Vancouver restaurants for great gnocchi
Gnocchi: little potato dumplings smothered in rich creamy sauce and garnished with herbs. These delectable morsels have stolen the hearts of many carb-loving diners in Vancouver. Every restaurant on this list puts their own spin on this classic dish – adding different cheeses, seasonings and flavour combinations – so no two gnocchi experiences are ever the same (unless you want them to be). [Photo credit: iStock.com/IriGri8]
Trattoria Italian Kitchen
1850 4th Avenue W, Vancouver, BC V6J 1M3Kitsilano’s laidback Trattoria Italian Kitchen serves a variety of authentic, rustic Italian favourites. Menu highlights include paninis, pasta dishes, pizzas, bruschetta, Sicilian calamari and chicken parmigiana. Trattoria’s signature gnocchi is seasoned with roasted garlic and mixed with fennel sausage in a delicious tomato vodka cream sauce. It’s a hearty, mouthwatering and delectable Italian dish. Enjoy your gnocchi with a side salad, spicy Brussels sprouts, cheesy cauliflower or tasty polenta.
Al Porto Ristorante
321 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B8Al Porto’s cobblestone floor, white tablecloths, and large Italian wall murals help create the welcoming feeling of a traditional trattoria. The food menu is also traditionally Italian, and extensive. Flavourful and delicious, their gnocchi quattro fromagio is definitely worth a try. Tiny potato dumplings are tossed with pancetta, Gorgonzola, grana padano and fior di late and drenched in a rich herb cream sauce. The Gastown restaurant is open seven days a week until 10:30pm and they also offer take out if you’d prefer to take your dishes to go.
Basil Pasta Bar
A-636 Davie St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2G5This affordable pasta bar first opened in 2010 and has been attracting nightly line ups ever since. The casual Davie Street eatery will make your gnocchi just the way you like it – right before your eyes. With over 50 items to pick from, every pasta creation is unique; choose from a variety of different sauces, proteins, veggies, cheeses and herb garnishes. The best part is the price: every meal rings in at just $7.95. Predominantly a take-out spot, Basil Pasta Bar does offer a few tables and chairs for those who want to enjoy their pasta dishes on site.
Yaletown L'Antipasto
1127 Mainland St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5P2Yaletown L’Antipasto serves much more than just antipasto. The family-run restaurant is well known in the neighbourhood and beyond for its regional Italian cuisine and beloved Old World recipes. The gnocchi ai quattro formaggi is one of the most popular dishes on the menu. Prepared in a traditional, Northern Italian fashion, the handmade Piedmontese style potato dumplings are coated in a rich four-cheese sauce featuring crème fraîche, grana padano, Okanagan chèvre and Gorgonzola. The casual yet cozy restaurant has an impressive patio that’s a prime spot for people watching during warmer months.
Pronto Caffe
3473 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2W7Pronto’s menu features a wide selection of Italian comfort-food classics, including sandwiches, pastas and pizzas as well as a selection of antipasti plates, salads and a daily soup special to round out your dining experience. The potato gnocchi features a creamy pesto sauce, crispy pancetta and Parmesan cheese. The rich flavours and delicate handmade dumplings make this dish a customer favourite.
Lupo Restaurant & Vinoteca
869 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2R7This elegant Italian eatery is a perfect romantic spot for wooing that special someone, or falling in love with a plate of pasta. An impressive menu tempts diners with a selection of Italian favourites, including the house-made cheesy ricotta gnocchi. Diners can’t help but swoon over the mouth-watering blend of pillowy potato dumplings, pork cheeks, olive oil and flavourful basil. This is definitely a dish you’ll want to enjoy again and again.
Cibo Trattoria
900 Seymour Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 0A8Cibo Trattoria is located inside the Moda Hotel on Seymour Street. This contemporary dining room features large, avant-garde paintings on the walls and a menu packed with local and sustainable ingredients. Their made-from-scratch gnocchi changes with the seasons to reflect the freshest possible ingredients. Potato dumplings laced with organic meats, farm fresh veggies and rich sauces – this is a classic dish all year round.
Tavola Restaurant
1829 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6G 1E4Vancouver’s West End is home to one of the city’s best Italian restaurants. Known for their hearty plates and generous portions, Tavola is the perfect spot to share a meal with family and friends. Quality is the top priority on the small but satisfying menu; pasta dishes are carefully made in house by talented chefs. Featuring sage butter and crispy pine nuts, the gnocchi is one of the highlights. Enjoy with an arugula salad or a side of daily fresh vegetables. Heated outdoor seating keeps al fresco diners comfy in the cooler months and take-out is also available.
