163 Keefer St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1X4, Canada
Modern Chinese food in the heart of Vancouver's historic Chinatown.
Nice atmosphere and interior But the food was very disappointing. From appetizer to dessert only thing that we liked was chili oil. The eggplant was overcooked. It was not juicy at all. Tasted a little bitter(burn). The fried rice tasted like ketchup. The chicken wing was soggy, not crispy at all, and wasn't served hot. Dessert was not really balanced and it was dry. Use to be a really good restaurent. That's why I was very excited to visit this time. I don't think I will go back🥲 Btw service was really good.
Came here with two others and we ended up ordering 5 dishes total. We ordered the beef tartare, the mantou buns, the shao bing, the steam prawn dumplings and the kick-ass fried rice. Every dish was delicious and the server went over each dish in detail when it was brought to the table. My favourite dish was probably the shao bing, followed by the mantou buns. I would 100% order everything again, but I'd also likely want to try new dishes if I came back. I would highly recommend this spot! Note that you may have to wait for 20-45 minutes on a weekend if you are walking in.
Good - Beautiful decor. Bad - Food was greasy, taste was subpar, how can you justify adding bacon & pineapple to a fried rice that’s just so much grease but it tastes so bad? The dumpling were good but so small that it’s a crime to charge $25 for 5. Service was also disappointing, all along the lady kept asking us to order more food or dessert, or get the bill. It was so annoying. We paid $40 each and we were still hungry by the end of the meal, so we had to get more food from nearby restaurants instead for seconds. So much room for talent, yet so disappointing.
I always loved going to Bao Bei for delicious meals but it was a little bit of disappointment this time. Crispy tofu was good but the rest of the meal was soso for me time. I will still visit later in the future because it was one of my favorites to dine.
Everything was perfect! Food, drinks and service🩷 Since dishes are designed to share, we tried bunch of different dishes. I didn’t take all the photos but the house made sesame buns sandwiches was soooo tasty! Overall everything was tasty actually. Service was on point and could feel they are all team players love that. Definitely will return <3
I love dim sum. I love French food. This was a true fusion of flavors, preparations, and style. Our group literally ordered about 70% of the menu. We loved some items so much that we ordered more. I would say that the best dish is the bean curd and steamed prawn scallops. However, I would also order the beef tartare and shao bing again....ok wait! I would order everything again! My favorite drinks was the thousand autumns! Our waitress was incredible and I wish I remembered her name.
I liked the retro style but I didn't like the food. As my Asia background, most of the seasonings were creative but some of them were not good. The Fish was too dry and seafood wasn't fresh. Fried tofu was way too sweet and not crispy or soft inside. Rice cake was a nightmare, very weird seasonings. Pork dumplings wasn't fresh. Only thing I liked was the seasonings of vegetables dishes. Moreover, the family table wasn't convenient. It was hard for everyone to reach dishes.
Food itself was OK / delicious depending on the dish. We tried the chefs choice option - which essentially allowed us to try most of the menu (11 different dishes) priced at $65 per person pretax. We were able to ask to ensure we get beef tartare as part of the menu - the restaurant was flexible to ensure we got to try what we want which is very nice. Lovely ambiance and seating, great service. Although the variety is nice, the chef’s choice option was too much food (we were a group of 5). Had we ordered all the menu options separately it would have been cheaper for us (although I’m sure the portion sizes may differ). A breakdown of the food items we got under the chef’s choice option (and the price on the menu if you order separately), recommended dishes will have a 🥟 emoji beside it: - Crispy tofu (value: $9) - Napa cabbage (value: $9) - Bean curd skin (value: $9) - Beef tartare w bone marrow (value: $34) - Wontons (value: $21) 🥟 - Mantou buns (value: $16) 🥟 - 2 types of Dumplings (value: $17 x 2) - Spring Salmon (value: $39) - King Pea Tips (value: $16) - Picanha steak (value: $36) 🥟 - Sticky rice cake (value: $25)
bean curd skin: 3/5 very salty shao bing: 3/5 not bad, a little bland king pea tips 2/5 this was good, but it was VERY salty Sichuan fried chicken: 3.5/5 good, esp if you like spicy kick ass house fried rice: 4/5 this was my fav flat iron: 3.5/5 tender, it was nice, but a bit on the bland side overall: it was mostly very salty. but its still not bad.
This is my first ever customer review. We don t know the food quality actually because our whole family (3 adults and two infants) was first informed can be there via phone then when we arrived no space to sit or stand; after 2 mins we were apologized and ask to stand outside in a rainy evening. i never heard an apology like that in my whole life and suggested them to build a canopy first before asking to stand outside; surprisingly the waiter said they ve been there for 1x years and never need that to avoid fire or sth; check your neighbor store a few steps away they have a canopy for us to stay. the food might be good but isn t respect your customer is the first thing??? Kid-friendliness: horrible, they asked us to stay in the rain.
A great spot for a group meal with an interesting blend of Asian and French small plates. It was fun to start a meal off with some excellent beef tartare, have some amazing seafood dumplings and potstickers in the middle, and then close it out with a flat iron steak and pomme purée. Everything was delicious and the service was excellent!
Its unfortunate that only the cocktails shine more than the food. I had the fried rice and dumplings and both me and my friend vomitted the same night. It was also so dark to see the menu that I had to turn on my phones flashlight - what a vibe killer
The restaurant tried to be creative with their dish which is a plus but somehow I feel it does not quite getting there . Attentive service and nice ambience.
My partner and I went for the second time on a Friday and walked in without waiting. We were seated at the bar again and had great service. We love the steak tartar here and also ordered the cucumbers, fried tofu, and sticky rice cakes. The rice cakes were undercooked and our bartender/server totally understood when we didnt want to eat it. We replaced it with the lamb flatbread which was great. We really appreciated that we were not charged for the rice cakes. The four cocktails we had were all fantastic as well so we really want to highlight how great our server was for doing double duty as an attentive server and great bartender.
Incredible food, amazing ambiance, staff is amazing and thoughtful
Come for drinks not food! Atmosphere was so nice but this was not a representation of Chinese food. The steamed rice was not fully cooked and when we told them that, they returned it back to us and said this is how it s supposed to be. You would never get served crispy steamed rice in China. They did refund the rice but everything there is made with a non ethnic persons palate in mind. Again the drinks were fantastic but eat before you go.
I chose Bao Bei for my birthday this year. Years ago, I would frequently eat out there when I lived around the corner. I always thought of it as loud and hopping and just a bit chaotic (that is from a hospitality industry perspective), but the food has (still) never failed to disappoint, and I always found the service to be charming and friendly if anything. Unfortunately for me this year, the Michelin guide s star awarded to this restaurant has not improved its customer service. While I could only make one technical (yet essential) complaint about my experience, I was simply underwhelmed. I felt like my server s motivation was to take my order and bring me that food. Which they did, for the most part. But I wish I had chosen a different spot to enjoy a special occasion. Dietary restrictions: I informed my server about a dietary preference. He assured me that the kitchen would take it into account, but EVERY dish he brought included the ingredient I requested be left out. Like, raw, as a garnish. I m confused because I m sure my server heard me.
This is my favorite bar in vancouver Foods, drinks, service Highly recommend their pina colada!
The crispy tofu is stupid good. It shouldn t be that good. Indeed, it has no right to be that good. But, alas, it is. It would be foolish not to order it.
Exceptional food and drinks!
Fabulous fusion and great service with a smile.
Top food
None of the items stood out, they were all just ok. They did come out quickly and orderly though.
Charles is the BEST! 5 star totally deserving of their Michelin star! Vibesss are immaculate. Food was fire. Will be back weoooo
Excellent modern take on Chinese cuisine.
Every bite was delectable. Literally, everything was perfect. Service was attentive and friendly. The Nai Nai Punch is probably the BEST COCKTAIL IN THE WORLD. Great people all around.
Absolutely loved this place! Ive walked past it many times and heard great things, but always assumed you needed a reservation. My friend and I walked in and got seats at the bar after having drinks and food nearby. The bar staff were incredibly accommodating, friendly, and engaging in conversation. While we didnt have a full meal, we tried the crispy tofu and prawn steamed dumplings both were so delicious! My only regret was not ordering more. The food was outstanding, and I cant wait to come back to try more. One thing to note, though, is that the menu seems limited for vegetarians and pescatarians, which is one reason I hadnt visited sooner, as it felt like a very meat-heavy spot which is disappointing.
I had high expectations for this evening, because the restaurant is listed in several guides, and even by Michelin. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed: although the place is very pleasant and fashionable, the contents of the plates are not up to standard at all. Out of the 4 dishes ordered, the 2 dumplings were good, but the other two dishes were very disappointing: two wontons filled with a squid preparation drowned in a tasteless sauce, without any particular relief, and two small buns garnished with a little mutton with a large portion of fresh coriander on top. Each small dish costs $20 without taxes and tips, at this price for a tasting size, I was really expecting something refined... Bao bei must progress in the quality and originality of her dishes if she wants to keep your attendance, beyond a fashion effect. And what about the simple 1/2 liter carafe of Sicilian wine for $56, or the poor slice of dry cake with a burnt taste served for dessert? Michelin would do well to visit the restaurants it recommends, because what is on the plate is of no interest according to their usual standards. In conclusion: the place is successful, people are rushing to come and test the Chinese brasserie concept, but it is urgent to work on what is on the plate!
Service was great! John did an amazing job of giving us a tour of the menu and helping us feel cared for. Food was lackluster for the hype. We ordered the bean curd which was great! But the Pork Sauerkraut dumplings and the hainanese buns were bland and lacking flavor. The dumplings were juicy but did not feel any different from Ajinomoto frozen dumplings from Costco, the buns themselves were great but the chicken filling was lacking punch to make me feel satiated. I do not want to take away from the service and the ambiance, we felt welcomed and cared for and the overall appearance of the restaurant gave us a great date night feel to spark good conversation. Wish the food hit our taste buds harder.
My 3 friends I ended up at the bar. It was a great experience. Im pretty sure we tried at least 1 of everything on the menu. Our favourite was the sesame bun. It was pricey, but worth it for a different food experience than normal.
Flavourless menu. Ordered 5 dishes, only the bean curd skins were great. For a Michelin star we were highly disappointed.
Beef tartare is the best I ve ever had. Ever.
Just had a great meal here. Awesome wait staff, and the food was scrumptious! Dumplings, lamb, snow peas and fried rice were great! Cool vibe! Only slight negative is that it s pretty loud and pretty small. We totally lucked out with fun folks on both sides of us so it became a party. Highly recommend!
You would find it very hard to better the food served here.
Yum. Thats it. Just delicious food and great staff. Grab a couple friends and share some bomb food. You cant go wrong here! If you have a larger group try to reserve the booth in the back for an ideal family dining experience.
This is my second time I have been to this restaurant. I was hoping the second time was going to be as good as the first..... and it was. Bao Bei.. is not your traditional Chinese restaurant. Consider it a fusion Asian restaurant that make your tastebuds light up in glory. We ordered 6 different dishes as suggested by our server. Each one that came out was an explosion of flavor along with our drinks. This culinary experience is definitely one not to be missed in Vancouver. I do wish the space was bigger and not as loud.. but..the service, food and drinks make up for it. Enjoy!
Service, ambiance and food 10/10! If I could eat dumplings here everyday I would. The fried rice, pickles, steak, wontons and fritters were also fabulous. A MUST when in Vancouver. Thanks for the amazing evening!
I have a nut allergy therefore some Asian food can be hard to eat. They were her knowledgeable about their menu and able to accommodate me. I ate with confidence and it was incredible food!!
Chinese food s good. Classic cocktails are right. Service s awesome. Food : 5/5
10/10 experience! Ask for Helena as your server she was amazing
We absolutely loved Bao Bei! Authentic Chinese cuisine with a twist. The atmosphere was cozy and eclectic, and our servers were friendly and attentive. Make sure to make a reservation - the restaurant was completely full when we were there. Highly recommend the Bean Curd Skin, Pork Dumplings, Mantou Buns, and Fried Rice. Make sure to add their spicy chili oil!
Had a business meal here with a group of clients and were told to have the family style menu which was a fixed menu put forth by the chef. The food was creative and delicious but as we had some vegetarians and dietary restrictions, the offerings were not as good for those. Drinks were ok as well .
We tried the $65 menu in which the chef composes a series of dishes of his choice. Any combination is amazing and the portions are generous, in fact we didnt end up ordering dessert. Dietary restrictions: Very careful to know if you have any allergies or intolerances
Unique and quite pleasant. Its clear that there was a concerted effort to stand out in a challenging and competitive culinary market. The staff were exceptionally friendly and very helpful.
Today was the 3rd time there and was not a pleasant experience. We ordered chef special and the food took a while to get to the table, and was not tasty as it used to be. Service was poor, not a good experience. Not sure whats going on there. Spent over $300 for 4 people and was not worthwile.
Overrated and overpriced
Vibey location, dim lights, ambience, great service. The food didn t live up to the expectations set by the great atmosphere and reviews. The pork and seafood dumplings/potstickers were bland. The fried rice forgettable, and the glutinous sticky rice cakes were chewy glutinous lumps. The picanha and asparagus dish was tasty but didn t read Chinese at all and the eggplant dish (a highlight) was nice but lacking the brilliance of versions at other restaurants. Cocktails were enjoyable riffs of classics. I could see this as a nice date spot, but for a city with such a reputation for high quality Chinese food I was left disappointed.
We dined at Bao Bei because it was on several best of Vancouver restaurant lists and the online reviews were great. I would have to say, if anything, all these 5 star reviews were insufficient. One of the best and most innovative restaurants that we have been to. The food, the drinks, the service, the dessert - not a flaw. We did not leave a morsel of food on any plate and only decorum prevented us from licking the plates.
Perfect cocktail with a fusion twist
Epic
Had truly a fantastic meal there today. We went with the chef s choice for two and it was wonderful. We started with cocktails (that was the only thing I didn t thoroughly enjoy; I might ve made a poor choice) and shortly after they brought us three small bites: some sort of green (pea tips?) with a paprika sauce, picked kolrabi and zucchini with a sweet and spicy taste, and lentil fritters with this green sauce (perhaps with mint?). Next we got steak tartare with crispy shallot, ginger, quail egg yolk and watercress served with these crispy taro chips. Next up we got these delicious salmon (perfectly cooked with a medium rare inside and crispy skin), veggies and this green sauce with fava beans. In terms of dumplings we got to try both the pork+sauerkraut and the shrimp dumplings (if I had to choose only one it d the pork, however, both were excellent). To finish the savoury menu we got these sticky rice cakes with wood ear mushrooms, pork and pork broth; this was the tastiest thing I ve had in a while! I love the chewy texture, the smoothness of the broth and the garlicky taste. We ordered the menu with dessert and ended up sharing the rhubarb pie. Truly a decadent meal Dietary restrictions: I am lactose free and they were mindful of that :)
Very good restaurant. Drinks were delicious and the mango wings were fantastic.
We had a good time here. The food was fantastic, the corn fritters are a must. Intimate setting, lovely staff and overall great time.
Asians beware, this place is for westerners. Service was great but food was beyond disappointing. Came on the weekend for dinner. All 4 dishes we got were flat, one dimensional, and extremely salty with no aromatics or depth of flavor, textures were wrong as well and no color. I feel like they use cheap soy sauce. We couldn t finish a single dish even though the portions were small. Cocktails were weak and watery. Most shockingly, their white rice was undercooked, the wrong grain, and also dry like it d been under a heat lamp for a while or the steam cooker was left open. Ridiculously, they said that s just the way they cook their rice and the whole pot is like that. Truly embarrassing and quite ignorant of them. It s very obvious that they don t know the basics of Chinese cooking, and at this price point that s not acceptable. They also use cheap chopsticks and dinnerware, I expected better. Kudos to their marketing people for writing an interesting sounding menu, such a shame their kitchen can t deliver on any of it. Honestly, I m really shocked at the good reviews. I m giving 2 stars only because the manager or owner was kind enough to comp most of our bill and asked for feedback (with the caveat they wouldn t be changing anything ) and server was attentive. You can go for the vibe but don t expect good food. Signed, Kid who grew up in restaurant business and has taste buds, who was so appalled I had to write a review.
By far the best Asian fusion I have ever had. The sticky rice cake dish is phenomenal as are the king pea tips.
Thoroughly enjoyable meal! We opted for the chef s (or staff) recommendation, at $65 pp, and loved each of the six dishes we received. Food : 5/5
Eggplant and the fried rice were
Bao Bei was a standout in a city of great food! Spouse and I ordered and shared a selection of small plates, as recommended by our server. Everything was excellent, though my favorite were the sticky rice cakes with pork. (They were almost too delicious, since now Im going to spend months pining for them.) Be sure to reserve ahead.
Awesome place, drinks great, food tasty! I will go back for sure. Service amazing, i forgot her name but that server was very very nice with us.
The food was absolutely delicious! Charles was our waiter and he was outstanding! Its our first time in Canada and he written a list of his recommendations when we asked what his favorite spots were! Best experience by far!
Came here with a friend visiting from Singapore! Great vibes and amazing service. Food was quite tasty! My friend enjoyed this place and was going to take her friend here as well!
Fried rice was good. Dumplings were mid, 6pcs for $16-17 is way too much. Pork belly bao was 2pcs for $15 I think. Tables are too small. Food is alright but hella expensive for the portions.
Xiao Bing!
The bean curd was surprisingly delicious! Everything we ordered was good and the Nai Nai Punch drink was a highlight Vegetarian options: Many good vegetarian options
Amazing food, cocktails and service. Had the margarita, eggplant, fried rice!!
Homeless people overwhelming
Just ok. Wasn t impressed with the food. Our server was nice. Menu is very limited. Would not recommend.
Had the rice cakes, pea shoots, spicy dumplings in chili oil, and bao all so delicious!
Extremely good experience all around.
So, I went to Bao Bei absolutely AMAZING! The ambiance was so cozy, and the staff (s/o Helena) were super friendly and attentive. Now, lets talk about the food. Oh. My. Goodness. It was like a flavor explosion in my mouth! Every dish I tried was cooked to perfection and bursting with deliciousness. And the presentation? Top-notch! Overall, I had the BEST dining experience at Bao Bei and I cant wait to go back for more culinary delights. Highly, highly recommend!
Great dinner. We had the chefs tasting menu (decided by chef but we asked for a specific dish and it was included). Service was impeccable and restaurant is beautiful.
Had a delish and inventive meal at Bao Bei with delicious cocktails and attentive service. 10/10 would return!
A Chinatown institution, Bao Bei is as cool as it gets in Vancouver. Dim lighting, an intimate bar area and delicious Asian sharing plates. The cuisine at Bao Bei is a modern take on casual Asian food. Think dim sum that youd enjoy eating in the evening alongside well-made cocktails like the red date old fashioned. The pot-stickers and dumplings are the highlight of the menu. Dont miss the steamed pork, betel leaf, cabbage and fuzzy melon dumplings. Another must-order dish is the crispy tofu, garlic sweet soy, and fresh water chestnut.
An enduring treat when visiting Vancouver. It always seems to be raining in Vancouver when we go there. Maybe its always rainy in Vancouver.
Bao Bei had a great tasting menu for large groups. Everything was delicious and they are very accommodating towards any allergies/food preferences. Everything was very tasty and portion sizes were generous.
Excellent meal. Family table was excellent and accommodated our group of 6 perfectly. All of the chefs choices were delicious. Highlight was the tartare w smoked bone marrow. Looking forward to coming back.
Loved everything about it. Buzzy brasserie feel, interesting menu, and everything cooked to perfection. I will be back!
A+ across the board Will definitely be going back next time Im in Vancouver Food
Incredible.
Great Asian food in an intimate setting thats only open for dinner. Their omelette and fried chicken are certainly standout dishes that are worth a try. All of the dishes had great flavor. The only drawback of this spot is that they are so popular that you need to reserve ahead of time to have a table over prime dining times. However, once you are seated and munching on their delicious shareable food in the dimly lit setting, you will enjoy a memorable night out. Parking: Parking near the restaurant is pretty easy. There are paid parking spots all around the restaurant and a few free parking spots nearby too.
I didn t get great photos but the food, ambience, and service were incredible! We had a reservation for 5 and got to try a wide variety of their food and literally everything was so good! I got the margarita drink which was also delicious. My favorites were vegetable potstickers, hanger steak, and the fried rice. From the 9 dishes we had I don t think you could go wrong with a single thing! The servers were so kind and knowledgeable about the food. You can tell they love the food and being there! 100/10 recommend! We had 3 rounds of drinks and the bill was still under $450!
Food was amazing. Everyone in my group was saying it s some of the best, if not the best Chinese food we have ever had. Will 100% be returning asap. The rice cakes were our favorite.
Food was average at best. Beef Tartare and Manjou Buns were good but everything else we had was bad or okay out of the 7 dishes we had.
Friendly staff and beautiful restaurant. Portions are smaller than what you would find in traditional Chinese restaurants, but as it is a very esthetic place, I think the portions are what you would expect there. The food is good though, Im satisfied with it! The table waiting system is quite efficient!
Wow. What an experience! My friends and family always raved about their experiences at Bao Bei and I never fully understood until I went. It has an amazing atmosphere, kind and helpful staff .and of course .the most amazing unique dishes. I would definitely recommend for a first date, a meet up with friends or a family dinner!! It s aesthetic, laid back and super cool. Would advise getting a bunch of things and sharing opposed to getting individual meals. Must haves: - Steamed spicy pork dumplings - MANTOU BUNS !!! - The chicken thighs .
This place symbolizes the recent revival of Chinatown. It maintains its Chinese cultural roots but does do with modern fusions in their food and decor. We throughly enjoyed the small plates and the service and atmosphere. It s trendy modern Chinese with a flair for the old Shanghai culture. The flavours in the food were really well balanced with nothing being too dominant. The flavours were well thought out. If we were in town this would be a regular go to spot. Please keep the rich cultural history of Chinatown. It s irreplaceable!
Always a pleasure; one of the most consistent rooms in the city for excellent food, service, and ambiance.
Popular place. Drinks are amazing, get the beef tartare Dietary restrictions: Limited GF options, they try their best though. Food : 5/5 |
Service is the big differentiator. Exceptional team all around.
Enjoyed New Years Eve here! Wonderful set menu and the cocktails and wine were great! The setting was good - yet we technically had a 2 top with 3 people we made it work but not as comfortable as hoped. Yet the service was timely and our meal progressed nicely!
Fantastic food, atmosphere and service. Would absolutely recommend. Our server was great, very attentive at just the right times and even helped us concoct a custom cocktail. Food was excellent, I would recommend the mushroom tempura
Bao Bei has been recommended to me many times and I am glad I finally went. The atmosphere is great. The interior has some neat features. I was very impressed how knowledgeable and attentive our server was. I was at Bao Bei with a friend with multiple allergies and the server went above and beyond confirming the dishes that would be safe for her to eat. The menu is on the smaller side but looked very interesting. The meals are designed to be shared. We had skirt steak with veggies and crispy chicken thighs given the allergy limitations of my companion and they were fantastic. The highlight of the evening for me was the Masala Flip Cocktail that delivered an amazing combination of favors. I cant wait to be back and try more dishes as there are quite a few on the menu that sounded very interesting Dietary restrictions: The staff is very knowledgeable and goes above and beyond to accommodate for dietary restrictions
Every dish was amazing, wish we could dine here again before we leave. Will 100% be back on our next trip to Vancouver
We had the chefs choice option and had so many delicious plates that we probably wouldnt have tried on our own. Food was great.
Charle was an amazing server, he made sure all of us enjoyed our experience throughout the whole meal. The dishes tasted great and we love the vibe and how family oriented this restaurant is. We ll definitely be back again when we visit Vancouver!
These have to be the best pork buns I have tried 10/10 with chili oil!!
We saw that the ratings here were very high so we thought we would try it out. At first we were unsure of the menu options. We were informed by the waitress that it is typical to order 4-5 items an split them amongst the table guests. So that s what we did. We wisely chose 4 items that we were very pleased with. It was very crowded, every table was occupied so make reservations. The food was very different, but very tasty, overall 4/5 not too shabby. Enjoy
Absolutely fantastic well balanced dishes and great atmosphere. There $55 per person option is more than worth it and nearly every dish is 5/5. Fast service, kind staff, and overall enjoyable night. Perfect for a group of 2-3 for relatively quick bite.
Came here for the first time this weekend. The place is amazing. Food, service, ambience are all 10s, but my god the food is bananas Food: 10/10 Service: 10/10 Ambience: 10/10 Cleanliness: 10/10
Family owned and delightfully chic bistro with spectacular food. We went for the chefs choice menu and were not disappointed. Stars were: crispy fried silken tofu, cold eggplant with ginger, bao, peashoots. Wonderful selection of mocktails and cocktails with delightful service. Just a really solid place built on family traditions and a love for fresh local ingredients prepared perfectly.
Really amazing food. Yum. Even the vegetables were good.
Food was spectacular, you can tell each dish was crafted thoughtfully and with purpose.
A great place for unique drinks and snacks. Although the resturant itself is chinese inspired, the dishes that they serve are very interesting and I would definately recommend this place as a late night eats. The texture of the bao is super yummy and the flavours for the tofu curd was a tad salty, but the seasoning complimented well. The bartender was super friendly and recommend various drinks, although the place was pretty busy on a weekend and there is not a lot of space. Overall, I enjoyed my experience here.
A must try.
This place was recommended by locals and impressed with the amazing kind staff, the tasty food and the beautiful atmosphere! Jason made my night unforgettable with his magic tricks and delish drinks, learned a few new lingo from him! Food was super tasty, my favorite was the chocolate mochi bread pudding! Dessert was so yummy I ordered seconds!!! Left with a happy tummy and happy heart!!!
Great food
Come here for a drink and chat is ok BUT NOT FOR THE FOOD. Ordered 3 things and all were Horrible . Either too salty or too plain or too little. Not only that It s a rip-off.
Chinese food with a French twist i.e., butter. What more can you ask for? Exceptional service with knowledgable and personable staff. Nice to have the patio option as well. Cannot recommend enough; we will return.
Tasty asian fusion food with very friendly service.
Amazing food and service. The wings are everything they say they are.
Best beef tartare anywhere. No lie. France? Who cares. Bao Bei knocks it out of the park. And the taro chips are the perfect accompaniment. Shan tofu and shao bing are ridiculously good as well. Pork belly too the hard part about dining at Bao Bei is narrowing down what plates to get! If you ve got the chance, go with a group and reserve the beautiful round family table at the back and order it all! It s been close to eight years since I ve lived in Vancouver, but this is the food I dream of. I recommend this joint to everyone that visits Vancouver. And I will I always make a point to go to Bao Bei when back in town. Sit at the bar and drink a chino margarita, perhaps a piña colada (both totally redefine the classic) and of course a customized cocktail from one of the stellar bartenders. Be careful though, the drinks are so good that I ve overindulged here a few times yet the staff were still gracious as! Just go. Eat and drink and be charmed by the beautiful room and the food and the service and maybe squeeze in a game of street fighter while waiting for your table or seat at the bar. Can t wait for my next visit!
Should try it once or twice, if you havent thrice already! It gets better every time ...
I enjoyed our dining experience at Bao Bei, but found the cuisine a bit confused. We asked the server for recommendations and she suggested half the menu, so of course we obliged. We got marinated eggplant as an appetizer, prawn dumplings, pea shoots, prawn fried rice, and halibut. The star of the meal was definitely the pea shoots and the strangest was likely the fried rice, which tasted like a fusion of Korean and Indian, which was a bit unexpected considering the traditional Chinese menu. The vibe was cool, dimly lit, and sat small and large tables. We had quick service and left full. The entire meal may have been a bit expensive, but were glad we tried it once.
The ambiance is great, but the food was mediocre. We got the shrimp pot stickers. The wrappers tasted store-bought and the filling was a bit rubbery. They said the shao bing was fried to order but it was cold. The beef tartare was decent.
The meal was good. Everything we ordered was fresh and had unique flavors. The sake was crisp and had a very nice kick but still fruity. Star to us was the fried rice. Our waiter was great!! The best part of the whole experience. We were impressed and would highly recommend.
Amazing food, and so accommodating to gluten free needs. But above all truly exceptional service. Made the whole experience part of the treat! A+
Excellent food. Highly recommend
Had the chefs choice with a group of 5 and it was an incredible experience. Each dish was so flavorful and delicious.
Refined, sought-after Chinese cuisine. Very good address.
Love this place
I wouldn t say this is a dumpling place because there are only five kinds of dumplings/pot stickers/buns, but the four dishes we ordered were good and I would go back the next time I m in Chinatown/Japan town! I d recommend the fried rice if you re okay with 2 of 5 level spicy.
Recently came back to visit and now I remembered why I don t come here often. The food takes a very very long time to arrive. It was an average Tuesday, yes it was busy but I ve never been to busy restaurant where it takes 2 hours to get fried rice and some Wagyu meat . The staff was nice keeping us updated but dam, we waited a long time. On a more positive note, I love their cocktails. I recommend the Nai Nai punch and in a hot day the Tokyo Long Island Slushi. Wheelchair accessibility: Easy access for wheelchair to go into restaurant and sit in dining area.
Food was good but portions were so incredibly small. Very overpriced and not worth its value. It does not feel at all like a Chinese restaurant. Not the food, not the workers, not the atmosphere. It felt so strange. Try it if you really want to see for yourself but if youre looking to feel like you just had a satisfying meal, this is not the place.
Killer vibes. I wish the appetizers were as high quality as the cocktails.
The flavors are insane. Even if u r not a fan of particular dish u can taste the amazing combination of flavors the chef tried to produce. Get crispy tofu, seafood dumplings, the bao Parking: It not in the best neighborhood, so better not to take ur nice car
Perfectly fine place, but I wouldn t go out of my way to return.
Great vibe, lackluster food. None of the 6 dishes we tried stood out, and they charged $18 for a cheesecake slice hardly enough to share between two people. As with many fusion menus, the dishes lacked coherence and everything was just.....ok...and quite pricey.
4.5. Really liked this spot overall, but the timing of some of the food was random. Space is nice, vibey, they take walk-ins but reservations are recommended. Menu is Asian inspired- but there is a definite mix of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, and other flavors. The fried rice was good (but it came at the very end). Would want to go back to try more things. The pea tips were a highlight. There is patio seating and the service is attentive. Lots of nice cocktails and also many options for zero proof drinks! Vegetarian options: A bunch of vegetarian options including tofu!
Expect to wash it down with real Chinese food somewhere else after if you come here looking for Chinese fare.
An amazing all round experience!
No high chair for children. A first in vancouver! And a discrimination if you have a stroller you will be located on the outside terrace, shameful, (people like us without reservations are installed inside) Ive never seen that, we waited 30 minutes in front and were the first, we find ourselves outside in the street with the drug addicts watching us eat
Way too expensive for what you get. Better off walking 30 seconds down the road and getting some authentic China town food
Very good experience ! We had a great time and diner. Food
The staff was so nice and accommodating. We had a tough request on the timing of our reservation and they made it happen even though they were slammed. Service was amazing. The food was incredible as well. Get the fried rice with an egg!
Beautiful birthday celebration she was the most amazing server so knowledgeable and friendly excellent advice on food choices can t wait to go back and share the experience with more friends
Helena was amazing at suggesting things but the food there was definitely too good to have only the suggest 2 per person lol. The standout to me was the sticky rice cake entree and the popcorn mushroom. We also had the beef tartare, lamb dumplings, crispy tofu etc. some sake was split on my date on accident and they were so nice to replace it + give a little more. I would highly recommend this place for good food, drinks in a pleasant atmosphere
Great place in Chinatown to try some fusion asian food! Definitely try their cocktails together with their dumplings, mantou buns and sticky rice cakes. Highly recommended! Vegetarian options: There are some vegetarian options on the menu
NaiNai punch extraordinary. Food explosion of subtle flavors and texture. One of a kind dining experience. Should be 10 Food
Special collab for Light Up fest: bolo bun with pork belly. Unfortunately pic showed really thick cut but sliced v thin. ~$15: seriously overpriced which would have been ok if it was delish but pork was dry & chewy not succulent, best part was the bun - buttery and tasty. Awesome promo tho - constant queue down the blk 20 people deep!
Had the Chefs choice. Food was underwhelming. The flavors are just okay - nothing that makes you say wow thats good! Food
Probably one of the best meals I ve ever had. Period.
Had one of the best meals at Bao Bei last night! Me and my husband set at the bar, which in my opinion, made the whole experience even better. Delicious food and drinks came along with the great service! It was our first time trying sticky rice cakes and wow! Definitely recommend trying those. Next time we re back in Vancouver, we re visiting Bao Bei again! Highly recommend.
If I could give 0 stars I would, a million times over. Servers were incredibly standoffish and kept on rushing us to order (at least 3 times in the span of 5 minutes). The sharing plates are an absolute joke, portions are so small and the food was well below average. Definitely not worth the price we paid. The atmosphere was also very chaotic, we could not hear each other despite sitting across a very small table that could barely contain the dishes we ordered. All in all would NOT recommend dining here.
So popular, for good reason.
Very nice surprise! Welcome decor and friendly atmosphere, original and refined cuisine, you just need to multiply the different flavors. I recommend!
This place is legit fusion with decent portions, great flavours and a friendly staff.
Great food at reasonable prices
Fabulous restaurant! Danielle was AWESOME! She made excellent suggestions and provided exceptional service. Creative menu and delicious food.
Great service. Food was underwhelming. Zero spice.
Trendy place with chef inspired dishes. The serving sizes are very small. Save your wallet and stay away from the fried rice dish. Way over priced and hyped. The pork buns and eggplant dishes were really good.
Came here on a recommendation and werent disappointed. Nice and creative cocktail, really good chinese food. Everything is made to be shared. Try the eggplant and mushrooms! The dumplings are also delicious!
Yum! Sit at the bar and let the mixologist delight!
Great experience! Service was excellent, cocktails were awesome and overall good food. Would recommend the dumplings and pea tips for sure. The popcorn mushrooms were delicious. For a culinary adventure try the bean skin or the rice cakes. Super fun!
Parking sucked, but the food was fantastic!!!! Absolutely go to again! Food : 5/5
Best meal I had in Vancouver - the pork buns were out of this world. Dumplings and fried rice were nothing to rave about, but the pork buns made this meal exceptional.
Everything about this place seemed to work great together - the space, the service, great cocktails and great food meant to be shared. Everything we ate we enjoyed and hold to hold back from ordering more dumplings and buns. Definitely worth a visit.
Extremely overpriced. We tried the chef s tasting menu, but the choices were very mediocre like fried chicken wings and cheap dumplings. I also mentioned to the waiter all my dietary constraints such as pork and spice and she promised to accommodate but in the end I couldn t eat most of the options. And gratuity is forced. I will never go to this place and I do not understand the price and the high rating !
Went there because someone gave me a gift certificate and I now understand why. Bad service and mediocre food and drinks. Super over prized Chinese food in my opinion as I am Chinese. Ordered fried rice and my boyfriend could not take cumin and I mentioned that to waitress when she asked how everything is. We pretty much left the bowl of rice there as I ate a bit of rice and my boyfriend can t take cumin. Waitress collected the dishes and threw the rice to the garbage. What a waste! And she did it without asking. They adjusted the bill afterwards but I never expected this kind of service.
Very nice atmosphere, but surprisingly expensive and the service could have been better.
An absolute delight of textures and taste. Great service as well.
The service here was fabulous, quick and helpful. Drinks were delicious along with the food. I would recommend checking out this restaurant.
Good
A unique dining experience at a Michelin grade Chinese restaurant.
Got the tasting menu and was very disappointed. All the dishes were overloaded with soy and vinegar, leaving the palate drenched. The bao was the star, but new menu additions (per staff) of mushroom tempura and the local caught halibut were duds. The omelette was a strange inclusion, and only par cooked.
The ambiance, service and food were all absolutely amazing. From the moment we walked in, the staff were smiling and thoughtful, offering complimentary coat checks. The drinks were amazing and we had a ton of food considering the upscale nature of the restaurant. We ordered drinks and had food for about 3 people at about $150, so expect to pay around $50 per person before tip. I will definitely be returning and recommending this place to everyone I know.
We arrived late after a Canucks game. Service was quick and the food was fantastic! Great place for a unique food experience.
Great spot in Chinatown! The food is phenomenal!! The cocktails were delicious and original. Our waiter was very professional and attentive. We felt well taken care of . The atmosphere is nice, not too loud, with dimmed lights. We found it to be romantic.
Everything is amazing. Thats all. Everyone should come here. Every single dish was phenomenal. We order 10 dishes to share, and I was expecting at least once dish to just be okay. But no! Every dish that kept coming out was unbelievably tasty. I also love that they were playing great music at an extremely reasonable level. I hate going to restaurants where I have to scream just to be heard. The vibe at Bao Bei was awesome.