Places like will likely live in perpetuity as a reminder of Kitsilano鈥檚 colourful free-love and batik-weaving origins. Today, however, the neighbourhood鈥檚 dining scene has evolved into a multi-layered and ever-changing mosaic that speaks to the wide demographic that inhabits this now-slightly-tony West Side corner of the city. Four hoods-within-the-hood showcase the diversity and deliciousness available for your dining pleasure.
On Yew, the sloping street that leads up from Kits beach to West 4th and beyond, the first two blocks off Cornwall are now home to some seriously good dining options. At , chefs Makoto Ono and Amanda Cheng plate beautiful and innovative Japanese-French dishes that are available via smaller and larger tasting menus. Don鈥檛 miss Cheng鈥檚 amazing seaweed brioche when available; it鈥檚 worth a visit on its own.
Closer to the water, , the popular Italian pasta and pizza spot that originated in the West End, serves up a solid Aperol Spritz alongside some of the best buratta in the city. For more casual 鈥� and raucous nights 鈥� there鈥檚 always . The popular oyster bar has a daily buck-a-shuck program, as well as favourties like gumbo, pork ribs, jambalaya and fried chicken.
Closer to Burrard, the area around Cypress and West 1st Avenue houses luminaries such as newcomer , the progressive Latin restaurant from chef Jefferson Alvarez, which was recently named as one of Canada鈥檚 top 30 restaurants. Check out a Tuesday night, when the kitchen releases its latest 鈥渆xperiments,鈥� along with innovative cocktails from barman Sergio Grandalfo. Across the street, continues to feature line-ups and crowded rooms for its modern Canadian dishes, such as the ginger-soy pork belly, oyster with compressed apple and shaved foie gras, and cured bison tartare with egg yolk gel. For something more casual, check out the nearby on Cornwall, with its comfort-based menu of fried chicken and waffles, stellar pizzas, and affordable and delicious cocktails.
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Heading west along West 4th, you hit a dining mecca that houses one of the city鈥檚 best restaurants, . Chef Angus An鈥檚 revelatory Thai menu is a constant delight and exploration, thanks to rotating seasonal dishes like the uni 鈥渟undae鈥� and staples like the grilled Thai sausage. A few blocks away is , that eminently likable French bastion of Gallic delights, such as riz de veau, bavette pommes dauphines, and the addictive manchons de canards frites (deep-fried duck wings). For more classic fare, look no further than the grandfather of locavore dining, , with its deeply local menu and extensive wine list.
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Continuing west, you finally hit the environs of West Point Grey, around Alma and West 4th. Here you鈥檒l find , one of the city鈥檚 best Italian restaurants and a tasting menu that, at around the $50 mark, is one of the best deals in the city. Next door, 尝鈥橴蹿蹿颈肠颈辞 serves up small bits and naturalist wines by the glass. From the cheese and charcuterie boards, to plates like vitello tonnato, there are many reasons to extend your stay at the bar. For a sweet finish, or a sweeter start to the day, is the place to satiate your lemon-ricotta cravings (when available). The apple pie is always a favourite, but don鈥檛 miss the pecan if it鈥檚 on the menu.
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Anya Levykh is a food, drink and travel writer who covers all things ingestible. Find her on Twitter and Instagram @foodgirlfriday.
