Barbara

Thank you to the team at Barbara‘s for the unforgettable meal. You truly elevate the restaurant culture in Vancouver. We loved the food and very much enjoyed the perfect timing with which every course was brought out - by lovely people.

Michelin star restaurant located in Chinatown, the dining room is cozy and intimate. Sitting at the bar offers guests a visual of precision and attention to detail. With only a sous and a bartender, all three share the hosting duties. Food is incredible and beautifully presented. "Snacks" offered in between courses are a nice surprise and definitely add to the menu. Highly recommend a reservation.

Amazing food and better experience! We had a wonderful time here with the food and watching the chef cook from the bar. We came as a party of 2 and tried 6 different items from their 9 item menu and was amazed at the taste and quality of each dish. The dishes contained a lot of ingredients I do not enjoy eating on a regular basis, but the chef really made each so delicious that I ended up eating everything. The portions may look small, but overall the meal was very filling. Would definitely recommend making reservations here quickly as they do fill up.

TL;DR: An arrogant restaurant with mediocre food and horrible service, I wouldn’t go back even if they pay me. About service: People usually go for fine-dining not to enjoy food (come on, who would actually trust Michelin guide?), but to celebrate special dates and get unique experience. My girlfriend and I went there to celebrate her birthday, and we entered ‘birthday’ in the occasion section of our booking. However, there were no preparations for her, nobody even said happy birthday. But that’s not the worst, we brought our own birthday cake to enjoy after the dishes and the chef ridiculously informed us we couldn’t have it there! We had to brought the cake back home, which messed up our birthday plan. If you don’t prepare anything for customers, not even allowing birthday cakes in the restaurant, why not save us some hassle and just remove all occasion options? Moreover, we were asked to put away our SLR camera but were allowed to take pictures with phones. I don’t see any difference between SLR camera with flashlight off and a phone camera. This absurd and sudden restriction was not shown anywhere in our booking either. Overall, this restaurant’s arrogant restrictions made me wonder if I was actually the customer that paid for dining. Its dining rules reminded me of my grandmama. This is my second time giving 0 tips to a restaurant in North America, so that’s also a top2 achievement, congrats Barbara! About food (overall 5 of 10): This is a Michelin restaurant so I’ve lowered my expectation, I know I’ll likely be disappointed otherwise. And the food was just as mediocre as I expected. The first dishes on image 1 were STRACCIATELLA (8) and BEEF TARTARE (5). STRACCIATELLA was the best dish tonight for its brilliant combination of hazelnut with other ingredients. BEEF TARTARE is what it is, it wasn’t bad but nor good. There are restaurants with better BEEF TARTARE. The second dishes on image 2 were Crispy Octopus (5) and Chicken Liver Mousse (2). The octopus was cooked just to the right point but the hummas base broken the balance of the dish, ended up with a weird salty yet sour flavor. The chicken liver mousse was a complete disaster, it had a super oily taste when mixing with the bread and I could only eat half of it. There are plenty of Italian restaurants that can cook chicken liver far exceeding this. Image 3 and 4 were Arctic Char (4) and Duck (3). Arctic Char had the same hummus base as the octopus and I would rather just have the char only. The duck was cooked to medium and had some stinky blood smell that should get rid of. This is absolutely no match to other duck houses.

What a gem! Had a fantastic time here. Food was excellent, small and cozy environment was a joy, and service was impeccable. The set menu is great value and getting to watch Chef prepare dishes was such a treat. You’re in for such a wonderful experience.

Cozy tiny space, my friends and I came in to try the set menu. The food was very good. Small plates but do not under estimate it because in the end we were full! One of our favorite things were the beef tartare Definitely worth and recommend to go and try them out if you have not. Also, watching chef Patrick cook was very calming.

Updated review: Returned to Barbara and I am changing my earlier 5 star review to 2 stars. The initial review is still below. The reason is they no longer allow guests to use cameras to take pictures of their food. The explanation given was that "flash photography" can be distracting and a camera can be distracting in their small space. However, they do allow you to use your phone to take pictures. I am not sure what the distinction is between a phone and a camera when my camera is compact and does not use flash. I mean, have you seen some of the giant phones out there now? People can be discreet and fast with a camera and people can also be obnoxious and take a long time taking photos with a phone. I suggested that we move from the bar to a table in the corner with everyone else's backs to us so no one is facing us and there is no way we can be "distracting" but they still said no. The main issue is that there was no advance notice of this "no camera policy" and we were told after we had already sat down. There is an expectation and communication gap here. If they had communicated the policy prior to making us making reservations then I respect that and I would be able to consider whether or not make the reservations. My suggestion to Barbara would be to make it very clear that they have this no camera policy when people make reservations so there is no expectation gap, disappointment or confrontation. This is a shame because the food is beautiful in addition to being tasty. Anyway, the summary of this updated review is do not bother bringing a camera of any kind and if you read this review then at least you are forewarned. Initial review: I was blown away by the food here! No wonder they have one Michelin Star now. When I go to a restaurant and order food, there is usually something that is just average. At Barbara, everything was amazing, tasted delicious and executed well. They have a three course tasting menu and three options for each course – a meat, fish or vegetable option. We decided to go for all meat and fish this time. The highlights were the octopus, pork neck and arctic char. In addition to the three courses, they also give you an amuse bouche and snacks in between the courses. It would have been nice if they had a dessert course as well but dessert is extra. The ambiance is dim and intimate. It is a good place for a date or special occasion. Parking can be a challenge and be aware this is not the best part of town but that adds to its character. Highly recommend that you check out Barbara – it is worth it!

Food is good. I don’t think the food is very innovative. But if you care about Michelin dining Barbara provides good value for your money. Their memorable dish is the Arctic Char - must get. Current seasonal risotto is not good.

My partner and I wanted to have our first Michelin Star experience and to celebrate the end of a good year for us. Barbara did not disappoint us. The restaurant is cozy, consisting of an L shaped bar around an open kitchen, and a couple of tables against a wall. If you end up not at the bar don't worry, you'll be able to see what's happening in the kitchen clearly still. The service was spectacular with the server and chef delivering us delicious courses and drinks at a steady pace. The food was excellent, you have your 3 courses which you choose an item each for. Alongside that you get a few smaller plates as well. The beef tartare was my highlight of the night. It was my first time having tartare and it did not disappoint. My only concern now is that any other tartare experience from other restaurants will leave me disappointed in the future! I'd also recommend the Crispy Octopus and the Duck as well.

The place is a little smaller than I expected. I strongly recommend having a reservation. There are only two or three tables available, and the rest of the seating is around the bar. Service was excellent, very friendly and attentive. I quite like sitting at the bar as I was able to see the preparation of all the food. The menu is a set menu, and it was a pleasant surprise to me, because I was not expecting anything besides, what was in the menu however, there are a little dishes that are given. Our server did tell us this before we received our food. The presentation of all the dishes was so beautiful and there were a lot of interesting flavours and combination of flavors. I really like what they did with the eggplant. The only downside I would say is the location of the restaurant, if it was elsewhere, I would be definitely going back.

Everything was great. A nice small intimate room, and it lived up to its Michelin Star reputation. I can't say the same thing for all of the Vancouver Michelin restaurants. We need to support Barbara and other fine dining in Vancouver.

Timing checked out super well as I was able to take a half day off work to drive all the way from Seattle to Vancouver just for this restaurant. This place only opens Tuesday-Friday, so I cannot just do it casually for a weekend trip like I always do if I go to Vancouver. I was initially hesitant, but I managed to get last minute reservations for a solo diner for 6pm Thursday, and my friend from Vancouver urged me to go cause it is very hard to get reservations (currently late June and reservations are fully booked till August). I tried the tasting menu - beef tartare, chicken hearts, and arctic char. I also got an orange wine - Kutatas Petite Milo which was a good pairing for the food. To end, I got the Chocolate Orange which is a dessert cocktail. You start with an amuse bouche - kohlrabi with shaved radish and egg yolk tartlet which was a good start - fairly light in flavor. Then, I had the beef tartare which is very flavorful - creamy base, with crispy shallots to bring out the flavor. The radish is kind of like relish to the traditional beef tartare. It is served with slightly buttery and crispy rye. For the snack, they served fried eggplants with honey, which is kind of like fried potatoes but a bit mushier. It is served with a green sauce that reminded me of a chutney, as well as saffron daikon and cauliflower. Then, I was served the chicken hearts that is salt and pepper fried - a bit heavy of a course but still delicious. It is served with gem lettuce with black garlic vinaigrette and crispy garlic, as well as a garlic and horseradish purée which the server warned could "bite" but it was not too strong in intensity. The flavors of everything in the dish are fairly mild to not overpower one thing over the other. The third course is the Arctic char which was cooked to a medium rare so it is very tender and flaky, with the skin very crispy. It is served with hummus, brown butter, and pine nuts, with dill and mint in pomegranate vinaigrette. This was a close second to the beef tartare, which was the star of the show. To finish, I got the Chocolate Orange cocktail that resembles a bit of an espresso martini, but it was not too sweet at all. This was a nice finish to the meal. I wished dessert was included in the set menu but I guess the prices are kept relatively low for a reason. Is it worth the journey? Somewhat. Food quality is amazing as each dish hits but experience could be a little bit better for a Michelin star restaurant. Every Michelin star restaurant I have been to gives a copy of the menu to take home as souvenir, so I requested one but the server couldn't and only asked me to take a picture of the menu if I wanted one.

Don't let the Soup Nazi ruin your experience. Upon entering, I commented to the bald man behind the bar, "nice place" while non-descript rap music blasting in the background. The man replied dismissively, "yeah yeah!" Not the response I was expecting. Not sure I was expecting anything like this at all. Barbara is a smallish cozy restaurant that seats about 14 people plus 1/2 dozen standing for the bar. What I appreciate is the exactness of the place/experience. Everything is very orderly, controlled and deliberate. The chef/owner sometimes serves and bring out the food. He is charming to a select few guests. Felt like all the while we are dining there, we are under his gaze/supervision, his hawk-eye. Any wrong move or inappropriate word, you will be out. He reminds me of the character "Soup Nazi" in an episode of Seinfeld. For dinner we had the beef tartare, spot prawns, clams with navy beans and lamb. Flavour transported us here and there. A daring kind of fusion-from Asian to Persian. Delicious and adequate. Exacting. Overall I enjoyed the meal. I would recommend this place if you don't mind the scrutinizing gaze of the "Soup Nazi".

Not a table cloth joint. Let's get that out of the way first and foremost. Yes, they've earned a Michelin Star. Free advertising to boost business. My rating is for the food. Depending on your preferences, if you want the elevated full experience of being taken care of hand and foot, with extreme exceptional service, you won't quite get that here. It is, however, very friendly and courteous. The set up inside is very simple. Bar setting for maybe 8-10 people and small tables for maybe another 6 -8. Seating capacity likely tops out at about 20 max. It was a full house when I was there on a Thursday evening. ~1.5 - 2 month wait for reservations done in January 2023. All plates presented were very fresh and bursting with unique flavours. Special kudos to the chef. It's a tasting menu and some of you may have done this before. Remember Lumiere? Anyone done that before? If I'm not mistaken, that was one of the the first, if very few, high end tasting menus in Vancouver. Yes, I've done it, and again, if I'm not mistaken, the time that I went, the menu pricing had two tasting menus. One at $150 and another at $199 per person. I could be wrong about the pricing because it was so long ago and my memory has been fossilized. Anyways, the level of execution is up there with Lumiere sans the ambience. No table cloth. IMHO, the best plate of the night would be the arctic char. All other plates were excellent, none the less. Down everything with two dry Apersand gin martinis, you should be good to go!

Looks like Vancouver now has 8 1-star Michelin restaurants (October 2022). Time to see what the tire guides are all about. This one is in the heart of DTES. If it weren't for a partially obscured sign, one would walk right by this place without noticing anything. Parking is available on the side streets. Certain areas are super dumpy though. Be sure to remove all valuables. The inside is tiny. I think there are maybe 12 seats in total. In fact, the kitchen is only accessible by walking through the front entrance and around the back. Patrick and Claudia are very gracious hosts. No complaints. The restaurant is actually named after Patrick's mother. Her lit signature is on the wall. As of the time I went (November 2022), the place offers basically a 3 course meal, with 3 choices for each. As one option for each course was vegetarian and both my friend and I weren't vegetarian, it made the food selection very simple. Bring a friend and share dishes, and you'll knock out the entire non vegetarian menu in one shot. I guess the only disclaimer is that it may be a bit unnerving for some to watch the chef (Pat) working the food with his bare hands. With that said, I imagine this is common for fine dining. And he did wash his hands frequently. See photos for food item descriptions. Albacore toast - nice big anchovies. Tasty. Beef tartare - beef was nice and mushy, and went well with the pickled radish. Octopus - surprisingly bland on the inside. The chef didn't slice this one up, so it was basically one large solid tentacle. Smearing the mayo all over helped. Lamb croquette - crunchy on the outside, soft/mushy on the inside. Couldn't figure out how to eat this one as the cucumber bits fell everywhere. Arctic char - crispy on the outside but juicy on the inside. My friend and I agreed that this was the best dish that evening. Special mention. Dry aged striploin - decent but honestly tasted like steak from any of the chains. As an added bonus, Patrick also gave some extra dishes on the side. There was a bite sized something in a shell with leaves on top (don't remember what was inside), and some slices of deep fried banana dipped in honey (super delicious) and chermoula (learned a new word, yay!). Oh yeah, they also had some berry sorbet available for an extra cost. This one tasted nice and fresh, though it was also bite sized. Overall it was an interesting experience. However, I did have to make myself some pizza pockets after I got home. Pretty sure my friend had to load up afterwards too. To be honest I don't really have anything to compare this place to, so hopefully the review is somewhat useful.

Wow, just wow! This has to be the best Michelin restaurant in Vancouver. The food was absolutely outstanding! Everything that we tried was to die for! They were even able to cater to my dietary requirements (gluten free), and still have me drooling wanting more! The only downside was that the bar is kind of small but the cocktails and wine that they offered paired really well with their dishes! I can't wait to come back again - seriously my favorite restaurant!!!

This place is absolutely amazing. The food definitely lives up to the reputation. The service is unreal and everything we had for food was so good. We definitely recommend checking out this spot out.

Barbara was a nice experience, it's one of those intimate places with every few tables and best seats are at the bar and you get a choice of tasting menu. Atmosphere wise it's very familiar with Elephant and all the other niche chefs' menus places that have popped up within the last few years. I like that there is a choice of fish, meat, and vegetable with every course, and you get a little bit of liberty to decide what you want. The wine list is impressive, and strategically local so it's a great way to try so unique BC wine. We went with the pamplemousse jus, which in my opinion is one of the most unique sparkling that had come out of BC within the last few years. We started with the beef tartare, albacore tuna with watermelon variation. Everything tasted solid and flavorful. Second course was the chicken hearts with radish which was innovative but lacking a bit of acid to liven up the dish. The highlight was the octopus which was more than perfectly cooked and melts in your mouth with its poached, smoked, and grilled preparation. And an amuse bouche of fried eggplant in a Tunisian chutney-like dip, with pickled shishito and garlic turnip greens. The eggplants were a wee bit too salted but still delightful z My only gripe was the Arctic char (oops, ate that before we took a pic, and the beef. Even with it being dry aged, the meat was still a lil tough and chewy. Arctic char was okay, dill and mint were a nice touch, but I think there are other fish that could have been been served with it but it's just a personal preference because I'm usually underwhelmed with Arctic char. Overall a great experience for an intimate dinner, I think Barbara is worth trying out, but 3 people is the way to go as you will get to try every dish. We skipped all the vegetarian choices as there were only two of us tonight.

4.5 We ate at Barbara back in August 2021, and at that time, the only option to dine at Barbara was to have their tasting menu. Also note that the dishes do rotate, so it's likely that some of the items will be different. As the diner, you do have some flexibility, in which you choose one item from each tier. Among the three dishes, you are also provided with some "extra" dishes. There are two options per tier, so I would highly recommend coming in pairs so you can try a taste of everything. My partner and I essentially chose one meat, and one seafood option. Tier 1: Meat: Beef tartare Seafood: Albacore tuna ceviche Tier 2: Meat: Chicken liver mousse Seafood: Seared scallops Complimentary Dish: Roasted potatoes with watermelon radish & pickles Tier 3: Meat: Fraser Valley duck breast with peach puree Seafood: Arctic char served with mint and dill. So good! Everything was delicious, and had a great balance of flavours and textures. Wish there was more for the "complimentary dishes" but oh well. The wine recommendations were great, as well. It would've been nice to chat with the chef more, as the only interaction was him describing the dishes to us. Menu is ~$70 per person (not including any drinks).

Barbara is my favorite restaurant - the experience is the most unique I've encountered anywhere in the world. I loved it so much I came back twice and tried their entire menu (except one dish!) on a 10 day trip to Vancouver. You should check it out if you like the following: 1/ The menu is awesome and food delicious and impeccably presented! Chef Pat has an impressive background having worked at three Michelin establishments and he creates the dishes lovingly before your eyes in his kitchen. I also loved that you get to build a tasting menu by selecting three items from nine options, which is simple yet gives diners choice. The cocktails, wines, and spirits list is also extensive and second to none, featuring many local options! 2/ The entire experience is super unique. First, the restaurant seats 10 during the pandemic and feels really intimate (but spaced well and safe) and according to Chef Pat and Claudia, is meant to resemble a dinner party where you can keep to yourself or have the chance to talk to other diners and the chef and general manager themselves! Second, the vibe is super vibrant and retro but in a low key intimate way - there's nice indie hip hop-like music playing while you're enjoying this experience with delicious food and drink to boot. Last but not least the entire experience is very thoughtfully designed - the menus, plating, and even the inscription Barbara (named after the Chef's mother) is in the form of her own handwriting. How neat! 3/ Chef Pat and GM Claudia are really awesome! The entire experience is staffed by just two people and their founding story is really inspiring. It shows that both put 150% of their hearts and souls in their work. Thanks to this environment I got to know the stories of the people better than those of any retail establishment and that was really cool.

This small restaurant is located close to Kisso Tanto, and what a great find! The menu is small, consisting of 3 courses of 3 dishes each. You can pick and choose but there is a tasting menu option where you choose one from each course. As a bonus for ordering the tasting menu we got a bonus dish! Every dish was excellent. Our selections for each course were: Oysters Beef tartare Chicken liver mousse Squid Pork belly Arctic char I have absolutely nothing bad to say. The Arctic char was to die for, and I enjoyed the fact that I was so close to it as it was being prepared. The aroma was amazing and thanks to the other diners for ordering it too. The service went above and beyond. We will be back soon!

Went here for my birthday dinner, and the food itself was delicious and thoughtful...server was friendly. The reason for 3 stars was because we felt quite rushed through are dinner... we could barely have two drinks. Also the quantity of food was not nearly enough. Left hungry and needed to go have food afterwards. Great concept, and beautiful space, but maybe have a snack before you go.

YES YES YES to Barbara! One of my new favourite restaurants in Vancouver. They are currently accepting reservations for their 3-course menu dine-in only due to COVID - plan ahead! Within the 3-course meal, there are 3 selections within each course (1 vegetarian option per course). Some crispy potatoes were provided on the side to complement the meal. Our only complaint was that we were expecting a bit more extras to be included to balance out the courses. For our first course, we chose the oysters and beef tartare. WOW, the oysters were amazing. They were out of the shell in a vichyssoise (leek soup). It was easily our favourite dish of the night. So much flavour with the leek and paired so perfectly with the fresh oysters. For our second course, we chose the squid and chicken liver mouse. The chicken liver was the winner between the two - very similar to a foie gras. For our third and final course, we chose the arctic char and pork belly. Everything was cooked to perfection! Service was friendly and spot-on. We were well taken care of! Compliments to the chef, Pat!

It took me too long to visit this resto in my 'hood. Chef has an impeccable pedigree and this very small (10 guests) resto is putting out great food. Nearly all guests are at the bar with the Chef with a Montreal/European vibe. Tasting menu only with a fun drink list. Enjoying the end of the tomato season, dish of the night was the albacore tuna on toast. But the veal tongue and duck were perfectly cooked, seasoned and fun! Service was superb. Extra dish was the fried eggplant with honey, salt and condiments. Oh yes, I am replicating this. My after dinner cocktail was da bomb with amaro, Forty Creek cream, chocolate butters, espresso, and orange oil. I have already planned my next visit to taste the items that are always on the menu and to see what fall ingredients he adds to the menu. Attentive service. Did not feel rushed. COVID safe.

I'm going to start off by saying that I care deeply about fine dining and I'm glad our little town has establishments like this one, who are fighting tooth and nail to preserve this dying art form. However, we can't be sacrificing health and safety in that fight. After multiple attempts, I was excited to finally make a reservation for two at Barbara. Unfortunately, the day of our reservation, my sister, who would be joining me for the meal, tested positive for Covid. When I contacted the restaurant and requested to cancel our reservation due to a positive PCR test, I was informed that we would be charged the $100 per head cancellation fee unless they managed to fill our spot within the next couple of hours. That was in spite of providing proof or a positive covid result, including a time stamp that clearly indicated that the test was taken on the day of the reservation. The restaurant also gave us the option of keeping the reservation, which would have resulted in a superspreader event. I don't care how good the chef is. This is krass, unprofessional behaviour all around.

This chef has quite the story. He's worked at Kissa Tanto, Eleven Madison Park in NY, and opened eleven months ago. We got the 3-course tasting menu for $53/per, trying two dishes per course between the two of us. The dishes are unique: favourites are the crispy skin Arctic char (third), beef tartare (first) and the Variations of corn (second). Each dish brings out the flavours of the ingredients. There's extras that aren't on the menu, and dessert for extra if you like. I was quite full by the end of it, and my husband was "alright, but very satisfied". We had two rounds of cocktails and they were very well done. Points for a dope 90s hip-hop crate-digging playlist the whole time. We had a great conversation with the chef and bartender, and would definitely come back again to try any new items.

WOWWEE! I wasn't quite sure to expect with a space so small however that wee but mighty kitchen can pump out some remarkable dishes. Husband and I both sat at the bar and opted for the three course tasting menu. The flavours were bold but balanced and plated like a masterpiece. We loved the carrots so much that we ordered another plate as our dessert. Book in advance and support this little gem if you can. Quaint spots like these offer a charm that can't be beet by the big guys.

Went for my friend's birthday and we each got the tasting menu so we got to try every dish. My favourite was the chicken liver mousse and beef tartare. Least favourite would have to be the beets and Arctic char. Service was great. VERY small restaurant so you'll need to book ahead!

Tiny intimate restaurant but very lovely well made dishes made right in front of your eyes.

Pat is amazing humble and a brilliant chef. Personable talented subtle and quaint. Don't miss this small restaurant. Right now Only open Tuesday to Friday. Worth a night out on a "school night".

Casual Fine Dining The restaurant is tiny, but smartly decorated with murals by a local artist, and tasteful wood shelves, bar, and panelling. We both ordered the "tasting" menu, which is just choosing a dish from each tier (First course, second, and third). Because they are small plates, if there are two people, you can each choose a different dish, and end up with six dishes - a good way to try more things on the menu. 'Extras' are promised with the tasting menu, and in our case it was a small bowl of perfectly deep fried and seasoned potato cubes, with a side of hummus and two types of pickles. This was a nice side dish that complemented the whole meal. For our First Course, we shared the Heirloom tomatoes with Stracciatella, and the Beef tartare. Nothing beats heirloom tomatoes in season; the fresh flavours just burst in your mouth. The tartare is lightly dressed which makes it more interesting than a standard plain tartare, and it came with a side of buttery, crisp crackers. For the Second course, we had the octopus and the sweetbreads. Now, sweetbreads are not everyone's "thing", but if you enjoy them, these are very good ones. Octopus was served with chorizo and Castelvetrano olives, and was very good. The Third courses were Artic Char and the duck. The arctic char was perfectly cooked - crisp on the skin side, buttery flesh. But what made this dish stand out was the addition of the lemon brown butter sauce and fresh mint and dill herbs, making it surprisingly bright. The duck was tender, full of flavor, and dressed with pureed peach and roasted peaches - again, an unexpected combination that totally elevated this dish! Dessert options were limited to one: a raspberry granita, but that, too, was an excellent and refreshing finish to the meal. Service is excellent, and I can recommend the cocktails. Wine list is short, but all decent wines showcasing standout BC selections at a decent price. Looking for a cozy, casual fine dining experience? This is the place. It is a bit of an odd location, right on the edge of Chinatown, but once inside, you can just sit back and let the very competent duo at Barbara take care of you.

We dined at Barbara last night and had the tasting menu. It was a lovely experience. And we liked the decor and service.