Tap & Barrel • Convention Centre — Restaurant in Vancouver

This has got to be one of the most chaotic places I have ever eaten at, and that's saying something.

I suppose this could be deemed something of a Tourist Trap Restaurant, as Tap and Barrel flanks the infamous Olympic Cauldron. By dint of this, Tap doesn't even need to advertise, customers just fall into their lap.

Without fail, even though I always have a reservation, I still end up having to wait an extra 15 to 20 minutes before I can be seated. "The party isn't done yet" is the repeat offending explanation.

Had it ever occurred to them that spacing out reservations might reduce this issue and that quadruple booking for a timeslot might not be a good idea? Clearly, the supply can not keep up with the demand, so why don't they manage their reservations better or hire more staff?

I usually am able to snap pictures of the interior of any restaurant, but it's not happening here. Customers and servers are shockingly and ridiculously crammed inside. I'm sure this has to be some kind of fire and safety hazard. Every available space is taken up, and making your way to a table is like finding your way through a Taylor Swift concert, minus the catchy tunes.

After dining here a few times, I gave up trying to digitally capture any of the ambiance (yes, there are barrels on the wall) and decided to just concentrate on the exterior of the restaurant and the food.

For all the aforementioned insanity, thankfully, the food is really damn good. Their Chicken Mac and Cheese is flavorful, and the noodles are surprisingly al dente. It is listed as an entrée but really, it eats more like an appetizer. The Steak with Peppercorn Sauce is about as good as it gets, but the accompanying fries are to die for. Fresh and crispy, the way fries were meant to be served.

They also have a Blackberry Bitters non alcoholic drink, which I am addicted to, and often order at least two of before the night is through.

I would highly caution you against going to this location on a Friday, as it seems to be the most hectic day of the week. I have spent numerous Fridays here, requesting a drink order three to four times to two or three different servers before actually getting said drink. You have been warned.

The chaos aside, this is actually one of my favorite places to go to for comfort food. I recommend you try this place, but only on a weekday. And even then, you'll still require the patience of a Saint before you can get your...

Went for dinner here with some friends a few weeks back. Honestly a pretty bad experience that I wouldn’t want to go back and waste my money. Food portions were incredibly small for the amount you’re paying which is disappointing, food was tasty though which is why this review is getting 2 whole stars. Also would like to add that it took around 30 minutes for them to make my Mac n Cheese which was way too long. Food came out at room temperature, not even warm which is ridiculous. Now, the service was my biggest issue. When we went in for our dinner, around 5-6 PM, it was pretty quiet. Less than half the restaurant was full, the majority of people who were there were seated at the bar and just getting drinks. We came in as a group of about 7-8, meaning we automatically qualified for auto gratuity as a big group. Our waitress took that as she wouldn’t have to actually do her job properly since she was already going to be getting forced good tips from a large group. She only refilled waters for half the table (only the side closest to the aisle), I sat there dying of thirst all night that I quite literally chugged 2 of my friends’ waters that got lucky enough to get refilled. Waited for our waitress to circle back to us so I could ask her for water, but we were lucky if she came back every 30-45 minutes. After waving her down for one of the bills, it took her about 35 minutes to bring it to our table (still didn’t get water), which she then had finally asked me if I wanted to order another drink (again, still no water). At that point, I was too angry to spend any more money at such a poor establishment that I had just wanted to get out of there. Took her another 20 minutes just to bring my bill after I asked for mine, even though she could’ve given it to me right then and there as she had the bills on her little iPad. Again, she had maybe 2 more tables tops to serve aside from ours, wasn’t like she was busy or as if the entire restaurant was busy in general. I expect way more from a place like this, especially with their ridiculous prices and “auto gratuity.” If it weren’t for the auto gratuity, I wouldn’t have tipped that waitress anything. Super disappointed in my experience. Would not...

Great Food & Service ... But Hostess Experience Ruined It

We visited Tap & Barrel • Convention Centre and had mixed feelings about our experience. The location is perfect with a stunning view, and the prices are reasonable, especially during Happy Hour. We ordered some drinks, wings and pasta , and both dishes were tasty, well-portioned, and presented better than expected. My kids also enjoyed their meals from the kids’ menu, which is always a plus.

Our server, Artem F., was outstanding — super friendly, patient, and professional. He provided fast and attentive service, making our dining experience smooth and enjoyable.

However, despite all the positives, I can only give two stars — and that's because of how we were treated by the hostess, Rylie (I hope I spelled her name right). When we arrived, we asked to sit either inside or on the patio, depending on availability. Since my son loves the sea view, we chose the patio. Unfortunately, she seated us at a table right next to the patio entrance with barely any view, which upset my son.

When we politely asked to switch to a different patio table (there were four visibly empty and clean tables at the time), she refused without checking with the main hostess. Her tone came off as dismissive and unwelcoming, almost like we were being difficult just for asking. It felt like she was saying, “If you don’t like it, leave.” It was disappointing and awkward.

We also overheard her responding to other guests with the same unhelpful attitude — answering questions in a flat tone, without eye contact, saying things like “you will receive the message as text” when asked about wait times.

Maybe she was having a tough day, or perhaps Sundays are extra busy, but it doesn’t excuse poor customer service — especially from someone in a welcoming role. I hope management provides her with proper training on hospitality and...