No indoor dining in the province? For some restaurants in Vancouver, that means a swift pivot to take-out - including from some restaurants where it's usually all about the dine-in experience. Right now, for those who are able to swing some treat-yo-self level take-out in the budget, these wild times come with the opportunity to enjoy some of the city's best splurge-worthy meals in your own home (or park, porch, or car).
Whether it's date night, a birthday or anniversary, or for no reason at all except "dinner," here are 10 exceptional take-out options from Vancouver restaurants.
St. Lawrence
When March kicked off - back when indoor dining was on the menu - St. Lawrence also kicked off its exciting "Tour of France" series with menus inspired by different French regions. Chef/owner J-C Poirier began with an exploration of Lyon, and that exploration continues, with the menu flipping to a can't miss take-out option available Tuesdays through Sundays to April 30. The Lyon-inspired menu showcases the cuisine of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region with a delicious array of dishes and the option to add on wine pairings sourced from vineyards and estates of Bourgogne, Beaujolais, Jura, Savoie, Auvergne and Rhône Valley all handpicked by the restaurant's team of sommeliers. St. Lawrence has been nailing the take-out game since last spring, so take note of this incredible option if you're planning a special dinner to enjoy this month. Order via Tock; pick up is from St. Lawrence in Gastown.
AnnaLena
Without being able to grab a table at Kitsilano's AnnaLena, fear not: Big AL's got you covered. Big AL's Takeaway, that is. "The AnnaLena team are creating weekly menus for you to enjoy at your place, not ours, until it is safe to do so," says the popular modern Pacific West Coast restaurant. The four-course tasting menu gives you the rare chance to enjoy their dishes at home, and at $59 per person it's a steal for a special night in, or, like AnnaLena says "at the beach, at the park, your backyard, or even in the car because you just can’t wait." Order through Resy.
The Mackenzie Room + Say Mercy!
BBQ Bolo at Say Mercy in Vancouver. Photo by Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is AwesomeThese sibling spots have joined forces to create the ultimate take-out offering, the MackMercy menu. You can have the best of both worlds, including either or both the legendary tasting menus from each acclaimed restaurant; there's Say Mercy's "Jesus Take the Wheel" meld of BBQ by way of Italy fare, or The Mackenzie Room's "I Want it All," menu of modern Cascadian fare. Or narrow it down to signature Mackenzie Room dishes like "Chicken of the Sea" or Say Mercy's BBQ Bolo, with some buttery Parker House rolls and banana pudding cannoli for dessert. Order via Tock; pick-up is from Say Mercy on Fraser.
Oca Pastificio
This tiny Commercial Drive spot for crave-worthy hand-made pasta is really using its noodles - for take-out, that is. Takeaway is offered for weekend indulging: Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m. Dishes include fresh pastas and salads, and can be ordered via DM on Instagram (@ocapastificio), by calling ahead at 672-999-3309, or by stopping by the restaurant; "Fresh pasta don't take long," quipped the restaurant on social media.
Pidgin
A tasting menu at Pidgin in Vancouver's Gastown neighbourhood. By Pidgin/FacebookVancouverites are raving about Pidgin's tasting menu for two for take-out. The Gastown restaurant is offering a seven-course meal that is the definition of a special occasion feast, showcasing thoughtfully-prepared and packed dishes suited for enjoyment at home. Order ahead via Tock for pre-paid pick-up at Pidgin, or for a choose your own adventure style meal from Pidgin, hop over to their in-house delivery platform, FromTo, where you can choose from individual dishes and combos. PS, while you're on FromTo, check out this innovative no-fee platform for local restaurants and see which other fantastic Vancouver restaurants are on board.
Published
One of late 2019's most exciting openings was Published, a contemporary fine dining restaurant on Main Street. While they do have service on the patio (on sunny days Wednesday to Sunday 3 to 8 p.m., no reservations), Published is also offering a limited take-out menu, giving you the chance to check out what they are up to. Take-out is available Wednesday to Sunday from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. The restaurant says they'll be sharing more details about what's on the menu on its Instagram account (@published.on.main).
Kissa Tanto
Right now Kissa Tanto's signature fusion dishes are available via take-out. . Photo: Kissa Tanto/FacebookNormally Kissa Tanto offers the thrill of climbing the stairs to slip inside the lux second-floor restaurant to escape the hustle of the city below, but these days the Italian-Japanese fusion spot is packing up its dishes for take-out. Order a la carte from its menu of "Tender to the Tooth" fusion pasta dishes, mains designed to share, small bites, and more. Order for prepaid pickup via Tock.
Ugly Dumpling
There's been an evolution over the last year behind the scenes at this hangout on The Drive. Ugly Dumpling is now turning out dishes from its seasonally focused, daily rotating menu highlighting local produce, along with carefully selected sake and natural wines, for take-out. "Ugly Take-Away" is available Thursday through Monday from 5 to 9:30 p.m. and features an $80 omakase (chef's choice) tasting menu, or the restaurant's popular more casual "staff meal" selections (when the dishes are suitable for take-out). You can also get orders of their dumplings and chili oil to enjoy at home, too. Order via Tock.
Au Comptoir
Kitsilano's celebrated French bistro is packing things up to go with an elegant tasting menu, available four nights a week for pre-order. The menu will change weekly, and will always include your choice of a starter (such as a duck liver parfait or roasted carrot soup), a main (like red wine braised beef cheeks), and a dessert (like a chocolate lava cake). Add on wine, beer, or soft drinks. No phone orders; order via Tock.
Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market
Aww, shucks... you can get some shuck-it-yourself oysters from Fanny Bay in downtown Vancouver. Photo: Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market/FacebookIf you want to get a taste of this downtown "Tide to Table" oyster bar and shellfish market's offerings, you can grab a seat on the patio, or you can order up one of its seafood boxes, including a brand new "picnic for two" bundle. You'll be saying "awww, shucks," as you tuck into oysters you can shuck yourself alongside yummy cold items like geoduck sashimi with sesame soba noodles, tuna tartare, and more. Or opt for one of Fanny Bay's other kits, like a "Seafood Boil Feast" or a "Seafood Basics Box," perfect for diving into a swimmingly satisfying seafood meal. Order via Food Booking.
Looking for other delicious Vancouver take-out options? We'll be showcasing more great local spots to support while indoor dining is off the menu right now. Want to suggest a spot or request a theme for a roundup? Send an email to lindsay@vancouverisawesome.com
