Feature image credit: mikurestaurant.com
June is here and that means it’s time to don those gowns, throw those caps high in the air and mark the exciting accomplishment of moving on from this chapter into a world ripe with possibility! And what better way to celebrate your proud and deserving graduate, (and all the loved ones that helped get them there), than with a fine West Coast meal? Here are just a handful of restaurants in Metro Vancouver in which to fete your new grad.
Adelicia’s Mexican Restaurante | Langley City
Graduation is a time of transition. But for now, the real world can wait! Whisk your grad away to a dinner celebration that feels like a tropical getaway at Adelicia’s Mexican Restaurante. All the colours, smells and tastes are the real deal here, in authentic cuisine by a family of restauranteurs whose roots go all the way back to homemade dishes of Mexico. Â
Don’t Tell Nonna | Langley City
No matter how old your graduate is now, they’re never too old for their favourite food—pizza! Tossing up an enticing blend of floppy, cheesy New York and crispy, carmelized Detroit style pies, this bright, airy pizzeria on the One-Way in Langley is perfect for the whole family to get together and fight over the last slice, just like it should be.
Showshaa Modern Taproom | Surrey
Is your graduate off on a “gap year,” travelling the world this summer? Prepare them for the multi-cultural adventure ahead with a trip to Showshaa Taproom in Surrey, where worlds collide in Spanish-style tapas full of Indian-inspired flavours. Bring the whole friends-and-family crew down to celebrate in their spacious, private party room or lounge around a fireplace on their cozy patio.
Dominion Bar + Kitchen | Surrey
Graduation is a time to be proud of one’s accomplishments, and to show off a little bit. If your grad wants a little more use out of that new dress or custom-fit suit they got, treat them to an evening at Dominion Bar + Kitchen in Surrey’s Civic Plaza, definitely a place to see and be seen. Enjoy globally inspired dishes with a dash of hip urban vibe.
On and Off Kitchen | Coquitlam
If your grad is done with high school now and is moving into young adulthood, so naturally they will have to be introduced to a traditional rite of the twenty-somethings; that is: The Brunch. On and Off is Coquitlam’s top spot for the big midday meal, in more ways than one. Fresh and locally sourced ingredients put a modern twist on brunch favourites, on a bright airy and green rooftop patio overlooking the valley.
Ibex Cafe + Kitchen | Coquitlam
If your grad is off to university next fall, they’re going to miss home (as much as they say they won’t…they will.) So take them out for lunch one more time to a place that has all the creature comforts of home—and a good home cooked meal. Ibex is nestled atop Burke Mountain in Coquitlam, and embodies the area’s community spirit with a genuine warmth and hospitality dorm cafeterias just can’t provide.
Sushi Oyama | Burnaby
As your grad heads off into an exciting future, remind them a little bit of local history at Sushi Oyama in the heritage ‘Glenedward’ House in Burnaby. Enjoy all the delicacies of Japanese cuisine in an impressive pre-World-War-I Arts & Crafts style mansion originally built by an early Vancouver pioneer.
Baci Ristorante | Burnaby
Celebrate the grad in your life in sophisticated style at Burnaby’s Baci Ristorante, where the elegant decor pairs perfectly with fine Italian dishes. Time it right and enjoy some live music as you dine, worthy of the black-and-white photos of the Rat Pack that adorn the walls.
Hestia Kitchen | Richmond
Post graduation is a time to get out in the “real world” and try new things, have new experiences and discover things that we didn’t even know we loved. There’s a similar vibe at Hestia Kitchen in Richmond, where experimentation is always on the menu. Fusion is the name of the game here where flavours from Italy, Japan, China, and Canada play nice together—a good primer to the diverse world your grad is moving into.
House of Dawn Steakhouse & Bar | Richmond
Let’s face it, years of education are exhausting. You’re bound to be hungry when it’s over, and you’re going to need your protein! Take your ravenous grad to fill up on succulent cuts grilled expertly over traditional binchotan charcoal at House of Dawn, where they’ve elevated steak from mere food to an art form.
Miku | Vancouver
Surely in a West Coast grad’s former life as a student, there were many times when a nearby sushi joint was the spot for a quick take away lunch they could eat with their fingers. Now that they’ve graduated school, it’s time to celebrate in style. And there’s nowhere better suited for that than at Miku on the waterfront in downtown Vancouver, the first restaurant to introduce Aburi-style sushi to the city.
Botanist | Vancouver
Celebrate grad season, and new beginnings, amongst the colours, feel and tastes of Spring at Botanist in the Fairmount Pacific Rim. The natural beauty of both the dining room and terrace garden outside match the exceptional dishes that feature the bounty of the Pacific Northwest. It’s a new, savvy dining experience, just like that grad ready to blossom.
Loam Bistro | Vancouver’s North Shore
There’s only so much you can learn in school. Your grad is bound to have lots of questions as they move through one pretty major life event. So, pull up a chair at Loam on Vancouver’s North Shore, get comfy with a warm coffee and comfort-brunch-food, and dole out your stories, advice and wishes in this bright, friendly, family-run bistro. After all, a good breakfast sets you up for a good day.
Pier 7 Restaurant & Bar | Vancouver’s North Shore
With graduation comes a whole new outlook on life, so take your grad out for dinner at a spot with a view as vast and inspirational as their future. Pier 7’s dining room looks over the sparkling ocean just outside its windows, or below its award-winning patio. A perfect place to reflect on how far they’ve come, and how much beauty is out there just waiting to be explored.
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