Vancouver is home to several high-profile restaurant chains, each seemingly booming with locations across Canada and some (that are even more popular) in the U.S.
One of those chains is Moxies. Launched in Calgary in 1986, Moxies soon expanded to become a familiar player in the Canadian "family restaurant" scene. In the early 2000s the chain revamped and took on a more "premium casual" vibe. Last fall, the restaurant chain (which is part of the same group that owns and operates Denny's in Canada, along with The Sandman Hotel and even the posh Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar) announced it was undergoing a major refresh - a glow-up of sorts to bring Moxies into a new era.
Renovated Downtown Vancouver location a prototype for the chain
A linchpin in the revamp is the Moxies location in downtown Vancouver. Situated in an upper-level space at 180 W Georgia St, the location shuttered several months ago for its transformation. The West Georgia Moxies is one of two prototype B.C. locations (Kelowna is the other; it debuted a new look in January) the chain is counting on to guide the brand into its next chapter.
Design choices at each of the two revamped locations will steer leadership towards the future look of all Moxies locations; in Kelowna, decor elements skew to white, whereas in Vancouver, you'll now find striking black accents in the modern-styled two-storey space. (Word has it the Vancouver location's design is the favourite.) Ultimately, all the Moxies restaurants will get a refresh in line with what we're now seeing here in Vancouver.
Now, after a few delays, the Downtown Vancouver Moxies re-opens officially on Monday, June 5.
With a capacity of nearly 300, the location offers multiple dining sections, from the front area under the hot pink neon glow of a sign reading "I will if you will," to semi-private seats with a pronounced TV view for catching the game just beyond the bar, to an upstairs private dining room perfect for business luncheons or special gatherings. A large patio will join the mix in the coming weeks as it wraps up renovations. Those who visited the same Moxies in the past might remember it being very dark inside - now the space is open, airy, light, and bright.
Moxies Downtown Vancouver menu highlights
The menu is styled to have Moxies more shoulder-to-shoulder with its peers, which means approachable fare that blends the "bar-and-grill" experience with after work drinks, enjoying the big game, or a workday lunch. That "something for everyone" approach means global influences and familiar fare, with appies like lettuce wraps and wings alongside steak or pasta mains as well as burgers and bowls. To its credit, Moxies has included a number of vegetarian dishes, with several options that are fully plant-based (like a vegan laksa or a cashew dip with taro chips) and dishes that can be made vegan with some substitutions.
Seasonality is a clear mandate, so Moxies has fresh dishes on the menu showcasing the flavours of spring right now (lots of asparagus!), as well as cocktails that spark sunny day vibes (a spicy watermelon mezcal margarita, for example).
While there are some dishes that are regional in scope, there is one sole dish that is exclusive to the Downtown Vancouver Moxies, and it is absolutely worth saving room for: A glorious slice of coconut cream pie.
Video: Checking out the food and decor at the newly-reopened Moxies on West Georgia
@forkingawesomevia 🤫 The best dish on the menu happens to be exclusive to this location! #forkingawesome #vancouverbc 🎙️ @LindsayWR ♬ A Time of Smile - Made Ariya
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