Tap & Barrel • Brentwood — Restaurant in Burnaby

I really wanted to like this place, but unfortunately, my visit was filled with a series of disappointments that left me frustrated and turned off from ever returning.

We arrived and were told the wait was 25-30 minutes, which was fine, but once we entered, the host didn’t even acknowledge the available bar seats. We had to point them out ourselves. Even then, the host didn’t walk us to our seats and instead started chatting with a coworker. Not the best first impression, but we tried to brush it off.

Once seated, we ended up having to call someone over ourselves. We placed our order—Pesto Linguine, Caesar Salad, and the Hot Honey Calabrese Pizza. For whatever reason, we had to repeat our order multiple times, and despite this, they still got it wrong. Instead of the Caesar Salad, we got the Green Salad. We had to ask another staff member to bring us the correct one and it took a while until we got it.

And to make matters worse, no one came to refill our water. At one point, we were wondering if we even had a server. The whole experience just felt like we were invisible.

When we were finally done, we just wanted to pay and leave, so we asked someone who looked like the manager for the bill. A red-haired employee (I’m not sure if she was a waiter or a bartender) brought it over. She told us to check the bill since she had just arrived. We didn’t tip because, honestly, we didn’t feel like we received any real service. We had to actively ask multiple staff members for help because no one was assigned to our table.

Then, as if things weren’t bad enough, when the employee took the bill back, she loudly shouted to her coworkers at the bar and in front of us, "WOW, NO TIP." Seriously? She didn’t even serve us—she just dropped off the bill. And to be called out like that in front of everyone? Completely inappropriate. Tipping is earned, and frankly, I didn’t feel like I got any service worth rewarding.

As for the food itself, it was just okay. The Caesar Salad was underwhelming—the dressing was bland, and the olives were way too salty. The Pesto Linguine was good, but it left me feeling a bit salty and greasy afterward. The Hot Honey Calabrese Pizza was fine—sweet and salty. Our bill was about $60.

All in all, the service was so bad that it completely overshadowed whatever positives there were about the food. I’m not one to be harsh about a restaurant, but I’m definitely never coming back after this experience. To be treated like we were invisible and then criticized for not tipping, after essentially having to chase down every single employee for...

UPDATE SEPT 15/2025: Latest visit today another 5 star experience. Called in to see if any chance we can sit on the patio today as summer is winding down. Hostess named Alexis was so kind and cordial to make it happen! Our server Sara was equally kind/cordial and attentive throughout the entire meal. The management here must be top notch to have Sara and Alexis working here that have the calibre of service you would find at a 5 star resort. Thanks for making our experience excellent once again!!

UPDATE AUGUST 24-2025 Big time shoutout to our server Emilia... she was extremely helpful and attentive...five star VIP treatment. Management should really be so happy to have her.

UPDATE SATURDAY APRIL 26/2025: Shout out to Lilia(sooo kind and attentive) help secure 12 person reservation for patio for tomorrow but had to sadly cancel bc group lack of commitment. Emma(I think a mgr) was so kind to ensure cancelation. These guys must have been trained for VIP 5 star resort lol

UPDATE WEDNESDAY APRIL 9/2025: Went again today for a quick Bday dinner. Our server Erika was so kind and patient...really another 5 star service experience!!!

UPDATE MONDAY MARCH 24/2025: Just went in for a late night meal and dessert. We were delightfully surprised to have Matt as our server again. He is someone that you would come across at a five star resort...always courteous, and attentive. Tap and Barrel ownership should strongly consider elevating this person to general manager position one day...soon.

UPDATE : Tonight 2nd visit at the brentwood location our server Matt was absolutely first class. Not only attentive but very kind and patient etc. The hostess and staff went out of their way to ensure open patio dining for us due to health concerns. Amazing staff!!!

First time visit. Very blessed to have Tap n Barrel in Burnaby. Top notch service and food. Special shout out and thanks for Sarah(along w mgr Peter) who was so kind and went the extra mile to ensure we can get patio table booked as one in the party was immunocompromised. Our server Erika was kind and patient as we mostly spent time talking without looking at the menu. We weren't very hungry but the food we did order was amazingly good...Definitely...

From the moment I stepped into Tap & Barrel Brentwood, I felt welcomed and valued. I was greeted by Thao, who was incredibly inviting and set a positive tone for the entire visit with her warm and friendly demeanor. It’s always refreshing to be met with a genuine smile and a great first impression.

The experience only got better from there thanks to the incredible manager Maneli and bartender Sukham.

Maneli exemplifies top-tier hospitality. She was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about my dining experience. When I asked for food recommendations, she confidently suggested the chowder—a rich, hearty choice that hit the spot. When I mentioned wanting something to accompany it, she immediately put in a “911” rush order for garlic bread. It arrived so quickly, I hadn’t even taken two sips of my soup. That kind of service goes above and beyond.

Over at the bar, Sukham was a standout talent. He mixed a mojito that instantly brought back memories of La Bodeguita del Medio in Havana, Hemingway’s favorite haunt—refreshing, balanced, and expertly crafted. He then surprised me with a Ube Gin Fizz, a creative and delicious cocktail with just the right touch of sweetness. To finish off the night, he created a custom cocktail that I named “The Maneli,” in honor of the amazing manager on shift who made sure every guest was well taken care of.

To top it all off, the rooftop bar offers an outstanding view—perfect for enjoying a cocktail and soaking in the atmosphere. It really elevated the entire experience.

Before I left, another manager, Emma, kindly took a moment to listen as I shared my praise for the amazing team. It meant a lot to be heard—thank you for listening, Emma.

From the warm welcome by Thao to the exceptional service and creativity from Maneli and Sukham, and the thoughtful follow-up from Emma, this visit was a masterclass in hospitality. Tap & Barrel Brentwood is more than just a place to eat—it’s a place to feel truly taken care of....