Vancouver's AnnaLena earns city's first two-Michelin-star rating

VANCOUVER — AnnaLena in Vancouver's Kitsilano neighbourhood has become the city's first restaurant to earn a two-star rating from the Michelin Guide.

The contemporary restaurant, led by chef and owner Mike Robbins, was upgraded from its previous one-star designation, Michelin announced Tuesday.

"I think it's a surprise because we're not doing a playbook," said Robbins. "My son writes the menu with crayon … it's not always going to be for everyone."

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He said he was happy about the win and shocked, crediting his team for their collective success. Robbins said the accolade was one he and his team had been working towards, going as far as to renovate and upgrade the restaurant.

Michelin said the restaurant's effortless service and drinks are part of the "magic," but it's the "seasonally inspired tasting menu that really steals the show."

The guide said AnnaLena's "globally accented cuisine marries precise technique and top-flight ingredients."

AnnaLena now joins only two other Canadian restaurants with the coveted two-star distinction: Ontario's Restaurant Pearl Morissette and Quebec City's Tanière³.

Ten other Vancouver restaurants retained their one Michelin star for 2026.

They are Burdock and Co, iDen and QuanJuDe Beijing Duck House, Kissa Tanto, Okeya Kyujiro, Published on Main, St. Lawrence, Sushi Masuda, Sumibiyaki Arashi, Sushi Hyun and Burdock and Co.

One restaurant, Barbara in Chinatown, lost its star and is now on the guide's "recommended" list.

The 2026 guide features 72 Vancouver restaurants in total, down from 76 last year.

Sixteen restaurants were deemed Bib Gourmands, recognized for offering "great food at a great value," defined as two courses plus a glass of wine or dessert for less than $60.

Two restaurants, Kavita and Chef's Choice Seafood Restaurant, are new to the Bib Gourmand list this year.

Returning Bib Gourmand restaurants include Anh and Chi, Farmer’s Apprentice, Karma Indian Bistro, Gary’s Good Thief, Little Bird Dim Sum and Craft Beer, Lunch Lady, Magari by Oca, Motonobu Udon, Phnom Penh Seaport City Seafood, Song (by Kin Kao), Sushi Hil and Vij’s.

Forty-five other eateries are on the recommended list, including three new additions: modern Thai spot Jay Nok, Korean restaurant Jeju and Japanese-inspired Niwa.

Other recommended restaurants include Ask for Luigi, Bacchus, Bao Bei, Bonjour Vietnam Bistro, Botanist, Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar, Bravo Carlino, Chang’An, Como Taperia, Delara, Elem, Elisa, Fanny Bay Oyster Bar, Folke, Hawksworth Restaurant, Homer St. Cafe, L’Abattoir, Maenam, Miku, Moltaqa, Nammos Estiatorio, Neptune Palace Seafood Restaurant, Nero Tondo, Nightingale, Ophelia, Octopus Garden, Osteria Savio Volpe, Per Se Social Corner, Pidgin, Riley’s Fish and Steak, Sushi Bar Maumi, Sushi Jin, Suyo, Tetsu Sushi Bar, The Acorn, Torafuku, The Mackenzie Room and Yuwa Zab Bite.

The guide also presented special awards, with the Exceptional Cocktail Award going to Chris Enns of Peya, the Sommelier Award to Mark Taylor of Bacchus and the Young Chef Award to Vish Mayekar of Elem.

Michelin said its inspectors are completely anonymous and evaluate restaurants using the same criteria around the world.

Vancouver was one of two cities included in the Michelin Guide's first foray into Canada in 2022, along with Toronto. A Quebec guide was introduced later.

The Michelin Guide is a globally recognized dining and hotel rating system published by the French tire manufacturing company Michelin.

With files from The Canadian Press, CBC News and Vancouver Magazine