Subject to Change

Located in a small space in an industrial area, Elephant is unlike anything else in the city. It’s veggie forward, but uses offal to support many of the dishes (often in super flavourable sauces). The menu is omakase and changes depending on the chef’s mood. We even saw him change how he plated the same dishes for different customers. Every single dish was familiar, but completely unique. While many looked quite simple, the flavours were big and complex. Seating less than 20 people, I’d recommend getting a space at the counter to watch the action and engage in conversation with the amazing staff.

This place is amazing. It’s tiny and as a result we were able to sit near the chef and watch as he prepared all the dishes. The team of just three people (2 servers and 1 chef) worked amazingly well together and provided the perfect level of service. The food was creative, expertly presented and…most importantly…delicious. A great value at $68 per person. I highly recommend it and will return soon myself.

One of the best places to dine in Vancouver. Intimate, cosy with a great wine list. I've dined here more than a few times since they open and my last visit was by far the best. As the menu often rotates, it's always a great surprise each time. Dishes are heavily Asian influence, and the menu always includes a crowd favorite, the turnip soup. Although I feel like the portion of my last visit got a bit smaller, it didn't take away the incredible moment of sipping on the creamy (but with no dairy) deep turnip soup. Another outstanding plate during this visit was this onion and tuna dish. That onion alone stole the show. It was sweet, tender and every layer tasted different from the one before. Lastly wow the Charentais melon ice cream was the perfect way to cap the dinner. Same melon, done 4 ways. Could also use a bigger portion as the happiness dissolved in my mouth quite quickly. Wine pairing is highly suggested as the folks there are genuine enthusiasts and are great fun and hold a lot of knowledge. Sit by the bar if you can to watch chef Justin Song Ell create magic.

Please, please go here! This is a truly hidden gem in Vancouver. Omakase style dinner that’s course based and ever changing. 65 pp gets you 5 courses plus a couple of amuse’s as well which is a fantastic value. This food is every bit worth the money. Chef Jason (just the one guy) is doing some seriously creative things and mixing flavours and cuisines like no body’s business. Their desert which is melon 3 ways, changed me. It was simple yet so complex. I haven’t even mentioned the wine pairing which were expertly matched but also has tremendous variety. Some of the bottles are final cases of the vintages so you’ll get to try something truly unique. If your looking for a Michelin starred experience but don’t want to break the bank Elephant is the ticket. What are you waiting for, go already!!!

Absolute hidden gem here. Can’t believe it took me a year to find it. I’d say a must visit when in Vancouver. 18 seats means an incredibly intimate experience so you’d better love who you’re spending it with. The staff were absolutely phenomenal. Level of service and knowledge of food and wine was impeccable. Food was so unique but the chef is a wizard. Pairings I’d never dream of went incredible together. Great wine list. Wish there was maybe 3 local beers to choose from but I’m getting pretty picky. Apparently change most of the menu every 6 weeks. We’ll be back soon for sure. Go here!

First of all, amazing food. Tiny space, only a bar and exceedingly small table(s). Its a chef style menu, you get what is on today's menu. Great vegetarian options. The food was really enjoyable/ service? the one thing they can improve on. We had to wait 15+ minutes before anyone really was taking our order, or explain how things work. There is only on cook and that made the overall service very slow. There is also no "real" bar with good cocktails, but great wine selection. The space is stylish, the bar chairs not super comfortable. If you are looking for a space off the beaten track, that offers a different kind of experience. Look no further.

My best friend took us here for my birthday and it was so enjoyable! It’s hard finding a place in Vancouver that I haven’t been so I was super excited. It was completely omakase (chef’s choice) so we didn’t know what to expect or how much food. It was really fun to see what came out! It was a lot of food, but not heavy, no starch basically! The dessert was really good, not sweet and I’m not a dessert person at all. Super fresh and interesting flavors! The service was a bit slow between courses but it gave us time to chat :) def make a Reso, it’s 18 seats.

Food was exceptional imo. Lots of veggies with interesting flavours. Imaginative dishes that are a bit on the rustic side. Much attention to flavour and texture combinations. Service was great too. The only thing I wasn't happy with were the chairs. Very uncomfortable...

Amazing meal, creative and well executed Came here the same week as Barbara, and dare I say I preferred my meal at Elephant. $78/person omakase menu, so dishes will rotate over time Everything was truly delicious. A few highlights: Loved the sablefish fermented broth - unexpectedly complex and rich flavours from something that seemed like it would be quite simple. The roast onion with duck bits was another pleasant surprise... never thought I'd find an onion so tasty. The wagyu dish was perfectly done, just falling apart and the pickled onions complemented the rich flavours perfectly. The one dish I didn't like quite as much was the optional duck yolk rice. I think there was potential for a bit more flavour in this one, but still good overall. The champagne cocktail was also very nice. Service was great, ambiance was cozy and intimate Definitely will be back!

Best meal I've had in quite some time. Inside the category of omakase menus it's definitely a real wildcard, but every single dish we tried was fantastic. I was a bit concerned going into that this would feel more daring to actually eat - in practice, just great food from start to finish.

Incredible omakase with some of the highest quality produce you can source in the city. The menu is ingredient-driven, not recipe-driven, so it changes every day based on what's available or what Elephant feels like serving. That being said, Chef Justin knows his stuff and uses it to create a unique, innovative tasting experience every day. This is a small restaurant, perfect for a date or meal with 1 other person. Not great for groups as most of the seating is at the bar -- the plus side of this is that you get to see the chef at work! The wine and sake pairings were also phenomenal! Make sure you book on Tock before going.

This cozy and intimate restaurant offers an enormity of exquisite flavours. Dishes are delicately curated. One can fully appreciate the depth and passion that originates from every dish. The soup of sunchokes and fish broth was absolutely divine and we were impressed that it was dairy free despite it being so rich and creamy. We surely could've eaten just that for dinner. Although the meal was predominantly pescatarian, me being the only pescatarian, I was offered just one small piece of tuna sashimi whereas the other diners in my party were given two as well as their red meat protein. Portion sizes are extremely modest. Despite this being a six course meal, we were still craving a bit more to satisfy our dainty appetites. We were glad that the pie shop next door was still open. We bought some lovely dessert pie slices to indulge. For those who enjoy omakase dining, Elephant will definitely provide. Service was exceedingly friendly and courteous. Will recommend.

When you search "Vancouver's Best Restaurants" on Google, you are presented with many household names. Although these other restaurants have mostly justified their claim to fame, I would be shocked if Elephant hasn't made the list, and soon. In short, you need to come here. At the helm you have Chef Justin, who is at first quiet and reserved. After the majority of the omakase 'class' gets seated, he will nonchalantly and clinically begin dissecting a turnip or fold luscious sheets of pasta in front of your eyes - all this whilst maintaining his solemnity and deep focus. While he plays the humble card as he demonstrates his culinary mastery, it is not hard to appreciate what Elephant is trying to achieve here. Do not be fooled by the four pieces of cabbage elegantly plated on their website. No, regenerative food does not equate to vegetarian/vegan or small apocalyptically-rationed portions. In fact, the omakase menu will leave you satiated and wanting for more - and more I did get. Not because of hunger, but because of my greed and want to try anything else the Chef had to offer. The omakase menu is heavily influenced by what organic and local produce is seasonally available and their natural wine list - definitely worth it. However, Elephant is also well known for their late night menu. As I stared enviously at the late night crowd chowing down the famous burger and pasta, I only wished I could stomach more as I admired in pure gluttony. Don't come here expecting meticulously plated dishes and a michelin experience. Instead, come here expecting just plainly and simply, really good food. Chef Justin's Elephant is a gem in the rough of East Vancouver and definitely warrants a visit to anyone brave and lucky enough to try his regenerative cuisine.

Wow. I made the reservation for my husband's birthday a few weeks prior and the closer we got to the date, there was a doubt in my head ... the photos I'd seen online looked very vegetable-based and we wondered if we'd been lured into a vegetarian meal. All of my doubts were to put to rest when I took the first bite of our snack leading into our omikase meal. It was a thinly sliced zucchini in a spicy crab innards sauce. While the description may be scary to some (including me), I let myself enjoy the flavors and textures without second-guessing if I thought that I liked the individual ingredients. I was floored by the incredibly delicious veal brain dressing on the salad. The flavors are bold and woke up every little tastebud in my mouth. Each dish continued with surprisingly punchy flavors, unique/uncommon ingredients, and a common thread of fermentation throughout each dish. And yes, there was 'meat' eventually in the final dish. However, animal products are woven throughout many of the dishes. So delicious. So creative. So worth it. I stopped at one point and said out loud, 'What was I eating before I came here? Is this what food is supposed to taste like?'. Seriously, I was floored by the food - a day later and I still keep thinking back to the dishes we had. The food is beautifully presented but not pretentious. Although the photos look petite it turned out to be very filling - we did not leave hungry. The dining space is small. Like super small but it's well-appointed and creates an intimate vibe. The staff were incredibly welcoming, called us by name, and took their time explaining each dish and answering any questions we had. They note on their site that they can't make last minute menu modifications, so if there are dietary restrictions you may wish to inquire if they can accommodate. We will definitely be back!

Elephant has stolen our hearts. We currently live in LA but whenever we're in Vancouver, we always make it a point to visit to them. Small and intimate restaurant delivering BIG flavors. Justin is truly a talented chef and served up some incredibly tasty dishes during the 2 times we've dined here. They are known for their unique omakase experience that can be paired with natural/biodynamic wines. On our last visit, we decided to try their burger and pasta (late night/off-menu) and both were phenomenal. We've also tried their omakase on our first visit and we highly recommend it if you are looking to try a variety of Justin's creative dishes. Shoutout to Justin and Kelsey for always making us feel at home delivering downright good food and wine. If you're looking for a restaurant off the beaten track, please do yourself a favor and hit up Elephant. You will not be disappointed. Also, try to get a seat at the bar if you can. It lends to a memorable visit. We will most definitely be back again.

We went to The Elephant for my birthday dinner and we left happy, content, full, and blissed after our 2-hour 5-course omakase. While the dishes are all produce-driven, many of them were dressed with fish and meat goodness. Among the 5 courses as well as the amouse bouche and dessert, my favourite was what could easily come across as the most simple dish - a turnip (from a local farm in Surrey) soup dressed with sablefish oil. The flavours were so complex and delightful that we are surprised we both enjoyed the soup most. The cucumber dressed with crab innards with many varieties of chilies and the larb rice bowl made with 56 ingredients were sinfully delicious and deep in flavours as well. We are already for our next visit for our anniversary. Everyone who served us made us feel welcomed and made sure we knew every little details of what we were having.

Five stars for excellent creative dishes. Reminds me of Annalena, Farmer's Apprentice, Forage, Mackenzie Room, etc. Lots of fresh vegetables. Requires strong chopsticks skills. Went on a wrong day though as the place doesn't have AC. Will return when it's cooler. Hopefully they will have a coffee machine then. Place charged a $20 for two Omakase (set menu) reservation fee I recall when booking through Tock. Micro restaurant wish seating a little more comfortable.

Here is a nice new restaurant located beside Straight and Marrow on Powell. The place has a small menu or you can opt for the "Omakase" which is basically a daily-changed menu of the chef's choosing. We opted for that and was presented with a selection of fine delicious foods! The restaurant is less than a month old and while the first few dishes came out slower than expected, everything was delicious.,We will definitely be back!

Ok we never actually ate there. Website says walk ins welcome but I'm not so sure. Prior to arriving, called and left messages repeatedly with some specific questions. No-one got back to me, annoying, but understandable as most people rarely return phone calls. So we arrive late hoping for snacks and wine late into the evening, yet the staff (server and manager i believe?) are not friendly or welcoming at all! Was fully aware of the omakase experience offered. Really got the impression that we were inconveniencing them. Walked out and had a fantastic time at Gobo!

I did omakase with the wine pairings and had a delightful time. Learned a bunch about food too and enjoyed the creativity and dedication involved in the whole experience. It's a small place and service is amazing. The only thing I'd change is a bit more emphasis on dessert maybe (besides the main small dessert, some fruit or small bites or something). But it's not their thing so that's not going to stop me from coming back. Great place for two food knowledgeable people to enjoy a meal because there are so many interesting components and influences.

Most innovative and interesting tasting burger ever - one of the rare reviews I'm posting for a burger. Pasta from the menu after 10PM was silky and very fresh.

Petite space but mighty Chef! They don't take reservations so be there early( although you will miss the fantastic pasta exclusively for after 10pm) . Love the simplicity of the menu and we basically ordered every single dish from their menu and loved every single one of them. Even if you are not a dessert person, you must try their super creative selections(especially the boozy ones)

I was bit by a terrible snake (Pit Viper) in East Vancouver and thought I was SURELY hallucinating from the venom when I stumbled upon the truly GORGEOUS Elephant On Powell Restaurant. My greatest fear in life IS snakes but once I was bitten (and my greatest fear was actualized) I noticed a profound sense of relief and acceptance overcome my entire body. It was with this newfound acceptance and peace that I had what I describe as a "once in a lifetime meal" at this beautiful establishment. I have significant memory loss from the poisonous Pit Viper bite and therefore do not actually remember eating my dinner. That said, my wife Donna (who had to come pick me up in our family van) assures me that I enjoyed my food because I could not stop raving about the NON-STOP FLAVOURS!!! Thank you to the Elephant On Powell Restaurant staff for making me feel so welcome after I was attacked by that horrible and mean reptile in the alley behind a nearby gas station (and special thanks to Donna for always being there for me - I love you).