Wow-worthy Vancouver restaurant interiors
They say you first eat with your eyes. But it’s not just the food on your plate that offers an initial impression of a restaurant. The design can have just as strong an influence on how you enjoy your evening out. These stunning dining rooms will make digging in all the more luxurious.
Aburi Restaurant
1118 Mainland St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2T9It’s not just the sushi that will have you exclaiming about the beauty of this Yaletown restaurant. Shiny wood floors, elegant, grey upholstered stools, electric blue bucket seats swivelling on chrome bases, gorgeous orchid arrangements — all carefully chosen elements that accentuate the stunning murals by Hideki Kimura. His stylised lobsters, koi, lily pads and flowers add flair to an otherwise minimalist décor. A meal at Minami is like stepping into an underwater fantasy world where the food happens to be top notch.
Hawksworth Restaurant
750-669 Howe St, Vancouver, BC V6C 0B4Restoring all the glamour of the original 1920s Hotel Georgia during its multiyear renovation extended to the design of its restaurant, Hawksworth. With famed Vancouver chef David Hawksworth at the helm and Munge & Leung spearheading the interior design, the dining room is the epitome of early 20th century class and opulence while using contemporary technology and design principles for our 21st century comfort. The wine shelf offering glimpses into the kitchen and the impressive oval-shaped glass chandelier are the standout elements.
Botanist
1038 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 0B9Climb the stairs past the stunning white-marble lobby lounge of the Pacific Rim Hotel and enter the window-clad dining room of Oru — all clean lines and pale birch wood with hits of grey and orange. Through the large open kitchen catch the chefs at work preparing outstanding food from the Pacific Northwest and glance upwards to the white light fixture that appears to be a room-length panel of crumpled paper. This place will inspire awe in locals and visitors alike.
Black+Blue
1032 Alberni St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1A3There’s no denying what’s on the menu at this award-winning restaurant downtown. Designed around a massive meat locker behind the funkily lit bar, the huge dining room harkens back to the golden age of steak houses. Intimate, individual booths and banquettes line the walls, while seating around the bar affords a lofty view of the second floor dining area. Even further up is their rooftop lounge with a retractable roof and couches covered in zebra-print cushions. This is high-drama dining and well worth a visit.
My Twitter
