Spring is right around the corner and as the vibrant new season approaches, Vancouver is set to welcome an impressive roster of fresh new restaurants (or, in some cases, fresh new locations).
Here are a dozen Vancouver restaurants or cafes that have recently opened for business or will be opening in the coming weeks.
Oyo Korean Noodles
Now open
Tucked inside a poke place on Hornby at Nelson in Downtown Vancouver is a tiny noodle shop dishing up $10 bowls of Korean noodles. Oyo opened in January and made immediate waves in the city (thanks in no small part to social media). There are only a few seats so get there early or be prepared to wait! They're open Tuesday to Saturday from 4 to 10 p.m. (per Instagram).
Address: 991 Hornby St
Cowdog
Now open
File this one in the viral sensation column: Cowdog is a roaming coffee pop-up that has settled in on Sundays and Mondays (7 a.m. to 3 p.m.) inside new-ish wine and snack bar Dear Gus in Mount Pleasant. Known for their meticulous brews and specialty drinks (like a strawberry iced matcha), you can count on there being a line out the door for this popular pop-up.
Address: 2040 Quebec St
Marugame Udon
Opening: February 24
It's been over a year since Marugame Udon's journey to launching its Vancouver flagship - and first Canadian location - got underway, but we will be able to experience the global brand's signature udon dishes and tempura as of February 24.
The restaurant is known for its "theatre-like atmosphere where noodles are hand-cut and boiled on the spot," in full view of the guests. Marugame serves Sanuki-style udon with broth and toppings, as well as rice bowls and tempura.
Address: 589 Beatty St
Lucky Taco - River District
Opening: February 24
The Mexican-style "cantina" restaurant will officially be serving up tacos, margs, and more in South Vancouver's River District starting Saturday, February 24. It's the second location for Lucky Taco, which is part of Vancouver's Gooseneck Hospitality.
Address: 8547 River District Crossing
Sula Indian - Davie Street
Opening: February 28
The Davie Street branch of Sula will reflect a bit of a departure from what fans of the Indian restaurant have grown accustomed to at its locations on Commercial Drive and Main Street. Sula's third location, which is expected to open before winter ends, "will introduce an innovative modern Indian cuisine concept while honouring the heritage flavours that Sula patrons have come to love," describes a press release.
Address: 1708 Davie St
Bufala - River District
Opening: March 1
The long-awaited third location of Bufala, Gooseneck's modern trattoria with Italian-style fare like pizza and pasta, will debut on March 1 in the River District, hot on the heels of sibling Lucky Taco. Bufala began as a modest pizza hangout in Kerrisdale, expanding to a more elegant restaurant in the North Shore's Edgemont Village in 2019. Heads up, they'll have a fresh patio open when spring settles in.
Address:
Petrichor Social
Opening: March 4
Petrichor Social is the venture of first-time restaurateur and French native Luc Duval. When the former Jules Bistro location became available last year, Duval jumped at the chance to take the space. Guests can "expect fresh, homemade, french and Mediterranean style food that changes with the seasons," Duval told V.I.A. The mission of the space is to give diners a sense of the South of France and a place that emphasizes socialization. Reservations are open online for Petrichor starting March 4.
Address:
Meo
Opening: March 13
A fresh project from the team behind Kissa Tanto and Bao Bei, Meo is gearing up to welcome guests "soon" on the ground floor of 265 E Pender (below Kissa Tanto and where Nancy Go Yaya was). It's a moody, jazzy, intimate bar fuelled by 70s nostalgia and a little glamour. It's mostly about the cocktails here but there will be some snack plates for sharing when you get cozy in Meo's plush pink booths.
Address: 265 E Pender St
Pho and Roll by Wooden Fish
Opening: March
West Vancouver's cozy, buzzing Vietnamese staple Wooden Fish has been at work for about a year on the launch of their first Vancouver venture, called Pho and Roll. The restaurant is replacing Pepper Lunch in the busy Cambie/Broadway area and staff at Wooden Fish said recently they expect Pho and Roll to be open in March. Stay tuned!
Address: 2323 Cambie St.
House of Dosas
Opening: March
A family-run dosa restaurant is opening its third location soon, having taken over the former Dosa and Curry location on Davie. With plans to open 24/7, House of Dosa's soon-to-open flagship will also grow the brand by introducing an exciting new cocktail program, showcasing the flavours of South India.
Address: 1188 Davie St
Osteria Elio Volpe
Opening: March 14
One of Vancouver's most popular Italian restaurants, Savio Volpe, will soon have a new sibling dining destination. Elio Volpe is finishing up work on renovating a former mechanic shop in Cambie Village that will boast 115 seats in a 4,200-square-foot space with an open-air dining room with a bar with wrap-around seating.
Culinary director Phil Scarfone is working on guiding a menu of "bold and briny flavours" featuring dishes such as squid ink linguine al granchio e vongole (crab and clams) or a lemony risotto with sea urchin alongside crispy-crust Roman-style pizza.
Address: 540 W 17th Ave
Casa Molina
Opening: March/April
From Vancouver's acclaimed Paella Guys, Casa Molina is the forthcoming restaurant venture taking over the Mount Pleasant heritage home that was previously Mangia Cucina. Casa Molina will focus on the flavours of Spain, which happens to be the home country of Paella Guys' chef/owner Javier Blanc.
In addition to their signature paella, expect to find "dishes that highlight the brilliance of simple, quality ingredients" offered through a regular menu accentuated with daily specials. Alongside the Spanish food, Casa Molina will have "a robust cocktail program" which will feature Spanish classics and creative new drinks designed to be enjoyed with the food.
Address: 2211 Manitoba St
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