10 Must-Try New Restaurants.
June 03 2022, Mercedes-Benz Vancouver
Craving some new flavours in your life? Whether it is handmade Italian pasta you want, plant-focused small plates, or sustainable seafood, these 10 restaurants—all newly opened in the Lower Mainland this year—have something for everyone.
Bar Susu
Mount Pleasant
Casual burger-and-beer spot, The Whip, has been transformed into Bar Susu. This menu is designed to impress—think along the lines of inventive comfort food with a Michelin -starred vibe. There’s duck liver parfait with honey crullers, crispy squid with lemon yogurt, cassoulet with bacon and morels, and so much more.
Riley’s Fish & Steak
Coal Harbour
Downtown Vancouver has a new “fish-and-chophouse” hot spot in the form of Riley’s. This new Glowbal Group restaurant features one of the city’s largest selection of wines; a decadent line-up of exclusive cuts of meat; a garden patio and oyster bar; and live music nightly. Fresh Pacific Northwest cuisine with a hint of New York nightlife? We’ll take it.
ABURI Market
West Vancouver
If you like sushi, you’ve already fallen in love with aburi-style bites. (If not, head to Miku or Minami immediately.) Now, you don’t have to make a restaurant reservation for your fix. West Van is home to the brand new ABURI Market, an elevated grocery-store concept that specializes in fresh Japanese food to-go. From fresh sushi, bentos, and bowls, to frozen meal kits, desserts, sashimi and candies, this location has it all.
R+D Kitchen by White Spot
Burnaby
Casual dining just got fancier at the new R+D Kitchen by White Spot. Located in Burnaby at the Amazing Brentwood, this research and development location for this beloved Nat Bailey-founded chain is both elevated and experimental. You can also dine-while-you-shop by picking up at their on-site take-out window (the restaurant is situated at one side of the chic Tables food court).
Casa Mia
West Vancouver
Early May saw the opening of a new restaurant-cafe-shop called Casa Mia Neighbourhood Cucina & Mercato, and the Marine Drive location is already buzzing. Dine in to experience all the pizzas, pastas, and burrata appetizers your heart desires; or pop in for pantry items like pasta sauce, imported olives, and fresh pastries.
Wild Blue
Whistler
Travel to Whistler often? This one’s for you. Wild Blue is the much-anticipated collaboration between some of the best in the business: celebrated Chef Alex Chen, restaurant director Neil Henderson, Toptable Group founder Jack Evrensel, and the newly appointed Executive Chef Derek Bendig. It is expected to open later in June, in the heart of Whistler Village, and serve elevated Pacific Northwest cuisine.
Wild Thing
Powell Street
Friends in town? Take them to the fun new Wild Thing, run by six Vancouver restaurant industry veterans who are doing everything right. The thoughtful small-plates menu is plant-focused, and recent highlights included a braised celeriac tataki with ponzu and pickled radish and beet salad with fermented watermelon radish, mint, and kiwi dressing. Divine.
NOX
Coal Harbour
The pandemic may have delayed the opening of NOX by a couple of years, but this spring it made its debut—and it’s worth the wait. Restaurateur Alejandro Diaz and Chef Sam Fabbro (both of New Westminster’s el Santo) are the masterminds behind the contemporary Italian menu crafted with West Coast ingredients. If you’re wondering about the origin of the name, it’s a tribute to the Roman goddess of the night.
Monarca Cocina Mexicana
Gastown
Before gracing Vancouver with his cuisine, Chef Francisco Higareda ran his own restaurant in Mexico and worked for Michelin-starred chefs in Europe. At Monarca, expect expertly crafted Mexican fare and standout cocktails (or a mezcal flight, if you’re so inclined) in a stunning room. The Enfrijoladas de Cochinita Pibil are a standout dish, richly layered with tortillas, beans, achiote-braised pork, and queso fresco cheese.
Suyo
Mount Pleasant
Flag this one for a future reservation. Expected to open this summer, we’re excited for the debut of Suyo, a Peruvian restaurant and bar that promises “a modern take on classic dishes from Peru”, including an excellent selection of South American wines and pisco-heavy cocktail list.
Honourable Mention
Kafka’s in the Park
Downtown
It may not be a restaurant in the traditional sense, but the hottest new coffee shop in town does have a full menu. The stunning new Kafka’s coffee shop, open since June 4 in downtown Vancouver, is an interior design dream with custom banquette seating, Douglas Fir carpentry, and Marcel Breuer chrome furniture. Stop by for a smoked turkey sandwich, a cup of soft-serve ice cream, and a mug of excellent coffee. Leave with a bag of house-baked salted chocolate chip cookies to munch on while checking out the futuristic Smithe-Richards Park next door.
ICYMI – In Case You Missed It...
Carlino
Coal Harbour
Carlino officially opened last year (December) on the third floor of the Shangri-La, Vancouver, but if you have yet to visit this sleek see-and-be-seen spot, we recommend you do. The menu is a tribute to Northern Italy, using locally sourced ingredients from local farms and producers around the Lower Mainland.
