Vancouver is now proudly hosting a restaurant that has been awarded two Michelin stars. AnnaLena, located in Kitsilano, has become the first restaurant in the city to achieve this prestigious recognition, an upgrade from its previous one-star status. According to Michelin, the restaurant’s exceptional service and cocktails contribute to its allure, but it’s the ever-evolving seasonal tasting menu that truly captivates diners.
Chef and owner Mike Robbins expressed his delight and surprise at the accolade, despite the team’s dedicated efforts, which included renovating and enhancing the restaurant. Robbins mentioned that their unconventional approach, such as creating menus with crayons, may not appeal to everyone but is a reflection of their creativity.
Vancouver was one of the initial cities covered in the Michelin Guide’s debut in Canada in 2022, alongside Toronto, followed by Quebec. AnnaLena now stands alongside only two other Canadian establishments holding the esteemed two-star rating: Restaurant Pearl Morissette in Ontario and Tanière³ in Quebec City. The list of Michelin-starred restaurants in Vancouver has been steadily expanding over the years, with some establishments maintaining their single-star status annually. However, this year, one restaurant has regrettably lost its star.
Barbara Restaurant in Chinatown has been moved to the guide’s “recommended” list, along with 45 other eateries. In addition to AnnaLena, this year’s one-star recipients include Burdock & Co., iDen and QuaJuDe Beijing Duck House, Kissa Tanto, Masayoshi, Okeya Kyujiro, Published on Main, St. Lawrence, Sumibiyaki Arashi, Sushi Hyun, and Sushi Masuda. The guide also recognized 16 other restaurants as “Bib Gourmands,” signifying good value.
Michelin emphasizes that its inspectors maintain anonymity and apply consistent evaluation criteria globally when assessing restaurants.