While nothing beats catching up with friends over dinner or brunch, you don’t always need company to enjoy a delicious meal out. Sometimes, dining solo can fill your cup in more ways than one – whether it lets you unwind after a long day at work, or treat yourself to your favourite cuisine on the weekend. With that in mind, here are 10 amazing Vancouver restaurants for solo dining.
Lobby Lounge & RawBar – Fairmont Pacific Rim
The Pac Rim lobby lounge is la creme de la creme of hotel bars in the city – and whether you’re looking to pop in for a drink at the bar or enjoy some sushi in one of their cozy lounge chairs, you have plenty of options here.
And if you head upstairs to extend your visit, you can easily enjoy a meal solo at Botanist, which even has an option on the menu called “We’ll Take It From Here” that allows indecisive diners to indulge in a full meal plus optional wine pairings.
Where: 1038 Canada Place
Mercato di Luigi
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For a more intimate, cozy setting, head to Mercato di Luigi, which operates as a one-stop shop for groceries, fresh pasta, and espresso. With pasta lunches that change every day, you can bet there’s always something exciting and new to taste.
Where: 580 East 12th Avenue
Livia
For what is primarily a bakery, Livia’s range of housemade pasta is above and beyond anything you could dream of. Its picturesque space and comfy booth seating make it a great place to stop by for a quick treat, or stay in for a lovely meal for one.
Where: 1399 Commercial Drive
Café Medina
Solo brunch? Head to Cafe Medina for an egg-focused meal. This cozy restaurant makes for the perfect place to grab some specialty coffee, Belgian waffles, and brunch cocktails no matter the size of your group.
Where: 780 Richards Street
Cantina 189
In addition to serving a slew of delicious, unique cocktails, Michelin-starred Cantina 189 has some amazing tacos, pate, tostada, and ceviche on the menu. Solo diners get to enjoy it all from a cozy corner in the dimly lit space or at the bar, which transitions with DJ sets on Friday and Saturday nights.
Where: 322 West Hastings
The Stable House Bistro
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Situated in South Granville on West 13th, the intimate spot is the perfect place to pop in for a glass or two of vino and some fresh, inventive bites. Plus, the outdoor patio is adorned with fairy lights with even more seating available at the adjacent public plaza.
Where: 1520 West 13th Avenue
Green Leaf
If you’re more in the mood for sushi, you can’t go wrong at Green Leaf. The tasty spot serves up mouthwatering aburi-style sushi at a lower price point than some of the sushi giants of downtown, plus the space is a comfortable place to unwind after a long work day.
Where: 3416 West Broadway
La Casita
Situated in the heart of Gastown is La Casita, AKA some of the best authentic Mexican food north of the Rio Grande. From the popular Steak Tampiquena to tasty flautas, tostadas, burritos, Chiles Rellenos, ceviche, and chimichangas – the only problem you’ll have is choosing what to eat.
Where: 101 West Cordova Street
Bar Susu
Temporarily located at Novella Coffee Bar (2650 Main Street), Bar Susu is a fantastic date night spot, but its variety of seating makes it comfortable for diners who prefer to grab a glass of wine or something off of their Tasting Menu on their own.
Where: 209 6th Avenue East (Temporarily at 2650 Main Street)
Ramen Danbo
Finally, we come to the quintessential Vancouver ramen spot, best known for its rich shoyu broth and array of seating options. Whether you’re going in a small group or dining solo, there are plenty of ways to enjoy your favourite bowl of ramen here.
Where: Multiple locations
So there you have it, solo diners! Bon appetit!
