As foodies, we’ve all run into those people who insist that they can make food better themselves. Whatever cuisine you suggest, Thai, Ukrainian, Ethiopian… “Nah, we can have that at home.” For many of us, this is our mother. Thankfully, no matter how skilled they are as a chef, there’s a reliable checkmate argument you can use against these culinary naysayers: the themed restaurant. Where else can you sip cocktails in a tropical tiki shack, or enjoy brown sugar bubble tea in a candy-colour room filled with cat plushies? The following local spots are all about an experience you can’t get at home, no matter how much your mom tries to tell you otherwise!
MAKCHANG DODOOK
1150 Austin Ave #100, Coquitlam, BC
If you’ve ever wondered what the food is like in prison, here’s your chance to find out (ok, this is likely far better, but stay with us). This jail-themed Coquitlam spot serves delicious Korean BBQ that will, ahem, “lock you down.” Once you take your seat, the bars will close behind you, and one of the guards will arrive with your menu. Pick from a lineup of delicious suspects like boneless short ribs, kimchi stew, and grilled scallops. It’s well worth the sentence visit.
The Shameful Tiki Room
4362 Main Street, Vancouver
One of the unique spots that give Mount Pleasant its quirky personality, the Shameful Tiki provides Vancouverites with a South Pacific oasis, no matter the season. Filled with palm trees, thatched roofs and midcentury Hawaiian decor, your night out will be anything but bland. Order any of the tiki classics to start: a Mai Tai, Blue Hawaii or a Zombie, perhaps? Then, once you’ve got your sea legs, level up to the MYSTERY BOWL, a shared cocktail served in a ceramic shell that arrives with the banging of a gong and a flash of lighting! Subtlety is for the weak, we say!
Lost In The 50’s Drive-In
7741 Edmonds Street, Burnaby
Take a trip back in time to the era of classic cars, jukeboxes and poodles skirts ! This 50s-themed eatery offers its guests the chance to enjoy timeless diner fare without the help of a DeLorean. Stop by for a burger and shake while taking in the era-accurate ambiance and tunes from back in the day.
Hello Kitty Cafe
1274 Robson St, Vancouver
Like visiting the house of a cartoon character, The Hello Kitty Cafe offers a vibrant setting filled with sweet treats. When it opened this summer there were lines down the block, but now that the crowds have settled a bit, it’s the perfect time to stop by for bubble tea, small cakes, and adorable merch of your favourite bowed feline. You could easily spend your whole visit taking photos in the Kitty-shaped sitting nook, so be sure to wear your freshest pink fit!
Memory Corner
4651 Garden City Rd #1110, Richmond
With its custom-made decor, Memory Corner creates an immersive experience, transporting visitors to the streets of old Taiwan. It’s the perfect setting to tell the story of three generations of food tradition and how the Wu family came to Metro Vancouver with the hope of sharing their recipes. Dig into Taiwanese comfort as you sit at tables that resemble food stalls at a bustling market. They’re known for their delicious lamb dishes, the Satay Lamb with Fried Noodles being particularly popular. Add an order of melt-in-your-mouth Stewed Pork Belly on Rice and an Old Memory Milk Tea, and you might be starting a new delicious tradition passed from the Wu family to yours.
Flapper Cocktail Lounge
759 Carnarvon St, New Westminster
A prohibition-era cocktail bar in New Westminster? Be sure to keep it on the down low! This speakeasy requires a bit of intel to find, so listen up: head to the ground floor of The Metro Hall, find the single red door, give it a knock, and say the passcode: “Is this the flophouse?” From there, you’ll be led into an art deco lounge with classic cocktails and frequent live performances. We recommend the Corpse Reviver #2, but if the fuzz shows up, you didn’t hear any of this from us.
Palms Beach House
101 12233 Beecher St, Surrey
While it may not be open just yet, this is definitely one to keep on your radar if you’re a frequent beachgoer! Bringing a Caribbean vibe to Crescent Beach, Palms promises to be unlike anything else in the area. Mixing inspired decor with a menu of fusion fare, it’s shaping to be a stylish spot for brunch dinner or date night drinks!
There are many ways to get to each of these spots in Metro Vancouver by transit. Visit TransLink’s Trip Planner to find your way.
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