Chinatown: Floata

400-180 Keefer Street

 604-602-0368

Vancouver's Chinatown is the second largest in North America, and Floata is one of the neighborhood's most popular dim sum joints. This cuisine doesn't exactly lend itself to solo dining, but nobody will raise an eyebrow if you show up by yourself. Start with dishes such as deep-fried shrimp and pork dumplings; when you've worked up the courage, move on to chicken feet in black-bean sauce or honeycomb tripe. Be sure to save room for dessert—the sweet red-bean balls are delicious and make for a great late-night snack at the hotel.

Dress: Casual

Prices: Inexpensive

Reservations: Not required

Close to: Not much, but worth the cab ride

Yaletown: Blue Water Café and Raw Bar

1095 Hamilton Street

604-688-8078

The raw bar is the spot for loners at this trendy new eatery in Yaletown, arguably Vancouver's coolest neighborhood. A semicircular counter enables you to watch chef Yoshi Tabo as he slices and dices fish and seafood pulled fresh from the ocean each day. The menu also regularly features 12 different oysters from up and down the coast of British Columbia. For landlubbers, favorites such as Kobe-style beef short ribs also are available. The award-winning wine list has over 300 options, making it one of the most extensive west of the Hudson Bay.

Dress: Fashionable

Prices: Expensive

Reservations: Recommended

Close to: Opus Hotel

Gastown: Salt Tasting Room

45 Blood Alley Square

604-633-1912

To call hard-to-find Salt a restaurant may be a stretch—the place has no kitchen and serves exclusively cheese, local charcuterie, wine, beer, and sherry. Still, with a bevy of two-tops and a classic bar, it's a great spot to eat at if you're on your own. Meats and cheeses change regularly, but on a recent visit, the smoked pork tenderloin from local purveyor JN&Z Deli made imported Italian prosciutto taste like Oscar Mayer. On weekends, head for Salt's cellar, which is only open Friday and Saturday nights and boasts a 24-seat communal table that overlooks a glass-enclosed closet full of curing meats.

Dress: Fashionable

Prices: Moderate

Reservations: Recommended during peak hours

Close to: Fairmont Waterfront Hotel

Robson: Zin Restaurant & Lounge

1277 Robson Street

604-408-1700

Robson Street is Vancouver's prime shopping strip, but the restaurants on this stretch are worth exploring too. At Zin, solo diners will love the chic 40-seat lounge, where chef Richard Tyhy prepares a limited menu featuring items such as smoked-bison carpaccio and seared squid steak. In the main dining room, a larger menu includes entrées such as seared black cod and zesty duck breast. On Thursdays, ask to sit at the Red Ribbon table, and Zin will donate 25 percent of your food and nonalcoholic beverage tab to two local charities.

Dress: Suits to khakis

Prices: Moderate

Reservations: Recommended for table; not accepted for lounge

Close to: Pacific Palisades Hotel

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