10 New Eateries To Check Out in Vancouver
Not Even a pandemic Can put a halt to the city’s growing food scene.
By Tammy Kwan
There’s been a lot of growth taking place in Vancouver’s food industry, even in the height of a pandemic.
New dining establishments continue to open around town, much to the delight of local foodies and enthusiastic diners.
From a Japanese takeout spot to a brewery canteen to a relaunched food truck, here are 10 exciting food spots to visit (with your core bubble or immediate household) around the city.
Chef Taka Omi recently left Fairmont Pacific Rim’s RawBar at Lobby Lounge to open up a little Japanese grocery store/sushi and sashimi takeout shop on Hornby Street. It has been warmly greeted by local food-lovers since its debut in early fall, and customers can find menu items like rolls, nigiri, sashimi platters, chirashi, Pocky, and other Japanese snacks here.
Created by the same team behind Dark Table Restaurant, this new pop-up restaurant in Kitsilano specializes in Levant flavours, which showcase Syrian and Lebanese cuisines. Indulge in favourites like lamb sausages, fatteh hummus, falafel and fries, and assorted skewers.
Besides serving up great craft beer at its brewery, Superflux also has a kitchen that makes some tasty fare to pair with your hops. Its menu is limited, but includes standouts like gourmet hotdogs (try the spicy crab or mortadella), Belgian endive egg salad, Thai-stye beef tartare, and Szechuan braised pork cheeks.
Commercial Drive’s newest restaurant combines Asian flavours with West Coast cuisine. Brunch, lunch, happy hour, dinner, and late-night fare are all available, and menu items include popular dishes such as papaya salad, crispy chicken wings, and cognac chicken liver pate.
Victoria’s well-loved Middle Eastern eatery has been operating a food truck in Vancouver for a while, but it has finally opened up a brick-and-mortar establishment on Main Street. The quick-service eatery is known for its chicken shawarma, falafel, wraps and bowls, and fluffy pita, among other tasty items.
Torafuku’s beloved Le Tigre food truck is finally back on the road after being out of commission for more than a year. Its revamped menu will be an extension of chef Steve’s Kuan cuisine, which features pan-Asian flavours with nods to Kuan’s Taiwanese heritage, as well as his sous chef Jace Yun’s South Korean background. Must-try menu items include the kickass rice bowls (with options like braised beef, crispy chicken, or brussel sprouts), housemade crispy chicken buns, and soy marinade ramen eggs.
This hip juice bar and coffee lounge recently opened in the heart of Chinatown, and has been attracting many guests thanks to its aesthetic interior—think hanging cocoon chairs, cool art and light fixtures, and an overall contemporary design. The menu features drinks such as organic cold-pressed juices, smoothies, coffee, tapas, alcoholic beverages, and food items like burgers, sandwiches, and paninis.
For those who have never enjoyed matcha treats inside a car dealership, it’s definitely a unique experience. Japanese cafe Tsujiri opened its latest output at Openroad Toyota Richmond, which features a bright and open design (with new Toyota models parked just behind the dining area). Besides its signature matcha drinks and no-bake cheesecakes, try the onigirazu (sushi sandwich) that come in tasty flavours like salmon, spam and egg, and fried tofu veggie.
Yaletown’s newest Italian restaurant combines traditional flavours with a contemporary setting. The large dining space allows for plenty of socially distanced seating, which makes it easy to enjoy classic menu items such as calamari, prosciutto, pizza, and pasta.
Another Chinatown newcomer that has been a hit with foodies is this premium casual dining spot that serves everything from aburi sushi to burgers to fish and chips to bulgogi tacos—and everything on the menu is plant-based. But judging from rave reviews posted online, even diners who are carnivores enjoy MILA’s veggie-forward cuisine.