Michelin has released its annual guide to Vancouver’s food scene, and for the first time, a restaurant has been promoted to two stars. The tire company’s internationally famous guide defines a one star restaurant as “high quality cooking, worth a stop,” while the coveted two-star designation means “excellent cooking, worth a detour.” Three-star “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey” restaurants are rare, and there are none in Canada yet. In the 2026 Michelin Guide, the restaurant that now boasts two stars is AnnaLena in Kitsilano. The contemporary eatery received its first star in 2022. “You won’t find white tablecloths or a formal atmosphere at AnnaLena, but you will find one of Vancouver’s most polished—and delicious—dining experiences,” reads a news release from Michelin. “This globally accented cuisine marries precise technique and top-flight ingredients. Peak-season Sungold tomatoes with house-made XO sauce and caramelized buttermilk infused with Thai green curry; and fresh pasta with charcoal-roasted asparagus and sauce vin blanc poured tableside are merely two examples of Chef Michael Robbins’ focused creations displaying exceptional clarity and depth of flavor.” In addition, Michelin awarded two new Bib Gourmands, recognizing restaurants with “great food and great value” in the city: Chef’s Choice Seafood Restaurant and Kavita. Sixteen Vancouver restaurants have Bib Gourmands, and 11 have Michelin stars. Another 45 are recommended restaurants on the Michelin Guide. “The whole 2026 selection reflected the continued evolution and maturity of Vancouver’s restaurant community,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, in the release. “The city’s chefs and restaurant teams consistently demonstrate exceptional skill and creativity, resulting in dining experiences that have left a lasting impression for our anonymous inspectors” The 2026 guide also awarded four special awards. The exceptional cocktails award went to Chris Enns at Peya, Mark Taylor of Bacchus received the sommelier award, Kavita’s Yash Shah was awarded for outstanding service, and Vish Mayekar at Elem won the young chef award.
