Scout has been keeping track of restaurant openings for a very long time. We do our best to focus on and follow the construction arcs of the Vancouver eateries we believe are going to be especially good or interesting on account of their concepts, locations and the professional pedigrees of their owners and/or hired guns. Today we are isolating ten bright and sparkling newcomers that look to be riding in the right direction.

Rich and dark, slinky and soft, Chinatown cocktail bar, Meo, is brought to us by the team behind the award winning Chinatown charmers Bao Bei and Kissa Tanto. Located at 265 East Pender, Meo’s 1970s love motel inspired decor creates a low-key and sultry lounge vibe. The food menu offers laid-back small plates with eclectic flavours, paired with a cocktail list that’s as smooth and seductive as the room itself.
Opened: March 13th, 2024 | Backstory

Housed in a converted mechanic’s shop at 540 West 17th Avenue, Elio Volpe (cover photo) exudes a relaxed coastal mood with deep-rooted Italian flair. The space is sleek yet warm and inviting, setting the stage for a menu that balances rustic charm with thoughtful craftsmanship: from handmade pastas to perfectly crisp Roman-style pizzas. Wine Director Kristi Linneboe curates a list celebrating Italy’s winemaking heritage, by highlighting small, independent producers; while the cocktail program leans into regional flavours, with creative Negroni variations and bitters-forward classics. Like its sibling restaurants (Caffè La Tana, Pepino’s, and Savio Volpe), Elio Volpe embodies the Banda Volpi ethos of effortless hospitality, delivering a dining experience that feels timeless, welcoming, and refreshingly unhurried.
Opened: March 14th, 2024 | Backstory

Independently, Shira Blustein (Acorn) and Meeru Dhalwala (Vij’s) are hard-working humans, both dedicated to serving honest and nourishing food. Seeing them collaborate creatively is not only inspiring, but also a “win” for Vancouver. At Lila, you can trust that the food will be exceptional, thanks to the strong emphasis on sustainability and local sourcing that both women live by. The lush, garden-inspired space – complete with a patio “hidden” by its surrounding greenery – feels like a serene escape from the busy city streets. The menu is rooted in seasonal BC ingredients. Bright, spice-kissed cocktails and low-intervention wines round out an experience that’s as thoughtful as it is delicious.
Opened: May 24th, 2024 | Backstory

Good Thief, the cheeky younger sibling to Main Street’s Anh and Chi restaurant, opened doors at 3336 Main Street this past July. True to its Vietnamese roots, the restaurant reimagines the tradition of “nhậu” (communal dining, featuring good food, flowing drinks, and plenty of chatter) through a playful, globally influenced lens. Think sticky fish sauce-glazed frog legs and Pho-spiced oxtail crepinette, alongside a bold- and inventive-leaning cocktail menu full of unexpected flavour combinations and polished presentations. The 40-seat space has just the right mix of chill vibes and chaos to take you from a quiet bite to a full-on party without skipping a beat.
Opened: July 11th, 2024 | Backstory

Agave-forward cocktails and modern Mexican-inspired snacks come together at El Gato Gab Gab, a vibrant, no-fuss Mount Pleasant spot bursting with colour and personality. Brought to life by the team behind Main Street favourites Published on Main and Bar Susu, this modern Mexican cocktail bar and botanero invites you in for a drink…and then tempts you to stick around all night.
Opened: August 29th, 2024 | Backstory

With its emerald green walls, brass accents, live-fish tanks, semi-open kitchen, and curved 50-foot-long bar, Heritage Restaurant & Bar’s striking 82-seat Main Street space successfully blends old school Chinese restaurant nostalgia with modern style, making it as appealing for a casual drink and a snack as it is for a full-on family feast. Don’t skip the cocktail list.
Opened: October 8th, 2024 | Backstory

Airy yet grounded, Selene Aegean Bistro feels like a moonlit terrace. The food menu offers a sharp, playful take on Aegean classics that feel both familiar and refreshingly unexpected; while the wine list showcases regional pours; and the bar delivers cocktails as complex and vibrant as the dishes. With its olive tree centrepiece, polished marble finishes, and a menu that balances tradition with creative flair, Selene creates a refined, transportive escape.
Opened: October 17th, 2024 | Backstory

Operating out of the daytime-only Twisted Fork restaurant, Breeze Bar transforms the space into a 40-seat haven for late-night dining. The menu balances comfort and indulgence: Ossetra caviar with potato chips and truffle-laden potato pavé hit both ends of the spectrum. With sustainable wines, nitro cocktails, and service until midnight, it’s a rare and much-needed departure from the status quo early closing hours of the Vancouver dining scene in general.
Opened: November 13th, 2024 | Backstory

Elem’s clean, modern design and deliberate, almost clinical precision set the stage for a concept that doesn’t lean on borrowed charm — it lets the food and drink do the talking. Chef Vish Mayekar crafts a bold, globally inspired menu fusing personal history with culinary innovation; while Beverage Director Winnie Sun’s zero-waste cocktails turn overlooked ingredients into thoughtful, layered creations.
Opened: November 19th, 2024 | Backstory

A collaboration between Dachi’s Miki Ellis and Stephen Whiteside, Chef Darren Gee (formerly of Ugly Dumpling), and GM Robin Corbett (Hānai, Ugly Dumpling), Niwa brings Chef Darren Gee’s reverence for fresh, local ingredients to an intimate, 30-seat space that feels warm and grounded. The ever-changing menu, rooted in rustic Japanese influences, highlights the best of what’s in season without ever feeling fussy. Every element, from the food to the thoughtful design, feels connected and quietly intentional.
Opened: December 18th, 2024 | Backstory

Did we miss your favourite new spot? Let us know via michelle [@] scoutmagazine.ca

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