Food Vancouver - Food Vancouver Select Guide: 20 Best French and Italian Restaurants

For lovers of French bistros and classic Italian cuisine, the Food Vancouver Select Guide just made things easier with its list of the 20 Best French and Italian restaurants.

Le Parisien is the new French restaurant located in the old Cafe de Paris location. After trying Le Parisien’s menu, your taste buds will be singing ‘I love Paris in the fall.’ After all Le Parisien is Vancouver’s own little corner of the Left Bank in the West End.

Yet another neighborhood bistro in friendly Kitsilano, The Smoking Dog offers a heated outdoor patio where you can sample classic French Onion Soup and Steak Frites. The menu offers a wide variety of options from appetizers to entrees and welcomes families. It’s only 5 minutes from Kits Beach.

Located on Robson street, Hermitage serves fine French cuisine in an inviting atmosphere.

Located across Waterfront park overlooking the Vancouver harbor, this restaurant has been serving locals and visitors the best traditional french fare in the city.

Impeccable, yet without fuss or pretense, Le Crocodile combines French tradition with a West Coast style. For 25 years it has been one of Vancouver’s best-known French restaurants.

Located in the cozy neighborhood of Point Grey, restaurant Provence has accumulated a large local fan base. The restaurant won Gold for Best Bistro in the 2002 Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards. Provence shares a love of French/Italian cuisine in a comfortable setting.

Another delightful neighborhood bistro, Pied-à-Terre has just 30 seats but the simplicity of the setting belies the crisp white walls accented by black leather chairs. The menu is classically inspired French and offers both à la carte selections and a traditional three-course table d’hôte served with red, white or rosé wine.

Located in West Vancouver and run by the Alain and Brigitte Raye team. Expect award winning french cuisine.

Located at 2153 West 4th Avenue in west-side Kitsilano . Try their Steak Tartare and Steak Frites. Faithful fans say it’s like dining in Paris without actually having to be there! Pastis features French, French Bistro and French Nouveau cuisines.

Located in a not so chic section of East Vancouver [hence the name], Les Faux Bourgeois is becoming a popular French spot in a working-class neighborhood. But don’t be fooled by the location. The traditional bistro setting - both cosy and casual - showcases well-prepared classic French dishes at extremely affordable prices.

Located in the friendly neighborhood of Kits on West 4th avenue, Trattoria is a casual, family-style restaurant specializing in typical trattoria-style Italian food. The warm open room with its wrap-around wine wall makes for friendly gatherings while the white marble bar is a great hang-out for that pre-dinner drink.

Situated in bustling downtown Vancouver, Italian Kitchen is a combination of old-world charm and modern atmosphere. The menu features simple yet delicious Italian food from all regions of Italy. This celebrated restaurant is great for family and group gatherings giving you an opportunity to sample a variety of dishes.

Note the address: 1154 Robson Street. After a day of heady retail therapy check out CinCin for its incredible Tuscan ambiance, great food and equally great service. CinCin is noted for masterful creations including incredible Italian dishes like the Dungeness Crab risotto and the free-range chicken fired in the wood-oven - made with the freshest local ingredients. The wine bar is an excellent hangout to meet friends and share a bottle of wine and a tasty appetizer.

Another favorite downtown Vancouver hangout at 1129 Hamilton Street, Cioppino’s Enoteca always comes in among the top Italian Restaurants. The homemade pasta and the accompaniments as well as the meat entrees are authentically Italian in taste and presentation.

From the creators of Fuel Restaurant expect the same high level of food and service at Campagnolo.

L’Altro Buca is situated in Vancouver’s beautiful west end (1906 Haro St) and is owned and operated by the chef and business partner team of Andrey Durbach and Chris Stewart. The menu uses traditional and rustic Italian cuisine as its inspiration. A lush outdoor patio makes for that original al fresco feeling on warm summer evenings.

This is owner/chef Umberto Menghi’s gift to Vancouver – authentic Tuscan cooking, the best Italian wines and pasta and seafood dishes that taste as if they just came out of a real Tuscan kitchen. Loads of charm, romance and the old-world Italian home feeling enhance the ambiance. Try the classic osso bucco and saffron risotto – delizioso!

Located at 900 Seymour Street in downtown Vancouver, the Italian creations focus on same-day, fresh local ingredients. Chef Neil Taylor’s culinary creations are rich and decadent yet light and tasty. Cibo offers a good wine selection and great service to make your dining experience a rewarding one.

After a hectic day in delightful Gastown tourists stop off at their favorite neighborhood Italian ristorante at 321 Water St. Al Porto specializes in typical Italian cuisine including seafood creations. Try the wood-fired pizzas with your favorite pitcher of wine for a real Tuscan feeling.

Adesso means now in Italian. Now as in current and Now as in modern. We base all of our dishes on traditional Ligurian sea and modernize them for today's tastes and sensibilities.

Articles on Food Vancouver:

Vancouver's best-kept restaurant secrets

Food Vancouver Select Guide: 20 Best French and Italian Restaurants