Social Profile: 
✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in
… View more
Hours
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 5:30–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 5:30–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 5:30–10 PM |
| Thursday | 5:30–10 PM |
| Friday | 5:30–10 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1875 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V5L 1H8, Canada
Phone: +1 778-379-3790
Website: http://www.restaurantniwa.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: exploretock.com
Related Web Results
East Vancouver – Farm to Table | Niwa Restaurant
Welcome to Niwa restaurant, proudly located in East Vancouver. Offering farm to table fare with delicious wines and sake.
Niwa: New Japanese farm-to-table restaurant in East Vancouver
… restaurant or restaurant you’ve never been to because you get a little taste of everything. Niwa 1875 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V5L 1H8 …
Niwa – Vancouver, BC – Tock
At Niwa, Chef Darren Gee creates a dining experience that is thoughtful … V5L 1H8. Parking: Street parking. http://www.restaurantniwa.com. Today. 5:30 PM …
Reviews
Leo Poon
Niwa is a bit out of the way, but it’s absolutely worth the trip. Street parking was manageable, and once you walk in, the space immediately sets the tone—clean, minimalist design with warm lighting, a calm energy, and an open kitchen that feels quietly confident rather than showy.
Service was a highlight. Our server was welcoming and genuinely attentive, taking time to walk us through the menu and even explaining the meaning behind the name—“Niwa” (garden)—along with a short story about the concept. That small touch made the experience feel personal and intentional.
We went with a chef’s choice / omakase-style approach and loved it. The meal felt like Asian-fusion comfort food done with fine-dining restraint: beautifully plated, balanced portions, and consistently well-executed. Standouts for us included the rich, perfectly cooked slices paired with mushrooms, the bright, crunchy vegetable dish, and the delicate rice courses. The fish was excellent, and dessert was a strong finish—refined, not overly sweet, and very satisfying.
Pricing felt reasonable for the quality—definitely not cheap, but fair for the care, technique, and overall experience. We left impressed and happy, and we’ll be back.
… moreService was a highlight. Our server was welcoming and genuinely attentive, taking time to walk us through the menu and even explaining the meaning behind the name—“Niwa” (garden)—along with a short story about the concept. That small touch made the experience feel personal and intentional.
We went with a chef’s choice / omakase-style approach and loved it. The meal felt like Asian-fusion comfort food done with fine-dining restraint: beautifully plated, balanced portions, and consistently well-executed. Standouts for us included the rich, perfectly cooked slices paired with mushrooms, the bright, crunchy vegetable dish, and the delicate rice courses. The fish was excellent, and dessert was a strong finish—refined, not overly sweet, and very satisfying.
Pricing felt reasonable for the quality—definitely not cheap, but fair for the care, technique, and overall experience. We left impressed and happy, and we’ll be back.
Phakaon Chalermlapsombut
Really loved Niwa! Lots of great veggie options and plenty of seafood and fish too.
The deep-fried green tomatoes were my favorite — simple but so unique.
The beef was super buttery and tender, just melted in my mouth.
They’ve got a nice selection of wine and sake, and the service was friendly.
The vibe is chill and cozy, perfect for a date night or just hanging out with friends. Had such a nice, relaxing time here!
… moreThe deep-fried green tomatoes were my favorite — simple but so unique.
The beef was super buttery and tender, just melted in my mouth.
They’ve got a nice selection of wine and sake, and the service was friendly.
The vibe is chill and cozy, perfect for a date night or just hanging out with friends. Had such a nice, relaxing time here!
Tosh Sokukawa
Really nice experience having the tasting menu at Niwa. Contrary to some of the other reviews, I think it was an acceptable amount of food for what you pay these days. The two of us left legitimately full which is not exactly always to be expected. Robin was very attentive and brought the experience up a few notches at well. Will be back again to try a different menu sometime.
… moreAndy Chiang
A very fun and cozy dining experience at Niwa! Their food is Asian fusion inspired and while some dishes may look sauce heavy, it actually works very well and has very balanced flavours.
The restaurant is nice and intimate, and features a good diverse menu and drinks menu. Their food cocktails are well made and the beef is a perfect medium rare cook.
Overall, this is a great spot to try! The only downside is its location, which isn’t the best part of town. Reservations are highly recommended.
… moreThe restaurant is nice and intimate, and features a good diverse menu and drinks menu. Their food cocktails are well made and the beef is a perfect medium rare cook.
Overall, this is a great spot to try! The only downside is its location, which isn’t the best part of town. Reservations are highly recommended.
Fily C
I chose this restaurant for my last dinner in Vancouver before being away for a few months — hoping for a memorable, elevated experience. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a major disappointment across multiple fronts.
To be fair, the appetizer started off well. The tomato was refreshing, the eggplant had a nice texture, and the jelly added a unique and enjoyable touch. But everything after that quickly fell apart.
The octopus tentacles were badly overcooked — dry, rubbery, and almost entirely burnt at the ends. It wasn’t just unpleasant; it was nearly inedible. Half the portion had to be left untouched. For a restaurant that presents itself as refined, this level of execution is unacceptable.
Then came the Wagyu beef rice bowl, which was overly salty. From a Chinese palate, the rice was too soft and almost soggy. Despite the portion not being large, the three of us couldn’t bring ourselves to finish it — not because we were full, but because the flavors and textures were simply off.
On top of the food issues, the environment was just as disappointing. The restaurant was uncomfortably hot, with no air conditioning in sight — only a fan running in a corner. My husband was visibly sweating throughout the meal. It’s hard to enjoy fine dining when you’re physically uncomfortable the entire time.
We did share our feedback with the server, and to their credit, they were polite and attentive. They offered us some local farm melon as a kind gesture. The service and sake selection were the few highlights of the evening.
That said, service alone can’t make up for poor food and an overheated dining room. This dinner was supposed to be a special send-off, but instead, I left feeling hungry.
… moreTo be fair, the appetizer started off well. The tomato was refreshing, the eggplant had a nice texture, and the jelly added a unique and enjoyable touch. But everything after that quickly fell apart.
The octopus tentacles were badly overcooked — dry, rubbery, and almost entirely burnt at the ends. It wasn’t just unpleasant; it was nearly inedible. Half the portion had to be left untouched. For a restaurant that presents itself as refined, this level of execution is unacceptable.
Then came the Wagyu beef rice bowl, which was overly salty. From a Chinese palate, the rice was too soft and almost soggy. Despite the portion not being large, the three of us couldn’t bring ourselves to finish it — not because we were full, but because the flavors and textures were simply off.
On top of the food issues, the environment was just as disappointing. The restaurant was uncomfortably hot, with no air conditioning in sight — only a fan running in a corner. My husband was visibly sweating throughout the meal. It’s hard to enjoy fine dining when you’re physically uncomfortable the entire time.
We did share our feedback with the server, and to their credit, they were polite and attentive. They offered us some local farm melon as a kind gesture. The service and sake selection were the few highlights of the evening.
That said, service alone can’t make up for poor food and an overheated dining room. This dinner was supposed to be a special send-off, but instead, I left feeling hungry.
Ayla Collins
No one does it like Chef Darren. Truly, Niwa hasn’t even been open a year and it’s already my favourite restaurant! The food is innovative and complex, and yet somehow also simple – it’s an incredible balance that I’ve never seen done so well.
The staff are all so warm and knowledgeable, and I love that they all love food as much as I do! The space is cozy and welcoming, and having now sat all over the restaurant, I can confidently say there’s not a bad seat in the house. If I could, I’d be there weekly – do yourself a favour and book a table right now.
… moreThe staff are all so warm and knowledgeable, and I love that they all love food as much as I do! The space is cozy and welcoming, and having now sat all over the restaurant, I can confidently say there’s not a bad seat in the house. If I could, I’d be there weekly – do yourself a favour and book a table right now.
Jiwon Seo
Niwa is the best!! Been a fan of the chef and the team before they came together as a team to open Niwa. And never ever had a disappointment! I usually get the omakase because I trust what chef makes and it always hits! And warm service, cozy restaurant.
… moretikki
Japanese-inspired restaurant located on Powell Street. There are so many hidden gems on this little block and Niwa is one of them. The warm wooden interior is stylish and inviting, and the dishes made with locally sourced produce were both beautiful and delicious.
… moreValerie Huang
Hidden gem near the area. Design and atmosphere are aesthetically pleasing. Focaccia with nature and flavoured butter is a must-do. Entire course is interesting and elegantly presented.
… moreHonest Review
I honestly have a lot to say about this place. I went because of the good Google reviews, but this was probably the first time in my life I truly felt my money was wasted at a restaurant.
The menu had an omakase option, so I naturally assumed it was Japanese — but there wasn’t a single Japanese dish. After the main course (duck, which already smelled unpleasant), they brought out rice, which was confusing enough. But what came with it was basically a Chinese-style tomato and scrambled egg dish — with the tomato skins still on! I had to ask myself: what cuisine is this restaurant even supposed to be?
Overall the food felt like random small sides served one after another, with tiny portions. Bread was $5 for a single slice, and for two people the bill came out to over $200.
The experience was disappointing from the start. There’s no sign outside, just a random blue circle, so it took forever to even find the place. The server wore a loose long-sleeve shirt that brushed against the plates while serving — very unprofessional. Utensils were placed directly on the bare table with no napkins, which felt unhygienic. On top of that, the server’s voice was so quiet, I couldn’t even understand the explanation of the dishes.
From beginning to end, everything was underwhelming and frustrating. This is definitely a place I will remember as somewhere I never want to return to. Honestly, I can’t understand how it has so many positive reviews — maybe from friends, or from people who have never actually tried proper omakase or Japanese cuisine.
… moreThe menu had an omakase option, so I naturally assumed it was Japanese — but there wasn’t a single Japanese dish. After the main course (duck, which already smelled unpleasant), they brought out rice, which was confusing enough. But what came with it was basically a Chinese-style tomato and scrambled egg dish — with the tomato skins still on! I had to ask myself: what cuisine is this restaurant even supposed to be?
Overall the food felt like random small sides served one after another, with tiny portions. Bread was $5 for a single slice, and for two people the bill came out to over $200.
The experience was disappointing from the start. There’s no sign outside, just a random blue circle, so it took forever to even find the place. The server wore a loose long-sleeve shirt that brushed against the plates while serving — very unprofessional. Utensils were placed directly on the bare table with no napkins, which felt unhygienic. On top of that, the server’s voice was so quiet, I couldn’t even understand the explanation of the dishes.
From beginning to end, everything was underwhelming and frustrating. This is definitely a place I will remember as somewhere I never want to return to. Honestly, I can’t understand how it has so many positive reviews — maybe from friends, or from people who have never actually tried proper omakase or Japanese cuisine.