Coquitlam in British Columbia, Canada is located to the south of Coquitlam Mountain, and the city’s riverside location provides spectacular views. It was designated as a Cultural Capital of Canada in 2009, and the town’s restaurants certainly reflect numerous cultural influences. From traditional grills to Asian-fusionrestaurants and charming pubs, here is a list of the top ten restaurants and local eats in Coquitlam to suit every taste and occasion.
Providing an escape from the hustle and bustle of Saint John’s Street is Saint St Grill. This charming restaurant exudes a warm atmosphere the minute you walk through the door. The interior is decorated in soft, relaxing colors, and the walls are dotted with art works, creating an oasis of calm. The menu has been specially created by head chef Tyler Ross with dishes to suit every palette. Ross uses fresh, seasonal ingredients, so there is often something new on the menu to try. However, there are still regular favorites, which include the seafood chowder, the pulled pork tacos made from slow-roasted pork, pickled cucumber and roasted peppers, and the seared scallops which are served over a golden beet carpaccio and with citrus and ginger aioli. There is also an extensive wine list with a wine to suit every dish. So whether it’s a night out with the girls, a romantic evening or a family celebration, Saint St Grill is one restaurant that must be experienced.
Bringing the authentic and rich flavors of the East to the West is The Bombay Restaurant. The ambiance is warm and inviting. Highlights from their tantalizing menu include their traditionally baked naan bread, their chicken pakora, their chicken tandoori, their aloo gobi and their prawn biryani. These are beautifully presented, full of flavor and are great value too. Together with impeccable service, The Bombay Restaurant tops every food lovers list for those in search of an exotic meal.
Starting from humble beginnings in Coquitlam, Wilbur & Sabastian’s Smokehouse and Bistro moved to a bigger location, not only expanding their space, but also their menu. Their food is created using the finest local and seasonal ingredients, so their menu changes regularly depending on what’s available. Their wood smoker adds an intense flavor to their foods, giving dishes the unique Wilbur & Sabastian taste. All their desserts are handmade in house, and change frequently too. Must try dishes from their menu include their smoked meats, which are marinated and lightly seasoned in their house made spice-rub, and served with their own cornbread, coleslaw and smoky-molasses baked beans. Their burgers, platters and salads are also delicious. For honest, home-cooking, look no further than Wilbur & Sabastian’s Smokehouse and Bistro.
Tucked away in the center of Coquitlam is the unassuming but flavorful Mega Sushi. Their menu consists of bento dishes, sushi rolls, tempura, teriyaki, donburi and noodle dishes, so there is something for every palette. These are all served fresh and at great prices, meaning their food is not only good for your appetite, but also for your pocket. Popular choices include their Austin roll which consists of torched spicy tuna, crispy noodles served drenched in a spicy sauce. Their awesome roll of cream cheese, cucumber, crabmeat, avocado, tuna, deep-fried prawn and smoked salmon is also a highlight. Although small and cosy, the restaurant has an electric atmosphere, and is truly a hidden gem in the city.
For the very best of Filipino food in Coquitlam, look no further than Kulinarya. Creating dishes in the traditional Filipino cooking technique of pinoy, their menu is made using the freshest meat and vegetables that are sourced locally. The philosophy of Kulinarya is to create food that brings the family together, and to turn away from the common culture of fast food. Flavorful dishes include the beef nilaga, the kare-kare of beef and vegetables in a peanut sauce, the manok sa gata chicken, the chicken adobo, which is braised in a soy sauce, and the wonderful sizzling sisig of crispy minced pork which you mix with a raw egg. Enjoy these dishes with a calamansi juice, made from Filipino limes. Although small in size, Kulinarya certainly makes you feel at home, and serves food that is packed with flavor.
As soon as they step through the door, visitors to Nagano Japanese Restaurant are transported to Asia, not only through the décor and atmosphere, but by the delectable cuisine. Their food can be enjoyed indoors in their comfortable dining room, or outside on their intimate patio space. Their menu consists of the very best Japanese food, with dishes such as sushi, teriyaki, sukiyaki, tempura and a whole range of barbecued dishes. With such a wide variety of dishes to choose from, Nagano Japanese Restaurant has something to suit every taste, and is guaranteed to please even the fussiest of eaters.
The flavor and flare of the Mediterranean can be found in a quaint grill just outside of Coquitlam. Dinakis Mediterranean Grill uses the highest quality ingredients to create tantalizing Greek and Italian inspired dishes that have locals and newcomers returning again and again. Their food is served by their friendly and approachable staff, and the atmosphere is vibrant and lively. The menu includes options like the garlic-infused hummus, spinach and ricotta cheese-stuffed ravioli, and their house burger and fries. For those with a sweet tooth, their desserts are just as appealing, with their menu offering a variety of chocolate cakes and a delicious tiramisu.
Serving fusion cuisine in a modern setting is The Wild Fig Restaurant, located in the Executive Plaza Hotel. Their menu is a vast array of international dishes, from Asian creations to more European flavors. Created by award-winning chef Boban Kovachevich, their dishes are made using local ingredients, to create food combinations that are bursting with flavor. Popular choices include their coconut breaded prawns, the zinfandel lamb shank, charbroiled baseball steak and the Yakitori CAB beef New York strips. For dessert, try their glutinous chocolate eruption and their tangy lychee sorbetto. These dishes are beautifully accompanied by their vast selection of cocktails, wines and liquors. The venue itself is as eclectic as its menu, with the restaurant decorated in trendy colors and furnishings. There is also live entertainment every week from local artists, so there is something to suit every music and food taste at The Wild Fig.
The Golden Boot Caffe has strived to bring the very best of Italian home cooking to Coquitlam. Owned and run by chef David Azzi, the menu showcases the unique flavors and flare of Northern Italian, with dishes inspired by David’s youth. Their menu is an impressive selection of Italian dishes, from delectable pasta such as spaghetti carbonara, tagliatelle gamberoni, and veal and spinach cannelloni, a whole range of freshly made pizzas, special meat dishes and delicious desserts. Try these along with a glass of red or white wine from the Golden Boot Caffe’s wide selection, or with one of their Italian beers on tap.
A staple in Coquitlam since March 1978, John B. Neighborhood Pub has seen many changes in the city, but its aim has remained the same, which is to provide a place where friends and family can enjoy good food and good company. The menu at John B. Neighborhood Pub is vast, with a whole array of shareable dishes, burgers, wings, sandwiches, wraps, pizzas and noodle dishes. Their drinks menu is equally impressive, with over 465 different spirits available at their signature back bar, as well as 53 draft beers. These are constantly changed and updated, meaning there will always be something new to try. With a friendly atmosphere and unbeatable service, John B. Neighborhood Pub is worth a visit.
