Here are the new places to eat and drink in Vancouver this June
Vancouver’s restaurant openings just keep on coming, and I’m certainly not complaining. As someone who has spent the past decade closely covering the city’s most interesting new dining destinations, I like to think I have a pretty good sense of what’s worth your time and money.
These spots are ones I’ve either checked out myself or have at the top of my list. You may have missed them while bigger food stories — Time Out Market Vancouver, I’m looking at you — dominated the conversation, but now’s your chance to get acquainted. For in-depth reviews of the city’s best new tables, don’t miss our recent look at other fresh places to grab a seat: Violeté and Bam Bam.
Terrasse
Head past the chalk dust and up to the second floor of Progression Bouldering Gym, where Terrasse is doing something genuinely unexpected. Launched by Brendan Riley (former co-owner of Mah Milkbar) in May, this warm, orange-hued bar swaps traditional nightlife for a glorious indoor summer terrace feel — regional wines, snack plates from local vendors and nightly DJ sets, all bathed in a golden-hour glow. Grab a spot on the bleacher-style seating below the booth and settle in.
Where: 275 East 10th Ave., Vancouver (second floor of Progression Bouldering Gym)
When: Thursday to Saturday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; happy hour 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Order this: The Golden Hour Cocktail ($14), Baba-Good-Noush Dip ($10)
Pantitlán
Spot the yellow gate off the back alley — that’s your way into Pantitlán, an underground Mexico City-inspired taqueria on East Hastings. Executive chef Esteban Cuevas is behind every recipe on the menu, food and cocktails alike. The must-order is the taco al pastor. Think pork marinated in guajillo-achiote adobo, stacked on a vertical trompo and slow-roasted over an open flame, then shaved to order. The trompo sits right in the main space of the speakeasy-style setting, making it the centrepiece of every meal. And since the kitchen runs as a Mexican bakery in the mornings, desserts are made fresh in-house daily.
Where:2447 East Hastings St., Vancouver (entrance is through the back alley, look for the yellow gate)
When:Thursday to Sunday, 5:30 p.m. to late
Order this: Bloody Aztec Cocktail ($16.50), Taco Al Pastor ($4.25)
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Touski
Touski is Chinatown’s new destination for it all: breakfast, coffee, dinner and drinks. The name comes from a Québécois term meaning “everything there is,” and the team fully embraces that ethos with their ever-changing food and drink menu. Chef-owner Lina Caschetto is behind this new concept, which sits parallel to her first restaurant, neighbourhood staple Say Hey Café & Deli. Thanks to Caschetto and co-chef Neil Hillbrandt, Touski has a lot going on from morning to night.
Where: 154 East Pender St., Vancouver
When:Tuesday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to late; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to late
Order this: Oysters with a house Caesar garnish ($20 for 4), Touski ‘Dirty’ Martini with pimento cheese-stuffed olives ($18)
Ray’s
Ray’s recently opened in a long-empty Yaletown space that got a major makeover, and the 270-seat room has quickly found its crowd. Chef Matt Deacon-Evans keeps things familiar — smash burgers, shareables, truffle spaghetti — and the pricing is just as approachable. In Yaletown, a menu where many dishes land under $20 is the real draw, and staying open until 3 a.m. on weekends seals it.
Where: 1131 Mainland St., Vancouver
When: Tuesday to Thursday, Sunday and Monday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.; happy hour daily, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. to close
Order this: Pineapple Express Cocktail ($14.50), Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich ($15.75)
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Source: vancouversun.com