The holiday season is a fantastic time not only for all the festive vibes, but also because of all the amazing food that’s available. From seasonal menus to cozy hot spots, we’ve listed all the must-visit restaurants that you have to try before the holidays are over.
Feeling hungry? Don’t worry– you’ll have all your cravings satisfied by the end of this guide.
7 Must-Visit Restaurants This Holiday Season
Pasta Lupino
A local favourite and simultaneously a hidden gem, Pasta Lupino is one of Whistler’s best-kept secrets. Warm hospitality meets handmade pasta at this cozy Italian-inspired restaurant, where everything is prepared in-house and made to order. It’s Italy meets the West Coast, decorated in plenty of comforting flavours that’ll make you feel like you’re home for the holidays.
Think hand-rolled meatballs, hand-breaded chicken parm, and pasta, sauces, dressings and soups made from scratch. That’s what Pasta Lupino is all about. It’s a spot great for a relaxed dinner, a quick lunch, and even take-out– it’s all made fresh and daily, with a focus on high-quality food. Each meal comes with freshly baked focaccia bread, and the evening dinner service includes a starter of your choice including freshly prepared salads or soups. They also have an Italian grocery to-go section where you can grab all your favourites!
This season, indulge in their exclusive winter burrata, dreamed up and perfected by their in-house chef Joss. You can taste the season with its mulled apples and cranberries crowned with creamy burrata, finished with a golden prosciutto crisp and housemade crispy crostinis. And, of course, they also have plenty of pastas, salads, and soups available on their regular menu, all amazing for the chilly days ahead.
Bask in the holidays while you enjoy one of Whistler’s finest spots for all things pasta and comfort. You’ll be able to taste the love for Christmas in every bite you take! You can find Pasta Lupino at #121, 4368 Main St, Whistler.
Nuba
For some feel-good food, you’ll definitely want to head to Nuba. A Lebanese taverna capturing the spirit of Beirut in the 1960s, this restaurant celebrates authentic Lebanese cuisine, rooted in tradition yet in rhythm with modern times. At Nuba, you’ll only get the freshest and most impeccable ingredients, all fashioned into dishes that are authentic and harmonious.
Their recipes have been passed down through several generations, so every bite is a piece of history. Of course, the dishes have evolved over the years, but the cornerstones remain the same as tradition and contemporary influences join together at Nuba. All the food is made to order, and all the meat is halal, non-medicated, and completely hormone free. Eating at Nuba is always fresh, and always healthy.
This winter, why not celebrate the holidays at Nuba by booking one of their three event rooms? They’re great for get-togethers and parties, seating anywhere from a max of 18 to 58 guests, depending on the space. Here’s a quick breakdown of the rooms:
- The Courtyard (Main Floor)
-
- Semi-private, glass ceiling, Lebanese-village vibe
- Seats up to 23 guests
- The Theatre (Second Floor – Taverna)
-
- Fully private (half or full room)
- Seats 25–58 guests
- Add The Loft (private bar) to host up to 90 guests
- The Den (Third Floor)
-
- Fully private, cozy, fairy lights + fireplace
- Seats up to 18 guests
You can find Nuba located in Gastown, Mount Pleasant, Kitsilano, and Yaletown. But for the event spaces, you’ll want to head to their Kitsilano location at 3116 W Broadway, Vancouver. Check out their website to dive into their menu, and make sure to follow them on Instagram to stay up to date with the latest.
Pizzeria Spacca Napoli
Authentic, fresh, and traditional, Pizzeria Spacca Napoli wasn’t voted Canada’s Best Neapolitan Pizzeria for no reason. With plenty of accolades under their belt, this is one restaurant that’s bringing Port Moody’s pizza scene into the spotlight it deserves. Quality and authenticity is the name of the game here, and something that Pizzeria Spacca Napoli completely nails.
Each pizza is treated like a work of art at Pizzeria Spacca Napoli. They’re made with passion and skill by the restaurant’s pizzaioli, bringing a rich tradition to each dish. With DOP extra virgin olive oil, San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte mozzarella, and a 48-hour fermented dough, these pizzas are out of this world delicious. Served with imported scissors, you’ll want to slice, fold, and savour these flavours.
Pizza is great no matter what time of the year it is, but there’s something special about sharing a dish with friends and family. The holidays are all about being together, so why not try one of Pizzeria Spacca Napoli’s many pies? They also have antipasti, salads, and plenty of pasta for those who want a serving of pure comfort on a plate.
No matter what you’re craving, this is one restaurant that has it all– and then some! For a fresh, award-winning pizza experience, Pizzeria Spacca Napoli is where it’s at. You can find them at 2801 St Johns St, Port Moody.
Hungry Zus
Feast like a god– that’s what Hungry Zus wants you to do at their Mediterranean restaurant serving up nothing but the freshest of bowls and pitas. Expect vibrant flavours and a fast, casual dining experience that brings together all the best parts of culinary artistry, convenience, and cultural connection.
At Hungry Zus, it’s all about you. You can build your own pita wrap, your own grain & salad bowl, or you can get one of their signature dishes. But no matter what you choose, you’ll always be getting the freshest ingredients, sourced sustainably and locally when possible. You won’t just be eating good– you’ll be eating consciously.
For a rich and diverse eating experience, Hungry Zus is a fantastic choice. Flavour and health work hand-in-hand here, never compromising taste for nutrition, and vice-versa. You can find Hungry Zus at 433 Granville St, Vancouver.
Dae Bak Bon Ga
The weather might be cold, but the grill at Dae Bak Bon Ga sure isn’t! This holiday season, this is going to be your go-to Korean BBQ spot, where the heat hasn’t stopped for over 15 years. It’s some of the best Korean food in the city, and always served with classic Korean sides that will satisfy all your spicy (and not-so-spicy) cravings.
Dae Bak Bon Ga offers more than just meat, but instead a journey through some of Korea’s favourite flavours. From braised pork belly to beef bulgogi, these traditional dishes are here to warm your heart with plenty of comforting tastes that have delighted Vancouver for a long time.
The restaurant also offers all-you-can-eat BBQ, as well as private rooms for private karaoke fun! Dae Bak Bon Ga truly has it all, entertainment and food wrapped in one amazing package. They’re located in Robson Plaza at 1323 Robson St, #201, Vancouver.
Marcello Ristorante
For over 20 years, Marcello has been sharing his joy of Southern Italian cooking to Marcello Ristorante. This Vancouver staple brings the flavours of old Italy straight to the West Coast, inviting guests to embark on a journey of traditional dishes that have been passed down through generations.
Marcello is an especially great place for the holidays, with a menu packed with Italian classics that will transport you straight to the beautiful, crystal blue waters of the country’s coast. Whether you want pasta, pizza, and even wood-burning oven specialties, you’ll be able to have it here.
There truly isn’t anything like a nice plate of pasta on a cold winter’s day. And with all the influences of Marcello’s love of cooking, you won’t ever have to worry about the Vancouver weather when it feels like you’re in Italy. You can find Marcello Ristorante located at 1404 Commercial Dr, Vancouver.
Yunqueen Rice Noodles
With the cold weather comes the desire to have a big bowl of soup, and what better place to do that than at Yunqueen Rice Noodles? Serving up nostalgic noodle soups all the way from Yunnan, this restaurant is one of those spots that feels like stepping into a warm home.
Yunqueen has a big focus on everything being made fresh and daily, with all of their broths being simmered each morning. They come in three distinct types, ranging from the aromatic to the full-bodied, all meant to enrich the soul. And in that steaming broth are the silky rice noodles, thinly-sliced meats, and fresh vegetables. An array of toppings are then sprinkled on top, making a meal that’s rooted in tradition and also personalized to your liking.
Vancouver is known for its amazing Asian cuisine, and Yunqueen Rice Noodles is absolutely no exception. It’s a memory in a bowl, packed with flavour and sensations that will make you remember all those cozy times during the holidays. You can find them in Landmark On Robson at 1460 Robson St., Vancouver.
Goodbowl
If you’re trying to eat clean without giving up flavour (or your entire lunch break), Goodbowl in Richmond might just be your new go-to. This fast-casual spot is serving up customizable bowls stacked with quality ingredients, feel-good energy, and zero guilt.
Tucked into the Central at Garden City plaza (across Walmart), Goodbowl lets you build your own rice or noodle bowl with protein options like AAA Certified Angus beef, Atlantic salmon, Sakura pork, and free-range chicken. You can also add eggs to your order for extra protein. Everything is grilled fresh in front of you on a teppanyaki-style flat top, so you’re getting a hot, made-to-order meal in under 10 minutes.
And then there’s the smoothie menu, which skips the usual sugary fillers in favour of real ingredients. The twist? Goodbowl uses freshly squeezed juice as the liquid base in all of its smoothies—a rare move that delivers both flavour and nutrition in every sip. You can find Goodbowl and their deliciously healthy bowls (and drinks) at 4791 McClelland Rd #1630, Richmond.
