50 Best Japanese Restaurants in Vancouver

“Kissa Tanto is everything the hype suggests it is.

My wife and I decided to focus on the seafood offerings for the evening, and that decision was rewarded from the very first course.

Every dish demonstrated exceptional restraint, balance and confidence. The seafood remained the hero throughout, while each accompanying ingredient added thoughtful layers of flavour, texture and contrast without ever competing for attention.

The oysters were beautifully presented with elegant, well-balanced mignonettes that complemented rather than overwhelmed their natural brine. The octopus salad was outstanding—layer upon layer of vegetables, textures and flavours, each contributing something distinct while coming together as a remarkably cohesive dish. The charcoal udon carried that same sense of balance and depth, and the fish of the moment (halibut) was cooked perfectly, allowing the quality of the fish to speak for itself.

Exceptional food, a warm and inviting atmosphere, and polished, attentive service made for a memorable evening. More than anything, we appreciated the respect shown not only to the seafood, but to every ingredient on the plate. Each component had a purpose, contributing to the whole without ever overshadowing the star of the dish. It’s precisely that level of confidence and restraint that encourages us to return and explore the rest of the menu.“

“Absolutely wonderful sushi. The service, too, was excellent…not to mention the presentation. It’s a small place in East Vancouver, but worth the journey we made from deep in West Vancouver. If you’re not highly knowledgeable about all things sushi I suggest looking up the menu before you go. Familiarize yourself with it, and what you might order. The sashimi portions were on point. Tunas, of all cuts, were fresh and of the best quality. I only wish they had sockeye, otherwise I was 5 star satisfied.“

“Service and atmosphere were excellent.

The food itself is just alright. Definitely novel as it is a fusion restaurant but when you’re paying this much for food, you expect to be impressed. Wouldn’t come back for the food alone.

I’ll leave specifics out in the interest of not boring people but if you’re specifically interested in food this place can be skipped. Definitely good food but not justifiable in comparison to other restaurants in Metro Vancouver“

“Had an extraordinary lunch here. Most of the fish is flown in from Japan, with some exceptions made for local delicacies such as the spot prawn with caviar nigiri (an absolute standout, in my opinion). Service was seamless and efficient but also very personal. The flavours and presentation were so thoughtly pieced together, and the overall atmosphere of the restaurant (layout, lighting, and smells!) was immaculate. I can't wait to come back for dinner, which I hear is a little more theatrical--in a good way, of course!

Lunch: 15 pieces, $180“

“Great spot to enjoy both Korean and Japanese food in one place! The absolute highlight was the Tuna Kimbap unlike typical tuna kimbap made with canned tuna, this one uses fresh raw tuna with crab meat and sesame oil. It was super unique and delicious! The Lunch Sashimi Bento was very neat and fresh as well. Staff were super friendly too. Highly recommended!“

“amazingly delicious food (get the hokkaido scallop sashimi, chicken karaage, edamame, and uni handroll), fantastic friendly and thoughtful people, phenomenal music, great vibes, my new favourite place for sure. I've been twice in the last week!“

“Wonderful, attentive, and friendly service. The portions are perfectly sized. Not too much but not too little. Pricing, while note cheap, is extremely reasonable for the quality of the food that you're getting. A wonderful gem hidden in Kits. I highly recommend this to anyone. My bet is that you'll be left wanting to come back again.“

“We ordered some food for the Mother's day family get together, the service was fantastic, the order was ready on time, every single item was so delicious! Extreme good quality, a lot of varieties to choose from, excellent service, would highly recommend.“

“Recommended here by one of our Nurse friends, so we dropped by for an early lunch today w/ my 2 coworkers. Sooo yummy! First impression? Delish!!! huge servings & the use of fluffy brown rice was the determining factor of the meal NOT being gastro-heavy! Very nice presentation! Good size servings! Will definitely return on another lunchbreak! yummmmmy!“

“Vancouver native here and I've eaten at almost every sushi place in the city. This is a place for real sushi lovers...hands down the best sushi in Vancouver and it's not even close. The fish is the freshest of anywhere I've been, fish to rice ratio is perfect, the don marinades are out of control amazing, the fresh nigiri list is excellent, they ONLY have wild salmon, the miso soup is fantastic (and the seafood option is wonderful.) They don't hide the quality of their fish behind heavy sauces or deep fried toppings, they let the fish shine in the best way possible. Heads up, most items are raw but a few are cooked. The environment is simple, this place is about the food not the flash.

If you value fresh, high quality fish and seafood, amazing rice, fantastic flavours and extreme excellence in your sushi, this place is for you. If you prefer sushi that is smothered in heavy sauces with tempura and deep fried ingredients, if you prefer farmed salmon and teriyaki rolls, then I'd recommend one of the many other sushi restaurants in the city that are borderline identical to each other.

There are so many times I've gone to other sushi places that are fancier but so often the sushi just...disappoints. I've been eating at Kaide for 20 years and they always hit it out of the park. It's truly something special and I hope it never ever goes away.“

“Excellent Japanese fried chicken restaurant, with karaage, Katsu, and other options. Teishoku set meal is a good value.

If you miss the feeling of being in a teishoku restaurant in Japan, you will feel right at home here.“

“This restaurant is definitely going to become one of my regular go-to restaurants.

I’m a new immigrant, and my mom owns a Japanese restaurant back in my hometown. The flavors here taste exactly like the food she makes at her restaurant. It honestly feels like a little taste of home.“

“We had such a wonderful experience on March 17, 2026 at Miku Japanese Restaurant at River Rock Hotel. From the moment we arrived, the service was truly top-notch—the staff went above and beyond to accommodate our needs and made us feel genuinely cared for. What really stood out was their thoughtfulness and attentiveness. As soon as they noticed that one of our friends was wearing a veil and the rest of us had our Team Bride sashes on, they kindly arranged a private dining room for us. It made the celebration feel even more special and intimate. The ambience was also fantastic—cool, relaxing, and enhanced by a great selection of music. The warm, Japanese-style décor added a beautiful and authentic touch to the overall dining experience. We also appreciated the complimentary non-alcoholic drinks, especially since we had decided not to drink before going swimming. It was such a considerate gesture that didn’t go unnoticed. And of course, the food was amazing—every dish was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. Overall, it was an unforgettable experience with exceptional service, thoughtful touches, and incredible food. Highly recommended for special occasions!“

“The reviews say it all. This is one of the best sushi I've had in a long time. I've been to 100+ sushi restaurants and have visited Japan. The quality of fish was amazing, and attention to the ingredients like rice and nori are what you'd see it very high end restaurant. Had a sushi platter and I would have ordered another if I wasn't full. It's a small simple place but the food is awesome.“

“Check out Itamae Tomoko at their Brentwood location. The food and service are impressive. I'm waiting to write a review of their Burnaby restaurant.“

“Just had a solid yakiniku session at Homura Yakiniku and it hit the spot.
The set came with a nice spread: rib finger, flank, and pork belly, all neatly arranged and ready for the grill. The meats looked fresh and well-marbled — especially the pork belly with those clean fat layers. Accompanied by a bowl of steamed rice, a crisp salad with fried wonton chips, pickled cucumber, daikon, minced garlic, and a classic miso soup on the side.
Everything was well-portioned and the presentation was clean. The quality of the cuts felt good for the price, and the usual yakiniku sides rounded it out nicely. Nothing overly fancy, just straightforward and satisfying grilled meat done right.
Would happily come back for another round.“

“Yummy good, 服務態度非常好“

“We’ve tried a lot of sushi places, and this one is definitely the best! The sushi is always fresh and delicious, the staff are friendly, and the whole experience is wonderful. It’s our favorite spot to go with the kids, and we always look forward to coming back. Highly recommend!“

“The sushi here and the way it is presented is second to none! Perfect for a date lunch or dinner and the patio is outstanding as we head into fall. Beautifully crafted cocktails round out an all round amazing experience. W have returned several times and have never been disappointed:)“

“One day you will eat at Pizza Coming Soon“

“Local Japanese owned shop. Service was fast. Small menu, but good soba.

Onigiri was made fresh. Lots of filling and well seasoned.

Fried tempura was a bit hard. Would try a different side for the cold soba next time.

Very reasonable pricing for a good lunch meal.“

“It is a very nice restaurant. Nice vibe and service. The food was decent, nice but the fried chicken was different than your regular. The food is pricey and the space is quite packed, so I wouldn’t recommend large group. Parking can be hard to find, also normally pay parking, you’d be lucky to find free parking. Servers are quite busy, walking about to help others. The sushi was very flavourful and I wouldn’t say recommend trying one. Overall, it is expensive for what you get, but I still think it’s a nice restaurant.“

“By and far the best rainbow roll I've had in BC, and evertine I've ordered toro nigiri the cuts of tuna belly I've received have been phenomenal (a very generous and rich melt in your mouth cut of fish). They are also the only sushi restaurant I've been to where they put the sauces for takoyaki seperately when you prder take out so it doesn't get soggy, makes a huge difference.

Very friendly staff and even though I haven't dined-in the decor and atmosphere looks very nice. Cozy vibe.“

“We traveled from Washington, DC and came here on our last day after seeing on the internet that this was the best sushi in Vancouver. Our expectations were exceeded with the quality and taste. The sushi chef is also the owner and you can tell he is experienced and knowledgeable. We will definitely come back in the future!“

“The freshest sushi I’ve encountered lately. I strongly suggest the negi kanpa Hama—it’s flavorful and everyone is ordering it. Although omurice isn’t typical for a sushi spot, their version is quite refined; I recommend trying it. The space is generous, making it well suited for conversation and couples. Portions are somewhat modest. It sits between fine dining and great value.“

“I rarely leave reviews, but as a huge lover of Japanese cuisine, I couldn't skip this one.
In terms of quality, the food here easily stands shoulder-to-shoulder with high-end spots like Miku or the Fairmont, but at a fraction of the cost. It’s unfair to compare this place to your typical neighborhood sushi joint—the culinary experience here is in a completely different league.
I genuinely hope they keep serving this level of delicious, diverse food and fine wine at these incredible prices for a long time. I’ll definitely be coming back regularly!“

“Delivery or eating here both always good
They have great selection of onigiri and rice bowls too
As well as curry

Great curry and ofc delicious rice esp for the price

My go to for a fast meal“

“Great food and great ambience.“

“Good food and amazing service!“

“One of the very best Japanese restaurants in the city. Reasonable prices and home style Japanese food. Worth the wait. Come early.“

“Great food with fresh fish! Highly recommended.“

“I dine here at least 3 times a week as I’m close to here everyday. Friendly, super fast service and always there to answer questions about food/allergens. One of the best poke/ramen places in downtown Vancouver“

“This is my absolute favourite ramen restaurant in the city! The miso ramen is my favourite, it’s so flavourful, and the chasu pork is cooked perfectly. They also had no problem removing the black fungus for me. The service is also good and the music is fun too! They even have ice cream on the house to boot! Would definitely recommend this place, so underrated!“

“Used to work around the corner here & it’s my favourite sushi in Vancouver!

Tasty, affordable, staff are always super friendly/lovely - I would get takeout & it always came in good time.

One of my favourite underrated spots - would probably go once a week for around a year & never disappointed

Always recommend - I was sad when I got a new job all the way in North Vancouver as it’s my favourite spot!!“

“Bespoke & Sushi was a fantastic dining experience! They offer a great variety of food options, making it easy for everyone to find something they enjoy, regardless of their appetite. The food was delicious and fresh. The environment was cozy, welcoming, and perfect for a relaxing meal. The combination of excellent food and a warm atmosphere made for an enjoyable experience from start to finish. I would definitely recommend Bespoke & Sushi and look forward to returning!“

“I was thrilled to be able to secure a last minute reservation to try this restaurant I'd been wanting to try forever. I was so glad I did and took my date for the dinner omakase. The restaurant is small. The seating bar is just across from the kitchen. The place is neat and clean and that's about it, very unassuming. But I like it as such so that's it's more about the fresh fish and the food. The quality of the food, it's like the Costco of omakase in Vancouver. Best value I could have so far at a reasonable price point. Service was very good with pace and sequence of food nicely deliberated. If anything at all, maybe they could upgrade the lighting to be dimmable, ambient lights. But nothing else to change, please keep it as the hidden gem it is right now“

“I had the spider roll, and was extremely happy with them. They were well made, didn’t fall apart, and had a wonderful balance of snow crab and avocado. The pricing is very reasonable for the quality of food and service. Give it a try!“

“This is my favourite sushi restaurant in Kits. Fresh, delicious sushi. Friendly staff. You can see the care and attention that goes into their rolls.
I usually get the spicy combo. You get 24 pieces of sushi for 16.95. Honestly it’s so good. The portion size and quality of the food I don’t know how ye guys do it.
10/10 if you’re in the area you have to try.“

“wonderful atmosphere, very polite and kind staffing, wonderful food, awesome song selection for Kareoke. Definitely coming back tomorrow for more!“

“Best Udon in Vancouver hands down. Been hearing a lot about the place and definitely lived up to expectations. Line was not too long despite being a weekend. Great service and friendly staff!

Tried the ume shisho udon and the noodles were chewy and tasty. Tempura egg was perfect too. Can't wait to try all the other options too.“

“I wouldn’t call it a traditional Japanese omakase setting but we really enjoyed it. The restaurant seemed to be a izakaya place in the past and converted to a chef’s counter omakase experience. Chef Tom and his wife are very sweet and accommodating. The courses included a couple of appetizers, various sashimi and nigiri, ended with an uni pasta.

Personally I would prefer something lighter for desert that goes better with the sashimi - the cheese cake was delicious but a bit too rich at the end. Also for some reason I thought the sake would be served with different courses but they came upfront so I was bit confused about which drink goes better with which course.“

“A lot of the time, the restaurant is only as good as the server. Hapa is a superior restaurant and my server was Shione! She recommended the Chipotle. I went with that and it was real tasty! How a server interacts with the customer is the most important part of the experience. She reacted as though she was rewarding me for going out to enjoy my food. Her mannerisms told me that my presence was important instead of someone who was just making her work. Thank you!🙂“

“We visited Akira one evening after a walk around English Bay. It was our first time and we walked in and ordered a takeaway to eat on the beach. We had the chicken teriyaki box and a roll combo which included miso soup, california and dynamite rolls (pictured). It was incredibly nice and fast service, they offered us tea while we waited. We took our food to the beach and it was so fresh and absolutely delicious, we immediately knew we’d be returning to order from them again. Inside the restaurant is a very cool design on the walls with pictures covering it from floor to ceiling and a large window in the front facing the busy street, ideal for people-watching. This place offers very good quality food at a great price and we look forward to returning.“

“Different kind of breakfast, reasonable price.“

“It was an amazing restaurant close to the water and nice for a really nice evening walk at the sea wall. Food was delicious and good.“

“The Hire Katsu was so tasty and tender, very friendly staff too.“

“Novamente no Osuchi, e repetimos a experiência e expressamos o bom atendimento com Isabela Yui e Alek, que nos trataram com velhos amigos Sugerindo especialidades da casa , degustada com toda satisfação. Recomendo e voltarei, pois tenho uma estadia de 30 dias em Vancouver e voltarei muitas vezes, parabéns a equipe atenciosa.“

“Really enjoyed our experience at Sushi Jin 10/10. The fish was so fresh and everything we had was delicious! The food came out at the perfect time too, we never felt like we were waiting around. The chef was incredible and our waitress was so lovely and attentive. Just a really great experience all around, we’ll definitely be back. For all locals and visitors of Vancouver must try!“

“Reasonable prices and vast selection of food! It was very good and prepared quickly“

“Absolutely excellent sushi restaurant! 🍣
Everything was fresh and delicious, and the quality of the sushi was outstanding. The staff were very friendly and the service was excellent. We had a great dining experience and will definitely be coming back.

Highly recommended! 👍“