Dining in Vancouver for Pasta: Anton's Pasta Bar

One of Vancouver’s most famous Italian restaurants is Anton’s Pasta Bar. Located on Hastings Street in Burnaby, this restaurant consistently draws long lines during dinner and weekends, rain or shine. Curiosity about its popularity led us to visit during an off-peak time to see if it lived up to the hype.

Once inside, we waited to be seated and browsed the extensive menu. With so many options, it took us a bit to decide. For our group of three, we ordered a pasta dish and a salad, keeping in mind that Anton’s is known for its generous portions.

Focaccia Bread Basket: Traditional focaccia bread—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. Served with balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil, it’s not too dry and has a unique flavor.
Galice Bread: Packed with garlic flavor, it’s best enjoyed piping hot right after being served—crispy and delicious.
Minestrone: A bowl of minestrone is perfect for a chilly day. A hearty vegetable soup, it’s light yet satisfying. Not bad at all.
Anton’s Mixed Garden Salad: This salad features an assortment of fresh vegetables topped with Anton’s signature homemade dressing. The refreshing, savory combination with feta cheese was a perfect start, and the portion was quite substantial.
Fusilli Alla Romana: This pasta dish is prepared with smoked bacon, mushrooms, capers, and black olives in a mildly spicy tomato sauce. The sauce was on the lighter side, but the flavor was decent.
Linguine Con Polpette: The tomato meat sauce is actually quite good, but unfortunately, the pasta was overcooked—too soft and mushy, which made it less enjoyable.
Spinach Fettuccine Alla Fillippo: The white sauce is rich but not overly heavy, complemented by spinach and a bit of chicken. The pasta was cooked to the perfect texture. We all agreed this was the best dish of the meal.
Tiramisu: This tiramisu is on the moist side, with a slight hint of alcohol. It’s sweet but not overpowering, and the portion is generous—just right for 4 girls to share. A must-order dessert to end your meal at an Italian restaurant!

After visiting several times, we found that while some dishes were tasty, others were average. However, the large portions and reasonable prices make it a great value, especially for longtime customers. Overall, while the taste may be hit or miss, Anton’s is always satisfying and a great value.

📍Anton’s Pasta Bar
4260 Hastings St, Burnaby, BC V5C 2J6 Canada