Arike Restaurant

This place is more of a unique dining experience than a restaurant. Block your calendar for a sweet 2-3 hour experience. We loved the atmosphere and the art on the walls. Our host was such a knowledgeable and friendly person. He for sure added to our pleasant experience. The food was very nice. The harmony of flavours was just perfect. Every meal was a piece of art and the spices used were remarkable.

We had a very nice night at Arike. The food was excellent and wines were perfectly paired. Don't sleep on this spot if you want excellent, unique food in Vancouver! The service was also good. Room for improvement: I think the atmosphere is lacking a bit. There is something cold and empty about it (both literally and metaphorically). A heavy velvet curtain to keep the heat in along the large window and a change of lighting may do this place wonders. Also the seating need to be a bit cozier.

Had a phenomenal dining experience here!! Our server, Joel, greeted us at the door by name and took us right to our table. He was extremely hospitality and knowledgeable about the specifics of each course on the menu. The food was stellar! It brought such a unique yet effortlessly harmonious composition of texture, spices, and cultural influences. Our food was accompanied by an equally complimentary pairing of beverages. The menu and service also provided amenable options for vegetarian and nonalcoholic preferences. Not from the area but would come back again for this!! Our compliments to chefs Sam and Jesse! Arike is a dinner you won’t forget and one you shouldn’t miss!

Arike restaurant is a hidden gem that delivers an unparalleled dining experience. From the moment you step inside, you're transported into a vibrant, tropical haven away from Vancouver's winter. The staff's warm welcome and attentive service set the tone for an exceptional evening. The cocktail ceremony was a delightful surprise; the hibiscus rum tea punch served in a charming cast iron pot was a personal favorite, offering a refreshing, juicy, and spicy kick. The tasting menu was a journey through divine flavors. The fresh green curry with salt-baked pineapple salad was a standout, alongside the perfectly cooked fluffy omelet and the heavenly bannock-covered parfait. The expertly seasoned fish and the unique chocolate-infused pasta for dessert showcased the chef's creativity and mastery. The wine pairing, featuring local natural wines sans sulphites, added depth to the culinary experience, enriching our knowledge. I wholeheartedly rate Arike 5/5 for its exceptional service, delectable cuisine, and intimate ambiance. It's a place where you're pampered without any pretense. The small and intimate setting allows for a truly enjoyable dining experience. Keep an eye out for their revised menu in the new year; it's a must-visit spot for anyone seeking an extraordinary evening out. I'd highly recommend Arike to friends and anyone looking for a uniquely pampering dining experience.

The restaurant is located in the West End on Davie St near Denman. On a Friday night, there was lots of pay street parking. The restaurant has a nice ambiance with wood paneling and flooring. It is decorated with a colourful painted mural and a few African art pieces. A nice dining setting for couples or friends The Arike menu is very eclectic. Our server Joel, who is very friendly and efficient, explained each dish and the African roots of the cuisine. There are Caribbean and European influences. Flavours in the tasting menu ranged from sweet and tangy to savory and spicy. Finished the meal with an aromatic tea. I could not figure out how that little round teapot held 4 cups of tea. I would recommend trying this restaurant which is listed in the Michelin Guide, especially during the Vancouver Dine Out. Portions were not large 4*, add back extra * for price.

We had some very special experience to share. We went there last night to try their 2024 dine out menu with 6 courses. We had to pay for the full price plus 18% tips when we make the reservations which was understandable. It was still lots of snow on the street, so there was no one else came to the restaurant besides us. The food was not bad. Portion was small but sufficient. We ordered wine pairing after we sat down. It averagely took them 20 minutes to prepare each course, so when we finished the 3rd one, we had been sitting there for about 1 hour. We got one cup of wine with the 2nd course and another cup of wine with the 3rd course. After we finished the 3rd course, we waited for about 25 minutes, but the 4th one were still not brought to us. We felt the wait was a bit too long, but we could not ask anyone as they were all in the kitchen. Maybe because there was no other customer at the restaurant, we can hear the server and the chef talking and laughing in the kitchen all the time. The server usually did not come out until he brought us the food or wine I went to the kitchen and see if I can talk to anyone. As soon as I walked to the kitchen, I saw they were either standing or sitting there to chat. I decided not to wait anymore and asked for the bill for wine pairing so we could pay and leave. The waiter explained that they were just waiting for us to finish the wine, but we were never told we had to finish the wine before we can get the next course even we had sit there for over 25 minutes to wait for the next course. He also advised that we should expect at least 2 hours for a tasting menu, but we did not even get the 4th course after hour and half. The way they served us was very unique that we never experienced at any Micheline recommended restaurants around Vancouver. It was a bit cold in this restaurant too even they had put some extra small heaters on which was why we had a hard time to wait for the food. The decoration was nice, but there was a hole on their table napkin. Although they did not charged us for the wine pairing, but we would NOT agree this should be a Micheline recommended restaurant. At least for last night, it is not.

Would give 6 stars. The food here is so unique, stunning combinations of flavors. We had a chicken sausage + red pepper ( I think) gnocchi + mint chutney + baked manchego crisp. Sound good enough yet? Each item on its own was good, like fine, but together it was a sensational eating experience. As if that wasn't enough, the wine pairings were phenomenal (the two of us split one), and the ambience and decor topped it off. Hats off to Sam the chef, Jesse (who I'm told did the wine pairings), and Jen the wonderful, fun hostess. Check out Arike when you're in town! And be sure to ask what the logo means :)

The five course tasting menu explores a global array of spices and influences paired with beautifully sourced ingredients. Located in the West End, down a set of stairs off Davie St, Arike is an approachable and global dining experience. Every course had a remarkable variance in spice and heat, even the bread which contained beberé spice. My favourite courses were the Moroccan Ratatouille and the Sea Bream Ceviche. The ceviche was notably spicy, in a delightful way, and presented with a peanut hummus. I also had the wine pairing which was a stellar accompaniment. My sister found the melon course with the serrano sofrito and yogurt foam as her favourite. The meal was a wonderful progression from start to finish and we were delighted by it all.

This is a hidden gem in the West End. Sunken below street level, you would not know that there is a Michelin featured restaurant on Davie street, if not for word of mouth. The space is unassuming and there is a small patio that would be nice to sit at in the summer. The cuisine is not like anything I've had before and it fuses different flavours like masal and jerk spices. They have a five course tasting menu with a vegetarian version to come back in 2025. The menu changes every six weeks. The five courses are artfully presented. On their own, each dish doesn't seem like a massive portion. But by the end of the five courses, really by the end of the fourth course, I was stuffed. All the items were interesting and different, but the flavours worked. They were not things I would have conventionally thought to put together oe methods I would have thought of e.g. salt baked pineapple, but somehow it all ended up very tasty. Standouts for me were the coconut encrusted plantain, the granite palate cleanser, and the chicken liver pate with bannock. The cocktail list is likewise unique. It is tea inspired and organized by elements. The bartender came and explained all the drinks for us. There is an excellent cocktail flight which you can pair with your dinner and I would recommend that to try the most drinks. The presentation on the drinks was also well done, and the cocktails were all very well balanced. Nothing was too spicy or too sweet. The flavours were very harmonious. Service is really great. Everyone is so nice. It was my birthday and they def went the extra mile. All the dishes are explained. The bartender, who is really a mixologist more than a bartender, came to the table to explain each cocktail. If you are a wine person, they also do wine pairings. All the wineries are from BC, and the majority are boutique vineyards. Highly recommend. I'm not a fan of all the restaurants Michelin picks, but this one is definitely deserving.

Cute modest restaurant with big flavors! Best meal deal in Vancouver for a 5+ course prix-fixe with an inexpensive wine flight option! Reservation-only in advance (no walk-ins) that is best described as modern African fusion. If you were like us, you weren't sure what to expect but I can tell you that Michelin got this one right. French and Japanese inspired dishes with African/Nigerian pops of flavors. Chef-created cocktails with local organic wines only add to its unique charm. Shout out to Joel for wonderful descriptions and service! We started with the homemade nut/seed wheat/date bread with an amazing shallot butter/anise gastrique--they need to package and sell that butter! The African-inspired "potato salad" with lightly-dressed fresh flavors followed. The crispy eggplant in mushroom broth with smoked guanciale was so awesome!! Very japanese-influenced flavors that my not-an-eggplant-lover wife described as amazingly delicious and incredible. Following the guava/yuzu granite came the amazing duck leg confit with spicy peanut sauce that can only be described as so uniquely delicious. The ribeye was solid but the accompanying leek tart was so good. The African chai tea helped clear the palate for the tasty and whimsical "pancake" dessert. This was such an amazing meal and even more amazingly, they change the menu every 6 weeks and never repeat dishes. We will def return!!

A fantastic spot that opened in 2019. Excellent, high quality cocktails that will hold its own against any hipster cocktail bar, and really, really excellent food and service. The flatbread is hands down the best I've ever had anywhere. Crisp, thIn, topped with just the right amount of deliciousness. Their wings are FANTASTIC. Everything is quite good. I introduced my brother-in-law to this place, and now he is a regular. He swears their steak is the best in the city, so I definitely must try that on my next visit!

I wasn't sure what Nigerian food was going to taste like; however Arike had been mentioned as "top new restaurants to check out" in some food blog so I thought this place was worth trying. I went with my food squad which was perfect because we got to try a good variety of dishes. I highly recommend going with more than 2 people or fast all day so you can order a ton of dishes lol. This place is located on Davie street, super close to Denman street. There is no restaurant parking but there is a paid parking lot behind the restaurant. Our server/owner of Arike was very friendly and gave us recommendations on dishes and took the time to explain how the dishes were made. We were told that their concept was more of a modern twist with authentic flavours (which is different from the homestyle curries/stews that typical traditional Nigerian cuisine consists of). I'm personally not a fan of those hearty/stew type dishes so I was happy with their innovative Nigerian menu. We ordered the following: -fried habanero corn fritters -free range chicken wings (had a subtle kick to them) -cassava fries -pulled oxtail & cured pork belly flat bread -fried jollof rice (sooo good, apparently it takes hours to make...they create a chicken broth from scratch which takes hours and then they slowly cook the rice in this broth)w/ grilled beef striploin skewers (the meat was very tender) -spiced goat dumplings -milo icecream -pof pofs All the dishes were presented beautifully and were seasoned well. The highlights for me were the corn fritters (they were these mini fritters but full of flavour with a little bit of heat), jollof rice, and the milo icecream. The pof pofs were like little fried mini Tim bits which was good to have with the icecream. If it's just you and another person I would say just get the icecream because they give you a huge scoop. Between the 5 of us we didn't even finish it because we were pretty stuffed. I would go back again if I was in the area and I would recommend this place to friends. Food was interesting with bold flavours and I appreciated the great service. The only draw back for me was that it can get pretty loud...we were next to a rowdy table where they really loud (think busy pub noise level). At times our group had to yell and had to repeat what we were saying. However we came on a Friday evening so that's understandable. So maybe come either earlier in the evening or on a week night if you are concerned with noise level (thinking for the elderly/people who don't like super loud places). All in all a great new place!

This new West African inspired restaurant on Davie was a pleasant treat on a Thursday night! First things first (I'm the realest), the food was delicious. I went with a friend whose family is Nigerian, and she confirmed that although not authentic, the dishes were scrumptious. The jollof rice came with really tender suya beef skewers, but be aware that the rice has a kick of heat. The cured pork belly and pulled oxtail flatbread had a beautiful thin crust, and was balanced by creamy bites of soft cheese and mild cherry tomatoes. The cassava fries came with a few nice sauces; I really enjoyed the ata din din pepper sauce. We had pof pofs for dessert, which came with a ginger honey sauce, mint leaves, and cinnamon sugar. It was a nice sweet treat, but I don't know that I would order it again. The texture on the inside was a borderline mushy. There was only one server for the whole restaurant, which definitely affected the speed and attentiveness of our service. He also went out for a smoke break in front of the restaurant for a few minutes around 9... not too sure how I feel about that. Bill came out to just over $60 including tax and tip, and I left full but not stuffed. I think I'd come back again once or twice more to try some other flatbreads, but it'd be nice to get another front of house staff member so as to reduce the workload!

Nice chill vibe on a Friday night. We made resos but there were smaller tables still available. My friends and I ordered a lot from the menu. We started with the jalapeño frittatas. They were these little Smalls of fried dough. The waitress said they are freeze dried jalapeños ground to a powder and incorporated into the dough. Tasty little things when you get a hint of chili at the end. Oxtail flatbread was tasty though a tad on the greasy side. The fried rice with suya beef was tasty. It's cooked in chicken broth and a tomato base. The beef I found quite thin and expensive at $4 per skewer (we added extra so each one of us had a skewer. The goat dumplings have a unique flavour that I am not sure I love. The dumpling wrappers are nice and chewy though. The milo ice cream is creamy and smooth. They want really well with the pof pofs. Just wished they were bigger. They are the size of a quarter of a Timbit.

This is a very interesting and unique restaurant. Currently, There's no other restaurant in Vancouver that serves high end Nigerian cuisine. It was hard to get a reservation here but we made it. Most dishes we had here, we loved it. They serve all local wines and ciders; which is always great. I would love to come back again!

Excellent! The vibe, the service & the food. Girlfriend even said, "best onion rings I've ever had" and the Oxtail Boudin...OMG. So good as was the goat dumplings (did not photo). We came for the Dine Out Vancouver experience however their main menu looked so yummy. I'm glad we decided to sample a few items off the menu and shared everything. I believe that's the best way to go with their menu. We're already planning a double date night as we want come back here soon. Definitely check it out as I believe it's a hidden gem. Considering how much food we ordered including a drink each, the bill was under $85. I was surprised we had the whole restaurant to ourselves even though we arrived at 19:30 on a Wednesday.

Wow! This place is fantastic. When I heard a Nigerian cocktail & food bar would be opening up in this spot, I had no idea what to expect - I'd never tried Nigerian food, and any new restaurant is a bit of a gamble. But Arike turned out to be everything I hoped for and more - it's the chance of finding gems like this that make me always want to try new places to eat. To start with, the place blends classy restaurant style and nice bar vibes, so it feels like it would be a great place for both fun drinks with friends and nice date nights. All the staff were super friendly too; apparently it's mostly a family & friends business, and you can tell the folks all know each other and get along well. The bartender whipped up a nice dark & stormy that was on the lighter side in terms of alcohol punch, which was good for a weeknight! I really came here to try out the food, though, and this is where I was very nicely surprised. Unlike a lot of places, all the portion sizes here are modest - and yet I did not leave hungry by any means! The food portions meant it was easy for me to try a whole bunch of things at once, and let me tell you, they were all delicious. The goat spoon? It's literally a spoon with tender, flavourful, braised goat meat, and a deliciously complex sauce dabbed on top that had a hint of something very intriguing that I couldn't quite figure out. Habanero corn fritters? They may be fried and crispy and quite small on the outside, but they're creamy and flavourful on the inside, and they're sprinkled with the perfect amount of salt too. I went for one of the most unusual-sounding flatbreads, the leg of lamb with suya and onion sauce, because I love trying new and different things, and I was rewarded. The sauce on the flatbread was really fantastic - you don't see onion sauces often, but this one perfectly complemented the cheese that went along with it. The crust was light and crisp, and the meat itself rounded out the whole thing with that umami taste people love. And even after all that I had room for dessert, so I went for the pof pofs. These things are like the grown-up version of timbits - crispy fried shell powdered with sugar and cinnamon on the outside, creamy and gooey dough on the inside, and a nice honey sauce to daub them in as you eat them. I could not have been more impressed. I love places that give you room to try a variety of dishes, and the atmosphere was perfect for the kind of timeslot and crowd they're aiming for. Arike is a fantastic addition to the neighbourhood - welcome, and best of luck! I'll definitely be trying to drag friends here with me soon!

My sisters and I stumbled upon this place while vacationing in Vancouver and looking for a place to eat near the English bay beach. We were super excited to go since we come from Nigeria and its a Nigerian cuisine inspired menu. First of all, although the food is inspired by Nigerian cuisine, the actual taste was not much like what you'd get at an authentic Nigerian restaurant. But for what it was, the food was delicious. Our favorite was the suya wings by far! Jollof rice was good but had too much palm oil for my taste. Also tried the goat dumplings but that was not as impressive as the wings. For dessert, we had the puff puff and they tasted more like timbits than the airy yeasty Nigerian puff puff. The ambience of the place was really cool with nice music and drinks. Staff were also very nice. I'll be back, but mostly for the suya wings! :D

Three of us went to dinner at Arike last evening and had an memorable meal. They are a Nigerian restaurant offering a five-course prix fixe menu, with a vegan option. There was also the option of wine pairings with each course. The food was excellent, including a lamb dish that might be the best we've ever had. Hugely creative takes on paella, mushrooms on toast, scallops, and maybe the best bread and butter plate you've ever tasted. Everything is made with Nigerian spin -- lots of new ingredients and spices that were a delight to the palate. Service was friendly, knowledgeable, and prompt. Check out their website. Highly recommended!

This is the best takeout in Vancouver right now! Outstanding food. We've ordered everything they have on the menu at different times, many of the dishes like the pineapple chicken repeatedly, since they opened. Love everything! Always on time.

Contender for favorite restaurant in Vancouver. The veggie dumplings in tamarind curry is absolutely divine and legitimately authentic. My Nigerian mother-in-law approves. The meat pies alone are killer and satisfy. We basically now order for any and all major occasions. Brava!

Arike was a great find on our anniversary get away week! Great service and DELICIOUS food! We had the goat spoons, oxtail flatbread, Jollaf rice with beef skewers and the goat dumplings! The flavors are perfectly balanced! Would recommend it all!

Please make a stop at this place even if it's a bit hidden ! Both food and beverage are exceptional: probably the best restaurant in Englisg Bay area (and more...). A real home-made food with a lot of creativity which makes it really unique. Do you need more? The staff is really welcoming and reaches a high level of kindness. I recommend +++++

Very hard to find an African Restaurant anywhere in the West. Arike is top notch! We had a bit of everything from their take out menu (only open for take out during COVID) - savoury pies; the peanut curry (with veggie dumplings; each curry comes with a choice of beef, chicken, or dumpling); cauliflower and fennel; chicken and pineapple; mango salad; jollif rice; both desserts. They were all wonderfully flavourful, each with different complex spices. Really original. There was not a speck left in any of the dishes, and every last bit of the sauces were greedily spooned up. Terrific!

I discovered this restaurant when I was researching places to easy on our vacation, and the reviews and menu from Arike got us really excited weeks in advance of our trip. We went on a Monday, and were the only people in the place. What's wrong with you Vancouver??? From the drinks to the hospitality to the food of Roman and Sam, we were wowed from the first sip of our Sazerac to the last bite of pof pof! My husband is a fan of west African food, but me and my daughter had never tried it. We ordered the wings and goat spoon for appetizer, the jollof rice with beef, steaks with cassava fries, and leg of lamb flatbread. We were also brought complimentary shots that were a crisp and refreshing compliment to the gentle to spicy dishes. So much flavor, such originality, so delicious! We ordered pof pofs and hand made salted caramel ice cream. I'm not a big dessert fan, but even I couldn't resist digging in after the first pof pof melted in my mouth! The ice cream was luscious, just the right mouth feel. We had to order another round if pof pofs immediately! One of our absolute favorite meals of our trip. We want to kidnap Sam the chef and bring him to Los Angeles where he would be booked every night (relax, we told him about the kidnapping he was ok with it!). In the meantime VANs and visitors, get yourself to Arike as soon as you can. Why not right now? Thanks again Arike, we were impressed and delighted!

Unique dishes bursting with flavour! My friends and I tried every item on the menu and the food just got better and better with each bite. A fantastic meal from beginning to end. Don't even get me started about how delicious their Milo ice cream was. Staff were extremely friendly and attentive. The restaurant has a very cool vibe too. I will be back very soon! I can't wait until their patio opens in the summer and I can enjoy some delicious drinks and snacks. Thank you for the wonderful experience!

I had mini burgers appetizer, followed by a lamb flat bread. I also tried both desserts - an ice cream and pof pofs. Everything was awesome!!

Excellent. Subtle and unique flavours. We really enjoyed the braised goat spoon and abacha salad as appetizers. The goat meat was tender and perfectly accented with din din pepper sauce, peanut crumb and pickled onion. The salad was fresh julienned cassava with habanero dressing. We followed with the cured lamb flatbread. Again perfectly seasoned.

I went in not expecting anything and the result? Amazing experience. I loved the food and service. I highly recommend visiting this awesome restaurant. I had to try both desserts - they are astonishing.

We really enjoyed it. The waitress was friendly and knowledgeable and could tell you everything in each dish. Everything was delicious. The spiciness was welcome and not overwhelming (although my family has a high tolerance for spice, so ymmv). My only regret is we didn't get to try the desserts -- I guess we'll just have to come back!

We went to Arike tonight to celebrate birthdays with family. The food was fantastic. The flavours were unique and fresh. We will definitely return...maybe see if we can takeout and watch a sunset soon?

this was my first visit, the bartender is off the rail. the chef is pushing great food and nice twist on the regular fare. please think of this place as a great little cocktail and food place with spectacular dishes. please swing

Suuper delicious food. Been twice now and both times absolutely great. Nice cocktails and real nice atmosphere, definitely coming back

This place is a gem! Both my companion and I loved everything we had (she: the goat spoon and goat dumplings, me: the corn fritters and eggplant flatbread). My cocktail was lovely, the service was excellent, and the weather was gorgeous for sitting outside. Give it a try!

I am fortunate to live just two minutes away from Arike. This is a spectacular restaurant. Everything I've enjoyed there has been outstanding. Flavours are intense and layered. Few things I have found in Vancouver compare. And the service is exceptional. All the staff are attentive without being obtrusive. They remember what drinks they served you the last time and who you were with. How many places offer that kind of personal attention? This is not just a neighbourhood gem, it is a city gem. And I agree with Daniel G. The Milo ice cream is at the top of the list of superb ice creams. Get there before the word gets out and it becomes so busy you won't be able to get a reservation for weeks (which would be the best thing in the world for this most deserving restaurant).

Our Nigerian friend steered us to this place, and we loved it. The goat spoon and habañero corn fritter appetizers were great, as were the jollof rice (nicely spicy) and the goat dumpling main courses. Highly recommended.

The best ice cream ever! Food was delicious and staff friendly. Love this place. I highly recommend visiting it. Hidden jewel.

Excellent food...well seasoned...vegan burger and summer salad! Flatbread was also great. Two thumbs up!