Nook Olympic Village — Restaurant in Vancouver

Disappointing Group Event Experience

We booked a group event at Nook, handling everything via email since they don’t take phone calls. We were told we had to order from a customized menu, but when I asked if we could choose some items from their regular menu, the manager confirmed via email that we could customize or add-on items at our own cost. They also gave us a mandatory $60 minimum spend per person.

When we arrived, we were surprised to find that while we had access to the regular menu, we weren't allowed to order what we wanted from it. Instead, we were restricted to the pre-set customized menu, which wasn’t what we expected. Additionally, the food was served to be shared among the table rather than individually, which hadn’t been mentioned in the contract.

There was also confusion about dietary preferences. The manager mentioned that we hadn’t listed any allergies, but being a vegetarian or avoiding certain foods for religious reasons isn’t an allergy. We had to ask the assistant manager for vegetarian options, which was frustrating to handle on the spot. What baffled us even more was the fact that the staff were trying to assure us that the previous group had the same setup and everything went smoothly with them.

Finally, we were supposed to get two pizzas per table but only received one. When we asked about the second, we were told, "We assumed you were full, so we didn’t bring any more." This was very disappointing since we had paid for two. We had to ask for the second pizza to be made so we could take it home.

The communication was horrible, and the service and the way we were treated were unjust and unfair. I do not recommend booking events at this restaurant, they will just promise you things and then...

First time here. Anniversary with the gf, thought it would be nice.

Food was amazing, unfortunately service not so great.

Server was cold and short. We could hear the reservation manager talking about when we were going to leave the whole time. Made us felt rushed/unwelcome. after we paid our bill (still tipped generously), while the gf was in the washroom the same waitress came back and told me she had a reso if we could please leave. I said ok. Very weird never had that experience especially at nicer restaurant when gf returned from the washroom and I was calling an uber the reservation manager came by himself and told us he has a reservation for the table It had barely been an hour and a half and they are rushing us out. There were multiple tables open and it is not the patrons issue that reservations were not planned properly he advised it says on the online booking that there is a 1.5 hour limit after we left I looked and the limit said 2 hours. Now he was just making things up. I’ve never felt such hassled at a restaurant, especially for an anniversary dinner! (See attached 2 hour note for reference.

On top of all this I did select on the website that this was for a special occasion(anniversary) and they did not mention or treat us like it was. Not even once.

Horrible, horrible service. What a joke. Amazing food though! Perhaps we’ll try one of their other...

On a quiet afternoon in Vancouver, I turned to my dear friend Mario—a true connoisseur of Kitsilano—for a recommendation. I asked him where we could find authentic Italian food for lunch, somewhere with charm, heart, and a fair price. Without hesitation, he pointed us toward Nook.

Nestled in the heart of Kitsilano, Nook welcomed us with an effortlessly beautiful design that felt warm, rustic, and romantic—like a tiny corner of Italy tucked away in the city. The moment we arrived, we were greeted by Andrea, a kind and attentive host who made us feel immediately at home.

My best friend and I shared the prosciutto and cheese plate, a perfect balance of delicate flavors and rich textures. We paired it with the daily special—crafted with care and priced with generosity—and a glass of the house wine that brought everything together with effortless elegance. Each bite, each sip, felt like a gentle pause from the busyness of life.

This wasn’t just lunch. It was a love letter to Italian simplicity, a moment to reconnect, and the kind of experience that stays with you.

Whether you’re wandering the city or bringing someone special down from the mountains, Nook is a must. It’s where you go when you want to taste the romance of life—even if just for an hour.

Highly...