The Acorn Restaurant
Vegetarian restaurant · Riley Park-Kensington
3995 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3P3, Canada
Highlights
Ambitious vegetarian/vegan fare & late-night bar with local produce
Ambitious vegetarian/vegan fare & late-night bar with local produce
"Built into the fabric of how they cook and operate, The Acorn practices strict locavore and zero-waste principles: if it doesn’t grow locally they don’t use it, they preserve peak‑season produce so items like tomatoes and peaches can appear in winter without flying anything in, recycle comprehensively, receive grower deliveries in reusable totes, and keep their carbon footprint low. The team finds flavour through technique and creativity, turning kitchen trim into cocktail ingredients and favouring a wine list of sustainable, minimal‑intervention producers. A signature example of their whole‑ingredient approach is the shiitake dish—locally grown shiitake roasted with Haida Gwaii seaweed, stems fermented into an XO‑style sauce, fresh ginger made into a silky emulsion, and ginger leaves finished as an aromatic oil—showing how nothing is wasted and every element contributes to the dish." - Sophie Mendel
"This high-end local vegetarian institution opened up ahead of the curve back in 2012, when the phrase “plant-based” was barely on anyone’s radar. Spring for the $85 chef’s tasting menu, which is always way more food than we expect, and one of the best ways to spend two hours at any table in Vancouver. You’ll leave full and maybe with a new appreciation for the power of vegetables. The menu changes weekly, but there’s always a focus on fermentation—think pickled beets and preserved mandarins. Budget willing, this is the perfect date spot to woo a vegetarian lover, or take the plant-based cynic in your life to blow their mind, and your own in the process." - Thalia Stopa
"If you guys are like me, you might have dreaded the prospect of going out for a bland, unsatisfying vegetarian meal. But the Acorn is so amazing, that even a boorish meat-eater like me dreams of the next chance visit this award winning restaurant. Everything on the menu is delicious, but do not miss the Beer Battered Halloumi!" - Wendy Wan & Drew Ng
"Local produce shines brightly in this softly lit vegetarian/vegan restaurant, which strums along happily to hipster beats in the heart of the city’s funky Main Street neighborhood. The menu switches up frequently (save for the show-stopping halloumi in a whisper-thin beer batter) as the region’s seasonal bounty rolls through. The wine list has plenty of lesser known biodynamic varieties to try, and impressively, the non-alcoholic drinks are given as much consideration as the excellent cocktails. If you can’t score a seat for dinner, try the weekend brunch, which offers eggs and granola alongside more complex options such as bok choy with Espelette pepper, nam jim, plum hoisin, and puffed wild rice. Best for: The multicourse chef’s tasting menu, which is served family-style and showcases ultra-seasonal, local ingredients." - Nikki Bayley
"The Acorn focuses on inclusive dining experiences with thoughtfully crafted and complex zero-proof beverages that complement their dishes." - Kevin Chau
