10 Restaurants You Should Try Before The Honda Celebration of Light
The Honda Celebration returns to English Bay on July 19, July 23 and July 26. Looking for a restaurant to try before watching the fireworks? We’ve got you covered. See below a list of 10 West End restaurants you should try!
1. España (1118 Denman Street)
A cozy Spanish tapas bar perfect for sharing. Get the paella and a few tapas—chorizo, patatas bravas—with a bottle of wine. Warm, communal vibe makes it a great kickoff to your evening.
2. Kingyo Izakaya (871 Denman Street)
A polished Japanese-style izakaya known for small plates and great drinks. Highlights include stone-grilled Kobe beef, Kani Meshi rice bowl with crab and ikura, deep-fried corn, sashimi salad, and a cozy bar atmosphere.
3. Peaked Pies (975 Denman Street)
Tastefully Australian, this spot offers hearty meat pies “peaked” with mashed potatoes, mushy peas, and gravy. Try the lentil or adventurous kangaroo varieties. A comforting, filling grab-and-go.
4. Tom Sushi (1175 Davie Street)
A local favorite for fresh, affordable sushi. Try the prawn & yam tempura, spicy gyoza, soft-shell crab, or specialty donburi like Salmon Amaebi Zuke or Bluefin.
5. Kinara Indian (1326 Davie Street)
Great-value Indian cuisine for a solid curry fix. Popular meal-for-two comes with starter, curries, naan, rice, and dessert for around $50—plenty of leftovers for later.
6. Davie Dosa Company (1235 Davie Street)
A vegetarian-friendly South Indian spot with crispy dosas and flavorful lentil dishes. Try the rasam soup and gooey cheesy garlic dosa with a refreshing rasam starter.
7. Nook (867 Denman Street)
A lively Italian trattoria with crowd-pleasing pastas and pizzas. Standouts are the Orecchiette with sausage and rapini. Leave room for creamy panna cotta or tiramisu.
8. Taquería Jalisco Mexican Restaurant (1180 Denman Street #201)
Taquería Jalisco brings the bold flavours of Mexico to life with eye-catching dishes like birria tacos, quesabirria, and their signature birria pizza.
9. Gurkha Himalayan Kitchen (1141 Davie Street)
A cozy Nepalese-Himalayan eatery lauded for generous portions and unique flavors. Crowd favorite momos and dal bhat offer comforting, diverse vegetarian options.
10. Fountainhead Pub (1025 Davie Street)
A West End landmark gay pub with one of Davie’s largest patios. Great microbrews, relaxed vibe, and elevated pub-grub—perfect for post-meal drinks or social hangouts.