It’s been a while since I last pulled up a seat at the Fairmont Pacific Rim’s Lobby Lounge and RawBar—long enough that it’s since earned a spot on the Michelin Guide’s Vancouver Recommended list.
I've always enjoyed sushi lunches in this bright space flanking the window side of the otherwise moody lounge at the posh scene-and-be-seen hotel that's a favourite for visiting stars. I wouldn't count myself among the "power lunchers," but aside from the occasional guest rearranging their suitcase contents on the RawBar floor (true story), it's easy to see how this high-end sushi bar is a draw for deal-makers and the like.
Michelin momentum
Michelin added the Lobby Lounge and RawBar to its Recommended list as part of its inaugural Vancouver restaurant guide in October 2022. It’s a rare distinction for a hotel lobby venue, but this one has long defied expectations. Known for its commitment to sustainable seafood and its refined, Japanese-inspired menu, RawBar has built a loyal following—Michelin’s stamp just formalizes what locals already knew.
That said, count me among the locals who admittedly forget at times that the RawBar is less a state of mind and actually a proper restaurant.
From the valet-flanked front door, take a gentle left to be seated, passing through the lounge into the modern, bright, white RawBar zone. It's all high-top seating, with a row of tables for two lining the windows (which can be fully open on a summer day) and a few larger central tables.
The space balances laid-back glamour with polished energy; the bright orange chopsticks leap out from their white tabletop backgrounds. Those are Douglas Coupland's larger-than-life Moneyboy and Moneygirl watching over you, by the way.
What I ate and drank at RawBar
Speaking of balance, my (shared) lunch order featured dishes in two categories: Newer additions to the menu and RawBar favourites.
I started with two small, strikingly plated dishes: the tuna tataki salad and the tofu with watermelon. The salad was pleasant, but the delicate tuna got a bit lost under the bold dressing and a heap of spring mix. The tofu dish was simple and refreshing, with raw jalapeños adding a great unexpected kick—though nothing mind-blowing.
The shishito peppers were the standout of the starters: perfectly blistered and dressed in a miso glaze with just enough sweetness, finished with a touch of yuzu salt. Hands down the best shishitos I’ve had.
From the sushi side, I tried the classic Lobby Lounge Roll—clean, basic, and well-executed—which is a Dungeness crab roll draped with slices of salmon, tuna, kampachi, and avocado.
The Tuna Crispy Rice is a nod to RawBar chef Youssef Jbari's time at Nobu Marrakesh; it's a signature dish from well-known high-end sushi restaurant with locations around the globe. Lately, iterations of Tuna Crispy Rice have been showing up on menus in Vancouver, bringing the sushi item that's been a longtime staple in other cities like Los Angeles into our spotlight.
At RawBar, the dish is fun to assemble, and their generous fish-to-rice ratio is a nice touch. I found the rice squares a bit chewier than I’d like, but the overall flavours worked.
To finish, we went off-menu and ordered the torched salmon roll from their “secret” list. It was a smart move—surprisingly light, almost refreshing, and a satisfying way to close the meal.
I could think of no better cocktail from the Lobby Lounge's always-impressive menu than the Sushi Caesar. I love Caesars, I love sushi, so this was an easy call. It was briny and umami with a copiously seasoned rim and a big, plump, tender cold prawn garnish.
Worth it?
Michelin's inclusion hasn’t changed what RawBar has long done well—it’s simply added another layer of prestige to a spot that still feels like a bit of an insider secret, despite its high-profile location. If it’s been a while for you, too, consider this your sign to go back.
Watch: Revisiting Lobby Lounge and RawBar
@forkingawesomevia Finally revisited this Vancouver sushi spot now in the Michelin Guide.🍣 #forkingawesome #vancouverbc ♬ Funky Lo-fi Vides (P-funk Jazz) - Gazelle
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