What started in Vancouver as an offshoot of the popular restaurant chain Joey has since grown into a multi-unit brand with locations across Canada and one (and counting) in the U.S.
Local Public Eatery first stepped into the Vancouver dining scene in November 2009, having taken over a former Malone's pub-style restaurant in Kitsilano. But it took Local nearly a decade to add a second location in the city, but they choose a doozy, moving into the old Chill Winston space in Gastown with its sprawling front patio.
Now Local operates in B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Washington state, and they've just added a third Vancouver outpost to the roster, with a brand-new restaurant in the River District. Opening day was May 25, and it seems like the restaurant is well on its way to serving as a magnet to not only those who live in the purpose-built development but also to those who reside on the nearby slopes of South Vancouver looking for an easy-going hangout with something for everyone to eat and drink in a lively, modern atmosphere.
I'll admit, my visit to the new River District Local was my first encounter with the chain, but it is easy to see right off the bat that these folks know what they're doing in creating a great space envisioned as a "third place." It's not your workplace, it's not your home, but it's sort of like a community living room where you can pop by for a late-night bite, weekend brunch, a business lunch, or a dinner out with the family.
The River District location is impressively bright and airy, with high ceilings and a sort of vintage-industrial look and an indoor-outdoor flow between the main seating area and the patio. There are TVs on at the bar but as longtime Joey and Local manager Brody Jones explains, if there's a great game on, absolutely Local is a great place to watch, but they aren't by definition a "sports bar."
A large monitor shows the lineup of taps that showcase craft brews; Local's beer lists will vary slightly from location to location and are curated to feature - not surprisingly - local breweries. As expected, Local has a full bar with wine, non-draft beers, cocktails and mocktails, as well as some "group activities" i.e. boozy drinks for sharing, like a whiskey blend in a teapot ("Cold Tea") or a party pitcher you're meant to pour directly in your mouth (so the menu says).
What's on the food menu at Local in the River District?
On the menu, the food at Local is about comfort casuals with a kick. There are a few dishes that have been Local staples from day one near Kits Beach, like the "Diablo" burger, the fried chicken sandwich, and fish and chips (though the recipe has been tweaked over the years). Local River District has a "local" advantage for sure, since the Gastown Local is the test restaurant for the whole chain; you can expect to see seasonal and new menu tweaks a few times a year.
Spanning from starters like spicy shareables like shrimp dumplings, tacos, and beet hummus with chips to salads, burgers, and bowls, Local is right up there with its peers when it comes to offering a menu that has options for all sorts of palates and diners. They'll even sub the rice out in something like the Korean-inspired BBQ bowl with riced cauliflower for an extra charge, and there are gluten-free buns available for the handhelds.
There's just one dessert at Local River District (let's face it, that's probably not what you're here for) but it happens to be really good. It's a peanut butter-cup-inspired two-layer mousse with Oreo crumble, vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce.
Local's launch marks another milestone for the River District as it grows its restaurant options (Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba and Sushi Mura are up and running; Lucky Taco and Bufala are set to open in the coming weeks or months). It's a smart location for Local, as it too, continues its growth domestically and in the U.S. while ticking all the boxes of a chain that's styled like a local hang.
Local River District is located at 8558 River District Crossing in Vancouver, and is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to midnight and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to midnight.
