Ask for Luigi

Ask for Luigi is an Italian restaurant at 305 Alexander St in Vancouver's Railtown district, British Columbia, listed as Recommended in the 2026 Michelin Guide. The restaurant is known for fresh pasta, and the handmade pasta dishes are the emblematic order, with a short menu of Italian-style starters, pastas and desserts; visitors should check the current menu, as dishes change. The room is small and casual, with a busy, convivial atmosphere, close-set tables, a lively noise level and no dress code beyond everyday smart-casual, and it has a reputation for popularity that can bring queues at peak times. Prices are moderate, roughly CAD 45-90 (about USD 31-63) per person before drinks, tax and gratuity, and sharing a few starters and pastas among the table is a typical way to sample the menu. The drinks programme includes Italian-leaning wines, cocktails and beer, and wines by the glass suit a short visit. Reservation practices vary, and the restaurant's website states whether tables can be booked or whether walk-in seating is used; where walk-ins apply, arriving before the doors open or at an off-peak hour, such as an early weekday lunch or late seating, helps avoid a long wait. The Alexander Street location lies in Railtown, a former rail-yard area adjacent to Gastown with converted warehouses, studios and independent restaurants, and it is within walking distance of Gastown and Waterfront Station. The restaurant suits small groups, and larger parties should confirm table availability directly. Visitors should raise wheat, dairy and egg allergies, since fresh pasta is wheat- and egg-based, and ask about vegetarian pasta options when ordering.