For years, Umberto Menghi's Giardino Restaurant was a local favorite for fine dining Italian cuisine and when the announcement was made that they would be closing the doors, it hit the city hard. Fortunately, the closure was short lived and they re-opened just a few blocks up from their old location in 2015. The indoor space is incredibly warm and makes you feel like you're walking into a friend's (very large and rather fancy) dining room. On a hot summer's eve, head out to the courtyard and you'll feel as though you've been transported to the Mediterranean; it's a welcome oasis from the bustle of the city. On the menu you'll find many familiar dishes with daily specials that are sure to tempt. Pair your meal with something lovely from the extensive wine list. To top it all off, the service is top-notch and you'll be well taken care of.

As it stands, heritage homes in Yaletown are a very rare commodity. When you pair one of these gems with fine dining Italian cuisine, you're in for a charming experience that'll make you feel right at home... literally. You won't find short cuts at Lupo. From the generosity felt with their service to everything being made in-house, they take so much care in all that they do. On the menu, you'll find a contemporary take on traditional Italian fare that's made from local and seasonal ingredients. The menu is plentiful with a solid selection to choose from. For those who can't decide what to get, pastas come in two different portion sizes so you can order it as a starter or a main. Located just off of Robson Street and a stone's throw from Yaletown, Lupo is easy to get to.

Attracting a well-heeled crowd, Araxi Restaurant + Oyster Bar is one of the best spots in Whistler. This high-end restaurant serves incredible food and has been a leader in the farm-to-table movement over the years. At the helm is Chef James Walt, a passionate locavore. Chef Walt lives in nearby Pemberton where he works with local farmers to source and pick the ingredients that show up on Araxi's menu. Because of this, you'll find local and seasonal ingredients throughout each dish. Here, it's not just about eating and enjoying the flavors, it's about taking in the experience with all of your senses. Each dish is as satisfying on the eyes as they are the palate. Thirsty? The abundant wine cellar is well stocked with a beautiful selection of fine wines.

Coming from Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar, Ancora's Executive Chef, Ricardo Valverde, brings more than a decade of culinary experience to the kitchen. Chef Yoshihiro Tabo hails from Japan and leads the restaurant's raw bar, bringing years of experience and incredible talent. This duo effortlessly blends Peruvian and Japanese cultures using seasonal and sustainable ingredients from local and global suppliers. The modern restaurant'a decor offers a gentle nod to the coast with soft blues, light wood, and sand-inspired neutrals. The high ceilings and crystal chandeliers add a touch of grandeur without being over the top. On the menu, seafood is the main attraction here. From caviar and oysters to crudo and sushi, the raw bar doesn't disappoint. Main dishes use ingredients like dungeness crab, uni, and sablefish; diners won't be let down by Valverde's creativity in the kitchen.

When it comes to fresh seafood and fine dining, it doesn't get much better than Yaletown's Blue Water Cafe. Crisp white linens and marvellous service set the stage for a meal to remember in this warm and inviting restaurant. On the menu, guests can choose from a host of fresh seafood that's prepared in a multitude of ways. The raw bar will satisfy any sushi cravings, while the seafood on ice options make for wonderful starters. From freshly shucked oysters and caviar to the most jaw-dropping seafood towers, there's no shortage of choice. Warm up with something like sablefish with a miso sake glaze, baby bok choy, edamame, quinoa and shiitake mushrooms with yuzu dashi from the principal plates and wash it down with a bottle from their ever-growing wine program. They carry over 1,000 labels and have a cellar of 14,000 bottles.

From Whistler to Vancouver, the TopTable Group is known for their high-calibre restaurants, and their South Granville restaurant, West, is no exception. Crisp white linens, rich cherry wood taking front stage at the bar, and incredible service make this a spot to remember-and we haven't even got to the food! West's serves contemporary regional cuisine with seamless precision and impeccable care. Using only the best ingredients that local farmers and producers have to offer, you can be sure that each dish is bursting with freshness and plenty of flavor. Because they source locally and seasonally, the menu is constantly changing, but quality and creativity consistently go into every dish. West Restaurant is ideal for a special occasion or your next date night.

Miku restaurant has made a name for itself in Vancouver for serving some of the best sushi and Japanese food in the city. Miku was the first restaurant in North America to start serving aburi sushi and it has since become a popular style of sushi, especially amongst Vancouverites. Their popularity didn't stop at just one restaurant and they have a couple of other restaurants in the city now. While the aburi sushi is excellent, the menu is chock-full with beautiful dishes that you won't want to miss out on. From fresh sashimi and rolls to appetizers and mains, there's plenty of choice here. Want to try a bunch of things? Order from the kaiseki menu and let chef prepare a special meal for you.

This award-winning elegant and romantic restaurant, located in Kitsilano, features an imaginative seasonal menu that specializes in Pacific Northwest cuisine. A friendly, professional staff presents a menu that changes weekly and features the freshest ingredients which can include Cowichan Bay Farms duck, BC spot prawns or Fraser Valley lamb. A piece of advice? Save room for dessert. They change seasonally, but you'll likely find homemade ice creams, ganaches and selections of local cheese. This long standing restaurant is an excellent choice to treat your near and dear to when celebrating a very special occasion. Think of Bishop's as traditional fine dining that's warm, inviting and unpretentious. These guys never seem to skip a beat.

Chef David Hawksworth is well known around the world for serving contemporary cuisine that consistently knocks it out of the park, and his Vancouver restaurant is no exception. Located inside of the striking Rosewood Hotel Georgia, the dining room exudes sophistication and style, while the service is gracious and warm. The menu brings contemporary Canadian cuisine to the table, using as many local and Canadian ingredients as possible. The menu changes so don't be surprised to enjoy new creations upon a return visit. Situated on West Georgia, it makes it convenient for business lunches or after work drinks. If you're just popping in for drinks, they also offer a bar-dining menu that will curb your appetite while you sip on a hand-crafted cocktail. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so an indulgent and special meal is possible almost any time of day.

Chef Michel Jacob's Alsatian-style cuisine is one for the books and absolutely worth the splurge. From the warm and inviting atmosphere to the impeccable service and incredible dishes, Le Crocodile continues to be a local favorite for a special meal. The menu boasts plenty of sumptuous hot and cold starters that set the stage nicely for the main event. Tuck into steak tartare or a classic classic Alsatian onion tart before moving onto a main of slow braised lamb shank or pan-seared veal sweetbreads. Finish your meal with French cheeses or a sweet treat to complete your experience. Le Crocodile is a Vancouver institution and has been around forever. Locals know they can go to Le Crocodile for a consistently good meal and that old school French charm.