Smooch Food: Love Letters to Every Bite

They say you can’t pick a favourite child, but in the Vancouver food scene, the "Best of the Bunch" categories come pretty close. These are the heavyweights—the bakeries that wake us up with the scent of butter, the romantic corners where we’ve shared our deepest secrets, and the "cheap eats" that keep our hearts (and wallets) full. This is my personal documentation of The Georgia Straight Golden Plates Awards: Best of the Bunch. As I look through this list, I see a map of my life in this city—the milestones celebrated at Seasons in the Park and the rainy Tuesday comfort found at Breka. It’s a grounded reminder that whether it’s fine dining or a food truck, a truly "smooch-worthy" bite is about the feeling it leaves behind. Bakery ☑️ Breka Bakery & Cafe (2024, 2025, 2026) ⬜ Livia (2025) ☑️ Purebread  (2024, 2026) ☑️ Small Victory  (2024, 2025, 2026) Breakfast ☑️ Caf...

This is my personal checklist of the winners in The Georgia Straight Golden Plates Awards 2024 and 2025: Best by Cuisine . It’s my "Love Letter" to the diverse flavors of Vancouver—a roadmap for every craving, from the comfort of my favorite Filipino childhood dishes to the spice of a perfect Malaysian laksa. African ⬜ Axum Restaurant (2024) ⬜ Harambe (2024, 2025, 2026) ⬜ Kilimanjaro Snack House (2025) ⬜ Moltaqa (2026) ☑️ Simba’s Grill  (2024, 2025, 2026) Caribbean ⬜ Baby Dhal Roti Shop (2024, 2026) ⬜ Calabash (2024, 2025, 2026) ⬜ Havana (2024) ⬜ The Lion's Den Cafe (2025, 2026) ⬜ The Patty Shop (2025) Chinese ⬜ Bao Bei (2024, 2025, 2026) ☑️ Chinatown BBQ (2026) ⬜ Dinasty Dumpling House (2025) ⬜ Dynasty Seafood Restaurant (2024, 2026) ⬜ Mott 32 (2025) ☑️ Peaceful Restaurant (2024) Filipino ☑️ Goldilocks (2024) ☑️ Hapag Ihaw-Ihaw (2025) ...

They say home is where the heart is, but in a city like Vancouver, my heart is scattered across every neighborhood—from the cobblestones of Gastown to the bustling energy of Commercial Drive. This is my personal documentation of The Georgia Straight Golden Plates Awards: Best Restaurant by Neighbourhood. It’s more than just a checklist; it’s a collection of memories already made and a map of the "smooch-worthy" dates yet to come. Cambie Village ⬜ Elio Volpe (2025, 2026) ⬜ June on Cambie (2025, 2026) ⬜ Las Tortas Mexican Gourmet Sandwiches (2024) ⬜ Potluck Hawker Eatery (2024) ⬜ Vij’s (2024, 2025, 2026) Chinatown/Strathcona ⬜ Bao Bei (2025, 2026) ⬜ Chambar (2024) ☑️ Chinatown BBQ (2026) ⬜ DD Mau Chinatown (2024) ⬜ Kissa Tanto (2025, 2026) ⬜ Phnom Penh (2024, 2025) Commercial Drive ⬜ Havana (2024, 2025) ⬜ La Mezcaleria (2024) ⬜ Livia (2025) ⬜ Lunch Lady (2024, 2025, 2026) ⬜ Nomo Nomo (2026) ⬜ Pepino’s Spaghetti House (2026) Fraserhood ⬜ Bar Bravo (20...

There is something so incredibly romantic about a kitchen that masters just one thing perfectly. Whether it’s the chew of a traditional Montreal-style bagel or the golden crunch of fried chicken, these specialty items are the true heartbeat of Vancouver’s culinary soul. This is my personal documentation of The Georgia Straight Golden Plates Awards: Best Specialty Items. It’s a roadmap of the specific bites that make our city so unique—and a checklist of the "smooch-worthy" treats I can’t wait to indulge. Bagel ⬜ Mish Mish (2025, 2026) ☑️ Rosemary Rock Salt  (2024, 2026) ☑️ Siegel’s Bagels  (2024, 2025, 2026) ☑️ Solly’s Bagelry (2024, 2025) Barbecue ☑️ Chinatown BBQ (2025, 2026) ☑️ Gyu-Kaku (2026) ☑️ Juke Fried Chicken  (2024) ☑️ Memphis Blues BBQ House  (2024, 2025, 2026) ☑️ Rosie’s BBQ and Smokehouse  (2024) ⬜ ...

🐟 At a Glance: Quick Facts 📍 Location: Steve's Poké Bar (Great Northern Way — Vancouver, BC) 🥣 Ordered: Steve's Traditional Bowl Mini ($22.30), Shoyu A Good Time Bowl ($19.00) ⭐ Smooch Verdict: Consistently fresh, authentically seasoned, and deeply satisfying. Whether you prefer a purist meat-and-rice bowl or a fully loaded mountain of colourful toppings, it stands out as one of our absolute favourite weekend staples. Happy Saturday! After spending a wonderful, relaxing afternoon hanging out and sipping drinks at Gene Cafe , the gorgeous sunshine enticed us to keep walking. We made our way down to the Great Northern Way (GNW) location of Steve's Poké Bar for an e...