Finding a good dinner deal in downtown Vancouver that still feels elevated is harder than it should be. But Maxine’s Cafe & Bar has quietly introduced one of the city’s best-value prix fixe menus: a three-course $49 dinner that feels significantly more expensive than it is. Located on Burrard Street in the heart of downtown Vancouver, the new menu makes a strong case for one of the best affordable date night spots in the city.
At the core of Maxine’s $49 prix fixe dinner is a menu that leans heavily into what’s fresh and in season, which is exactly what makes it feel so much more elevated than your typical downtown Vancouver dinner deal. Rather than relying on heavy, predictable staples, the dishes shift with the seasons, highlighting brighter produce, lighter proteins, and ingredients that actually make sense for this time of year. It’s a subtle detail, but one that showcases a menu where the focus is less on overcomplication and more on letting fresh ingredients do the work.
What’s Included in Maxine’s $49 Prix Fixe Dinner – Appetizers
The menu is structured simply with three courses that are thoughtfully curated. To start you have your choice of appetizer:
The Smoked Salmon Dip features house smoked steelhead dip, Klipper’s Organics pickled carrots, Hannah Brook breakfast radish and spring vegetables. The house-smoked steelhead is rich but not overwhelming, balanced out by the brightness of pickled carrots and crisp spring vegetables. In paritcular, the Hannah Brook breakfast radishes were delightful with a great crunch.
The Maple Glazed Pork Belly features house cured pork belly, wild garlic, charred and pickled onions. The pork belly is deeply savoury with that caramelized maple glaze adding just enough sweetness to cut through the richness. The wild garlic brings a bit of earthiness, while the charred and pickled onions add acidity and contrast. It’s bold, satisfying, and definitely the heaviest of the three starters.
The Burrata features half burrata, rhubarb compote, Hannah Brook asparagus, grilled house focaccia. This was the standout. Instead of the usual whole spears, the asparagus is chopped and used as the base. This ensures you really get a bite of every ingredient. Paired with the creamy burrata and slightly tart rhubarb compote, it hits that perfect balance of fresh, bright, and just a little indulgent.
What’s Included in Maxine’s $49 Prix Fixe Dinner – Mains and Dessert
For your main course you get a choice of:
The Lingcod features ramsons, nage and spring vegetables. It is a delicate dish with a flaky lingcod that is highlighted by the flavours of the surrounding spring vegetables. The ramsons add a subtle depth without overpowering the dish, making this a clean, well-balanced choice if you’re looking for something a little more refined and less rich.
The Lamb Shank Navarin features green hummus, zaatar, artichokes, fava beans, fried bread. It is a hearty dish with a tender, fall apart lamb shank. It is decadent and rich but still feels elevated. The artichokes and fava beans bring in that seasonal element, while the fried bread adds texture.
The star of the night for me was the Pappardelle with house made pasta, smoked maitake mushrooms, walnut nettle pesto, lemon pangrattato. The house-made pappardelle has that perfect texture, but it’s really the walnut nettle pesto that makes the dish. It’s incredibly flavourful, slightly nutty, and the vibrant green colour alone makes it stand out the moment it hits the table. The lemon adds a bright citrusy lift that keeps everything balanced. The smoked maitake mushrooms bring a depth that keeps you going back for another bite.
For a sweet ending you get your choice of Maxine’s famous Moon Pie with Snickerdoodle cookies, salted caramel and dark chocolate shell or Coconut Panna Cotta with passionfruit gelée and candied almonds.
Both are delightful options but I highly recommend you also add on a slice of their Basque Cheesecake ($13.00) with vanilla bean and fruit compote. It is simply divine and a dessert I will think about it for a long time.
Is Maxine’s $49 Prix Fixe Dinner Worth It?
Yes! If you are looking for an affordable yet elevated dinner in downtown Vancouver, Maxine’s Cafe & Bar continues to stand out for its balance of value, atmosphere, and seasonality.
The $49 prix fixe dinner is easily one of the best dinner deals in downtown Vancouver right now. It feels especially worthwhile given the quality of the dishes, the polished Parisian-inspired setting, and the overall experience, which still manages to feel like a proper night out rather than a scaled-back offering. Because the menu is seasonal and will run through at least July, it’s a strong option to revisit. Whether for a date night in Vancouver, a casual celebration, or simply a well-priced dinner that doesn’t compromise on quality.
Maxine’s Cafe & Bar – Quick Facts
- Cuisine: Contemporary West Coast with French-inspired influences
- Location: Downtown Vancouver (Burrard Street)
- Prix Fixe Dinner: $49 per person (three courses)
- Menu Availability: Regular menu, current seasonal menu prix fixe menu running through at least July
- Known for:
- Parisian-inspired atmosphere
- seasonal, ingredient-driven menus
- approachable but elevated dining
- central downtown Vancouver location
- Best for:
- date nights
- affordable upscale dining
- dinner deals in Vancouver
- birthdays or casual celebrations
- girls’ night out
- Reservations recommended: Yes, especially on weekends
Maxine’s Cafe & Bar
Address: 1325 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Z7
Website: http://maxinescafebar.com/
