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    Bistro Sakana

    3.6 (149 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:30 PM

    Bistro Sakana Photos

    Business Info

    BISTRO SAKANA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Bistro Sakana

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    Chirashi don
    Kristie W.

    Decent food (sashimi, aburi), but not extraordinary enough to justify the higher price tag. Chirashi Don was good, but the octopus was undertenderized. The other pieces of sashimi were solid. The salmon aburi was fine, but not as flavourful or well-seared as at some of the finer aburi restaurants. The squid was melt in your mouth tender and delicious though. The beef aburi was so juicy, especially with the sweet glaze on top.

    I've had many amazing dinners here at Bistro Sakana, and it never disappoints! I'm from the San Francisco Bay Area, and whenever I am in Vancouver visiting family, this is a must have. Yama San was very accommodating and prepared lots of great sushi and other dishes. Everything was not only delicious, but beautiful to look at. I'm already looking forward to my next visit here!

    The Daily Specials at Bistro Sakana
    Daisy Y.

    Came here as a part of the Taste of Yaletown promo and was blown away. I don't know why this place doesn't have more 5 star reviews. The food was awesome - good portion sizes, and nice presentation. Can't remember which aburi sushi it was, but it was so soft and buttery that it just melted in our mouths. We also ordered a side of sashimi (I'm such a sucker for anything flown in from Japan) and got what the chef recommended. Good news, the chef did not lead us astray - the sashimi was very smooth and tender. Went very well with the accompanying ponzu sauce. And the Iberico pork? Tender and fatty. Two thumbs up for the awesome dessert - green tea mousse cake, but my friend loved the vanilla ice cream mochi better. The service was awesome, food came out at a good pace. I would definitely come back. They have a huge menu (...and a huge drink menu!) and daily specials including a pretty large selection that is "flown in fresh from Japan". (omg, be still, my tastebuds!) Nice cozy space with plenty of seating. Free wifi available.

    Hassun box
    Carmen H.

    DINE OUT 2021 Coming here felt like I took a trip back to Japan. The vibes were right, and the delicacy of the food really brought out the Japanese culture. The portions were decent, definitely on the smaller side, but the quality was definitely there. APPETIZER: seafood cocktail, smoked hamachi aburi, and salmon toro yuke. The seafood cocktail was probably our favourite. It was served in a shot glass with prawn, salmon, and scallop in a CREAMY tofu sauce. The sauce was so creamy, we didn't think it was tofu. ENTREE (1): a yaki hassun box that came with chawanmushi (Japanese egg custard), angus beef skewer, scallop and crab creamy gratin, and a crispy almond prawn. We loved the chawanmushi, it was smooth and delicate, with a savoury dashi taste. ENTREE (2): Mini chirashi don and 4 pieces of aburi. We found the aburi rice a little too hard; however, it still melted in my mouth. most importantly, it was nice and warm. DESSERT: This varies by day, but I got to try a four layer strawberry/lychee mousse. this was not heavy at all, which we really liked!! Covid Protocols: It's a very small restaurant, half of their seating is out on the patio with outdoor heaters. Tables were spread 2m apart with plexiglass dividers, and all the employees were wearing masks. ---------- PRICE 。$54.00 per person (dinner)

    Lunch set A
    Carolyn L.

    Decided to try this place instead of Minami. It is a world of difference - ambience, pricing, service, food. Service was so-so. I seated myself. Waited a while for the bill despite the sushi chef informing the wait staff a couple of times. The sushi chef paid more attention to the customers than the 3 wait staff on duty. The place was not even packed. I had the lunch box as it seemed to be what most were having. The sashimi was fresh but thinly sliced. Tempura was crispy without being oily. The rice was tasteless and hard (seemed overcooked). Somehow the meal was forgettable. You could have this combo anywhere in Vancouver. Probably not a place I will go to anytime soon when there are still so many restaurants for me to try in yaletown.

    Beef tataki  Chef Omakase special menu  Caterpillar roll
    Joanne Y.

    The ambience is very nice it's in Yaletown. The food is pretty good too, the Omakase chef special is very delightful. Presentation is great as well.

    Special of the day :)
    Gabriel Y.

    This Sushi bistro is amazing.. the menu you can find a lot of good options. If you were there before 6p.m. I suggest you choose one of the happy yours, because it's cheap and good selections for 1 person. The sashimi is really fresh, there are some options with fish from Japan. So you know what I'm meaning... There are some niguiri really good :) and the amazing rolls The creme brullet was amazing, perhaps the banana one, it was not so good :/ The place is so clean and nice with a cool patio. The service was really good and helpful..

    Derek Y.

    A true sign of a great meal is when we flip back through our pictures and the tastes and smells come rushing back into our minds. This was definitely the case here when we were invited to sample the sushi, Omakase style, at @bistrosakana! They did not hold back as they served us piece after piece of their fresh fish from their menu. There are several places in Vancouver that get their sushi from Japan, but this has to be the best we've had yet, with every piece being fresh, moist and delicious. Some standout pieces include their O-toro with Caviar, the Japanese Tiger Prawn, the Japanese Uni, and their crab meat sushi! We were extremely impressed by the quality of the fish offered and after this meal, Sakana Bistro has definitely became one of the top spots in town for us! If you have not had a chance to try this restaurant yet, definitely add it to your must-visit list.

    Chicken karaage
    Sylvia S.

    Came here as Minami was full with a wait. I had never been nor heard of bistro sakana but considering they had a happy hour on drinks (after 9pm) we decided to give it a try. Food: - the food was mediocre in my opinion - salmon oishi, satori sashimi (considered a must try) was flavourless ($30 for a measly 5-6 pieces) - pork belly was not bad - chicken karaage was ok - shrimp aburi (3 pieces for $15) was my favourite - happy hour drinks were just beer and gekkeikan sake and they said they don't have happy hour food Interior: - nice and heated covered patio - washroom is in separate establishment outside of resto - no wifi Service: - just ok - many of the items we wanted were not available including some alcoholic beverages (umeshu) Overall it wasn't that great but considering how busy Yaletown gets on a Saturday night it gave us a place to sit and eat quickly.

    Shirley Q.

    This pandemic has forced restaurants, who can, to only offer pick up or delivery. I love dining here and now I am forced to do delivery. I ordered a variety of tuna - hamachi, toro and blue fin. Delicious. Arrived well presented. It is pricey but you pay for quality. Another successful delivery for my end of week Sushi routine. Thank you?

    Baked Scallop

    Came here two times and both experiences were great. Food are amazing and fresh. Staff are very polite and responsive. Everything is reasonably priced.

    Crispy Ahi Tart with creamy truffle sauce, shiso, and arugula

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    2 years ago

    Went here for dine-out week, the food is just so-so. Too expensive compared to what you can get somewhere else.

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    3 years ago

    Hands down this is he beat sushi place in Yaletown. I've been coming here for 15 years and it never disappoints.

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    5 years ago

    Quality Japanese cuisine with reasonable price. I'm a regular when I'm in the area. Especially the chirashi! My favourite!

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    9 years ago

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    Page 1 of 4

    Bistro Sakana Reviews in Other Languages

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    Miku

    Miku

    4.4(2.6k reviews)
    1.4 kmDowntown
    $$$

    I've been to Miku several times, and today I finally decided to write a proper review. First, I…read morewant to praise the service. Every time I come, I can feel the professionalism and attentiveness of the staff. From seating to ordering, and then to the care during the meal, everything is done with great finesse, making me feel comfortable and at ease. The unique politeness and meticulousness of Japanese service are naturally reflected here. The food is also a reason I want to come back. Whether it's the freshness of the ingredients, the presentation, or the taste, you can feel the attention to detail. Japanese cuisine emphasizes the quality of the ingredients themselves, and Miku presents this refinement beautifully. Every dish is pleasing to the eye and has a layered flavor. I also love the ambiance. The overall design is simple, elegant, and has a very comfortable Japanese aesthetic. The lighting, seating, and spatial layout all create a relaxing atmosphere without feeling overly decorated; instead, they have a high-quality feel. As for the atmosphere, I think it's what makes this place so special. Elegant and quiet, yet not too formal, it's suitable for dates or enjoying a good meal with friends. Sitting there slowly eating and chatting makes the whole dining experience particularly comfortable. After several visits, I still feel that Miku is a restaurant worth returning to again and again. It's not just because of any one dish, but because the service, cuisine, environment, and atmosphere combine to create a very pleasant experience every time I come.

    Very good experience. Love to go again with my family every month . love the experienceread more

    Photos
    Miku - Inside the restaurant

    Inside the restaurant

    Miku - Spicy edamame (CAD $8)

    Spicy edamame (CAD $8)

    Miku - Little emperor (CAD $10) and Aka miso old fashioned (CAD $24)

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    Little emperor (CAD $10) and Aka miso old fashioned (CAD $24)

    Guu with Garlic - Fish carpaccio

    Guu with Garlic

    4.3(1.1k reviews)
    1.9 kmWest End
    $$

    Guu with Garlic has become one of my favorite Japanese restaurants in Vancouver. It's an energetic…read moreizakaya with a fun atmosphere without feeling over the top. One of the best parts is the ever-changing menu of daily specials alongside the regular menu, so there's always something new to try while still coming back to your favorites. This visit we ordered the shrimp garlic fried rice, Agedashi Nasu, Grilled Squid with Garlic Mayo, and an assortment of sashimi. The shrimp garlic fried rice is an absolute must every time. It's packed with flavor, perfectly seasoned, and somehow manages to be comforting without feeling too heavy. It is a large dish and can easily be shared by 3-4, depending on what else you order. We also love the Agedashi Nasu here with melt-in-your-mouth eggplant wrapped in a light, delicate coating that soaks up the savory broth. Service is always quick and organized, even when the restaurant is busy. Dishes arrive as they're ready, making it easy to share everything around the table, which is exactly how an izakaya experience should feel. If it's your first visit, don't skip the shrimp garlic fried rice, and make sure to check out the daily specials before ordering. They often feature seasonal dishes that aren't available on the regular menu and are well worth trying.

    Great ambiance for a night out with friends for drinks and small bites. I like ordering a few…read morethings for the table to share so we can try more of the items. It really depends on how many people you come with though because the dishes are on the smaller side so you might need to make 2 orders of a dish for sharing. Okonomiyaki, gyoza, sukiyaki and udon are usually my go-tos for sharing.

    Photos
    Guu with Garlic - Same decor as 20+yrs ago when this was our go-to place for drinks & snacks!!

    Same decor as 20+yrs ago when this was our go-to place for drinks & snacks!!

    Guu with Garlic - The delicious individual bite of their yellowfin tuna tempura

    The delicious individual bite of their yellowfin tuna tempura

    Guu with Garlic - Una-Meshi

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    Una-Meshi

    Tendon Kohaku - EBI TENDON

    Tendon Kohaku

    4.3(217 reviews)
    0.6 kmDowntown, Granville Entertainment District
    $$

    Very clean and zen restaurant when we went there early around 11am on a weekday for a quick bite…read morebefore heading to airport ; We had spicy beef udon, takoyaki and salmon handroll; they were all good; wish we had bigger appetite and longer stay to try more items on the menu ; Friendly service too :)

    As a Washington resident I did not know that the Vancouver Tendon Kohaku's menu was much smaller…read moreand the less formal vibe. I thought it was a nice change of scenery to be honest also I did miss some items I originally wanted and planned to try. There were some of the main dishes, like the bowls, and also mainly udon. The chicken karaage was extremely tender and fresh, you could tell because it was hot which was nice! The udon in both the curry and rose cream udon was very soft and tender as well, tender than what I usually have for udon. If you like your noodles al dante I don't think it'll quite fit your taste but I personally really enjoyed it! As for the taste the spicy rose cream udon tasted exactly like Buldak Ramen's Carbonara flavor, and everyone at my table agreed. The garlic bread was nice tho. To be completely honest staff and workers aren't very attentive, the restaurant wasn't full and I could see the workers standing around. Our table had to ask for water multiple times. Other than that however they're very kind.

    Photos
    Tendon Kohaku - Inside

    Inside

    Tendon Kohaku - Tiramisu

    Tiramisu

    Tendon Kohaku - Hokkaido milk tea

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    Hokkaido milk tea

    Okeya Kyujiro

    Okeya Kyujiro

    4.8(45 reviews)
    0.1 kmYaletown, Downtown

    I went here for a special occasion dinner. Reservations are highly recommended because they are…read morevery small - 12 diners per sitting and 2 sittings per night. I made reservations about 4 months in advance. Upon arrival, one of the hostesses opened the door for us, and asked us to wait in a very ornate waiting area. We only waited a couple of minutes before another hostess seated us at the main seating area. The space is very dark, and only lit with candles while the rest of the diners trickled in. During that time they take drink orders, which is limited to sake, wine, beer and a few non-alcoholic drinks. Of note, they don't provide a drink menu, so we were a little surprised by the cost - the yuzu sake and the plum wine were $30 each. My non-alcoholic drink was $12, but a fair size. The theatrical portion started a few minutes later than the official start time - closer to 6pm. The shades lifted, the lights turned on, and the chefs introduced themselves. And from that moment on, they immediately went to work preparing our meal. They operate like clockwork to show the ingredients whole to the diners, and then preparing them, and serving them. Soon as the one dish was completed by all the diners, the next round came shortly after. Over 20+ dishes, there was very little wait time in between each. Each time a dish was served, a hostess was there to describe the dish and provided tips on how best to eat it. The food was overall was very good. I thought a few items were very average, most of them were very good, and a select few were truly outstanding. Most of the ingredients are imported from Japan, so I would imagine that it's part of the reason it's so expensive. This is definitely a splurge meal. I think half the diners at our sitting was celebrating a birthday. On the most part, the food is very good, watching the chefs at work is part of the entertainment, and the service is excellent. It's not some place I could afford to go to often, but glad to do it at least this one time.

    Drove from seattle to make it to the lunch here - what a fantastic experience. Everything from The…read moreentrance to the end was ceremonial. You start in a small waiting room thoughtfully decorated with cultural touches before being welcomed into an intimate dining area that seats only about 12-14 people. The service was attentive and personal throughout. When it came to drinks, they first asked what we generally enjoyed rather than immediately pushing specific options. Once we narrowed it down to dry sake, our server kindly brought over several bottles and gave us a detailed explanation of each one before we made our choice. Lunch consisted of around 15 courses, with most served nigiri-style. Everything tasted incredibly fresh, and I loved the thoughtful combinations of flavors and textures throughout the progression. Each piece felt distinct without trying too hard to be complicated.The experience finished beautifully with ice cream and matcha--a simple, elegant ending to a memorable meal. Absolutely worth the drive from Seattle. This wasn't just lunch; the intimate setting, pacing, presentation, and hospitality made the whole experience feel special from beginning to end.

    Photos
    Okeya Kyujiro - Waiting area

    Waiting area

    Okeya Kyujiro - Hokkaido uni with caviar

    Hokkaido uni with caviar

    Okeya Kyujiro - Lychee jelly w/ brown sugar syrup, ginger icecream monaka, crown melon + japanese orange

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    Lychee jelly w/ brown sugar syrup, ginger icecream monaka, crown melon + japanese orange

    Guu Original Thurlow - Pumpkin croquette

    Guu Original Thurlow

    4.1(844 reviews)
    1.0 kmDowntown, West End
    $$

    Found this little Izakaya spot while visiting Vancouver and it was such a great experience. It's as…read moreauthentic as it gets and reminds me a lot of Japan when I visited in 2025. This place gets busy, so I highly recommend reserving a table online (via OpenTable) but we did show up early to see if there was walk-in seating available. Luckily, we did get the last 2 seats at the bar. The staff are so friendly and cheery. They greet customers that come in and thank every customer when they leave. People who haven't been to an izakaya may think it's loud and noisy, but the point of izakayas is they're supposed to be vibrant, high energy, and filled with cheerful chatter. Think of a tapas-style pub/bar for people to unwind and gather to chat after a long day at work. I loved the atmosphere, as it's casual, entertaining, and lively. The food was great and I couldn't think of a dish I didn't like. The sashimi were so fresh and high quality. Of course they use freshly grated wasabi too. The hanger steak was cooked perfectly and super tender and flavorful. The saba mackerel is grilled to perfection and reminds me of the ones I ate in Japan. I'm not a big fan of bonito but the yaki udon was so tasty, I still ate it with the bonito flakes on top! I would love to come back or go to their Toronto (closer to me) location next!

    Authentic Japanese Izakaya vibes here! Guu is the first to…read moredo it here in Vancouver, and the quality of all their dishes shine through. I love that they have daily specials from their chefs (shoutout to Kei and Shota!) which are creative, combining classic creations with their own twists. Service is pretty good and the staff are always friendly and accommodating.

    Photos
    Guu Original Thurlow
    Guu Original Thurlow - Fried pork belly

    Fried pork belly

    Guu Original Thurlow - Eel with rice

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    Eel with rice

    Hello Nori

    Hello Nori

    4.5(332 reviews)
    1.2 kmWest End
    $$

    Always try to come here at least once when visiting Vancouver ... great atmosphere superb…read morehospitality and the hand rolls are all amazing Love happy hour at 9:30 great deals and beer Location is convenient if you are staying in the downtown.

    Popped into Hello Nori on Robson for a quick hand roll lunch at the counter…read more The Food The standout here is the texture: each hand roll is served individually so the nori is still warm, toasty, and genuinely crisp when you bite into it. The King Salmon was silky and rich, while the Truffle Lobster roll delivered a fragrant, buttery kick without totally overpowering the tender lobster meat. Their Salmon Oshi is also worth tacking on, nicely torched and balanced by the slice of jalapeño. The only real drawback is portions: each roll is just two or three bites, so if you come in with a big appetite, your tab climbs quickly before you feel truly full. The Service Swift, polite, and well-timed. The chefs assemble each roll right across the counter and hand it over the moment you finish the previous one, so nothing sits around getting soggy. The floor staff kept water glasses topped up and managed the counter smoothly despite the constant turnover. The Ambiance Sleek, minimalist, and very photogenic. The dramatic wood-slat canopy hanging over the U-shaped concrete bar gives it an upscale, modern Japanese feel. Because it's strictly counter seating, the vibe is lively and fast-paced, great for a casual solo meal or a quick date, but less ideal if you want to lounge and chat for hours.

    Photos
    Hello Nori  - Interiors - seating area

    Interiors - seating area

    Hello Nori  - Salmon oshi ($8) and ebi oshi ($8)

    Salmon oshi ($8) and ebi oshi ($8)

    Hello Nori  - Wagyu handroll

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    Wagyu handroll

    Bistro Sakana - japanese - Updated September 2026

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