Ресторан · Vancouver · ⭐ 9.5/10 · 9066 reviews · $$ · updated: 2026-06-30 18:30:59
Address: 905 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1V3, Canada
Earls Test Kitchen: Where a National Menu Is Born
Hidden in plain sight near the Vancouver Art Gallery is the single most influential dining room in Canadian casual dining: Earls Test Kitchen, the stage where one of the country’s largest restaurant families premieres every new idea. Dine here and you’re not just having dinner downtown — you’re previewing what the rest of North America will be ordering next season.
The Concept
Earls began as an Alberta family venture in the mid-eighties and grew, generation by generation, into a premium-casual powerhouse with dozens of locations — its culinary brain now firmly in Vancouver. At the Test Kitchen, the company’s Chefs’ Collective develops and trials dishes in front of real guests, refining recipes based on how the room actually responds. It’s equal parts restaurant and rehearsal hall, and the food is better for the pressure.
What to Order
Split the difference between the new and the beloved. From the trial side: whatever the kitchen is testing that week — think dynamite prawn and mango rolls, Hunan kung pao, Sicilian calamari, tinga chicken tacos. From the canon: Leroy’s crispy dry ribs, Lois Lake steelhead salmon, hand-stretched pizzas, glossy noodle bowls and steaks with proper char. Desserts and cocktails follow the same rhythm — classics alongside prototypes.
The Space
Freshly remodelled and confidently modern: warm finishes, an animated open bar, and a dining room that moves easily between intimate two-tops and celebratory long tables. The downtown location — art gallery on one side, the shopping core on the other — keeps the people-watching as varied as the menu.
Who It’s For
Food-lovers who want a story with dinner, colleagues marking a deal nearby, gallery visitors extending the afternoon, and anyone who enjoys being asked their opinion — here it actually counts for something.
Good to Know
Should I book ahead? For evenings, yes; midday tables are usually easier to come by.
What makes this Earls different? It’s the brand’s R&D flagship — new dishes appear here before any other location.
Are children welcome? Yes — it’s a comfortable family room, especially earlier in the evening.
Anything plant-based? A dedicated range of plant-forward and gluten-aware dishes runs across the menu.
Is there somewhere to sit before a show? The bar and lounge suit pre-theatre timing well — quick, polished and central.
Opening hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 11:00–00:00 |
| Tuesday | 11:00–00:00 |
| Wednesday | 11:00–00:00 |
| Thursday | 11:00–00:00 |
| Friday | 11:00–01:00 |
| Saturday | 10:00–01:00 |
| Sunday | 10:00–00:00 |
Photos
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Visitor reviews
Reviews last updated: 2026-06-30 18:30:59
Data is refreshed monthly. Sources: vancouveranka.com and editorial picks based on reviews.
The best Earls I've ever been to. We thought we'd just grab a simple dinner, but we accidentally stumbled onto the Earls test kitchen. Taylor was so sweet and gave us the best recommendations for drinks and mains. She an…
I've visited Earls Test Kitchen three times over 2023 and 2024, and each time I've left satisfied. My favourite dish was the steak pasta shown in the photo; it paired very well with the peach beer. The sushi in the photo…
I love coming to Earls for dinner. The atmosphere is always great, the food is delicious, and the drinks are really tasty. The service is consistently excellent. I especially like this location because they offer some di…
The food was great and the portions were big, so we were happy. There were 17 of us since we were celebrating 4 birthdays, and the servers were incredibly kind and patient with us, taking our orders despite all the chaos…
We had a wonderful time at Earls this evening! Laura was our server, and she was honestly the sweetest. It was my birthday and my friend's birthday. She was so kind, attentive, and genuinely warm the whole time.
She sur…