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    The Eatery

    3.4 (540 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    The Eatery Photos

    Business Info

    THE EATERY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Trendy
    Very loud
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Eatery

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    Anushka B.

    I use to come to The Eatery quiet often about 4-5 years ago. I recently went back after a long break and was a bit disappointed. Our reservation was for 7 adults but the staff insisted that we sit in a tiny booth, I told the staff that this might be a tight squeeze but she was insisting that it would be fine. The restaurant was quiet empty and there were other options for us. Eventually, I had to go back and tell her to move us because there was not a lot of room for us to even pick up our glasses of water. She then moved us to another table. The food had definitely lost its quality and our orders were also wrong. I understand that human errors happen but the staff were not apologetic about it at all. Our sushi rolls also tasted a bit stale. The edamame was probably the only thing that we truly enjoyed from here.

    No one sitting inside plus we were rushed to pay :-(
    Alisha W.

    Vancouver has way better tasting foods but feel free to stop by to drink in the dark or help fake their popularity and dine on the patio *not sarcastic* Servers seem to like customers who order drinks and not care much for their food quality. Overall, I felt disappointed for bringing people here to such poor foodie experience. 1) Curry no good (curry chicken $15.95) 2) Sushi no good -- Andy Warhol sushi ($9.95 ) is not creative and not special (I was embarrassed to recommend this place with mango bits falling out of the sushi) 3) No A/C Hot! ...not spicy hot or sexy hot -- but it's just no longer cool and NO A/C hot *** read on for details *** foodie alert: it seems like they like to ask out of town visitors to Vancouver to write up good reviews for them so you will prob still find nice reviews of visitors leaving 4 stars+ But take note the 4 stars reviews include notes that their gyoza is disappointing, and that there are odd smells in the back or folks who subtly mention that there was rain in Vancouver that kept all the locals away. Nope, the rain is not the reason you are the only table there or why you don't see any Japanese servers or diners here. It's a sign for their decreasing food quality and shifting attention to serving drinks instead of offering the one of a kind creative sushi creation. Joke is actually on me when I ordered a curry dish which I had already reviewed as yucky and served cold more than 12 years ago! (oh well, no one to blame except for chef & my poor memory plus my own fondness for Japanese curry). One can't help but wonder was it my bad luck with their curry dishes? Or is it just crazy amazing when kitchen remains "consistently cold" even after a decade... perhaps the Eatery deem themselves as a place with special sushi or they deem their customers as visitors or fools that don't know any better? Calling for chef response -- what's the reason for not properly heating up the curry chicken and veggies dish for a decade? ## In short, curry dish with cold chicken pieces & bits of cold rice on the inside is not recommended!! Sorry I didn't even bother taking a photo. Hope someone can shed light to chef so curry dishes will be served thoroughly heated up in future? ## it felt like a scam when Andy Warhol sushi creation is no longer the same -- see photo of mango bits falling out if you are curious why we say the sushi served to us lacked artistry and regrettably not worth any Andy Warhol hype The Eatery used to pride themselves on one of a kind sushi... %%**!£! I want my money back for the fake Andy Warhol Creative look was to wrap sushi with mango on the outside right? And why was sushi stuffed with sad bits of 2-3 mango pieces and stuffed with bits of lettuce to skimp out on tuna and salmon?! Arghh... Andy Warhol def lacked sushi artistry and I took a photo as it was double misery after the curry dish so I needed to share my disbelief and disappointment. FYI, I still offered 19% tips ... even tho they didn't offer to top up water once and I had to ask for water. To me, servers are not deserving of 20% when they keep rushing customers to pay just to "finish the table" especially when restaurant was more than half empty and it was only 6pm. Servers felt like they just wanted to be tipped and finishing the table service like Diner's Dash video game. IMO, servers don't even care if food was yummy... perhaps they knew sushi was not good so servers never asked once if the food was good and only focused on asking if we want to order more drinks or foods. I figured servers were not responsible for decreased food quality so I kept my mouth shut re Andy Warhol, got the bill, tipped the servers and wish I had made a better dining choice. We ordered other dishes such as salad, tempura, etc and that were of meh quality. ## No air conditioning + ugly sushi = not cool x2 They try for hipster ambiance by not turning on any lights inside but it actually just makes it dark and does not emit a cool ambiance. Maybe that's their strategy to push lots of people to choose to dine on patio to look like a popular place when no one is sitting inside. Even their server admits it's hot inside without air conditioning. To me, this place is def not cool or even hipster quirky and def not deserving of the "one of a kind" sushi creation reputation anymore. No, not cool anymore. - they are not cool because there is no a/c - they are not cool because they no longer live up to special sushi reputations I don't wanna waste further time reviewing. I simply no longer recommend this place. They are overrated and no longer cool. Note to self: please remember this review and know it's waste of gas to drive more than 3km to dine here. I felt like a fool letting them get away for serving us such ugly Andy Warhol!! Makes me upset that Andy Warhol is so sad :(

    Nicola Danielle H.

    Made reservations 2 weeks in advance for our anniversary, we got there and had to wait for a random table even though we were on time, requested a specific section, and not even half the restaurant was full. We each ordered a drink and it took almost 40 mins for them to come out. We ordered an app and roll with the drinks and had to wait almost another 20 mins after the drinks came out to get them. They gave us the wrong roll and when I mentioned it the waitress said "well I don't know why I would have written it down and typed it into the system wrong both times"... Like neither do I hence why I'm asking for the correct roll lol. We then ordered a pitcher of sangria and 30 mins later they came with a pitcher of beer. We told them no it was sangria, they came back 10 mins later apologizing but again with beer. Super frustrated at this point because they've gotten our order wrong 3 separate times. We only ordered one more sushi roll cause we were still hungry and the rolls themselves were delicious but the service was wildly awful. They also tried to charge us for the pitcher of beer that we didn't order and didn't drink so had to have them fix the bill as well. The ambiance was very funky and cute just a shame we won't return due to the poor service.

    The Eatery
    Asad B.

    Decided to give The Eatery a try after 3 long years and stir back some of my old UBC memories back and this was a pretty disappointing experience. Focussing on the food, the sushi was extremely disappointing. I got the San Francisco and The Volcano. Both plates of sushi were bland, overwritten with extra sauce and just lacked flavour. Didn't help that the fish didn't taste fresh at all. Service was also extremely on the slow side. To be fair, it was a Monday night and pretty full and they seemed short staffed. However, in the bustleness our waitress got my order wrong. She was very apologetic about it and made sure the correct plate of sushi was given to me, but it gives you an idea of the lack of attention on the service end due to poor staffing. The only thing Eatery has going for them is the ambience. Its got this artistic funky vibe about it which is very pleasing on the eye. It's what attracted me here as a teenager at university and I guess it still holds true today given there is no other reason to come here anymore? Anyways, don't think I will be coming back soon, however I hope things do change for the better.

    general area
    Cali B.

    The perfect place to eat sushi in a club ! Loud music, dim lights, great service, and delicious drinks. All the sushi was fresh and hot. 10/10 would come back.

    Eatery decor

    Quick and excellent service! Servers were engaging and kind. The food was amazing as usual. We had 3 different rolls and Miso soup. Excellent service. Speed of service, food quality and ambiance! I'd give 10 stars if they were available!

    Justin K.

    What can I say? We found this place on TikTok and so glad we did! By far, one of my favorite places on our trip that we ate at. This place had fun vibes abs crazy cool decor. The menu was just as fun as the environment. Our waitress was the cutest. So friendly and helpful with the menu. She should've been our tour guide while in Canada. Driving 15 mins from our AirBnB, we were happy we made the trek. Definitely worth it. Parking was a little hectic but what helped was the rain this particular day. No one was out. Win for us. Supposedly, this place has been here for a long time. I can only hope it's still here when we return sometime. Loved it!

    Don't remember all the rolls, but Fortune roll was my fave
    Tali S.

    We're visiting from out of town and our friends took us here. Really enjoyed the sushi. My partner (not a sushi eater) really liked the teriyaki bowl. I love that they have lots of specials/ discounts every day - my favorite was the Fortune roll and sushi pizza. I'll definitely want to come back next time we visit!

    Sushi
    Emily R.

    Soooo good!!! Their sushi was amazing. We also got some teriyaki chicken and it was also good. The place had a fun vibe and kind of reminded me of the waiting area of a Disney amusement ride (complimentary). Service was good & employees were nice.

    Top to bottom: Ichi Roll, Captain Crunch, Cucu's Nest, Sweetheart, Fantasy Roll
    Nika P.

    A UBC student classic and a MUST TRY! The Eatery offers a fun experience on top of good quality, unique and decently priced sushi. Every time I go to the Eatery, I'm genuinely impressed. With an interior like there's, they bring in enough customers with just their fun environment but the food is just as good The inside of the restaurant is SO FUN, but can be loud - especially in the evening. Great place for a first date! Some recommendations after being a repeat customer: - Cucu's Nest - The Sweetheart - Erotica Roll - S & M roll - Green Hornet

    Ally S.

    Got the beet it roll (with soybean paper) and the Lennon. Both were good, but I liked the Lennon a lot more. I do love that they have just a section for the veggie options and that they can substitute soybean paper for any of the items. Service was good. Would definitely recommend. I'm waiting for the day that you can "build your own roll" like subway.

    Chicken gyoza
    Melissa E.

    If you are looking for a funky, trendy sushi place this is it. The interior has the coolest art hanging from the ceiling, black lights and EDM music playing in the background. The menu is extensive. Almost too many sushi roll options! But we managed to pick a few and they were all delicious. We ordered the pepper jack sesame chicken gyoza. They were very good. The filling was delicious and they were cooked perfectly. We also had the curry beef & veggies, which was a winner! If you like Japanese curry this is a must. Rolls, ordered the Japanese Fortress, Roll du Soleil and the Volcano. All very good and unique. You will not find these in your standard sushi restaurant. Also their cocktails are delish!! The service was so so. Definitely on the slower side and had to flag the server down to get another drink and the bill. Otherwise a great experience!

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    17 years ago

    A whole page in the menu dedicated to my vegetarian sushi needs and a deep fried mars bar for dessert. Almost perfect.

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    10 years ago

    The service was rude and the food came late, they forgot about one dish and they brought one wrong dish. The food was ok

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    14 years ago

    Fantastic. Always start with the fat Elvis. Then the special rolls. Then repeat!

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    11 years ago

    Brilliantly creative sushi. Love the food here. Fun atmosphere and really great servers. Mojitos are good too!

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    Guu with Garlic

    Guu with Garlic

    4.3
    (1.1k reviews)
    4.4 km
    $$

    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.

    Maybe it's an American thing to linger and enjoy a dining experience. To stay longer than needed to…read moresoak up the ambiance and give a good moment some extra time for memories. But in other parts of the world the meal is what's important and so is a quick turn around. Guu with Garlic reminded me a lot of the Izakaya restaurants I found under the train lines of Tokyo in many ways, including the amount of time it felt right to stay. The food came out quick, the servers took orders quicker, and the alcohol came out chilled and as nice contrast to the hot food. Looking around and you see the hand written menu on blackboard surfaces on the walls and this feeling of authenticity. The heat of the flames from the kitchen can be felt and seen if you sit at the bar. And the flavors just hit all the right notes. Starting with appetizers, a section izakayas shine at, the first dish we got was their scallop and mayo pizza. With a crispy crunch on the bottom and crust, this reminds you of the flavors of a baked volcano roll or scallop roll you can find in almost any North American sushi restaurant. Just like that dish, it's important to eat it while it's still hot so it doesn't get gross and 느끼 에. Then came the yellowtail tuna "tempura" pieces. Thick pieces of yellowtail tuna flash fried for just the right crisp on the outside with slight pink of the fish inside. It is meaty without being oily or fatty. Great bite. The beef tongue after was interesting. From the color of the sauce it accompanies it you would think it would be heavy in flavor but it is actually light and citrusy. A good cut into the richer tones of the beef tongue. The yaki udon was one of the best I ever had. It was smokey without being overpowering. The beef was thin and tender and balanced well with the mushrooms it also came with. The udon noodles stayed bouncy and chewy which I didn't expect from being grilled. Very tasty and highly recommend this dish. For our final bite we shared a hot stone bowl of their pork and cabbage rice. With the hot stone bowl constantly cooking even after this dish arrived it was imperative to stir the ingredients together constantly for the first two minutes. It allowed for the runny egg to meld with the rice and the crispy texture of some ingredients was a nice bonus. All in all, I loved eating here and if my appetite was bigger I would've tried more on their menu. A solid place to eat with a great atmosphere, if you're looking for delicious food that won't take too much of your time but still lingers in your memories you have to check out Guu with Garlic.

    Photos
    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!!
    The delicious individual bite of their yellowfin tuna tempura
    The delicious individual bite of their yellowfin tuna tempura
    Una-Meshi

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    Una-Meshi
    Saku

    Saku

    4.5
    (526 reviews)
    4.5 km
    $$

    First time at this Japanese restaurant, and it was really great!…read more Signature Japanese Fried Pork Cutlet Rosu Katsu $27 This time I was smarter and ordered the cut with a good balance of fat and lean meat. The moment I bit into it, it was bursting with juice! The meat was incredibly thick but not dry at all, and the outer skin was crispy like snowflakes. The first bite was amazing; I've never had such a delicious pork cutlet in Shanghai. Curry Pork Cutlet Rosu Curry $29.5 My friend ordered the curry pork cutlet today, and it was surprisingly excellent! The curry flavor was incredibly rich and full-bodied. Wrapped in the crispy pork cutlet and eaten with rice, it was pure carb bliss! Freshly Ground Sesame Powder I have to praise their freshly ground sesame powder; the aroma of the sesame seeds you grinded yourself was a real highlight. * With lemon salt: Refreshing and original, a perfect way to cut through the richness! * With barbecue sauce: Mixed with sesame powder, the flavors develop layer by layer. With two flavors to choose from, it's really hard to stop! I'll definitely come back to try it again next time.

    We had a great meal here celebrating our 25th 1st anniversary…read more and reminiscing the great katsu dishes we had in Japan just a few months ago. We both ordered the Tokujyu Rosu Katsu. The crust was light and crispy and tte pork loin pieces have the perfect balance of fat and lean meat. How was it perfect? Every bit I took had a good portion of juicy fat. The lean meat was tender and moist as well. The whole meal was mouth watering bite after bite. Rice, miso soup, and cabbage came with unlimited refill. I was planning on requesting a second serving of cabbage but I was full at the end. The dipping sauce for the katsu was a little too tard for me though so I could only dap my katsu pieces very very lightly in it so I wasn't able to experience the full flavour of the sauce. However, I was able to savour the flavour of the pork loin itself. It was a lovely meal. The staff was very helpful, professional and friendly as well. The restaurant decor is modern, airy, comfortable, and inviting.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Zenbu set with refillable soup, rice and salad
    Zenbu set with refillable soup, rice and salad
    Zenbu katsu

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    Zenbu katsu
    Okeya Kyujiro

    Okeya Kyujiro

    4.8
    (44 reviews)
    4.6 km

    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.

    I made a reservation at Okeya Kyujiro for my partner's 40th birthday, and he had the best time…read more Honestly, it was one of the most memorable omakase experiences I've had in Vancouver. Okeya Kyujiro is a Michelin one-star theatrical omakase restaurant, and when they say theatrical, they mean it! From the moment you're welcomed by smiling ushers in kimono to the closing tea ceremony, every movement feels intentional, precise, and elevated. The ambiance is serene and anticipatory. At the start, guests sit in silence as a black screen conceals the chefs. You see their shadows moving behind it. A bell rings, the screen lifts, and the performance begins. Dinner is a 25+ course experience priced at $325 per person. It's undeniably a splurge, but for a milestone celebration, it feels justified. The menu is seafood-forward, with many ingredients flown in from Japan. Each ingredient is presented before preparation, then carefully assembled and served directly from chef to guest. Courses arrive one by one, never rushed. The service team moves seamlessly in the background, refilling water and attending to drinks (available as an add-on) without disrupting the flow. The finale is a matcha ceremony, whisked in front of you with the same quiet precision that defines the evening. When the final sip is taken, the bell chimes once more, the chefs and staff bow, and the screens close. It was a beautifully choreographed dining experience, perfect for marking a special moment, and one I'd gladly return to for the next celebration.

    Photos
    Inside the waiting area before being taken to your seat.
    Inside the waiting area before being taken to your seat.
    Lychee jelly w/ brown sugar syrup, ginger icecream monaka, crown melon + japanese orange
    Lychee jelly w/ brown sugar syrup, ginger icecream monaka, crown melon + japanese orange
    A5 wagyu sukiyaki

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    A5 wagyu sukiyaki
    Guu Original Thurlow

    Guu Original Thurlow

    4.1
    (841 reviews)
    4.5 km
    $$

    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!

    I came here for dinner on a weeknight with two foodie friends of mine. Said friends lived in Japan…read morefor over a decade and they've dined here often in the past, saying it's very "authentic" Izakaya and it reminds them of their past life in Japan (which they miss a lot). Me, I know nothing about Izakaya or what is or isn't authentic Japanese cuisine, so this review is coming from someone with zero knowledge or expectation of any specific foods or experiences. Despite it being a weeknight, the place was packed. It was good that we had a reservation. There was a couple in line before me and they were walk-ins, and there were no available seats for them. I noted how small this place was, and crowded, with the tables close together and a long bar with a counter and barstools there (also close together). Our reserved table was right by the front door - literally, - so every time the door opened, we got a gust of cold air (and it was a cold February night when we were there). I kept my coat on. Truth be known, I was not very comfortable. Also, it was loud. Very loud. I like how the staff shout Japanese greetings to diners whenever they enter but between the frequent shouts and the sheer volume of chatter from all the diners, all sitting close together in close proximity, it was kinda hard to hear what my friends were saying during our dinner. That said, the environment was super vibrant and, again, my friends said this was very typical of an Izakaya in Japan. Food-wise, I have no idea what my friends ordered. The menu was primarily available by way of a QR code and I had no idea what the dishes were, so I deferred to my friends' knowledge. But I can attest that all the dishes were DELICIOUS. We had some sort of Japanese street food "pancakes" (they were wonderful). We had some sort of stirfry beef with noodles (amazing). We had two types of sashimi (omg both were so fresh and so so good!). We had a few other dishes that I can't recall, but I remember I loved them. So.... the food here was GREAT. Service was also attentive which I hadn't expected, being as busy as the restaurant was. I really liked this place but I'll probably go back in the summertime when the weather is nicer as I was cold there, and I'd dine at an off-time, when the volume wasn't so loud. (I'm too old for the loudness!).

    Photos
    Guu Original Thurlow
    Fried pork belly
    Fried pork belly
    Eel with rice

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    Eel with rice

    The Eatery - japanese - Updated August 2026

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