Best Restaurants for People Watching in Downtown

We enjoyed a beautiful meal and terrific drinks, and the friendliest service! Impressed! Our first visit to West Oak and we sat on the patio, which despite being chilly & rainy outside was cozy & comfortable -- and quieter than the main dining room. Appreciated the gluten-free options and the knowledgeable, caring servers. A special rave for the GF calamari - a fantastic appetizer that came with a generous green salad on the side, perfectly dressed. Our reservation was for 6:15 pm -- on the early side -- which worked out well for us as it was only at around 8:30 pm (as we were wrapping up) that the noise level on the enclosed patio became too much for a three-way conversation. The place was hopping at that point!

Great lunch. Felt rushed - the tone was set upon checking in (with reservations) that our table had a reservation and hour later. I looked on line and there were still availability for reservations every hour after ours. When you are having several courses, the timeline is set by the server who takes our order and the kitchen. Our order was not taken promptly so that at up into one hour lunch. At the the one hour mark, we were not yet finished but there were other table empty and no one waiting at the door. 😡 food was good and have been wanting to eat here for quite sometime. Would I eat here again -yes. Would I make a reservation for lunch - yes but at 2 pm when you know there is no reservations coming in for your table after because I want to enjoy the food and not chow down like I was at a fast food joint.

We had an unforgettable dinner at @alouetteyvr, and we couldn’t be more grateful! A special shoutout to our incredible server, Paul, and the Manager/Sommelier, who went above and beyond to make our evening truly magical. I savored the Coq au Vin, which was absolutely delicious—perfectly cooked, generous portions, and served at just the right temperature, with impeccable timing between dishes. The Sommelier, who also happens to be the Manager, impressed us with his deep knowledge and passion for wine. Together with Paul, they created an exceptional dining experience we’ll never forget. Thank you for an amazing evening! 🥂✨

We were a large group with young children and teens and half of us arrived late. The staff were very accommodating and patient with us. The food was excellent, the service was amazing. Always happy at tap n barrels. Keep up the great work!

We love lunching at this location. The sushi is outstanding every time. The prices are a bit high but worth the extra cost. Seems to be bustling with activity but not overly loud. Can't wait to return.