out or otherwise), Google review (if it’s a restaurant that I’ve never been), as well as menu attractiveness (e.g. value for the money, choice of ingredients, creativity in the menu, enough options for two people, etc.). Also keep in mind that I curated the list based on my preference (as you know, I’m a meat lover and I’m biased against chicken and salmon) and my way of thinking, so it may not necessarily suit your taste. But hopefully this gives you a place to start.

Because of the arbitrary prices, I have organized my list into Brunch/Lunch and Dinner. You will find a link to the menu, as well as listed price, to help you make decisions. Remember, my recommendations are for that specific menu and specific location(s) only, even though the restaurant may have other locations and menu options. If you have been to any of them, let me know what you think!

Brunch/Lunch

• Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio – False Creek ($34)
• Banana Leaf Broadway, Davie, Kitsilano, Robson ($25)
• Bombay Kitchen + Bar Commercial Drive ($14.95)
• Britannia Brewing Company Ladner ($27)
• Bruno ($39)
• The Cannibal Cafe ($25)
• Laduree ($40 afternoon tea/lunch menu)
• Menya Itto ($24.95)
• Nightshade Restaurant ($25 weekend brunch)
• Pho Den ($20)
• Potluck Hawker Eatery ($25 for 2 courses – save $13 vs. its dinner menu. Same options for appetizers and entrees, just without dessert.)
• Steveston Seafood House ($29 – Sunday Brunch)
• Tatta Chulha ($22 – 14 items)
• The Victor ($45 Sunday Brunch)

Dinner

• 16 West Restaurant ($55)
• The Acorn (8-course tasting menu for $65)
• Agra Tandoori Kitchen ($23.99)
• Alouette Bistro ($49)
• Archer Dining ($65)
• Barney’s on Granville ($35)
• Beach House Restaurant ($55)
• Belgard Kitchen ($55)
• Bells & Whistles Fraser ($32)
• Bistro Sakana ($59)
• Blue Canoe Waterfront Restaurant ($39.99)
• Bombay Kitchen + Bar Commercial Drive and South Granville ($30)
• Britannia Brewing Company Ladner ($39)
• Britannia Brewing Company Steveston ($32)
• Bufala Kerrisdale ($37 – $2 cheaper than Edgemont for better menu options, in my opinion)
• Cafe One ($42)
• Chambar Restaurant ($49)
• Chewies Oyster Bar Coal Habour ($45)
• Chop Steakhouse & Bar Richmond ($45)
• Collective Goods Bistro & Grocer ($65 for 6-course shared tasting menu)
• Cuchillo ($40 for 4 courses)
• East is East Broadway & Main Street ($49 for the Chai Feast, a tasting of 16 items, a chai and dessert)
• Fable Diner & Bar ($29)
• Fanny Bay Oyster Bar ($59)
• Fishworks ($49)
• Forage ($59)
• Grace of India ($22.99)
• H2 Kitchen & Bar ($35)
• Hydra Estiatorio Mediterranean & Bar ($49)
• Les Margaritas ($25)
• The Lobby Restaurant & Lounge ($48)
• The Mackenzie Room ($65 for 5-course shared tasting menu for multiples of 2 – they are one of our favourite restaurants)
• Mahony’s Tavern – False Creek ($35)
• Max’s Restaurant ($30)
• Menya Itto ($24.95)
• Mintara on Burnaby Mountain ($59 for 4 courses)
• Monkey 9 Brewpub ($29.99)
• Notch8 ($50)
• NOX ($48)
• O’Hare’s Gastropub ($32.99)
• Ocean 999 ($49)
• Old Bird ($48 for 5 courses)
• Paul Bakery, Cafe & Restaurant ($45)
• Pho Den ($20)
• Prestons Restaurant + Lounge ($50)
• Rocky Mountain Flatbread – Main Street ($31)
• Salmon n’ Bannock Bistro ($59.99)
• Seaside Provisions ($49)
• Shaughnessy Restaurant ($45)
• The Shoestring Cafe ($49)
• Smoke & Bones BBQ ($39.99)
• Sylvia Restaurant & Lounge ($49)
• Tap & Barrel – Bridges, Convention Centre, Olympic Village, Shipyards, South Surrey ($37.50 – it’s still reasonable with the add-on cost for other entree options)
• The Wild Fig Restaurant & Lounge ($45)
• Time and Place ($45)

Final Thoughts

As expected, some menus are on the pricey side, even though there’s nothing special to write home about. In general, menus have gone up by $5-10 (I was able to compare this year’s menu prices with my post last year) and some have increased by as much as $15. There seem to be a few more “tasting menu” concepts this year, at a higher price point of course, which allows diners to try a few more items and make Dine Out a bit more interesting I suppose. On the other hand, I certainly understand that food costs have gone up but when you’re paying $65 per person, I feel like I should still expect something better than what’s being offered here. Some 3-course menus are just lackluster. And it’s also the realization that I don’t have to visit the restaurants during Dine Out, a time when restaurants are busier, servers are crankier and the kitchen staff are burned out. If I’m willing to spend $69 per person, I can just go to the restaurants any other time of the year and support them then. It’s a healthy budget for ordering a la carte. With that, my list above mostly includes menus under $50 per person, with a few exceptions.

So what do you think about this year’s offers? Do you plan on doing any Dine Outs?