Holiday Parties – Top Vancouver Restaurants

Holiday parties have been on pause for most of the last couple of years, but perhaps 2022 will bring holiday party normalcy back. Vancouver has a lot of great restaurants, but sometimes people struggle when it comes to planning their annual corporate holiday party. I have had the pleasure of working for small businesses, so the parties I have planned are on the smaller side, which has their own separate advantages and disadvantages.

 

Christmas or holiday parties are all about getting together with your team/organization and celebrating a year of hard work and the holiday season. While some may think that these types of parties are overdone and overrated, they’re not. Especially as we begin to see more and more companies embrace a flexible remote working environment, organization gatherings are a great way to get together and celebrate.

And these are fun, compared to your standard team-building games and get-togethers.

My top 5 restaurants for holiday parties

1. Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill
2. Blue Water Cafe
3. Glowbal
4. Joe Forte’s
5. L’abbatoir

Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill

I have now been to this restaurant for 4-holiday parties, and NEVER have I been disappointed. I’m also certain that I have been in the wine room every time as well; I mean, I do love me some wine, so it makes sense.

We did my husband’s Christmas party there at the end of 2022, and we shut the restaurant down. Can you tell we were all deprived of seeing one another?

The atmosphere is so warm and cozy, but also relaxing, considering it is an upscale restaurant. This isn’t your typical fine-dining Italian restaurant. Locally sourced ingredients that are flavoured to perfection enhance the flavours of the main dish.

Blue Water Cafe

If you love seafood and sushi, this is a MUST check out. Don’t panic if you have people on your team or within your organization that doesn’t love seafood, because there are alternatives on the menu. Both times I have been, we sat in the dining room, but there are several private rooms that can host seated and reception-style gatherings.

Blue Water Cafe is definitely more upscale, but the quality of the food is top-notch and the ambiance is definitely NOT stuffy. They focus on sourcing local ingredients and sustainable seafood. I am not a fan of oysters, but I do love a good seafood tower – I could eat prawns until the cows come home – and their sushi rolls are delectable.

Glowbal

I’ve been here for one full holiday party, and then just came to hang out after dinner for another holiday party. I had been downtown for my holiday party, at Blue Water Cafe I think, and then the company I worked at previously was having theirs at Glowbal the same night. I was part of the closing down party group when I worked there, and apparently, that has followed me after leaving that company. Perks to leaving on good terms, I guess 😉

While Glowbal focuses on North American cuisine, they “strip it down” and focus on being bold and vibrant. According to their group dining documentation, “we’ve brought these elements together to create a menu that is at once adventurous, approachable, and delicious”. They’re still considered more upscale dining, but the atmosphere is still cozy and comfortable.

Oh, and if you’re just looking to test out the restaurant, you know for research purposes, their brunch is *chefs kiss* My husband loves a good Caesar and you can build your own there.

Joe Forte’s

This has had to be one of my favourite holiday party destinations – and is one of my favourite restaurants in Vancouver, especially for their brunch (lobster benedict cannot be beaten!) and their rooftop patio.

They are a steak and seafood restaurant, and while it is more upscale, it doesn’t feel like it at all. There’s this casual buzz in the air, especially if you’re sitting in the midst of the restaurant, not in a private room. The servers are always so warm and welcoming, and the food is always top-notch.

L’abbatoir

This is hands down our favourite restaurant in the city, by far. I’ve attended events here that aren’t holiday parties, but it’s on the list for us to try. I say that like I still work for someone in an office.

This restaurant is in the heart of Gastown and super easy to access with ride-hailing, cabs and transit. It’s a win-win in my book. Their menu consists of west coast flavours with that French flair. The food and the cocktails are always impeccable and the staff are so welcoming. You can be in the restaurant or they have a private room which can be split into 2 two rooms.

Holiday parties should be accessible

When planning out your holiday parties, you want people to be safe. I know that here in Vancouver, road checks ramp up during the holiday season to prevent drunk driving. So make sure that where you choose to host your party that year is accessible. Whether that is in regards to being near transit, or cab hot spots as not everywhere can rely upon Uber and/or Lyft.

Vancouver didn’t get ride-hailing companies until February 2020 (poor timing, yes) so we’d previously relied on cabs to get home. Moving close to downtown was the smartest thing we ever did because if all else fails, walk home.

Who doesn’t love a good drunken walk home? Make your parties accessible so that people will want to attend, and so that they can get home safely.

Bringing back holiday parties is something I’ve looked so forward to. Perhaps it’s because both my husband and I work for small companies so it’s a more intimate and better employer-employee relationship vs large corporations.

Don’t forget to plan early because these restaurants get booked up fast.