Two Vancouver restaurants rank among North America's best

Published on Main and AnnaLena are among the continent's elite. Both Vancouver restaurants landed on North America's 50 Best Restaurants list, announced Thursday night in New Orleans at the prestigious ceremony.

Published on Main placed at 17, the highest-ranked Canadian spot outside of Calgary's Eight (number 2) and Restaurant Pearl Morissette (number 3). Chef Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson's restaurant on Main Street has built its reputation on sourcing: over 90 per cent of ingredients come from local and sustainable B.C. producers—farmers, foragers, fishers. Since opening in 2019, it's also earned a Michelin star.

"This recognition puts us in such great company," Stieffenhofer-Brandson said, "and it belongs to our incredible team, who pour their energy and passion into every single service because they love what they do."

AnnaLena, steps from Kitsilano Beach, ranked 35. Also Michelin-starred, the restaurant has been owned by Chef Michael Robbins and operations manager Jeff Parr since 2015. It runs an exclusively multi-course tasting menu built around seasonal local farms and suppliers, with wine pairings and cocktails.

British Columbia also saw Whistler's Wild Blue land at 47. Known for elevated Pacific Northwest cuisine and sustainable seafood, Wild Blue was named one of Canada's best new restaurants in 2023.

The recognition underscores what's been happening quietly in Vancouver's dining scene for years—a sustained commitment to craft, sourcing, and excellence that's finally getting national and continental attention.