10 New Must-Try Lower Mainland Restaurant Openings.
October 09 2024,
Late summer and early fall saw a handful of restaurant openings for every palate—we’re talking Mexican fare, handmade pasta, delicious brunch, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, and contemporary French. Here are 10 to try this fall.
East Vancouver
Good Thief
3336 Main St.
Serving up “rebellious Vietnamese”, Good Thief gets the good times flowing with sleek decor and stellar cocktails, like the bubbly-refreshing Pom Pom Punch with rum, rice milk, pomelo, and lime. Good Thief is founded by the sister-brother powerhouse duo behind next-door resto, Anh and Chi, so make sure to order some Vietnamese snacks to accompany your drinks.
Good Thief - Photo by Sarah Annand
El Gato Gab Gab
2650 Main St.
Close your eyes when you take your first bite at the newest venture from the team behind award-winning Published on Main and Bar Susu—you may well feel like you’re in Mexico. The flavours at El Gato Gab Gab are as good as their fun-loving name, so order up a shareable taco platter, a few appetizers like Dungeness crab flautas and chicken skin chilaquiles, and a cocktail or two.
El Gato Gab Gab - Photo By Sarah Annand
Downtown
Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie
909 Burrard St.
Planning on celebrating a special occasion or booking an important lunch meeting? Look no further than Le Crocodile. This fine-dining contemporary French establishment is nothing short of iconic, and when it was announced that celebrated chef Rob Feenie would take the reins from founding chef Michel Jacob, a collective sigh of relief was felt throughout the city’s foodie folk; it shines in every way.
Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie - Photo by David Martin
Barra Gitano
1202 Davie St.
A fresh spot for Mexican fare and late-night margaritas awaits in Davie Village, from the team behind Ophelia in Olympic Village and Monarca in Gastown. Try the Wagyu beef hamburguesa Gitana, the scallop and prawn tostadas, or some pork confit tacos.
Barra Gitano - Photo by Happy Hour Agency
North Vancouver
Loam Bistro
230 Esplanade West
Lower Lonsdale is now home to Loam, a cozy-cool brunch spot filled with lush greenery and hearty fare. After a weekend walk by the water, pop in to warm up with a latte made with locally roasted beans from North Van’s House of Funk and a black garlic & stracciatella omelette or prosciutto and hot honey sandwich.
Loam Bistro
Strathcona North
123 Carrie Cates Court
This much-loved East Van brewery is heading to North Van with its latest culinary-driven location, and this is not your average brewery food. Ingredients are locally sourced and plates are imaginative—think radler-steamed moules-frites and brown butter seared scallops with smoked black trumpet mushrooms. Bonus: there’s a Beer Sommelier on hand to pair your pint to your plate.
Strathcona North
Burnaby
Bow & Stern Brentwood
4567 Lougheed Hwy.
This is the third location in a line of family-owned restaurants that started in the ‘80s as a fish-and-chip shop—they’ve come a long way. Seafood, of all kinds, is on the menu here and you can’t go wrong with the signature Hot Seafood Platter, laden with arctic char, tiger prawns, lobster tails, mussels, clams, seasonal vegetables, and jasmine rice.
Bow & Stern Brentwood - Photo by Shelby Herfst Photography
Trattoria by Italian Kitchen
102-4501 Kingsway
There’s a 100-layer lasagna on the menu at Glowbal Restaurant Group’s newly reimagined Trattoria by Italian Kitchen, and that’s not all. Expected a deliciously large selection of handmade pastas, antipasti, pizzas, entrees and desserts, all turned out by a back-of-house team led by Italian born and raised chef Matteo Fontana.
Trattoria by Italian Kitchen - Photo by Nora Hamade
Whistler
Mekong
204-2067 Lake Placid Rd
Celebrated modern Thai restaurant Mekong will reopens this month under the culinary direction of award-winning chef Angus An (Maenam, Fat Mao). Order a la carte, or opt for the special prix fix menu (until Dec. 12) which includes dishes like Tom Yum Goong, Mekong’s version of the popular Thai soup served with chili jam and Argentinian prawns, and Gaeng Gari Duck, a rich curry served with duck confit.
Mekong - Photo by Leah Kathry Photography
Flute & Fromage
4305 Village Stroll, #102
Whether you’re looking for some specialty international cheeses for your next dinner party, an aprés patio for wine-and-cheese tasting, or an elegant cheese and charcuterie box for a special occasion, this independently owned cheesemonger in Whistler Village has you covered.
Flute & Fromage
Coming Soon
Keep an eye out for these soon-to-open hot spots.
- A brasserie-inspired spot in Cambie Village by the team behind Chinatown’s Keefer Bar.
- An upscale-casual dining room and cocktail lounge in Richmond blending Asian flavours with international influences.
- A globally inspired restaurant on Main Street helmed by chef Vish Mayekar, previously of Pepino’s and Elio Volpe.
- In January 2025, this much-loved coffee brand will open a Park Royal location incorporating Artigiano’s first-ever open-concept kitchen, in-house bakery, and rooftop patio.
If you’re looking for more delicious recommendations on where to dine this fall, these cozy bakeries will warm you up.
