ELEM

Had high expectations given all the recommendations but some of the dishes were disappointing. Let’s start with the pros: Excellent service - waiters explained each dish and changed dishes throughout the night. They even moved our table to somewhere more quiet. Cocktails - had four different ones. Fun and tasty! Moving onto the food: Yellowfin tuna - 10/10. Great flavours and texture. Lamb skewers - 10/10. Nice and Smokey with the perfect balance of meat and fat. Sauce and pickled radish really tied the dish together. Prawn toast - 9/10. Great sauce and good concept. Could be crispier. Mushroom fried rice - 3/10. Smelled great, loved the different mushrooms but way too salty. Maybe too much soy sauce? Wagyu bravette- 3/10. Great presentation but I just didn’t enjoy the flavours…it was really sweet and a bit fishy due to the fish sauce. Lingcod - 8/10. Nicely done but a tad overcooked. Would try again. Sea Bream - 7/10. Cool concept but flavours overwhelmed the delicate nature of the fish. Could be a bit more refined.

elem is definitely the rising star of Vancouver’s restaurant scene. Opened just over a year ago, it has quickly become one of the city’s most talked-about dining destinations. I visited twice — first in May and again - last December — and both experiences showcased the restaurant’s creativity, though the service varied noticeably between visits. The dining room is contemporary, with well-spaced tables and soft lighting that creates a relaxed yet refined atmosphere. Some have compared it to Asylum in style, but I personally appreciate the clean, uncluttered aesthetic. During my first visit, the experience was a mix of highs and minor frustrations. From the moment we arrived, the host’s reception felt a bit cold, which set a slightly awkward tone. Thankfully, our server turned things around — attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful, guiding us through the menu and cocktails with care. The second visit was completely different: warm, attentive, and welcoming from start to finish. Every staff member, from hosts to busers, made the experience smooth and enjoyable. Dishes I tried during my two visits: - Yellowfin Tuna Bhel – Bright cilantro and mint chutney with a light sourness from lime and tamarind, balanced by subtle sweetness. Mango and pomegranate added vibrancy, while the crunch of rice puffs and green mango created an addictive texture. - Prawn Toast – Rich and buttery, similar to the classic crab toast but with more lemongrass and a hint of spicyness. Comforting, though less punchy than the name suggests. - Grilled Lamb Skewers – Tender and buttery with just the right amount of fat, paired with a subtly sweet date glaze, bright pickles, cooling Greek yogurt, and crunchy buckwheat puffs — a perfectly balanced, texturally perfect bite. - Wagyu Bavette Steak – Tender steak enhanced by a sweet-and-sour sauce with hints of fish sauce and cilantro, complementing the meat without overpowering it. - Dry-Aged Duck – Served with prunes, braised shallots, and jus; well-executed but not particularly memorable. - Chicago Mix Popcorn Dessert – A deconstructed take on popcorn, offering a sophisticated balance of sweet and savory: rich caramel, soft cake, airy corn mousse, and crunchy popcorn bits come together in each bite. Even with a few minor misses, the overall experience reinforced why elem continues to generate buzz. The food is playful yet thoughtful, balancing brightness, richness, and texture in every dish. elem consistently delivers creative, well-balanced plates with memorable flavors, and while a few dishes could be bolder, the standout moments are genuinely impressive. Also, the drinks here deserve special recognition — the cocktail menu is inventive, fun, and consistently excellent, easily ranking among the best in the city. Personally, I might even enjoy the cocktails here slightly more than the food. The price point is on the upscale side, but as an occasional treat, the experience is absolutely worth it.

Had high expectations of this place but the service wasn’t the best given the steep prices. Upon entering the place, we were asked if we wanted sparkling water or still water, my sister opted for sparkling water without knowing she will be charged $9 for it (usually in other high-end restaurants it would be free, or if it costs money, it will be properly communicated). Personally I don’t mind but she was not happy about it. Later when ordering food, we ordered 6 dishes + 2 cocktails + 1 dessert as a party of 4, but the server kept pushing us to order more by saying “usually we recommend a party of 4 to order 8 dishes or above” without considering the fact that what if we are not hungry and just want to order a few dishes to try? Also, when we ordered 1 portion of Bread & Butter and 1 portion of Lamb Skewers, he kept asking if we wanted 2 portions of each because we’re a party of 4. He made us feel really pressured to order more even though we didn’t want to. Also, the way he said it, “do you want 4 buns instead of 2 buns” for the Bread & Butter made it sound like he’s going to give us 2 buns for free (with no extra butter because he didn’t mention it) but when we asked he said it’s going to be double the price… (if he clearly said, do you want 2 portions instead of one, it would be clearer). Overall, I felt a bit misleading by our server, it seemed like he was trying to achieve a sales target (?!) without actually considering our experience. In terms of the food, the only dish all of us like was the Lamb Skewers and the White Rabbit cocktail; other dishes were only okay. We didn’t enjoy the Fried Rice, we found it to be too salty, and you can get much better fried rice at a random Chinese restaurant. Popcorn cake was good, but not mind-blowing as some of the reviews here said. Receipt at the end for your reference.

Would rate 4.5 but not quite a 5 star for me. Service and atmosphere were great but some dishes were hit or miss. Most dishes were good but I wasn't wow'd by it such as... The spaghetti dish was pretty salty and I thought the flavours were quite flat (just a hint of sugar or spiciness would have made it great). Shrimp toasts was good but the sauce barely had tom yum flavour (it was good though!). I ordered the mai tai which has been "clarified" which was a great concept but then when it arrived it didn't taste like a mai tai at all. The lamb skewers were a highlight, good amount of spice, the yoghurt sauce was good and then the added acidity from the pickled radish tied it all together without it being too heavy since they said they use the belly. The wagyu also tasted great but definitely not as fatty as most. My favourite item of the night was definitely the Chicago Popcorn dessert, definitely one of my top 5!

Beautiful modern ambiance, recessed lighting, tastefully decorated subsections inspired by different elements, and impeccable service — this is a restaurant that lives up to its hype. 4.5 stars from me. The cinnamon water was delicious and such a nice touch. I do think they should give some sort of heads up, though — I haven’t heard of cinnamon allergies before but it can come as a bit of a surprise, especially if one doesn’t like cinnamon. Probably the best sticky toffee pudding I’ve ever had. Wasn’t overdone, and the pink peppercorn white chocolate sauce was an incredible pairing. My feedback would be that while clarified cocktails are delicious and certainly have their purpose, overdoing it detracts from the visual pleasure and restricts the variety of the cocktail menu. My friend and I ordered 4 cocktails and each looked the same. This is a minor thing, though.

Aurelien, Supi, Hassib and Chef Vish were first class. Amazing amazing amazing location. Incredible attention to detail in everything. Come to this spot as soon as you can. Surprise food, complimentary drinks and such incredible food. “Best meal of 2025 hands down” is what all 5 of us that sat together said after finishing. get the tasting menu!

We celebrated my belated birthday dinner at Elem and were absolutely blown away. From start to finish, the experience was exceptional — warm, welcoming service, a beautiful atmosphere, and a set menu that truly impressed. We opted for the set menu, and every dish delivered — thoughtfully curated, beautifully plated, and full of bold, balanced flavours. If you’re going to try just one dish, you have to try the lamb skewers. Perfectly cooked, tender, and packed with flavour — they were an absolute standout. The service was just as memorable — friendly, attentive, and clearly passionate about the food and wine pairings. They made the whole evening feel personal and celebratory in the best way. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just in the mood for an exceptional night out, Elem is a must. We left completely satisfied and already planning our next visit.

Lamb Skewers and Lingcod were absolutely top notch. Tuna was also fantastic. Service was great and friendly, drinks were good, and there were plenty of gluten free options! For dessert we had the Popcorn, and it was really interesting- reminded me of the Hay dessert at Published on Main. Definitely a fun one to try if you're feeling adventurous.