Restaurants with the Best Value in Vancouver

This family-run business serves vegetarian and vegan Vietnamese food. It's a local favorite because when it comes to taste, there's no shortage of delicious dishes to eat here. You may think that cooking Vietnamese food without fish sauce may be a challenge (and for many it is), but owner Maria and her mother have concocted an excellent substitute that doesn't substitute flavor. From fresh salad rolls to warm, comforting bowls of noodles and soup, the menu boasts plenty of healthful and satisfying options. Each dish speaks for itself, but the reasonable prices and large portions certainly sweeten the deal. Speaking of sweet, make sure to save room for their dessert. The chocolate peanut butter bar is ridiculously good. The coconut shake is also a must.

In the heart of Vancouver's Chinatown on East Pender Street is a gem that serves authentic barbecued meats and other tasty dishes made by chefs who are trained in traditional Chinese cooking styles and techniques. The menu's features options like BBQ pork, BBQ duck, curry beef brisket, and of course, more meaty offerings served with perfectly cooked rice. For vegetables, the gai lan with garlic oil is a must, and don't forget to order extra ginger scallion sauce. From the outside, an old-school storefront displays glistening meat that tempts. Inside of the newly updated space are pops of emerald green, reclaimed red chairs, black and white checkered flooring, and old photos that adorn the cream walls. All of this comes together to create a charming space for diners from all walks of life to come together to enjoy a fuss-free, affordable and delicious meal.

For the price point, this is on the higher end of our list, but hear us out. A beautiful room, plenty of ambiance, delicious food and cocktails are the hallmarks of a great date night and Nightingale checks all the boxes. This is the sister restaurant to Chef David Hawksworth's Hawksworth Restaurant, a high-end dining room at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia. Nightingale gives diners the opportunity to dine on Chef Hawksworth's dishes at a more affordable price point. The food menu's seasonally driven and quite extensive and dishes are best enjoyed shared. Start with creative salads and veggie dishes before moving on to house-made pasta, pizzas and meaty mains. There are plenty of vegetarian options, too. The cocktail menu serves up a selection of hand-crafted thirst quenchers and if it's beer or wine you're after, they've got you.

When it comes to cravings, MeeT in Gastown brings out the best of both worlds-comfort classics and healthy bowls. With a few locations around the city, this vegan restaurant is a local favorite. If you're feeling healthy, The Lovely bowl is heaving with ingredients that satisfy and nourish. It starts with a bed of brown rice and is topped with marinated tofu, wilted kale, roasted red pepper, broccoli, shredded carrot, toasted coconut bacon and almond satay sauce. Should that not be what you're in the mood for, check out their burgers. The Angry Burg is all kinds of delicious indulgence. They beer batter one of their burgers and toss it in a spicy buffalo sauce before stacking it onto a kaiser bun with guacamole, ranch dressing, lettuce and tomato. They also have a bunch of appetizers, salads and poutines to choose from. Be sure to save room for dessert!

People go to Phnom Penh because the food is good, the fact that it's reasonably priced and the portions are generous is an added bonus. If the line outside of Phnom Penh during peak lunch and dinner hours is any indication, locals (and visitors) love this Cambodian-Vietnamese restaurant. Head to Chinatown, grab a seat and order the deep fried chicken wings. Don't think. Just do it. The light and crispy batter keeps the wings juicy and the sauteed garlic and green onions add extra flavor. Dip them in the lemon and pepper sauce and we dare you to stop at just one. After a few bites, you'll understand the long lines. Other very popular dishes are the Luc lac beef and butter beef. The menu is large so it's really hard to choose what to order, but those three are a great place to start.

La Taqueria Pinche Taco Shop has long been a favorite spot to grab some tacos. Choose from fillings like de cachete (tender beef cheeks), carnitas (pork confit), pollo con mole (chicken in a mole sauce), pescado (fish), and the popular de lengua (beef tongue). There are also a number of vegetarian options and if you venture that way, you won't be disappointed. There are a few different homemade salsa options and some freshly pickled vegetables to add onto your taco that will add some welcome heat. To complete your meal, grab a horchata. It's creamy, without the dairy, slightly sweet, and has warm hints of cinnamon. It's very refreshing! At this original location, the seating is a bit limited, but people move through pretty quickly so you don't have to wait long for a seat. Their newer locations have larger menus and more seating.

Open for lunch, dinner and late-night snacks, Rangoli is Vij's more casual sister restaurant. Vij's is definitely worth a visit, but if you're looking to save a few bucks, check out Rangoli. Start your meal with one of their delicious samosas. With fillings like lamb, beef short rib, grilled kale and jackfruit, and potato and bell peppers-to name some-it's hard to pick just one. If you find yourself in this situation, order the flight of three. For mains, there are plenty of curries to choose from. The menu is packed with flavorful options that will suit both vegetarians and meat lovers. South Granville is known for it's charming boutiques and calming neighborhoods, making it a fabulous area of town to walk, shop, and enjoy the scenery before or after your meal.

Bandidas Taqueria is a Mexican-inspired restaurant in East Vancouver that's very reasonably priced. The menu is vegetarian but also favors vegan diets. With the use of nuts, tofu and beans, it's hard to miss the lack of meat. They're open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner so a healthy and satisfying meal can be enjoyed throughout the day. From tacos and burritos to nachos and enchiladas, you've got options. Added bonus? They make their corn tortillas in their kitchen. The atmosphere inside is based on being ethically sound, utilizing vintage furniture. Their reason for doing so is because of their devotion to the environment. Local wines and beers mingle with organic and free-range items to produce a socially responsible and healthy environment. They're also constantly looking at ways to give back to the community through fundraisers and aligning themselves with important causes. You can feel good eating here.

Nuba is one of Vancouver's favorite gems that has built a strong following that has helped pave the way for its expansion across the city. Nuba specializes in Middle Eastern dishes and everything from the hummus and baba ghanouj to the falafel and grilled meats are bursting with flavor. An added bonus? This Lebanese cuisine is quite healthful. Each item on the menu is very reasonably priced and made from quality, local and organic ingredients (where possible), making it a great value. The West Hastings restaurant is a very popular lunch location amongst the business district workers. Dinner is no exception and is always packed with people waiting to get their Lebanese fix from Nuba. Each of their locations is equally delicious so don't be shy to give any of the properties a shot.

Les Faux Bourgeois is a favorite among Vancouverites because the food is excellent, the atmosphere is warm, and the price is right. You don't have to spend a bundle to enjoy classic French cuisine in Vancouver, making this spot a perfect place to take a date. The dishes are ample in size and most mains are under $25. Some daily specials can be a bit more, but for the quality, service and ambiance, it's incredibly reasonable. The menu features traditional French dishes like canard confit, mussels in white wine, and coq au vin. Appetizers include escargots de Bourgogne, sweetbreads, country-style pork pate and other tasty options. The menu hasn't seen any major changes since opening and diners love that they know they can always count on their favorite dish being on the menu. Daily specials are offered for those looking for a change, or to try something new.