Vancouver welcomes a new addition to its dining scene with a prestigious two-Michelin-starred restaurant. AnnaLena, located in the Kitsilano area, has been recognized by the renowned Michelin guide, upgrading from its previous one-star status.
According to Michelin, AnnaLena’s exceptional service and beverages contribute to its charm, but it is the “seasonally inspired tasting menu” that truly impresses. Chef and owner Mike Robbins expressed his joy and surprise at the achievement, acknowledging the hard work and dedication of his team, which even involved restaurant renovations.
Robbins mentioned that the unconventional approach, such as his son creating menus with crayons, may not appeal to everyone but adds to the restaurant’s unique identity as his creative outlet. Vancouver, alongside Toronto, was first featured in the Michelin Guide in Canada in 2022, later expanding to Quebec.
AnnaLena now stands among only two other Canadian restaurants with the prestigious two-star rating, alongside Restaurant Pearl Morissette in Ontario and Tanière³ in Quebec City. The list of Michelin-starred establishments in Vancouver continues to grow, with some restaurants maintaining their single star annually, although one establishment lost its star this year.
Barbara Restaurant in Chinatown now falls under the guide’s “recommended” category, along with 45 other eateries. Among this year’s one-star recipients are Burdock & Co., iDen and QuaJuDe Beijing Duck House, Kissa Tanto, Masayoshi, Okeya Kyujiro, Published on Main, St. Lawrence, Sumibiyaki Arashi, Sushi Hyun, and Sushi Masuda.
Additionally, 16 other restaurants were recognized as “Bib Gourmands” for their good value offerings. Michelin emphasizes that its inspectors operate anonymously and apply consistent evaluation criteria globally to assess restaurants.
