New Vancouver restaurants to try in and around the city
What’s a better way to welcome the new year than with some brand-spanking new eats? Lucky for you, there are some great restaurants in and around Vancouver that have recently opened for you to enjoy.
Whether you’re looking for some classic fried chicken, an all-you-can-eat feast, or a delectable omakase experience, this list has it all.
Porker Face
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Not to be confused with Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face,” Porker Face is a brand new all-you-can-eat pork belly restaurant from the same team behind Sooda (who are best known for their giant sushi rolls).
What makes this spot special in comparison to other Korean BBQ spots is both its limited menu and the fact that the staff do all the cooking for you. Long gone are the days of arguing who mans the grill. You can sit back, relax, and eat as much pork belly as humanly possible while someone else worries about the cooking.
Niwa
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Niwa is a new restaurant brought to us by the same team behind Ugly Dumpling, which closed its doors in 2021.
Inside, Niwa consists of three seating areas: the bar, the booths, and the dining room.
“We look at Niwa as three subtly different dining experiences. With an intimate restaurant of 32 seats, we are currently welcoming reservations of one to five guests,” shared the restaurant on its website.
Regarding food, Niwa says to leave it up to them.
“Entrust Chef Darren Gee and the service team to guide you through meticulously crafted dishes, showcasing local, seasonal ingredients, fine butchery with his signature style.”
Customers can expect five courses highlighting both freshness and flavour balance.
Address: 1875 Powell Street, Vancouver
Las Tortas Mexican Sandwiches
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Las Tortas Mexican Gourmet Sandwich announced on Instagram that it soft opened its second location at 4328 Main Street in Vancouver. This spot was the previous location of Grub, a cozy neighbourhood restaurant that operated for 17 years until it closed in November 2024.
As its name implies, this spot is best known for its tortas, which are a Mexican sandwich typically served on a white bread roll. Las Tortas offers a variety of different fillings for its sandwiches, including pollo parilla (lime marinated grilled chicken), chile relleno torta (stuffed poblano with panel cheese and battered in egg), and choriqueso (chorizo and Oaxaca cheese), just to name a few.
Address: 4328 Main Street, Vancouver
Popeyes – Metrotown
Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive
The US chicken chain virtually exploded onto the BC scene in 2018, and over the last few years, it’s grown to operate over a dozen locations in Metro Vancouver.
Burnaby’s Metropolis at Metrotown now has its location of the viral chicken joint. The fast-casual destination was initially slated to open in 2022, but good things come to those who wait… right?
Hours for this location are 10:30 am to midnight daily, which means you can get your crispy-fried fix morning, noon, and night.
Address: Metropolis at Metrotown — M144
Big Way Hot Pot Vancouver and Coquitlam
It’s clear that folks in Metro Vancouver like Big Way Hot Pot in a big way, especially with how it’s been expanding throughout BC. Now, the chain has opened two new locations in Vancouver and Coquitlam.
Firstly, its new Vancouver spot, located at 1479 Robson Street, opened to the public on December 22. Its other location, at 2929 Barnet Highway in Coquitlam Centre, softly opened its doors on December 23.
Paris Baguette Vancouver and Coquitlam
Here’s another chain with locations recently opened in Vancouver and Coquitlam.
Paris Baguette is a French-inspired Korean bakery. It is a dream for those who love baked goods, selling everything from beautifully decorated cakes to freshly baked bread, pastries, gourmet sandwiches, and more.
You can visit its Vancouver location at 1150 Alberni Street or its Coquitlam spot at 311 North Road.
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ZhengXin Chicken Steak
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Whether it’s KFC, Church’s, or Jollibee, there are plenty of fried chicken chains to try in and around Vancouver. But for those looking to switch up their typical spot, a new chain has just entered the Canadian market, and its first location is right here in Metro Vancouver: ZhengXin Chicken Steak.
“ZhengXin Chicken Steak was established in 2000, made from high-quality chicken, it has gained popularity among consumers, opening more than 20,000 stores in China and worldwide,” shared the chain on Instagram.
Address: 5105 Kingsway, Burnaby
Toña Bakery and Cafe
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Those looking for a new cafe in Vancouver are lucky because Toña Bakery and Cafe has recently opened its doors.
Despite the new cafe, owner Daniel Muñoz is no stranger to the pastry game with an impressive list of work experience, including Beta 5, Hawksworth, and Nemesis, to name a few.
On the menu, you’ll find plenty of tasty treats like conchas and cheese pretzels alongside classic beverage offerings like Spanish lattes, matcha lattes, and more.
Address: 4321 Dunbar Street, Vancouver
The Sequel
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The same team behind the much-loved Richmond spot, The Story Cafe, just opened a new concept in Vancouver called The Sequel.
On the menu, you’ll find bites like pasta, pizza, and burgers (we’ve got our eyes on its Signature Mushroom Burger), alongside brunch options like lobster scrambled crepes, duck confit hash, and chicken french toast, to name just a few.
Address: 1575 W Georgia Street, Vancouver
With files from Hanna McLean
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