+1 604-662-1900+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
7:00 a.m. - 9:45 p.m.
Mon
7:00 a.m. - 9:45 p.m.
Tue
7:00 a.m. - 9:45 p.m.
Wed
7:00 a.m. - 9:45 p.m.
Thu
7:00 a.m. - 9:45 p.m.
Fri
7:00 a.m. - 11:45 p.m.
Sat
7:00 a.m. - 11:45 p.m.
Reserve a table
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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.0
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, American, Canadian, Bar, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
Special Occasion Dining, Groups, Bar Scene, Business meetings
Does this restaurant have live music
Details
About
With a luxurious and contemporary design inspired by the romance of travel in the 1930’s, Notch8 brings a new era of glamour to Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Named after a train’s top speed, the restaurant pays homage to the hotel’s storied history and legacy as a luxury hotel along the Canadian Pacific railway. Chef Will Lew has modernized the essence of classic dishes from the archived menus of the hotel’s early days to appeal to today’s discerning palates. Behind the bar, vibrant cocktails made popular during pre and post prohibition times are being shaken up, and an extensive wine list with offerings from around the world has been curated with recommendations for best pairings. A gathering place where locals and travellers come together, Notch8 offers exceptional cuisine, great wines, and enticing cocktails in a lively environment. We invite you to visit and make us part of your journey.
PRICE RANGE
$10.00 – $60.00
CUISINES
American, Bar, Canadian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Buffet, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Validated Parking, Valet Parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music
Contribute
4.0
493 reviews
Excellent
236
Very good
143
Average
60
Poor
31
Terrible
23
Anson F
Richmond12 contributions
Dec 2019 • none
Firstly, this place is NOT wheelchair accessible/wheelchair friendly. At the front of Notch8, there is a small 3 step staircase and there is no ramp. I highly recommend reserving a table through OpenTable or booking a table with Notch8 via email or phone. If you book through OpenTable, search for: "Afternoon Tea - Fairmont Hotel Vancouver" and book a table there, if you book a table for Notch8 restaurant, you will NOT get a table for afternoon tea, instead, you'll get an a la carte menu.
Afternoon Tea service is served in the back of the restaurant in a dim-lit basement-like area and the afternoon tea room is also not wheelchair friendly or accessible as there is a staircase to go to and there is no ramp.
When I went for Afternoon Tea in December 2019, when I wanted to get my bill, I raised my hand up for approx. 5 WHOLE minutes to get a server to get my bill, so be prepared for the servers to walk past you and ignore you when you raise your hand up.
PRO TIP: Always take the 'Fairmont' pen that is placed in your bill folder when you pay (if it's there).
Written September 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cossyann
Crail364 contributions
Oct 2019 • couples
We stayed at the Fairmont and had dinner in here one evening. Quite funky decor with comfy seating. Good service, smart, helpful servers. A Manhattan to drink then the Notches signature bread to start with followed by Lamb and Salmon all delicious, hot and well presented. Reasonably priced.
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vanessa K
20 contributions
Apr 2021 • none
Finally, the one positive thing to come out of this whole Covid situation... Fairmont Vancouver/Notch8 caving and making a gorgeous takeout tea set. My dreams of picnicking in a park with high tea that not only looks and tastes the part has finally arrived. And it comes in a cute carrying container to boot.
Afternoon Tea To-go is available for pickup Saturdays and Sundays, 12pm-2pm, and must be ordered no later than Friday at 5pm. Costs $68 per person, minimum of 2 orders required. More expensive than their standard sit-in fare, but there was some serious thought put into that presentation.
Written April 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carte B
1 contribution
Feb 2020 • solo
As a local in Vancouver who works close to this restaurant, I enjoy the afternoon tea are Notch 8; however, DO NOT and I mean DO NOT GO TO NOTCH 8 if you are looking for quality service. The food is so/so, nothing you would crave and the service is complete negligence. They are under staffed. Every time I go, I keep thinking it will be a new experience and nothing changes. The servers take 20 min to even bring you a menu, don’t offer water, I’ve had to borrow a salt and pepper shaker from other tables on numerous occasions and throughout your seating, you will have Atleast 2-3 servers and they all look overworked like a bunch of plucked chickens with their heads cut off. This needs to change.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HotelVanFairmont
Dear Carte B,
Thank you for joining us for Themed Afternoon Tea at Notch8 and for taking the time to so carefully review your experience. I understand that you are a local who works nearby and have joined us on several occasions, thank you for your loyalty. I am very sorry to hear about these experiences, the food and service as you have described, landing far below your expectations. Your feedback is very important to us and I wish to assure you that we take these comments seriously and we are actively taking steps to address these issues accordingly. Exceptional service is what we strive to be known for; therefore your feedback is extremely important as it helps us to continually improve our service and provide a memorable experience to our valued guests. Our relationship with our guests is of paramount importance. I invite you to connect with me directly, it would be my pleasure to discuss how we may create an unparalleled experience for you going forward.
Thank you,
Bradley Bilick
General Manager
+1 604 443 1816
Bradley.Bilick@Fairmont.com
Written March 16, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wilson L
Kelowna5139 contributions
Nov 2020 • none
We had an amazing brunch here on Sunday, the service was great and the food was amazing. Definitely recommend coming by here for a meal! They have gluten free buns available for substitution which is great for my wife who's gluten free. Can't wait to be back again.
Written November 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris V
3 contributions
Sep 2021 • none
We spent two nights at the Fairmont Vancouver, and made reservations for afternoon tea and were looking forward to the experience. One of the highest price afternoon teas we ever paid for $68.00/person so we had high expectations. Our server was great and was able to do some Gluten Free items for me. The food came out on a 3 tier platter with allot of empty space, there was only one sandwich of certain kinds, and to call a slice of bread with radish on it a sandwich is stretch. The desserts did not taste well at all, only one dessert that was good. The tea selection was embarrassing, to call it afternoon tea and only have 7 teas to choose from is a joke. After tip and tax it was 158.00, the lack of quality food, and quantity of food and tea is a massive ripoff. Spend your time and money elsewhere
Written September 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
louiseanne6
Langley City117 contributions
Feb 2021 • none
We went for high tea 😱 . We were staying at Fairmont pacific rim and it’s lovely but the high tea experience at Fairmont Vancouver was just disgusting . We had brush bristles in our scones and the crepe fraiche was ‘off’ . I would never recommend it
Written February 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mature Canadians
Victoria19 contributions
Dec 2022 • none
I should preface this review with a comment about the weather and situation in Vancouver between Dec 21-25. The weather was unusually very cold and the streets covered in snow. Airlines cancelled hundreds of flights across North America leaving some passengers stranded and hotels bursting to accommodate. We had booked for our fine dining experience a few weeks beforehand. We were seated in an area far from the front of the house in a small, no window, room with some light decorations. We had ordered the pre-set Christmas Eve dinner. 30 Minutes after we were seated our wine arrived. The salad arrived 30 minutes later - somewhat underwhelming and our portions were different. While sampling the amuse bouche our main course arrived before we had finished. Again, portion sizes were imbalanced; the beef tournedos were very tasty. The service although slow, appeared hectic and resulted in a special evening being not so special. It has taught us a lesson that one should not always be accepting of where you are seated if you know you are unlikely to enjoy dining. Again, the situation that evening may have been unusual, but having made the reservation far enough in advance, I would have suspected a nice table. Not sure I would try again given there are so many other lovely restaurants in the neighbourhood. But do not be discouraged by this review as it was our experience. Check out the seating locations before you decide where you want to sit.
Written December 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Efraín Solís E
Vancouver5 contributions
Aug 2022 • business
My boss and I had the opportunity to try this place yesterday (August 11, 2022), and what an experience! We were taken to a cozy room, separate from the main restaurant, that was chess-themed, the tables, the ceiling, you can even play chess while you enjoy your tea! Our server, Cindy, was knowledgeable and kind. She explained every item that was brought to the table, beautifully presented on a three-tiered tower. Cindy also mentioned that the decor gets changed every three months, which to me sounds like a good idea, to keep things fresh and have a different experience on future visits, so now I am curious to see what the other themes look like! I definitely recommend this place for a lovely experience!
Written August 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JandVVancouver_BC
Vancouver5289 contributions
Jun 2022 • none
Opinions seem to be quite divided on this place so felt we would weigh in. We went with 2 other couples after DW had been at a function there and commented that the food looked good.
Like all hotels which have a single restaurant, I think the FHV has the problem of trying to satisfy their guests who might just want to relax and have a low key dinner but at the same time attract locals who are looking for a nice place to eat. Have observed the same phenomenon at other places here and elsewhere.
We were booked at PM and were seated close to the front of the restaurant which was actually not a bad thing as the NBA playoffs were on the TVs at the bar area. Service was helpful and friendly without being obsequious. WE (DW and I) had the fixed price menu of French onion soup, prime rib, and dessert and really enjoyed all. The soup was very flavourful and the prime rib was a large and tender piece and again very full of flavour. Sides, including the Yorkshire pudding, were meh but the meat made up for those. Desserts were good but honestly we were pretty full by then.
Others at the table had the steak (pronounced excellent), the trout (likewise), scallops (very good but looked a bit lonely on the plate--maybe a bit more accompaniment would be nice), and the roasted chicken. All comments were positive.
Not a cheap meal (the 2 fixed price plus one glass of prosecco and one club soda were just over $200 CDN with tip), but we felt worth the price and enjoyed the evening. Would not hesitate to recommend or to go back if asked.
Written June 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike S
Vancouver1 contribution
May 2022 • none
My wife and I made reservations for their afternoon tea online, a staff member called us and informs us they have no wheelchair access to their tea room.(My wife is disabled and in a wheelchair) We had afternoon tea a few years ago at this location and we had to go through a staff door to enter (it was a bit of a pain but at least we could enter and enjoy the afternoon tea)but we were informed they had just made new renovations and we had no way to enter the the tea room. (they finally did offer to serve us afternoon tea in the dining area, but we wanted it in the specified area like everyone else...why should we be treated any different?) You would think logically that if they made renovations they would have included wheelchair access in those renovations. But no they did not. This seems like discrimination to disabled people. Disabled people go through enough barriers in life and this is another unnecessary one! It's 2022 and Canada, the owners of this place should get with the times and make it wheelchair accesible.
Written May 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shy F
Vancouver16 contributions
May 2022 • none
Ambience: meant to bring back memories of old train carriages but misses the mark. The room was cold especially near the entrance and we were not the only table to complain about the lack of heating. We ended up being moved to a different table which was better but was not a great start to the evening.
Food: Not great value for the price, scallops were too salty, french onion soup tasteless, trout too dry, chicken was just okay, the desserts were also very disappointing.
Service: Our server was lovely and really tried hard but went missing when we were ready to order.
Not a great experience we will not be returning there are other better places to spend your money
Written May 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alison S
Anchorage680 contributions
Aug 2023 • couples
Our train from Jasper arrived late (8:00 p.m.) and we barely made it to the restaurant in time for our 8:30 reservation. My partner ordered the Ocean Harvest Risotto and was very disappointed; the risotto was "split", with the sauce separated. Also, the "crispy squid" in the dish had been cooked hours before and was hard and almost cold. I ordered the Pan Roasted Pacific Cod and the Broccolini and they were both pretty good. The side of broccolini was huge and I should have just stuck with the Cod dish, which had more than enough vegetables.
The server did comp a glass of wine for my partner when she complained about the risotto.
Written August 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What
838 contributions
Apr 2022 • none
Upscale dining spot in the Hotel Vancouver. It’s very spacious but still noisy. The highlight of the menu is the roast prime rib and Yorkshire pudding, which my wife and I both had. The beef was superb – among the best ever; the Yorkshire pudding was also good for North America (I was raised in Yorkshire, so that is only faint praise). That’s as far as the good news goes. My celeriac and pear salad was 99% celeriac and no pear. Our waiter said it was pear juice. It was far too chewy and although fairly tasty was not a great salad. The dessert menu was very limited so I asked for a cheese plate. They obliged with three lumps of an undistinguished cheddar and two lumps of Oka, similarly ordinary. Not my idea of a cheese plate but, admittedly, it was not on the menu so I guess I got what I deserved. Service was exceptionally friendly and the wine list very good and not exorbitantly priced. But overall not a great experience and disappointing for a great hotel.
Written April 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ToastyinCad
Burnaby70 contributions
Nov 2021 • family
My family and I had a wonderful, child friendly experience on Nov 11, 2021 at Notch8 in the Fairmont, Hotel Vancouver. The server Steve was especially thoughtful and attentive to our kids which we appreciated - especially in dining area in one of the finest hotels in Vancouver. What we appreciated most is when I did have an issue with what I ordered, the manager Harpreet came to take care of it and gave us 2 desserts for our trouble! Great service and a wonderful experience for my whole family!
Written November 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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