Hawksworth Restaurant in Vancouver: Contemporary Canadian Fine Dining With a World-Class Wine Program

Address: 801 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1P7 (inside Rosewood Hotel Georgia)
Phone: 604-605-3325
Instagram: @hawksworthrest 

In a city known for fresh Pacific ingredients, global influences, and a dining scene that keeps getting better every year, Hawksworth Restaurant stands out as one of downtown Vancouver’s most enduring “dress up (or don’t) and make a night of it” destinations. Opened in 2011 by celebrated Canadian chef David Hawksworth, the restaurant has built its reputation on technically skilled cooking, a deep and diverse wine list, an inventive cocktail program, and hospitality that feels polished yet genuinely warm.

Set within the storied Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Hawksworth is the kind of dining room that makes an immediate impression. It’s glamorous without being stiff, intimate without feeling exclusive, and designed to match the rhythm of how people actually like to dine today, whether that’s a quick business lunch, a pre-theatre cocktail, an anniversary dinner, or a spontaneous late-night bite at the bar. 

A dining room with Vancouver history and a modern edge

Part of Hawksworth’s magic is that it feels like a landmark while still feeling current. The interior, reimagined by Studio Munge, creates three distinct experiences under one roof: the Cocktail Bar & Lounge, the opulent Pearl Room with views into the wine room, and the Art Room featuring notable works (including a custom installation). It’s a space made for lingering: a second drink, a “just one more” plate, a conversation that stretches long past dessert. 

This sense of place matters, especially in a hotel setting. Hawksworth doesn’t feel like an “add-on” restaurant; it feels like a Vancouver institution that happens to be housed at one of the city’s most iconic addresses.

The Hawksworth style: ingredient-led, classic at heart, confidently modern

Hawksworth’s cuisine is best described as contemporary Canadian, ingredient-led cooking rooted in the classics, elevated by technique, and brightened with modern, local twists. The menu evolves often, reflecting the region and the season, but the through-line stays consistent: quality, restraint, and flavor that’s both precise and satisfying. 

The restaurant balances “special occasion” craftsmanship with dishes that feel comfortingly familiar. You’ll see this in the way the menu moves, from seafood towers and timeless small plates to generous mains and seasonal sides, inviting you to curate your own experience rather than forcing a single format of fine dining. 

And yes, there are signatures that regulars return for:

• KFC (Korean Fried Cauliflower) is a long-standing favorite that’s earned cult status. 
• Foie gras parfait with golden apple jelly, a nostalgic nod to early Hawksworth menus. 
• The Hawksworth burger, a “day-one” classic, still going strong. 

It’s that blend, precision plus approachability, that keeps Hawksworth relevant year after year, for locals and visitors alike.

A serious wine destination (with a sommelier team that meets you where you are)

For ilovewine.com readers, Hawksworth’s wine program is a headline in itself. The restaurant’s list is intentionally global and deep, designed to offer both discovery and value, whether you’re hunting for cellar-worthy benchmarks or simply want the perfect bottle to match your mood. 

The experience is also driven by people. Hawksworth notes a dedicated team of highly trained sommeliers on the floor at both lunch and dinner, and the group’s Wine Director, Chris Rielly, was recognized by Vancouver Magazine as Sommelier of the Year (2025), praised for curating a list that can satisfy everyone from casual diners to serious collectors. 

If you enjoy wine pairings, ask the wine team to guide the table. Hawksworth is built for that kind of interaction, where the bottle becomes part of the story of the meal, not an afterthought.

Cocktails, oysters, and the “weekday win” factor

One reason Hawksworth continues to attract new fans (including younger professionals and after-work crowds) is that it offers multiple entry points and experiences that feel elevated but not out of reach. 

A few standouts worth planning around:

• $36 Business Lunch (Mon–Fri): three courses, designed for downtown days when you want something special without losing your afternoon.
• Cocktail Hour (daily): a polished reset between work and whatever comes next.
• Friday Oysters & Bubbles: oysters and sparkling specials that turn Friday into a ritual. 
• Sunday Roast Dinner + Sunday Funday: an easy, sociable way to do Hawksworth when you want comfort and atmosphere in equal measure. 

This “choose your adventure” model is part of what makes Hawksworth feel so current: you can go all-in, or you can simply stop by for oysters, bubbles, and a cocktail that’s been dialed in down to the last detail.

The team behind the experience

Chef David Hawksworth’s story is woven into the restaurant’s identity. After training and working in Europe at acclaimed Michelin-starred kitchens, he returned to Canada and became a defining figure in the country’s modern culinary era.

Hawksworth Restaurant’s Head Chef is Sylvain Assié, whose background includes Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury hotels, and premier resorts worldwide, an experience that shows up in the restaurant’s confident execution and consistent standards. 

Beyond the dining room, Hawksworth’s broader influence reaches into travel as well: Chef Hawksworth has held a culinary partnership with Air Canada, creating seasonal signature dishes served in International Business Class and Signature Lounges, another reflection of the brand’s commitment to refined, Canadian-influenced cooking.

Planning your visit to Hawksworth Restaurant

Hawksworth welcomes walk-ins, but reservations are recommended, especially for prime dinner hours and weekends.

If you have dietary needs, the restaurant notes that it generally doesn’t modify menu items, but with advance notice, the culinary team can accommodate many preferences. 

Whether you’re staying at Rosewood Hotel Georgia or building a Vancouver itinerary around the city’s best tables, Hawksworth remains a defining experience: grown-up and glamorous, driven by ingredient-led cooking, anchored by a standout wine program, and delivered with hospitality that understands the difference between “formal” and “memorable.”