There is always a buzz in the air when the yearly Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards are announced. The 37th Edition was released last week, featuring several hot new spots and other deserving restaurant veterans. Your scribe was a long time judge for this credible competition and commends the dedicated efforts put into it. Your scribe wrote up the 2025 Awards on May 12, 2025 linked here. The Awards presentation ceremony itself has become a meeting place for so many in the hospitality industry. Just like the newly opened Culinary Commons at 1250 East Georgia Street in Vancouver, developed by The Chefs’ Table Society of BC is becoming a hospitality centre of learning. This exciting venture already has arguably one of the largest cookbook collections in North America and is becoming a beehive of activity. British Columbia has a unique camaraderie in this usually very competitive industry. Wonderful to experience. If you plan to visit Vancouver in 2026, this vanmag.com selection is definitely your best dining guide (with apologies to Michelin). Also pay attention to the reliable Readers’ Choice neighbourhood selections and best dishes. Below is a very useful, up-to-date list of the Best Wine Lists in BC.
Seven highlights among many:
BEST NEW RESTAURANT: This year’s list is very impressive, featuring the talented Chef VISH MAYEKAR and team as the outstanding gold winner at ELEM. However, silver runner-up KAVITA received BEST INDIAN and bronze newcomer CHEZ CELINE took BEST FRENCH. Amazingly current.
CHEF OF THE YEAR: Your scribe can’t give enough credit to the outstanding culinary contributions of the remarkable Chef ROGER MA of BOULEVARD – BEST FINE DINING. There are wonderful artistically high-quality dishes there, but also such a mentor and community contributor. Roger is even this year’s winner of the last Curry Cup of All-Stars for the Chefs’ Table Society. Excellent choice.
HALL OF FAME: Many who have contributed for years to Vancouver’s highly rated dining scene deserve this recognition. This year the spotlight fell on two stars of UMBERTO MENGHI & TOJO.
CHEF WITH HEART: A big thank you to Chef TJ CONWI for a significant community giveback. Many thanks.
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR: Perennial favourite DYNASTY SEAFOOD RESTAURANT won this plus the Award for BEST CHINESE.
SOMMELIER OF THE YEAR: Special salute to IORI KATAOKA of YUWA for conscientiously attending so many wine seminars, learning a great deal, and educating us all on the versatility of sake.
BIG IMPORTANT MOVERS: Congrats to Richard Jaffray of LFG Growth and his competent team including Manager/Sommelier Sebastien Le Goff for such exciting brilliant growth in his top establishments: NIGHTINGALE – BEST INFORMAL CONTEMPORARY (Special kudos to Wine Director Chris Rielly) NOOK – BEST CHAIN ODDFISH – BEST SEAFOOD
More details are linked here: vanmag.com
You might also like:
 |
 |
 |