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Tacos at Chancho Tortilleria
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The 10 Hottest New Restaurants in Vancouver

Where to find pork belly tacos, beef tallow fries, and gooey Cubano sandwiches in Canada’s bustling west coast metropolis

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Tacos at Chancho Tortilleria
| Chancho Tortilleria/FB

Today, Eater visits Vancouver, Canada, to check in with 10 newish bars and restaurants that are garnering some serious buzz. We’ve once again tapped local food writer Nikki Bayley to select her picks for the best Van City openings of the past year.

They may be keeping it local with seafood (Coquille) and steaks (the Shop: Two Rivers), but Vancouver diners also can’t get enough of neighborhood Italian (Autostrada), Cuban cocktails (Tocador), Mexican carnitas (Chancho), and food truck treats from Squamish Nation’s Mr. Bannock.

Looking for the essentials? Head to the Eater 38. But for the newest and hottest, in geographic order, here now is the Eater Heatmap to Vancouver.

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Two Rivers Meats

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A ubiquitous name on menus in Vancouver, Two Rivers Meats has transformed the city’s dining scene with its laser focus on ethically raised meats. The Shop, set in an unprepossessing spot in North Van, is its first venture into offering its choice cuts direct to consumers. Along with a butcher shop that looks more like a gleaming designer fashion store (snap up the house-made charcuterie for a picnic), the Shop gives meat fans the chance to enjoy hand-cut, dry-aged steaks cooked to perfection on the wood and charcoal fire. The tallow fries are a must-have, and the burger is perfection. There are even a couple of items for vegetarians, but the view of all that full-animal butchery behind the glass panels may be a bit hard to swallow for some.

Exterior of Two Rivers Meats
Two Rivers Meats/FB

Mr. Bannock | Indigenous Cuisine

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Vancouver’s first First Nations food truck can be tracked down on the Street Food app — make sure you check, as Mr Bannock often switches location — and is worth a trip over to North Vancouver on the seabus (actually a super-scenic trip) if Mr Bannock, aka Paul Hollywood, a member of the Squamish Nation, is dishing up on his home turf. On the menu, crisp fluffy bannock topped with slow-roasted, luscious meats with a hit of spice at incredibly affordable prices; for $5, his juniper-berry dry-rubbed chicken taco is likely the best — and tastiest — deal in town.

Coquille Fine Seafood

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The latest venture from the acclaimed team behind Eater 38 mainstay L’Abattoir is a deep dive into seafood in the heart of touristy Gastown. The elegant room with its coral-pink clamshell booths, scalloped tiles, and subtle fish-scale accents matches the elevated prices and dishes, such as the delicately plated but pleasingly punchy kimchi hamachi and the sidestripe shrimp tostada. Check out the twice-daily happy hours for more affordable options: half-price oysters, on-tap negronis and Tommy’s Margaritas, and terrific crab and shrimp rolls.

Oysters at Coquille Fine Seafood
Coquille Fine Seafood/FB

Chancho Tortilleria

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Chancho’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it carnitas shop is the Mexican dining experience that will likely ruin you for any other tacos in town, thanks to its fresh tortillas and meltingly marvelous pork by the pound. Have the campechano mix of shoulder, leg and belly, which comes hand-chopped to order and spangled with shards of crisp skin. Orders come with pickled red cabbage, pinto beans, salsas, and those incredible tortillas, kissed with a whisper of char. Take away to the nearby Seawall for the perfect porky picnic or stay and enjoy the blaring Mexican pop.

Tacos at Chancho Tortilleria
Chancho Tortilleria/FB

Oddity Kombucha

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What should be a teeth-grinding exercise in tolerating hipster sensibilities is actually a very lovely white-walled oasis of calm in the bustle of Mount Pleasant, with serene strummed music playing and a range of excellent on-tap house-brewed kombuchas. Try the delicately floral jasmine ’booch, and make like the locals and fill a growler of the stuff to enjoy on the beach. It’s occasionally home to other pop-ups, such as a bone-broth bar, so drop by to see what’s brewing.  

Kombucha at Oddity Kombucha
Oddity Kombucha/FB

Electric Bicycle Brewing

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Bringing a splash of color to “Yeast Van” (East Van’s nickname, due to the number of craft breweries in the area) just a few doors down from established brew heroes R&B Ale, the Electric Bicycle Company can be spotted by its flapping inflatable tube man outside and wonderful rainbow-colored walls. On tap are unusual beers such as the Mermaid Man saltwater black kolsch, a thirst-quenching savory brew, and Sorbet IPA with coconut, mango, and pineapple notes. Sixties psychedelic music plays as happy drinkers fill up on grilled cheese sandwiches and snap selfies with the flower-power decor and fake fish tanks.

Beers at Electric Bicycle Brewing
Electric Bicycle Brewing/FB

Rumpus Room

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The all-new incarnation of one of the city’s favorite kitsch bars is back after a four-year absence in a brand-new location on Main. Imagine your eccentric uncle’s cabin with ’70s geometric wallpaper, chintz couches, and faux wood panels and you pretty much have the Rumpus Room. The menu matches the vibe, with soda-fountain cocktails topped with vodka-infused gummy bears, and gems such as ants on a log and mini hot dogs. But because it’s Vancouver, the chicken is free range, the burger patty all-natural and hormone-free, and yes, there are gluten-free and vegan options.

Burger and a salad at Rumpus Room
Rumpus Room/FB

Tocador

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A lively room with a tiny patio makes for the perfect late-night pitstop to enjoy terrific Cuban-themed cocktails with high-carb snacks. The original creations include fruity numbers, such as a guava-infused Aperol with house-made geranium perfume charged with sparkling rosé, and the classics, such as the El Presidente, are done just right. After customer uproar, the team sensibly abandoned their efforts to re-jigger the classic Cubano pork sandwich with a weedy mayo-mustard mix, and happiness — and yellow mustard — is back on the menu. Non-pork eaters will appreciate the jackfruit Cubano; everyone will love the 11 p.m.-till-close and all-day Monday happy hours with discounted daiquiris and half-price oysters.

Bells and Whistles

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B&W ticks all the sports-bar boxes with foosball tables, hoops, skee ball in a back room, and vast TV screens. But it’s really more of a neighborhood pub, complete with funky playlist, two dozen rotating beer and cider taps, a wrap-around patio, and a thoughtful menu of pub classics done right from the local, sustainable, ethically raised food champs behind city faves such as Wildebeest and Bufala. Skip the burger and head for the ahi tuna grilled sandwich, and definitely leave room for the creamy soft serve ice cream.

Fish and chips at Bells and Whistles
Bells and Whistles/FB

Autostrada Osteria

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The latest project from local Italian food guru Lucais Syme (Cinara, ex-La Quercia, La Pentola) is a small neighborhood pasta joint with an all-Italian wine list that’s well worth the trip to Riley Park to taste what made notoriously hard-to-please Globe and Mail critic Alexandra Gill swoon. Join the queues (no reservations) of locals eager to get their fill of the well-executed pasta mains, excellent meatballs, and thick, gooey slabs of dessert. Cocktail fans will love the five different takes on the negroni; everyone will adore the friendly service.

Pasta dish at Autostrada Osteria
Autostrada Osteria/FB

Two Rivers Meats

A ubiquitous name on menus in Vancouver, Two Rivers Meats has transformed the city’s dining scene with its laser focus on ethically raised meats. The Shop, set in an unprepossessing spot in North Van, is its first venture into offering its choice cuts direct to consumers. Along with a butcher shop that looks more like a gleaming designer fashion store (snap up the house-made charcuterie for a picnic), the Shop gives meat fans the chance to enjoy hand-cut, dry-aged steaks cooked to perfection on the wood and charcoal fire. The tallow fries are a must-have, and the burger is perfection. There are even a couple of items for vegetarians, but the view of all that full-animal butchery behind the glass panels may be a bit hard to swallow for some.

Exterior of Two Rivers Meats
Two Rivers Meats/FB

Mr. Bannock | Indigenous Cuisine

Vancouver’s first First Nations food truck can be tracked down on the Street Food app — make sure you check, as Mr Bannock often switches location — and is worth a trip over to North Vancouver on the seabus (actually a super-scenic trip) if Mr Bannock, aka Paul Hollywood, a member of the Squamish Nation, is dishing up on his home turf. On the menu, crisp fluffy bannock topped with slow-roasted, luscious meats with a hit of spice at incredibly affordable prices; for $5, his juniper-berry dry-rubbed chicken taco is likely the best — and tastiest — deal in town.

Coquille Fine Seafood

The latest venture from the acclaimed team behind Eater 38 mainstay L’Abattoir is a deep dive into seafood in the heart of touristy Gastown. The elegant room with its coral-pink clamshell booths, scalloped tiles, and subtle fish-scale accents matches the elevated prices and dishes, such as the delicately plated but pleasingly punchy kimchi hamachi and the sidestripe shrimp tostada. Check out the twice-daily happy hours for more affordable options: half-price oysters, on-tap negronis and Tommy’s Margaritas, and terrific crab and shrimp rolls.

Oysters at Coquille Fine Seafood
Coquille Fine Seafood/FB

Chancho Tortilleria

Chancho’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it carnitas shop is the Mexican dining experience that will likely ruin you for any other tacos in town, thanks to its fresh tortillas and meltingly marvelous pork by the pound. Have the campechano mix of shoulder, leg and belly, which comes hand-chopped to order and spangled with shards of crisp skin. Orders come with pickled red cabbage, pinto beans, salsas, and those incredible tortillas, kissed with a whisper of char. Take away to the nearby Seawall for the perfect porky picnic or stay and enjoy the blaring Mexican pop.

Tacos at Chancho Tortilleria
Chancho Tortilleria/FB

Oddity Kombucha

What should be a teeth-grinding exercise in tolerating hipster sensibilities is actually a very lovely white-walled oasis of calm in the bustle of Mount Pleasant, with serene strummed music playing and a range of excellent on-tap house-brewed kombuchas. Try the delicately floral jasmine ’booch, and make like the locals and fill a growler of the stuff to enjoy on the beach. It’s occasionally home to other pop-ups, such as a bone-broth bar, so drop by to see what’s brewing.  

Kombucha at Oddity Kombucha
Oddity Kombucha/FB

Electric Bicycle Brewing

Bringing a splash of color to “Yeast Van” (East Van’s nickname, due to the number of craft breweries in the area) just a few doors down from established brew heroes R&B Ale, the Electric Bicycle Company can be spotted by its flapping inflatable tube man outside and wonderful rainbow-colored walls. On tap are unusual beers such as the Mermaid Man saltwater black kolsch, a thirst-quenching savory brew, and Sorbet IPA with coconut, mango, and pineapple notes. Sixties psychedelic music plays as happy drinkers fill up on grilled cheese sandwiches and snap selfies with the flower-power decor and fake fish tanks.

Beers at Electric Bicycle Brewing
Electric Bicycle Brewing/FB

Rumpus Room

The all-new incarnation of one of the city’s favorite kitsch bars is back after a four-year absence in a brand-new location on Main. Imagine your eccentric uncle’s cabin with ’70s geometric wallpaper, chintz couches, and faux wood panels and you pretty much have the Rumpus Room. The menu matches the vibe, with soda-fountain cocktails topped with vodka-infused gummy bears, and gems such as ants on a log and mini hot dogs. But because it’s Vancouver, the chicken is free range, the burger patty all-natural and hormone-free, and yes, there are gluten-free and vegan options.

Burger and a salad at Rumpus Room
Rumpus Room/FB

Tocador

A lively room with a tiny patio makes for the perfect late-night pitstop to enjoy terrific Cuban-themed cocktails with high-carb snacks. The original creations include fruity numbers, such as a guava-infused Aperol with house-made geranium perfume charged with sparkling rosé, and the classics, such as the El Presidente, are done just right. After customer uproar, the team sensibly abandoned their efforts to re-jigger the classic Cubano pork sandwich with a weedy mayo-mustard mix, and happiness — and yellow mustard — is back on the menu. Non-pork eaters will appreciate the jackfruit Cubano; everyone will love the 11 p.m.-till-close and all-day Monday happy hours with discounted daiquiris and half-price oysters.

Bells and Whistles

B&W ticks all the sports-bar boxes with foosball tables, hoops, skee ball in a back room, and vast TV screens. But it’s really more of a neighborhood pub, complete with funky playlist, two dozen rotating beer and cider taps, a wrap-around patio, and a thoughtful menu of pub classics done right from the local, sustainable, ethically raised food champs behind city faves such as Wildebeest and Bufala. Skip the burger and head for the ahi tuna grilled sandwich, and definitely leave room for the creamy soft serve ice cream.

Fish and chips at Bells and Whistles
Bells and Whistles/FB

Autostrada Osteria

The latest project from local Italian food guru Lucais Syme (Cinara, ex-La Quercia, La Pentola) is a small neighborhood pasta joint with an all-Italian wine list that’s well worth the trip to Riley Park to taste what made notoriously hard-to-please Globe and Mail critic Alexandra Gill swoon. Join the queues (no reservations) of locals eager to get their fill of the well-executed pasta mains, excellent meatballs, and thick, gooey slabs of dessert. Cocktail fans will love the five different takes on the negroni; everyone will adore the friendly service.

Pasta dish at Autostrada Osteria
Autostrada Osteria/FB

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