The Banana Leaf is a popular Vancouver mini-chain (there are three locations) serving traditional Malaysian choices--including satays, curries, and noodles--as well as dishes with Singapore- and Indian-inspired flavours, and lots of fresh seafood options.
Banana Leaf in Kitsilano
3005 West Broadway
Vancouver, B.C. V6K 2G9
604-734-3005
Banana Leaf in Fairview
820 West Broadway
Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 1J8
604-731-6333
Banana Leaf in West End
1096 Denman Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6G 2M8
604-683-3333
- Delicious Malaysian food with other (Singaporean, Chinese, Indian) flavours & sauces
- Lots of fresh seafood options
- Vegetarian options
- Great service at the Kitsilano location
- Service varies among locations; Fairview Banana Leaf can be slow
- No reservations taken at the West End location; can be long wait times at peak hours
- Street parking can be difficult to find
- Most Locations: Open 7 Monday - Thursday 11:30am - 2:30pm; 5pm - 10pm
Friday & Saturday 11:30am - 11pm
Sundays 11:30am - 10pm - Malaysian-inspired decor, with lots of greenery
- Entrées from $12 - $20
- Family friendly
The Banana Leaf is a popular restaurant in all three of the neighbourhoods it serves, and for good reason. The food is delicious, the menu varied, and there are lots of options for fresh seafood.
For Malaysian-flavour lovers, there are many ways to savour the country's favourite Sambal sauce: you can try it on your choice of seafood (I love the Sambal Tiger Prawns) or the vegetarian Sambal Green Beans.
There are also sauces inspired by other world/Asian flavours, like the Indian Gulai, a spicy turmeric coconut sauce, the Singapore Chili sauce, and the Malaysian-Chinese-flavoured Kum Heong sauce. You can select any seafood item and pair it with one of these (among other) sauces and make your own dish.
The menu's traditional offerings include satays at $1.40-a-skewer and a variety of curries (the Rendeng beef curry for $12 is a "must try") and noodle dishes (try the Mee Goreng for $11--Yum!).
The true signature dish of the restaurant is actually a side: the fragrant coconut rice served in a banana leaf.
The only downside to the Banana Leaf chain is how much it varies in service quality and ambiance among locations. The Kitsilano location has an almost-fine-dining look, with stylish decor and lots of tropical greenery. The service there is fantastic, and they take reservations.
The drawback to the West End location is the lack of reservations, leading to long wait times during peak hours. The drawbacks to the Fairview Banana Leaf are more egregious: the restaurant is darker and less inviting than the one in Kits and the service can be pretty bad. I was once served my entrée while my dinner companion waited another half hour for his!
