20 new Vancouver restaurants to check out right now

Vancouver’s food lovers know that we have a fast-moving and exciting dining scene here, from fast casual to special occasion, and there is always something new to check out. It’s been a busy spring and early summer for restaurants in the city, so if you’re looking to shake up your routine and try somewhere new, you’re truly spoiled for choice.

See also

• 41 outrageous new foods coming to the PNE this year
• 7 new ice cream spots to try this summer in Vancouver
• 21 Vancouver food events worth checking out in August

To help make planing your next meal easier, we’ve rounded up this list of 20 new Vancouver restaurants to check out right now. Now go eat!

Chickpea Restaurant

If you liked the food truck you are gonna be obsessed with the restaurant. Chickpea has really nailed it with their brick and mortar space. Choose from a list of classic dishes with a twist, or completely new items from the kitchen of Chickpea. As a bonus, it’s 100% plant-based (but omnivores won’t miss a thing).

• Here’s your first look at Chickpea’s brand new restaurant on Main Street

Address: 4298 Main Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @ilovechickpea

H2 Rotisserie & Bar

There are a few noteworthy things happening at H2 that set this restaurant concept apart from the average in its class (ie hotel restaurants), and that’s their emphasis on working with locally-sourced ingredients and reputable BC purveyors, rather than let it all roll off the big corporate delivery truck. You’ll see all BC craft beers and wines on the menu, along with ingredients like goat cheese from Little Qualicum Cheeseworks in Qualicum Beach, or wild BC mushrooms. Get the rotisserie chicken, and save room for dessert, dammit.

• H2 Rotisserie & Bar: Winner, winner chicken dinner and more at the Westin Bayshore

Address: Westin Bayshore – 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver
Instagram: @h2restaurant

Hook Seabar

The English Bay seafood scene is getting a shake-up thanks to Hook Seabar. You can definitely expect seafood fare like fish and chips, but they’ll also be having fun with dishes like “Fries with Eyes,” (fried squid, prawn, and smelts). There’s a fresh raw bar in the dining room home to oysters and a selection of sushi. They’re working with as much local produce as possible, and going with sustainable seafood. Really, it’s what a beachside seafood joint needs to be.

• Hook Seabar: The laid-back seafood restaurant Vancouver needs is about to open

Address: 1210 Denman Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @hookseabar

St. Lawrence

A post shared by ⚜️St.Lawrence (@stlawrencerestaurant) on Jul 17, 2017 at 8:38pm PDT

We’ve been waiting for this one for a long, long time. St. Lawrence is the French-Canadian fine dining spot from the acclaimed J.C. Poirier (Ask For Luigi, Pourhouse, Joe Pizza), and early days’ diners are raving. Go taste for yourself!

Address: 269 Powell Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @stlawrencerestaurant

OddFish

A post shared by Erin Feller (@erinlovesparis) on Jul 22, 2017 at 6:17am PDT

From the folks that brought you Nook Restaurant and Tavola, OddFish is a new spot in Kitsilano that promises affordable, quality seafood in a relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere. They don’t take resos, their menu changes daily, and they have a patio – sounds chill enough, right?

• OddFish is Vancouver’s newest seafood spot, and it won’t bust your budget

Address: 1889 West 1 Avenue, Vancouver
Instagram: @oddfishrestaurant

Verdura

Taking over the former Baguette & Co. space, Verdura is the work a former Whole Foods and Earls employee who was eager to bring fresh, seasonally-driven, nourishing salads to Vancouver. Customers can opt to select a menu salad made of exciting and vibrant seasonal produce and local products. You’ll also spy those ingredients in the case, where you can do a build-your-own salad with your choice of greens for a base.

• Here’s your first look at Verdura, the salad shop opening this week

Address: 2521 Main Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @verdurasalads

Rhinofish Noodle Bar

Rhinofish is the first restaurant venture for Vancouver chef David Wu. The PICA grad has done time in restaurants in Kerrisdale, West Vancouver, and downtown, spanning cuisines from Italian to Japanese, however he wanted most to express his heritage in a beloved family dish, Taiwanese beef noodle soup, or niu rou mian.

• Rhinofish Noodle Bar brings Taiwanese soup to Chinatown

Address: 550 Main Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @rhinofishnoodlebar

The Rise Eatery 

The Rise is focused on a meld of classical techniques, familiar food tropes, and big bold flavours with a definitive Asian bent. This new spot is a great more affordable option joining the fold in South Granville.

• The Rise Eatery: Asian fusion playfully elevated at new South Granville restaurant

Address: 3121 Granville Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @theriseeatery

Say Hey Cafe

With a selection of six sandwiches at all times (ingredients predetermined), you’ll always find the Mortadella (provolone), Roast Beast (shaved beef shoulder), Albacore Tuna (mixed with smoked ham hock), and two rotating “Super-Hero” and vegetarian “Anti-Hero” selections on the menu at this Chinatown cafe. But we LOVE the veggie option.

• One of the best vegetarian sandwiches in Vancouver is at this new cafe

Address: 156 East Pender Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @sayheycafe

Avocado Bay

A post shared by avocadobay (@avocadobayyvr) on Jun 30, 2017 at 11:59am PDT

Calling themselves Canada’s first “all-avocado eatery” and “guacamole house,” our favourite fruit (yep, it’s a fruit not a veg) to put on our fancy toast is at the core of everything on this spot’s menu.

• An ‘all-avocado eatery’ and ‘guacamole house’ is coming to Vancouver

Address: 1184 Denman Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @avocadobayyvr

Paramount Fine Foods

Fans of this Toronto-based global chain are loyal customers when it comes to their range of approachable, authentic, and affordable Lebanese fare, and for many it offers them a taste of home they can’t find elsewhere.

• Paramount Fine Foods: Toronto’s beloved Lebanese restaurant lands in Vancouver

Address: 560 Robson Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @paramountfinefoodsbc

Fayuca

At Yaletown’s Fayuca the food is inspired by the culture of the Pacific Northwest region of Mexico, along with found memories of the landscape from the projects’ collaborators. The selections here will be changing constantly, and this spot only sources products from local farms, fisheries, and suppliers.

• Fayuca: ever-changing North Pacific Mexican cuisine in Yaletown

Address: 1009 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @fayucaville

Botanist

At Botanist, Executive Chef Hector Laguna is putting out elegant and approachable dishes that celebrate the bounty of the region and the flavours of the season, and despite the emphasis on theme and branding at the restaurant, the food never seems too high concept itself. Dishes gently tug at boundaries, but keep it tidily reigned in and wholly satisfying.

• Botanist: High concept with a big payoff at stunning new restaurant

Address: Fairmont Pacific Rim – 1038 Canada Place, Vancouver
Instagram: @botanistdining

Banter Room

A post shared by Banter Room (@banterroom) on May 4, 2017 at 12:17pm PDT

Banter Room is up and running in the former Romer’s Burger Bar location on Mainland after a few months’ renovation. The spot offers socially-focused share plates, but their claim to fame already is their champagne vending machine. Heeyyyyy!

• Banter Room replaces Romer’s Burger Bar in Yaletown

Address: 1039 Mainland Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @banterroom

Lucha Verde

A post shared by Lucha Verde (@luchaverde) on Jun 14, 2017 at 2:55pm PDT

The former Lolita’s space is now Lucha Verde,  a meat-free Mexican street food-inspired bar-restaurant. Customers at the intimate 38 seater will expect to find very approachable dishes using locally sourced ingredients, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options, to boot.

• Mexican-inspired veg spot Lucha Verde to replace Lolita’s

Address: 1326 Davie Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @luchaverde

Gyo-Para

Gyo-Para is a ramen shop that came onto the scene in 1992 and has now made a comeback. They have an MSG-free and umami-full ramen recipe that goes back three generations. On the menu are classics like shoyu ramen, handmade gyozas, and add-ons like spicy miso and tan-tan men.

• Gyo Para: Ramen restaurant reboots for next gen of fans

Address: 2120 West Broadway, Vancouver
Instagram: @gyopara

Sen Pad Thai

This is a noodle-centric stall in the Net Loft building at Granville Island that’s run by local chef superstar Angus An. Sen Pad Thai has a menu that includes variations on traditional Thai “dry” noodle dishes, taking their cue from food stands in Chanthaburi, Thailand.

• Sen Pad Thai: Kickass noodle stand now open on Granville Island

Address: #7–1666 Johnston Street, Vancouver (Granville Island)
Instagram: @senpadthai

Assembli

With a selection of house recipes and over 50 toppings options to choose from, there is no way you can go wrong with your salad or pizza from this joint. Colourful and fresh, everything from Assembli is made to order with non-GMO, hormone-free, antibiotic-free, and local and organic ingredients.

• Assembli: Pick from over 50 toppings for one price at new pizza and salad spot

Address: 2325 Cambie Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @myassembli

Friendly Snackbar

This new plant based and gluten free snack bar offers baked goods, smoothies, kombucha, fresh rice bowl, vegan ice cream, chocolate, and more.

• Friendly Snackbar opens tomorrow and they have vegan ice cream tacos to celebrate

Address: 2408 Main Street, Vancouver
Instagram: @friendly_vancouver

With files from Hanna McLean

See also

• 41 outrageous new foods coming to the PNE this year
• 7 new ice cream spots to try this summer in Vancouver
• 21 Vancouver food events worth checking out in August