Hungry for something new to try? Vancouver's dining scene moves fast, and even during a pandemic restaurants are getting their doors open and dishing up dine-in and take-out eats across the city.
With a bunch of fresh openings in recent weeks, here are 15 new Vancouver restaurants to try right now.
And of course, stay tuned, because there are more openings on their way in the coming weeks to add to your list.
Pizzeria Grano
Plant-based pizza is now coming out out of the wood-fired oven in the former Don't Argue space. Grano is the work of the crew from Via Tevere, so you know you're going to get the real deal. They've got a menu of fully plant-based Napoletana-style pizza, like a fiery "Diavola," or a veg loaded "Pesto." They opened their doors officially on July 9.
3420 Main Street
Takenaka
Recently launched out of the Coho Commissary space in East Vancouver, Takenaka specializes in beautiful Japanese sushi and bento boxes, including deluxe platters. Order online for pick-up or delivery, or hang tight until they get their truck rolling. Plans are in the works to offer on-site dining at a temporary patio at the commissary, too.
1370 Georgia Street
Zubu
This spring, a new Vancouver-based ramen business called Zubu set up shop across the Metro area, taking over three existing ramen joints. Opening their doors in quick succession in Kerrisdale and Metrotown (and offering delivery out of their Olympic Village outpost), Zubu is also officially launching their brand-new Park Royal location in West Vancouver on July 15. They have a number of kinds of ramen, including vegan and mazesoba (soupless), as well as innovative fusion sides, and even an epic DIY Temaki platter that is tons of fun.
Three Metro Vancouver locations (info here) plus delivery
The Cider House
Vancouver is now home to a new restaurant that's all about those beautiful B.C. ciders - the city's first full-serve restaurant that's focused on the popular beverage. In addition to the ciders, The Cider House will be pouring local craft brews, wine, and kombucha. They'll even have mead, a wine-like fermented drink made from honey. On the menu, a plant-centric set of casual, healthy dishes, like salads, bowls, and light snacks.
1602 Yew Street
Bread x Butter
Focusing on daytime fare, Bread x Butter's menu includes breakfast and lunch options. Kick-start your day with a breakfast sandwich, bagel with house-cured salmon, or avocado toast. Soup, an array of salads, and several sandwiches take centrestage for midday eats. Additionally, they have several fresh pastries, and beverages like brewed and espresso-based coffees, tea, and bottled cold beverages. In the kitchen at Bread x Butter you'll find former Top Chef Canada chef-testant Felix Zhou, who was previously at Vancouver's Heritage Asian Eatery.
Cathedral Place - 925 W Georgia Street
Blind Rabbit
Blind Rabbit opened this spring and is the newest member of a family of food and drink spots co-owned by Nigel Lutz and Rob Clarke - there's The Yard Cafe on Granville and The Brighton, a close neighbour on East Hastings. In addition to cocktails, Blind Rabbit has a menu of casual bites, featuring things like "The Cure," a sandwich featuring salami and cheese with organic greens grown at UBC farms and mustard.
2531 East Hastings Street
Ramen Densetsu
This new noodle spot on West Broadway in Kits is in its soft open phase (so expect some unsteady hours) but they focus on Shoyu Chintan ramen - clear chicken broth soup base.
2825 West Broadway
The Lunch Lady
Lunch Lady is street food stall in Vietnam that shot to fame when it appeared on Anthony Bourdain's TV show. Now that spot is tied to a new restaurant opening soon in Vancouver. They have been reworking the East Vancouver space that was previously the Vietnamese-Thai Five Elements Café. They describe their venture from Vietnam to Vancouver as a journey "of passion and collaboration." They opened their doors on July 1, offering dine-in service only for the time being. Expect a line-up, it's a popular new spot.
Harken Coffee
Harken is a third-wave roaster and cafe featuring a fully plant-based Japanese-inspired menu in Vancouver's historic Japantown. In addition to a selection of four signature coffee blends, named for each season, Harken also offers a rotating selection of single-origin beans. The food menu at Harken is entirely plant-based and showcases Japanese dishes and ingredients.
338 Powell Street
Ophelia
The folks behind The Flying Pig and WildTale have transformed the Olympic Village outpost of WildTale into Ophelia, a new contemporary Mexican restaurant. The new restaurant will showcase food inspired by Executive Chef Francisco Higareda's roots in Veracruz, Mexico. Ophelia, incidentally, is Higareda's mother's name. On tap on Ophelia's menu are items like tacos, sopes (small thick corn tortillas with toppings), and octopus with mole, all done in an elevated manner. Additionally, Ophelia has a fully-licenced bar specalizing in tequila and mezcal cocktails as well as beer and wine.
165 West 2nd Avenue
Chit Chat Burger Bar
The concept is a sibling venture to a popular casual spot nearby, Hungry Guys Kitchen (known for their affordable menu burritos, bowls, and salads made with fresh ingredients, including tons of veggies and Mexican flavours). At Chit Chat it's about burgers and fully decked out shakes, along with classic fries, and beers, too.
955 Granville Street
Beach Ave. Bar & Grill
Sun-seekers have a new seawall-adjacent spot for food and drink, called the Beach Ave Bar & Grill. Situated right under the Burrard Bridge, the bar-restaurant space offers excellent views of False Creek and Granville Island. The new venture describes itself as follows: "Neighbourhood hangout serving west coast inspired fare with local craft beer, wine and original cocktails.
1-1012 Beach Avenue
Bonjour Vietnam Bistro
This fresh new Vietnamese restaurant was just about ready to open when COVID-19 brought everything to a halt. However, after a few weeks' delay, Bonjour Vietnam Bistro opened officially on June 16. Bonjour Vietnam Bistro is drawing their culinary inspiration from all regions of the country, and will serve up a menu that includes familiar dishes like pho, tropical salads, skewers, vermicelli noodle bowls, rice dishes, salad and spring rolls, as well as desserts. A full vegetarian menu is also available.
3944 Fraser Street
Barbara
This intimate chef-driven venture has been in the works in Chinatown for some time, and finally opened their doors in early June. Check them out!
305 East Pender
Potluck Hawker Eatery (July 15)
Potluck is the project of Chef Justin Cheung, who gained prominence behind the stoves at Longtail Kitchen in New West's River Market. Look for bold and vibrant dishes, often with a spicy kick (hello, tamarind chili jam!) that can be ordered up a la carte or bundled together for a family-style feast. Potluck will also feature Cheung's take on familiar Southeast Asian dishes like Nasi Goreng and Palabok.
3424 Cambie Street
