Guu

1698 Robson.
IZAKAYA

my favorite of the Guu's is Guu with Garlic on Robson . For izakaya, Guu Robson and Kingyo (on Denman) are at the top of my list. Favorites are the daikon salad, salmon carpaccio, pumpkin balls, and kim chi.

The other Guus (838 Thurlow and 375 Water Street) are great. At the Guu in Gastown, the spinach gomae is unbelievable.

http://www.guu-izakaya.com/

$ - $$

Nuba

LEBANESE

3 locations.  
Gastown:  207 West Hastings,

Just off Main st:  146 East 3rd.
and Kitsilano. 

For authentic Lebanese cuisine, hummus, baba ghanooj, taboulleh, lentils, roasted cauliflower, feta, olives, etc.

Turkish coffee with cardamom, perfecto.

http://nuba.ca/

$$

Habit Lounge

2610 Main Street. (next door to Cascade Room).

Great for dinner and drinks.

carrot & brie perogies, humous, beet salad ...

http://habitlounge.ca/intro.htm

$$

Cobre

52 Powell Street. gastown.

Nuevo Latino Cuisine.

ceviche, taqueria, boars belly ...

http://www.cobrerestaurant.com/main.html

$$-$$$

Bin 941

941 Davie St.

it's a very busy narrow restaurant, not good to go with more than two or three people.

great for tapas, wine. homous is amazing. risotto. crab cakes...

http://www.bin941.com/

$$-$$$

Modern Club

3446 Dunbar Street (at 18th)

(604) 739-0170‎

Japanese

tapas, bit of sushi.

$ - $$

Diamond

6 Powell Street.

nice room with big windows to look down on gastown. and the bartender knows how to make'em. faux dim sum menu.

http://di6mond.com/

$ - $$

Hapa Izakaya

1479 Robson St, and 1516 Yew St,

half izakaya. unique japanese appetizers.


http://www.hapaizakaya.com/

$$

Salt Tasting Room

45 Blood Alley.

Salt can be difficult to find: Blood Alley runs east-west, and Salt is located between Abbott Street and Carrall Street. You can't see it from the street -- you have to walk down the alley a ways until it becomes visible. (It's around the corner from Six Acres).

Salt is great for cheese plates, meats, wine, dessert ...
a cute narrow wood and brick room.

http://www.salttastingroom.com/