8 of the hottest new Vancouver restaurants and cafes you need to check out
One thing seems to remain true for Vancouver: there’s always something new and exciting to eat, and last month was no exception.
In December, Dished reported on nine new restaurants and cafes that joined the local dining scene, serving all sorts of great eats and sips.
From a Top Chef Canada winner’s first restaurant (which is also the first of its kind in Canada) to a Korean restaurant joining a buzzing block of award-winning Vancouver restaurants, this is your list of new restaurants you need to check out.
Touk
Marco Ovies/Dished
After announcing the concept back in August, Top Chef Canada winner Chanthy Yen has opened the doors to his highly anticipated restaurant, Touk.
“Creating TOUK has been a very personal journey for me. It’s a chance to honour the food I grew up with while expressing how my cooking has evolved over the years. My hope is that Vancouver will connect with Cambodian cuisine in a way that feels both fresh and deeply familiar,” said Yen.
Guests can expect a menu that celebrates Cambodia’s depth and diversity through dishes like Babor (a rice porridge layered with snow crab, egg yolk, and Kampot pepper foam); Twa Koh (grilled beef sausage seasoned with galangal and roasted rice) and Yen’s Top Chef Canada-winning dish: Pan-roasted Wild Boar Tomahawk with Cambodian Mole.
Address: 1152 Alberni St., Vancouver
Street Hawker Turbo
Street Hawker Turbo
In October, both co-owners, Justin Cheung and Dominic Sa, made the difficult decision to close their other restaurant, Potluck Hawker Eatery, and convert it into this new outpost for their burger brand Street Hawker.
Similar to the original Street Hawker, this new outpost promises to serve up the same selection of mouthwatering dishes that combine comfort food with authentic Asian taste. Additionally, you’ll find some exclusive bites on the menu here that are not available at Street Hawker’s other location.
Highlights include signature items like the Pad Kra Pow! Smash Burger and a selection of wings in Golden Sand or Fish Sauce Caramel flavours, menu items that the restaurant said are a nod to classic Potluck Hawker offerings.
Address: 3424 Cambie St., Vancouver
Nabi House
Nabi House
“Nabi House is a restaurant where you can experience everyday Korean foods meant to nourish and inspire,” owner Daniel Lee told Dished previously.
Here, patrons can expect plenty of shareable plates with healthy portions. Highlights from the menu include a salmon platter, which Lee said is how they would eat sashimi in Korea. The dish is served much like you’d be presented a platter at a Korean BBQ place, with the addition of ssam sauce, banchan, and lettuce for wrapping, alongside a “secret” sauce that Lee wouldn’t go into detail on, but said would go great with the dish.
Address: 1889 Powell St., Vancouver
Osteria Otto
LessNoise Studio/Osteria Otto
Osteria Otto is a new ingredient-driven Italian restaurant that is opening in the city, inspired by the quiet rhythm of kissa bar culture.
“Osteria Otto introduces an intimate expression of Italian cooking to the city — one grounded in Pacific Northwest ingredients, the calm mood of Japanese kissa listening bars, and a sense of warmth that makes you want to stay long after the table is cleared,” wrote the restaurant.
Here, you’ll find a menu inspired by Italian tradition with influence from the West Coast. Expect seasonal vegetables, seafood, handmade pasta, and small plates. “Every dish is prepared with intention, built for sharing, and guided by a respect for ingredients,” added Otto.
Additionally, Otto said that music is essential to the room. It will feature curated vinyl, hi-fi audio, and warm lighting that will move with the evening. This is all to create an environment that the restaurant describes as “created for lingering, not rushing.”
Address: 151 E. 8th Ave., Vancouver
The Grind by Vegain
The Grind
The Grind is a new cafe brought to us by Vegain, the plant-based sports nutrition company founded on Vancouver Island. It’s known for its lineup of plant-based drinks and protein powders, and this new spot will operate in the business’s headquarters.
At The Grind, you’ll find a selection of plant-based coffee beverages and smoothies (featuring Vegain products, of course).
“Set directly on the seawall in Vancouver’s West End, The Grind blends handcrafted coffee
beverages, smoothies featuring Vegain’s award-winning products, and plant-based
performance nutrition into one bright, community-first space built for an active city,” shared the cafe.
Aside from drinks, a selection of bites will be available, including Coconut Peanut Butter Power Balls, Buffalo Caesar Wraps, and Peanut Butter Noodle Salad, to name a few.
Address: 1006 Beach Ave. #110, Vancouver
Onigiri Ya — Robson
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Customers at Onigiri Ya’s latest location can expect a wide array of onigiri options, with some starting at just $2.99 (plus, folks who buy three onigiri can get 10 per cent off their bill).
“Just like our Broadway location, this will be a grab-and-go concept — perfect for the busy downtown crowd looking for an affordable, quick, and delicious lunch option,” previously shared Onigiri Ya.
Additionally, you’ll find a selection of snacks and even warm food options like pork curry.
Address: 202 — 345 Robson St., Vancouver
GlassHouse
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Described as “maximalist charm meets farm-to-table ingredients,” GlassHouse (which is operating at the former home of Chi) is offering a selection of both meat and vegan-friendly dishes.
On the meat side of things, you can expect dishes like Steamed Clams (chimichurri, seafood broth, fermented garlic, and dill), a Bison Mushroom Burger (spiced miso aioli, romaine, garlic mushrooms, balsamic roasted onions, and mozzarella), and Steak + Saffron Couscous (striploin, shaved rainbow carrots, coffee soil, gremolata, and red wine rosemary jus).
Address: 1935 W. 4th Ave., Vancouver
Cafe & Life Co.
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While technically not a new opening, Cafe & Life Co. has recently reopened its doors after initially sharing that it would be closing.
“After just a few weeks of preparation, Cafe & Life Co. Vancouver is opening its doors once more,” wrote the cafe. “We’re here to continue doing what we love, serving beautiful drinks, comforting pastries, and bringing a cozy, good vibe back to the neighbourhood.”
The cafe is best known for its classic coffee and tea offerings, alongside some more unique options, like its Uji Matcha Latte and Mont Blanc Latte. It also operates a Richmond location.
Address: 511 W. 7th Ave., Vancouver
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