Chang ‘An Restaurant, Best Chinese fine dining in Vancouver


  • 4 Star
  • 5 Star
  • Above $45
  • Chinese
  • Dinner
  • Downtown
  • Drinks
  • Fine Dining
  • Lunch
  • Noodle
  • Outdoor Patio
  • Peking Duck
  • Permium Casual

Chang ‘An Restaurant, Best Chinese fine dining in Vancouver


Chang An Restaurant is also called Taste of Chang ‘An. Since Chang ‘An used to be the capital of 13 dynasties, the food from there can represent China the most. They are also one of the most expensive Chinese food around Vancouver. Even though they are considered fine dining by cost. Their portion is quite large. You can make sure you’ll go home with a full stomach. Unfortunately, the cost is close to $90 per person. I understand this price point is not for everyone. If you have important guest to entertain, Chang ‘An Restaurant will not disappoint.

Chang An Restaurant Best Chinese fine dining in Vancouver Chang’an Roasted Duck Table Service $98


There is a restaurant along the sea wall, right below the Granville Bridge that might just be the most authentic Chinese restaurant in Vancouver. Chang ‘An Restaurant features Northern Chinese cuisine which is often perceived as large portioned of carbs. Although Chang ‘An Restaurant is considered fine dining by its price, the large portion food will have you walk away with a full stomach.

Strength:Good attention to detail, good service, good food, good view


Weakness:One of the most expensive Chinese restaurants

Located in the old Stone Grill building

This restaurant is located right on the seawall. It’s right below the Waterview, Vancouver Special Events and Wedding Venue. As you can see it is right below Granville bridge, and right across from the Granville Island.

Chang ‘An Restaurant, Best Chinese fine dining in Vancouver photo 1

The restaurant is above water

There is free parking right across from the building. That is something quite rare for downtown restaurants. The building is right above water so it feels like you’re surrounded by water when you are inside.

Chang ‘An has a modest entrance

The building looks grand, but Chang ‘An restaurant has a modest entrance facing the side. The small logo is the only indication of the restaurant.


Display kitchen right at the entrance

The first thing you see at the entrance is their awards. You can also see a small kitchen. Glass partition is used to display how the noodle dish was made. There is also a larger kitchen at the back of house area.

Contemporary and Oriental fusion in decor

The first thing I noticed when I entered Chang ‘An restaurant is how their interior space opens up as soon as I went past the display kitchen. Full height glazing framed the marina in its background. There are adjustable blinds all around to suit the different time of day. The next thing I noticed was the oriental decor. There is a black stand next to each table. These high stands feel like a separation between the table and aisles. They also made the table feel more private. Staffs use these stands as a transitional area. The lights look modern but have oriental concepts in them.


Staff are very attentive

We made a reservation for two. When we were brought to our table, there were only two chairs. I appreciate how they made my seat ready for me. I examined the space after sitting down. They made each table spacious. Each staff wore an electronic marquee name tags with their names rolling through. The staffs were very attentive. They came to pour us water constantly. When we ask for things to be packed up to go, they came to grab everything and packed them for us very clearly in a paper bag. 

Napkins were folded interestingly

The attention to details was evident in many places. These interestingly folded napkins intrigued me. The tablewares are simple. The main plate was turquoise, the others were white. Some with interesting shapes like an oval-shaped plate with duck’s head on one side.

Oriental Lamp

They use oriental lamps in place for Western candles. This is very fitting. Each customer gets a pre-packaged wet towel.

Chang ‘An Restaurant, Best Chinese fine dining in Vancouver photo 2

Complimentary Chinese Pita

There is a restaurant along the sea wall, right below the Granville Bridge that might just be the most authentic Chinese restaurant in Vancouver. Chang ‘An Restaurant features Northern Chinese cuisine which is often perceived as large portioned of carbs. Although Chang ‘An Restaurant is considered fine dining by its price, the large portion food will have you walk away with a full stomach.

Strength:Good attention to detail, good service, good food, good view

Weakness:One of the most expensive Chinese restaurants

Located in the old Stone Grill building

This restaurant is located right on the seawall. It’s right below the Waterview, Vancouver Special Events and Wedding Venue. As you can see it is right below Granville bridge, and right across from the Granville Island.

The restaurant is above water

There is free parking right across from the building. That is something quite rare for downtown restaurants. The building is right above water so it feels like you’re surrounded by water when you are inside.

Chang ‘An has a modest entrance

The building looks grand, but Chang ‘An restaurant has a modest entrance facing the side. The small logo is the only indication of the restaurant.

Display kitchen right at the entrance

The first thing you see at the entrance is their awards. You can also see a small kitchen. Glass partition is used to display how the noodle dish was made. There is also a larger kitchen at the back of house area.

Chang ‘An Restaurant, Best Chinese fine dining in Vancouver photo 3

Contemporary and Oriental fusion in decor

The first thing I noticed when I entered Chang ‘An restaurant is how their interior space opens up as soon as I went past the display kitchen. Full height glazing framed the marina in its background. There are adjustable blinds all around to suit the different time of day. The next thing I noticed was the oriental decor. There is a black stand next to each table. These high stands feel like a separation between the table and aisles. They also made the table feel more private. Staffs use these stands as a transitional area. The lights look modern but have oriental concepts in them.

Staff are very attentive

We made a reservation for two. When we were brought to our table, there were only two chairs. I appreciate how they made my seat ready for me. I examined the space after sitting down. They made each table spacious. Each staff wore an electronic marquee name tags with their names rolling through. The staffs were very attentive. They came to pour us water constantly. When we ask for things to be packed up to go, they came to grab everything and packed them for us very clearly in a paper bag. 

Napkins were folded interestingly

The attention to details was evident in many places. These interestingly folded napkins intrigued me. The tablewares are simple. The main plate was turquoise, the others were white. Some with interesting shapes like an oval-shaped plate with duck’s head on one side.

Oriental Lamp

They use oriental lamps in place for Western candles. This is very fitting. Each customer gets a pre-packaged wet towel.

Complimentary Chinese Pita

Just like how you get fresh bread when you go to a Western restaurant. We have the Chinese version of free bread here. This type of Chinese thick pita is called “Guo Kui”, a common bread native to Shangxi, China. The sauce on the side is not really spicy, but it gives a good flavour to the bread.

Deep-Fried Egg tofu, Egg with Abalone Sauce

We ordered deep-fried egg tofu. It is served in a large bowl with a large lip on top of a narrow candle warmer. The presentation looks nice but it is not stable. The deep-fried egg tofu is quite sturdy. When I use to spoon to cut into it, sometimes the top portion would tilt.

Mushroom, Egg, and Abalone sauce in unison

The deep-fried egg tofu has a tough shell. Inside, is very yellowish tofu. They don’t crumble easily from the force of chopstick. I think the deep-fried exterior help holding them together. There are two types of mushroom in this dish. The mushrooms were carefully selected. None of the mushrooms have bloomed. As a result, the textures are fresh and crisp. The taste of eggs, mushrooms, and abalone sauce really complement each other.

Chang’An Roasted Duck with Table Service

I want to tell you a funny thing. There is a lot of restaurants in Vancouver with “Peking duck” on their menu. They can range from $30 to $100, but 90% of them are not authentic. You can tell by the quality of duck skin and the presentation. If no one is doing this table service for you, they are probably not authentic. This is part of the Peking duck experience. Our table service staff was very polite and skillfully sliced the Peking duck in front of us.

The proper first dish of Peking Duck

The first dish served in an authentic Peking duck is skin-only. This is the fattiest part of the skin. The best way to enjoy this part is to dip it with granular sugar. You can enjoy the crunchy texture of duck skin with sugar crystal. You can smell the smoky flavour from the burst of duck fat.

The exterior should be smooth and shiny