31 Metro Vancouver restaurants make Chinese Restaurant Awards finalists list
From Cantonese dim sum to Szechuan and Shanghainese, Metro Vancouver dominates this year's Top 50 Honourees as competition heats up for the Elite 30 Canada Awards.
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Metro Vancouver's Chinese and Taiwanese dining scene continues to dominate national recognition, with 31 local restaurants landing on the 2026 Chinese Restaurant Awards Top 50 Honourees list—the finalists for this year's Elite 30 Canada Awards.
The awards, founded in Vancouver in 2008, have become the standard for Chinese cuisine across North America. Anonymous judges visit restaurants of all sizes, seeking out favourite dishes, hole-in-the-wall gems, and undiscovered talent.
"The Chinese Restaurant Awards have never been about ranking restaurants for the sake of ranking," said Rae Kung, managing director of the awards. "Our goal is to help diners discover truly exceptional Chinese and Taiwanese restaurants, while recognizing the people whose passion and craftsmanship continue to elevate the cuisine around the world."
Vancouver spots on the finalists list span diverse cuisines: Dynasty Seafood Restaurant and Chef's Choice Seafood Restaurant (Cantonese); Din Tai Fung (Taiwanese/Shanghainese dim sum); iDen & Quan Ju De Beijing Duck House (Northern Chinese/Peking duck); Kalvin's Szechuan Restaurant (Taiwanese/Szechuan); Landmark Hotpot House (Hong Kong-style hotpot); and Chinatown BBQ, Happy Family Restaurant, Lady 3 Kitchen, and Chang'An Restaurant, among others.
The Elite 30 Canada Awards will be unveiled at Fairmont Pacific Rim on September 23, 2026. This year's Canada Taste Advisors Panel consists of 21 advisors chaired by founding judge Lee Man. Advisors evaluate the quality and execution of food first, then consistency, hospitality, and the overall dining experience. Last year, Dynasty Seafood Restaurant was named number one in Canada.
Good to know
When are the Elite 30 Canada Awards being announced?
The Elite 30 Canada Awards will be unveiled at Fairmont Pacific Rim on September 23, 2026.
How many Metro Vancouver restaurants made the finalists list?
31 Metro Vancouver restaurants landed on the 2026 Chinese Restaurant Awards Top 50 Honourees list.
What cuisines are represented among Vancouver finalists?
Vancouver finalists span Cantonese, Taiwanese, Shanghainese, Northern Chinese, Peking duck, Szechuan, Hong Kong-style hotpot, and Beijing duck restaurants.
