Kissa Tanto Vancouver

Kissa Tanto sits on E Pender St, a ten-minute walk from the centre of Gastown. The kitchen focuses on a blend of Japanese and Italian cooking, a combination that earned the room a Michelin star.

The restaurant is dressier than its neighbours in the area, yet it ignores the stiffness usually associated with the Michelin-starred category. While other rooms nearby lean into rigid minimalism, Kissa Tanto thrives on a maximalist aesthetic that matches its unconventional menu. It holds the number nine spot on Canada’s 100 Best, a ranking that confirms why the floor is often more energetic than the formal dining rooms further west near the Vancouver Art Gallery. It offers a sharper experience than the surrounding spots, trading the predictable consistency of the city’s standard fine dining for a menu that demands you pay attention.