Budget
Mango Thai
Formerly "Thai Away Home". This small restaurant serves up good Thai food in a casual atmosphere. You can eat-in if you can find a seat or take the food home and warm it up there.
Stepho's Souvlaki Greek Taverna
A Greek restaurant in downtown Vancouver, famous for long lines of customers waiting for a table, hungry for Stepho's abundant and delicious platters of Greek favourites.
Ezogiku Noodle Cafe
The speciality here is the Sapporo miso ramen $6.55, a Japanese noodle soup flavored with miso paste and served with a heap of veggies on top; add in $2.20 for a serve of gyoza dumplings on the side. The servings are large, with a hearty broth and an authentic abundance of ingredients. Vegetarian soups and broths available. Cash only. Two locations on Robson Street:
Hon's Wun-Tun House on Robson
Famous for pot-stickers pork, chicken, beef, or vegetarian, but has an array of cheap but excellent Chinese food including dim sum, bbq and desserts ranging from $4 to $8. There is a separate kitchen for vegetarian dishes. Lunch special for less than $32 incl. tax and tip that feeds 4 people: congee rice porridge, 2 side dishes, 1 rice or noodles. Robson location only. More locations in Chinatown, New Westminster, and Richmond.
Samurai Japanese Restaurant
Well known for having huge portions for small prices. It also has fresher sushi than some more expensive places. During meal times, it can be very difficult to get a seat. In the summer, it can be nice to get take out and walk down to Sunset Beach 4 blocks southwest on Thurlow, ~20min. Be sure to try their toro fatty tuna, and salmon sushi/sashimi. Stay away from their tuna sushi/sashimi because it tends to be too frozen. There are other locations at Cambie Street and 43rd Ave in South Vancouver, and on Fraser Street in East Van.
Whole Foods Market
Self service take away or eat in. A great place for vegetarians and vegans. Food is charged by weight.
Kintaro Ramen
Authentic Japanese Ramen shop. Often it's crowded and there's a lineup but it moves fast. Close to Stanley Park and the bike/roller-blade rental shops on the end of Denman St.
Near the north end.
Near GM Place and the Vancouver Library.
Jang Mo Jib
Serves home style Korean food and is frequented by the local Korean students. The restaurant almost looks run-down, but it serves excellent food. Try the short ribs.
Midrange
Chilli House Thai Bistro
Sophisticated Thai cuisine with a Vancouver Twist and a great view from the seawall. Specialises in live seafood. Free parking.
Kam's Place
It calls itself a "Singaporean" restaurant, but the menu has a strong segment of Thai along with the Chinese and Malaysian. Generous portions mean you should share entrees or plan to take so home. Good vegetarian selection; the Spicy Lettuce Wrap $7.95 is a particular treat. "Boo Boo's Special" lychee and coconut milk is delicious as a drink or a light dessert. Free delivery to downtown or West End after 5pm.
Kingyo
Traditional izakaya dishes with a modern, fusion twist, in a decor which feels at once traditional Japanese, down-to-earth friendly, and cutting-edge. Vegetarian options available.
La Bretagne, The Original Creperie
795 jervis st just downhill to the north of robson, +1 604 688-5989. a wide selection of both savoury crepes with vegetables and sweet crepes with cream, fruits, and sugar, plus breakfast offerings and sandwiches. try the organic buckwheat flour, which gives the crepe the rich dark brown colour of farm bread. a lot of choices for a light lunch or dinner, or mid-afternoon snack. crepes $6-8, a full lunch $8-15.
Taki's Taverna
Another Greek Taverna with long lines. A good overflow alternative to Stepho's down the block.
Maria's Taverna
1037 denman st, +1 604 681-8500. delicious greek food, including a vegetarian souvlaki platter. the seating spills out onto the sidewalk, which is a treat in warm weather. there's another maria's at 2324 w 4th ave in kitsilano.
Zakkushi
823 denman street, +1 604 685-1136. a small japanese restaurant that specializes in japanese skewered meats. it would be a good idea to make a reservation.
Top end
Le Gavroche
The romantic and intimate setting in an old Victorian house will heighten your senses and put you in the right mood for French cuisine with a West Coast twist. The beautiful view of the mountains is no less impressive than the great food and service you will get here. Be prepared to spend $70/person or more for a memorable experience.
Parkside
French with a touch of Pacific north-west. Some of the best food in Vancouver, in an intimate and pleasant setting.