With Dine Out Vancouver Festival well underway, we’ve been scouring the city in search of our own top tables. With menus tiered to cater to every budget and palate preference, it’s easy to see why restaurants are packed with patrons looking for a culinary adventure! To start, we challenged ourselves this past week by hitting up a few hot spots in the $18 range prix fixe range. Check out our picks and start planning – Dine Out Vancouver Fest ends this weekend!
If you’re looking for an imaginary escape to the Islands The Reef Restaurant is will give you just the culinary fix. Upon arrival you’ll feel all-but transported to the Caribbean with their bright colours and rustic décor. As for food, we can’t get enough of their jerk chicken, macaroni and cheese sticks with spicy ketchup, plantain chips and curry. Be sure to save room for the mango ice cream and fried banana – you (and your wallet) will be in heaven, trust us.
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Another top choice in the $18 range comes courtesy of Glowbal Group’s Fish Shack. We’ve neglected this Granville Street spot – and Dine Out has certainly served as a solid reminder of just why this neglect needs to end! A laidback and fun atmosphere welcomes you to kick back and dig in, as does their prix fixe menu loaded with plenty of goods. Opt for the 1/2lb. serving of steamed mussels (add on an order of their Fish Shack poutine), seafood and chicken jambalaya, and toffee pudding to finish it all off.
If you’re looking to book with a group of friends for dinner on the low, try to nab a reservation at Hapa Izakaya. Always a boisterous and fun place to land for a bite, we love the food even more than the scene! Icing on the Izakaya cake has to be the fact that they’re featuring four choices/course, so all preferences will be satisfied. Try their tempura prawns and popcorn pork, fish n’ chips roll, and sesame cucumbers. Save room for your main dish though: We recommend the chipotle beef curry Ishiyaki for something savoury and unique.
Looking for a little taste of upscale dining on a budget? Then head over to Italian Kitchen Trattoria to satisfy your pasta cravings. What’s not to love? This spot is always bustling, drenched in style, and boasts a prix fixe menu loaded with favorites. Choose from roasted butternut squash soup (yum!), or a classic cannellini bean and tuna insalata, pan roasted chicken with marsala, or cheesy-good risotto. Be sure to save room for the house-made tiramisu (and maybe a bit of Grappa to wind up your night).
Just up the street, another option on our $18 best bet list also awaits: Las Margaritas. You’ll feel like you’ve entered Puerto Vallarta for a classic taste on Baja California/Northern Mexican cuisine. Beyond housemade chips and salsa, they’ve got plenty to choose from on their prix fixe menu. Our favourite has to be the poblano pepper and corn soup topped with queso fresco. Next, order the vegetable enchilada with tomatillo sauce (stuffed with roasted vegetables), before noshing on the chocolate churros. Ole!
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