The Best Vancouver Sushi

Toshi's

Expect a wait when you dine at this tiny Vancouver sushi restaurant, which doesn't take reservations. Arrive early and sign your name on the list to get a table or seat at the sushi bar. But the wait is worth it. The menu at Toshi's is long and includes the tasty house roll of shrimp and cucumber encased in avocado. Or, try the negitoro, which perfectly pairs tuna belly with sharp green onion. Note that Toshi's is closed Sunday and Monday. 181 East 16th Ave.

The Eatery

The Eatery has lots of creative energy and puts its inventiveness into unusual rolls. While the tempura avocado Fat Elvis and the Italian Stallion roll with prosciutto, papaya, and eel are popular and undeniably unique, The Eatery also serves a mean marinated tuna sashimi. The crowd is young, the lights are dim, and the music is often loud and electronic. 3431 West Broadway

Alpha Global Sushi & Bar

Downtown Vancouver has a glut of sushi restaurants but few stand out. Alpha Global is a slightly hidden rarity. There's a good selection of sashimi, maki, and sushi, as well as many non-seafood options. Some unique pairings include a bacon-tofu salad and an Italian-style spring roll with mozzarella. This Vancouver sushi restaurant also has its own bartender, who mixes cocktails that are in-tune with Yaletown tastes. 1099 Richards St.

Hapa Izakaya

This lively restaurant has a few locations all serving an array of Japanese cuisine in a lounge-like atmosphere. Able to please a large crowd with diverse tastes, the menu at Hapa Izakaya spans sushi, noodles, and tapas. The long list of specials changes daily, so new additions could be a Mexican-taco rice bowl, zucchini flower tempura, or a pork belly and lettuce wrap. There are three locations: 1479 Robson St. in the West End; 1516 Yew St. in Kitsilano; and, 1193 Hamilton St. in Yaletown.

Tojo's

The granddaddy of Vancouver sushi, Tojo has been a mainstay in the city's restaurant scene for decades. Tojo invented the California roll, although at his own restaurant the combo of crab, mayo, and avocado is called the Tojo roll. You'll find the chef's version more delicate and smaller than other rolls you may have had. You can also sip on sake cocktails at the bar, or go for the most expensive option: omakase. This chef-designed menu is a real treat. 1133 West Broadway

While sushi restaurants in Vancouver are plentiful and cheap, you'll still want to vary your dining options from tuna sashimi and BC rolls. For more local dining, sample your way through Vancouver's best restaurants.