Mezcal & Tacos at La Mezcaleria

A Kits patio institution since 1994, where BC's biggest tequila list and mango margaritas handle the conversation.

A Mexican inspired kitchen on Union Street that takes brunch and dinner equally seriously, so it fits whichever end of the day you pick.

Butter chicken poutine, paneer tacos and spiced cocktails in Surrey's slickest Indian lounge, open until 3am.

Robson St Korean with tabletop grills, banchan aplenty, and the universal icebreaker of shouting 'is that done yet?'

Surrey's street-suya cult favourite turned proper lounge, where fire-grilled yaji spice and smoky party jollof make every date feel like a party.

Run by the actual Fanny Bay farm, this is Vancouver's only tide-to-table oyster bar, and the marble counter is yours.

West Broadway's papier-mache-and-neon sushi institution since 1983, with 50-plus rolls that have never once cared about tradition.

Ethiopian stews by hand, a live Friday band, and the kind of injera-sharing that requires getting very comfortable very quickly.

Chef Hawksworth's two-storey heritage hall for wood-fired pizza, buttermilk fried chicken, and the share-everything format that actually works.

Smokeless Shinpo grills, fifteen free-refill banchan, and a Golden Plates Best Korean Restaurant win, plus you leave smelling exactly as you arrived.

Lantern-lit West End izakaya where the sake list rewards bravery and stone-grilled beef keeps arriving until you've forgotten your plans.

Six or eight tables, Ethiopian art, and a tradition called gursha where you hand-feed each other, which is romantic on purpose.

The plant-filled Main Street room that makes a first date feel like it's going well before a word is spoken.

Vancouver Foodie Tours runs a two hour progressive meal through the market: cheese, charcuterie, candied salmon, chocolate truffles and a honey-dip donut finish.