Zawa Restaurant on Commercial Drive Vancouver — Restaurant in Vancouver

When I rate something there's seldom middle ground. I love it or hate it & I only hate something if it does not live up to it's claims. My time is not wasted on anything that "IN MY EYES" would not be, for me, a 5 star experience. I am not saying these are Michelin Stars -they are MY STARS and as such, are mostly subjective. To qualify my opinions, I am extraordinarily well travelled and have enjoyed the finest hospitality that can be offered. Zawa was for me a 5 star experience proportional to what the establishment could reasonably be considered capable of offering.

I was meeting a friend for coffee & suggested Zawa, as I've been walking past for about a year, enticed each time by the desert menu posted out front. My companion decided on a meal a meal and ordered their Vegan burger. He was well pleased and it looked & smelled deeelish!!

AS FOR MY CAKE -I am happy to report that the heavy, rich pure dark chocolate slice with GENEROUS HELPINGS of vanilla ice cream AND whipped cream, equalled any (similar) chocolate cake I have had in what are among the world's finest French & Belgian restaurants. ...to expand that statement ...SIMILAR is the operative word ... I would not suppose Zawa to serve tableside flambé & create warm, liqueur-based sauces to go with a piece of gâteau.

OUR SERVER WAS DELIGHTFUL!! Friendly, knowledgable about the menu & accommodating. I've noticed there's always a nice clientele & usually a few customers during off-peak times. We were there from about 3pm to 4:15 -before dinner hours & to my great pleasure, were the ONLY customers. THIS IS IMPORTANT because I am a musician and as such, am greatly affected by noise, chatter, background music and the like. They are almost impossible for me to ignore & make enjoyment a struggle. When business slows, my experience has been that staff entertain themselves while catching up on the more menial tasks by pumping the volume of their favourite tunes -or WORSE turning on a TV. •At Zawa the music REMAINED in the background -as did our waitress -attentive when we wanted something but didn't hover or make endless returns to our table citing by rote the familiar, "Can I get you guys anything else?" We chatted for over an hour and NOT ONCE were we pressured into ordering more, NOR was the bill put on the table ...an unspoken implication the server has decided it's time for you to settle up and move on.

Therefore ...for me, ZAWA was a 5 star experience & I will go again and bring other...

If you’re looking for the burger experience of your life, look no further. This masterpiece is everything you didn’t know you needed—a massive, juicy, flavor-packed tower of perfection that hits every craving and then some.

From the moment it hits the table, this burger demands attention. Thick, fresh, and piled high with premium toppings, it’s almost too big to wrap your hands around—almost. One bite in, and the juices start running. You’ll need extra napkins, maybe even a bib, because this burger does not hold back. The bun is soft yet sturdy, the meat cooked to juicy perfection, and the fresh ingredients—crispy lettuce, ripe tomato, melted cheese, tangy pickles, maybe even a surprise layer of bacon or fried onions—come together like a well-rehearsed rock band.

And the fries? Crispy, golden, piping hot. Classic, no-frills, and exactly what fries should be. They’re the kind that disappear before you even realize you’ve been snacking on them between bites of burger bliss.

This isn’t just food—it’s an event. Whether you’re starving or just in the mood for something indulgent and unforgettable, this burger-and-fries combo delivers the kind of satisfaction that’s hard to find these days. Five stars, zero regrets, and...

I had the opportunity to attend the Taylor Swift event at Zawa on August 27, during the 12-2pm timeframe. Having paid $60 in tickets per person, I was genuinely looking forward to an enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, my expectations were not met. The event suffered from evident understaffing, leading to a noticeable decline in service quality and notable delays in food service. Despite the event being scheduled to conclude at 2pm, my group and I were still waiting for our food at 1:50pm. Both the event and restaurant staff exhibited an unhelpful and dismissive demeanor when we voiced our concerns.

Additionally, I observed a lack of attention to cleanliness at the venue, which further compounded the disappointment. A regrettable incident involved the restaurant staff placing all utensils in the middle of the table for communal use, raising significant sanitation issues.

Of particular concern was the inconsistency in food service, where some attendees had already finished their meals while others were left without food even as the event neared its scheduled end at 2pm. This uneven distribution greatly overshadowed the...