British Columbia

New Vancouver restaurants to try this summer

Anya Levykh looks ahead to some new kids on the block, some operations extending their reach and at least one blast from the past.

A barbecue house, a couple of craft brewery restaurants, and lots of fresh, local seafood

New restaurants are bringing seafood back in a big way, offering a more casual bent to the wonderful, high-end seafood restaurants Vancouver already boasts, says On the Coast food columnist Anya Levykh. (Getty Images/Blend Images)

Hungry for change?

This summer, new restaurants throughout Vancouver are opening their doors, boasting menus that put a modern twist on traditional favourites and offer sustainable, local food options. 

"The [new restaurants] seem to be coming in waves, and they also seem to be themed in groups," said On the Coast food columnist Anya Levykh.  

For example, seafood is back in a big way, offering a more casual option to the high-end ocean fare Vancouver already offers. 

Levykh's highlights include new kids on the block, some operations extending their reach, and a blast from the past.

Wild Tale Coastal Grill in Yaletown​

From the owners of The Flying Pig restaurants, this new joint is all about sustainably caught, simply prepared seafood.

Supermarine in Kitsilano

This new, affordable West Coast-style seafood restaurant is owned by James Iranzad and Josh Pape, the genius duo behind Wildebeest and Pizzeria Bufala.

As with all things where Josh Pape is involved, expect a solid cocktail program, Levykh said.

Red Truck Brewery's Truck Stop

The craft microbrewery recently opened their Truck Stop Diner in the southeast False Creek flats, on East First Avenue off of Main Street.  

You'll find a classic diner menu here with some more modern twists: burgers, hot dogs with pulled pork, fish tacos and, of course, Red Truck beer.

Red Racer

Surrey-based Central City Brewers & Distillers are scheduled to open their first restaurant in Vancouver later this week.

Inside, you'll find southern-style barbecue, meats smoked in-house, a build-your-own-burger menu and 40 beers on tap, featuring local craft beer and a dozen or so of Central's own Red Racer and limited edition brews.

Fine dining options

Umberto Menghi has just opened the reincarnated and Tuscan-inspired Giardino on Hornby Street.

Located in Gastown, Bauhaus offers German haute cuisine including a $38 schnitzel.

Coming to the False Creek waterfront is Ancora, brought to you by the same company that recently opened Beach Bay Café & Patio in the old Raincity Grill spot. Former Blue Water Cafe chef Ricardo Valverde, a native of Lima, has designed the Peruvian-themed menu with a focus on seafood. 


To hear the full interview with Anya Levykh, listen to the audio labelled: New Vancouver restaurants to try this summer.