St. Lawrence

Quebec Moved to Powell Street

4.5 of 5

Jean-Christophe Poirier took the cooking of Quebec, packed it carefully, and moved it to 269 Powell Street. St. Lawrence is a French restaurant the way a Québécois grandmother is French: with respect for Paris and no intention of taking orders from it. The menu works as a table d'hôte, shifting with the market, and the house calls its style haute country cooking. That phrase is exactly right. Think rustic dishes plated by someone with very steady hands.

The trophies here are serious. A Michelin star since the first Vancouver guide in 2022. Restaurant of the Year from Vancouver Magazine the same year. Top six on Canada's 100 Best in 2023. In 2025 Michelin also gave it a service award, which tells you something the star alone cannot. The people bringing your plates actually like you being there. Diners keep coming back for the lobster bisque and the king salmon, the cocktails lean on French spirits, and the wine list stays loyal to France.

Anyone who has spent time in Quebec knows its cooking is built for long winters, big families and a little too much butter. Poirier keeps the soul and trims the excess. The room runs Wednesday to Sunday from five, and tables go fast. Book early, order the bisque, and let the table d'hôte do its job. When the room fills and the chatter rises, you could swear the St. Lawrence River was outside instead of the Pacific.

Order this: Lobster bisque, King salmon, The table d'hôte, A cocktail built on French spirits
The damage: $$$
Go: Wednesday to Sunday from five; book early
Find it: 269 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1G3