The must-visit spots in town for creative cocktails and cool, speakeasy-like spaces. 

By Cinda Chavich

Winner: Little Jumbo

BestRestaurants-LittleJumboPhotograph by Jeffrey Bosdet. 


Marked with a purple neon elephant and hidden down a hallway off a downtown street, Little Jumbo is our go-to bar for its speakeasy vibe and imaginative craft cocktail menu that’s as much fun to read as it is to sip. The food is the other secret to uncover — chef Gabriel Fayerman-Hansen offers creative plates for late-night noshing, from tuna tartare and Humboldt squid in chickpea crust, to crispy pork belly with shaved fennel and apple.

Little Jumbo, Down the Hall, 506 Fort St., 778-433-5535, littlejumbo.ca

 

Runner Up: Q at the Empress

We also like the new Q lounge at the Fairmont Empress, a hip, modern addition to this historic downtown hotel.

Q at the Empress, 721 Government St., 250-389-2727, qattheempress.com

 

Runner Up: Veneto

The re-imagined Veneto lounge is just as bright and buzzy in a new street-side space that’s perfect for people-watching.

Veneto, 1450 Douglas St., 250-383-7310, venetodining.com 

 

Honorable Mention: Clarke & Co.


More Best Restaurants

The 2018 Best Restaurants were selected by a panel of judges. Meet the judges here

Best Overall Restaurants 

Best New Restaurants 

Best Casual Restaurants 

Best Hidden Gems

Best Chef-Driven 

Best Upscale 

Best Cocktail Bars 

Best Brunch

Best Food Trucks

Best Farm-to-Table

Even More Best Restaurants


This is from the July/August 2018 issue of YAM