Are restaurants on the rebound in Vancouver?
Prices are up for everything that affects the bottom line and personal budgets might be tight and supply chain and staffing shortage issues still abound, but it does seem like there is a lot of life lately in the local dining scene.
For the brave folks who are launching new restaurant ventures getting the doors open can be a massive relief because that means revenue can finally start coming in (as opposed to just going out, out, out as it does in the pre-opening phase).
Right now there are a few exciting new Vancouver restaurants, drink shops, and cafes that have just gotten off the ground worth putting on your must-try list.
Coquette
A prominent Kitsilano corner is now home to a new French brasserie. Coquette is the venture of a growing Vancouver restaurant group with three much-loved businesses already under its belt. The team behind The Stable House - the South Granville destination for all things wine and charcuterie - as well as neighbourhood Italian spot Fiore Famiglia, and Fiore Mercato, its marketplace sibling have taken over the former Gramercy Grill location for their "French inspired West Coast focused" concept. They're doing lunch, happy hour, and dinner with dishes like lemon Absinthe crepes, Croque Monsieur, and squid ink pasta with scallop mousse.
Address: 2685 Arbutus St
Sushi Hil
The first in a sushi double-header on this list is the just-opened (July 13) Sushi Hil from Chef Hil Nguy (Temaki Sushi). Chef Hil, as he's known, also is why you probably love the sushi dishes at Cactus Club. He's got a brand new Mount Pleasant spot that's already getting mad love and hype from local chefs, foodies, and restaurant folk, so you know it's something to have your eye on.
Address: 3330 Main St
Sushi Radio
More sushi news: This time it's a local brewery tasting room's intriguing new venture. While this isn't a new restaurant, per se, it is a whole new food concept taking over the old offerings (grilled cheese) Electric Bicycle was known for. There's a tight menu of sushi dishes - nigiri, cones, rolls, oshi - on offer, which you'll enjoy in the tasting room or on the patio. This is a super fun addition to the local brewery tasting room scene, and a lively option that pairs perfectly with the brewery's eclectic lineup of fruit- and sour-focused brews.
Address: 20 E. 4th Ave
Impostori
The doors opened July 15 at this new trattoria in South Granville in the former location of The Rise Eatery. This new restaurant from chef Andrey Durbach and wine pro Gordon Ritchie will be "celebrating the art of Italian food and wine from an outsider’s point of view, with a delicious measure of good humour and whimsy." That translates to items on the dinner menu like a Tuna Carpaccio "with Japanese ideas," Roast Duck alla Nonna (like grandma made), and plenty of pasta. Multi-course and family-style menus are also available, and Butterscotch Budino for dessert. And I'll tell you: if their budino can stand in for the one from Mozza in L.A. that I still dream about...well, you know what I'm ordering.
Address: 3121 Granville St
Nuttea
Popular in Taiwan and Hong Kong, this global franchise has recently debuted in Canada (in YEG) and as of July 15 their first Vancouver location is in soft open mode. Operated by local franchisors, this is a shop for tea drinks and smoothies made with house-made nut mylks. They have really unique offerings, like Earl Grey tea with a chocolate nut "cream" topping as well as bubble tea and fun fruit smoothies. The major bonus is that it's totally vegan. They're in the former Sejuiced shop spot in Kits.
Address: 1958 W 4th Ave
- Read more about what's on the menu at Nuttea
La La Island Bakery & Cafe
Kitsilano is also now home to a new spot for coffee drinks and cafe/bakeshop eats. La La Island opened its doors on July 13, and is serving up cafe classics like lattes and London Fogs with treats like carrot cake, croissants, and danishes and turnovers.
Address: 2951 W Broadway
Genki Eki Noodle Bar
This is a new casual, counter service Japanse noodle bar specializing in cold noodles and oden (ingredients stewed in a light, soy-flavored dashi broth). "Genki Eki brings the traditional Japanese food culture with a twist to our modern society," describes the restaurant's website.
Address: 693 W Broadway
