The new year is an excellent time to take stock of things. What goals do you hope to achieve? What key resume skills are you looking to cultivate? …But let’s be serious, if you’re on this site, you’re likely looking for a few more fun and flavourful options. It’s our humble opinion that the true path to self-improvement is through refining your palate, sampling new sensations and asking for seconds. Put THAT on your LinkedIn profile! You’re unabashedly hungry, and you don’t care who knows it.
So with that in mind, it’s time to roll out your list of “to try” restaurants and start making a bit of headway! We’ll get things started with a handful of Metro Vancouver eateries that have us eager to place our orders!
Dark Table Restaurant | Vancouver
One of the truly unique experiences in the Vancouver food scene, you’ve likely already heard of this Kitsilano eatery, but have you tried it yet? As you step into the darkness, each of your party members will put a hand on the back shoulder of the person in front of you as you’re led to your table in complete darkness. From there, it’s time for all of your other senses to shine! The Canadian-inspired European menu offers sumptuous courses that will have your imagination blooming at every bite. Just a reminder: absolutely no phones! If you needed a delicious reason to disconnect for an hour or two, this is definitely the place to do it.
The Greek by Anatoli | Vancouver’s North Shore
A short walk from the glittering lights of the North Shore harbour, this community favourite Greek spot is the perfect finish to a stroll along the water. Let’s be honest, piping-hot souvlaki skewers just hit different when you’re coming in from the brisk winter air. Family-owned, the warm vibes here are like you’re dropping by an old friend’s place, and with drink specials/happy hour every day of the week, you never need a reason to say you were in the neighbourhood.
Hestia Kitchen | Richmond
Living right on the friendly side of fancy, Hestia is always an unstuffy upscale eatery with a vibrant creativity in the kitchen. Each gorgeous dish is well worth taking a few snaps for if you’ve been meaning to get your old foodie blog back up and running for the new year. The intimate ambience is wonderfully curated from the lighting to the roster of musicians that perform every Wednesday. It’s a vibe that is adaptable to any occasion, really. Date night, after work cocktails, or a solo glass of wine with appies just for the heck of it, keep Hestia on your list…You never know when it might come in handy.
Benzo Cafe | Burnaby
If ever you feel you’re stuck in a routine, the best way to get out of it is to try something completely different. Kind of like an auto-inspired specialty coffee bar! The first of its kind in Burnaby, Benzo Cafe invites you to fuel up with handcrafted espresso drinks, curated teas, and freshly baked goods, all while enjoying the comfort of their custom-made “car booths”. Even if you’re not a car enthusiast, you’ll no doubt appreciate the overlap of mechanical mastery and espresso artistry; there’s an impressive level of zen in achieving them both. And at Benzo, you can sit back and appreciate how the two worlds aren’t that far apart after all.
Gigi’s Restaurant | Coquitlam
Built around family stories, nostalgia, and summers in farm country, this Coquitlam gem serves up Italian soul food with a palpable passion. Walking the fine line between contemporary ambiance and classic recipes, Gigi’s has a vibe that’s wholly its own. The house-made pasta will warm your heart and bring you memories of rolling tortellini with your Nona, even if your heritage is nowhere close to the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, the inviting social atmosphere may have you practicing your Italian sign language with the other friendly patrons across the room (please exercise caution, as you might end up having to buy a round of wine).
NOBLE at the Hills | Surrey
As Surrey continues to grow, it continues to add noteworthy eateries to its food scene! Noble only opened its doors in 2024, but it has quickly become a community fave for American-Italian-inspired cuisine. The crafty culinary team has created a menu full of elevated classics like tagliatelle bolognese, buttermilk fried calamari and arugula salad with charred lemon vinaigrette. They’ve also got a kids’ menu, so there’s no worry about satisfying the pickier eaters in your party. While it’s tucked inside The Hills at Portal Golf Club, reservations and walk-ins are open to all (no need to book a round). This is a stellar choice for large parties and families, so keep it in your repertoire the next time the in-laws come knocking.
Food by Fanta | Langley City
One of the notable names in the Langley food scene, you can always count on Fanta for bold tastes and inventive presentation. Serving modern Thai fusion, the creativity on display by head chef, Fanta, is worth bringing your camera for. Whether you’re organizing a special occasion dinner or a fancy afternoon of high tea, keep this award-winning eatery at the top of mind. At Food by Fanta, you’ll learn the power of your palate when your first bite whisks you away to a safari through a creative canvas of Southeast Asian flavours.
Featured Photo Credit: @foodbyfanta
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