The Georgia Straight Golden Plates Awards: Best Restaurant by Neighbourhood | Checklist

They say home is where the heart is, but in a city like Vancouver, my heart is scattered across every neighborhood—from the cobblestones of Gastown to the bustling energy of Commercial Drive. This is my personal documentation of The Georgia Straight Golden Plates Awards: Best Restaurant by Neighbourhood. It’s more than just a checklist; it’s a collection of memories already made and a map of the "smooch-worthy" dates yet to come.

Cambie Village

⬜ Elio Volpe (2025, 2026)

⬜ June on Cambie (2025, 2026)

⬜ Las Tortas Mexican Gourmet Sandwiches (2024)

⬜ Potluck Hawker Eatery (2024)

⬜ Vij’s (2024, 2025, 2026)

Chinatown/Strathcona

⬜ Bao Bei (2025, 2026)

⬜ Chambar (2024)

☑️ Chinatown BBQ (2026)

⬜ DD Mau Chinatown (2024)

⬜ Kissa Tanto (2025, 2026)

⬜ Phnom Penh (2024, 2025)

Commercial Drive

⬜ Havana (2024, 2025)

⬜ La Mezcaleria (2024)

⬜ Livia (2025)

⬜ Lunch Lady (2024, 2025, 2026)

⬜ Nomo Nomo (2026)

⬜ Pepino’s Spaghetti House (2026)

Fraserhood

⬜ Bar Bravo (2025)

⬜ Chez Celine (2026)

⬜ Les Faux Bourgeois (2026)

⬜ Nammos Estiatorio (2024, 2025)

⬜ Savio Volpe (2024, 2025, 2026)

⬜ Say Mercy! (2024)

Gastown/Railtown

⬜ Ask for Luigi (2024, 2025, 2026)

⬜ Bar Tartare (2026)

⬜ L’Abattoir (2024, 2025, 2026)

⬜ Nuba (2025)

⬜ Water St. Cafe (2024)

Grandview-Woodland

⬜ Folietta (2026)

⬜ Magari by Oca (2025)

⬜ Pepino’s Spaghetti House (2024, 2025)

⬜ Red Wagon Cafe (2024, 2026)

⬜ Via Tevere (2024, 2025, 2026)

Hastings-Sunrise

⬜ Dachi (2025, 2026)

⬜ Le Petit Saigon (2024)

⬜ Kook Korean BBQ (2024)

⬜ Noona's Cucina (2026)

⬜ Red Wagon Cafe (2025)

⬜ Selene (2025, 2026)

⬜ Tanam (2024)

Kerrisdale

⬜ Adonia Tea House (2024)

⬜ Bufala (2025, 2026)

⬜ Minerva’s Restaurant (2024, 2025, 2026)

⬜ Ramen Danbo (2024, 2025, 2026)

Kitsilano

⬜ Au Comptoir (2024, 2026)

⬜ AnnaLena (2025, 2026)

⬜ Nook (2024, 2025)

⬜ Maenam (2024, 2025, 2026)

Mount Pleasant/Riley Park

⬜ Anh and Chi (2024, 2025, 2026)

⬜ Como Taperia (2026)

⬜ Published on Main (2024, 2025)

⬜ Salvio Volpe (2025)

⬜ Sushi Hil (2026)

⬜ Suyo (2024)

Olympic Village

☑️ Argo Cafe (2024)

⬜ Flying Pig (2025)

⬜ Kavita (2026)

⬜ Nook (2024, 2025, 2026)

⬜ Ophelia (2024, 2025, 2026)

Point Grey/UBC

⬜ Big Way Hot Pot (2026)

⬜ Burgoo (2024, 2025, 2026)

⬜ DownLow Chicken Shack (2024, 2025)

⬜ La Quercia (2024, 2025, 2026)

South Granville

☑️ Bin 4 Burger Lounge (2024)

⬜ Breakfast Table (2024)

⬜ Gary’s (2024, 2025, 2026)

⬜ Saba (2026)

☑️ Small Victory (2025)

☑️ Stable House Bistro (2026)

☑️ Vancouver Fish Company (2025)

West End

⬜ Burgoo (2024)

⬜ España Restaurant (2024, 2025)

⬜ Jungle Room (2024)

⬜ Kingyo (2026)

⬜ Maxine's Cafe & Bar (2026)

⬜ Noah's Cafe (2026)

⬜ Tavola (2025)

Yaletown

⬜ Blue Water Cafe (2025, 2026)

⬜ Dovetail (2025, 2026)

⬜ Elisa (2024, 2025, 2026)

⬜ Homer Street Cafe and Bar (2024, 2026)

⬜ Provence Marinaside (2024)

Looking at these squares and checkmarks, I’m reminded of how lucky we are to live in a city that tastes this good. Every neighborhood has its own rhythm and its own flavor, and even though many of these remain unchecked for now, the anticipation of that first bite back makes the journey all the more sweet. Whether it’s a quick office lunch in South Granville or a slow weekend stroll through Kitsilano, I can’t wait to officially document every single one of these as a "Smooch Food" favorite.