Kingyo is a quintessential Vancouver experience and one of the first places we recommend going to if you’ve just arrived. This creative Japanese small plates spot is perfect after walking along the seawall surrounding nearby Stanley Park (a forest surrounded by beautiful beaches) and being yelled at by rollerbladers for walking on the bike path. Some of the best dishes on the menu are the kobe beef that arrives with its own mini tongs and hot stone, deep fried blue cheese-stuffed lotus root, and tuna tataki. It’s pretty reasonable price-wise considering the quality of food you get, which a lot of people already know, so we recommend reserving a table ahead of time.