Vancouver's Latest Restaurants.
January 05 2022, Mercedes-Benz Vancouver
Against all odds, Vancouver’s restaurant industry grew last year. We’ve rounded up some of the best new establishments that opened in 2021 to put on your must-eat list—no matter what cuisine you’re craving.
Neighbourhood: West End
Instagram: @carlinovancouver
The Miantiao restaurant is no longer, and Carlino has taken its place on the third floor of the Shangri-La, Vancouver. The rich menu is rife with delights like gnocchi doused in brown butter, roast game hen, heirloom polenta with squash, and other Northern Italian delicacies.
Carlino
Neighbourhood: Mount Pleasant
Instagram: @zarakvancouver
The popular Afghan Kitchen is expanding to Vancouver with Zarak, offering classic Afghan dishes with a modern flair. If you’re in the mood for hearty, fragrant dishes like lamb pilaf, fresh naan, and chicken breast with saffron, garlic, cumin, and clove, this new Main Street establishment is for you.
Zarak by Afghan Kitchen
Neighbourhood: Powell Street
Instagram: @elephantinvancouver
This 18-seat restaurant took over the beloved Trans Am space (remember their thick Wagyu burgers?), but is bound to be another neighbourhood favourite soon. Owned by a trio with renowned experience (Dachi, Ugly Duckling), Elephant’s five-course omakase menu is the way to go; it changes daily depending on what fresh, seasonal fare the kitchen has stocked.
Elephant
Neighbourhood: Chinatown
Instagram: @whereislaowai
Ask for the “Number 7” when you enter Chinatown’s BLND TGER Dumplings to be transported through a secret door to this back-of-house bar. The Art Deco-style hidden lounge concept boasts a tasty cocktail list inspired by historical figures, and serves up dumplings from BLND TGER (Tibetan-style Bison momos, Single Malt Xiao Long Bao, Vegetable Shaomai, and more).
Laowai
Neighbourhood: Davie Village
Instagram: @maxines_cafebar
Opened last summer, this Europe-meets-New York diner-style cafe is the new go-to brunch spot of Davie Village. Think thick-cut French toast, foie gras terrine with brioche, hearty fried chicken, and more. They also offer dinner and, as the name suggests, cocktails galore.
Maxine’s Cafe & Bar Eatery
Neighbourhood: Vancouver House (Downtown)
Instagram: @linhcafe_yvr
Located in the base of the Vancouver House complex (near Rodney Graham’s Spinning Chandelier sculpture) is the second outpost of this spot, serving French and Vietnamese cuisine. Dishes include steaming beef noodle soup pho, spring rolls and salad rolls, as well as decadent offerings like caviar, lobster, and frog legs.
Linh Cafe
Neighbourhood: Coal Harbour
Instagram: @giovanebacaro
Reservations: Walk-in
Whisk yourself away to Italy—well, almost—by dining at the Fairmont Pacific Rim’s Giovane Bacaro, one of downtown’s coolest new gathering places. Dine on wine and inventive cicchetti (small-plate Venetian snacks) along with housemade pastas and main dishes that taste plucked out of Venice itself.
Giovane Bacaro
Neighbourhood: Commercial Drive
Instagram: @loulastaverna
Two Greek families came together to open Loula’s on Commercial Drive this summer, and the cuisine is a nostalgic ode to their upbringings infused with modern flair. Mingle over spanakopita starters, then feast on a stellar selection of items from the grill (octopus, prawn souvlaki, lamb chops…) Just make sure to leave room for a dessert of baklava. Opa!
Loula’s Taverna
Neighbourhood: Kerrisdale
Instagram: @landandseayvr
Indulge in West Coast Japanese fare at Land & Sea, which softly opened in Kerrisdale in early September. If you’re a seafood lover, don’t miss its rich signature dish of flame-finished Ora King Salmon Soba; if you’re partial to vegetarian fare, the “Unagi” Don featuring molten eggplant kabayaki in a sweet miso glaze is a must-try.
Land & Sea
Enjoy some new flavours by supporting these fine local restaurants that opened up last year in Vancouver!
