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Updating the Vancouver HeatMap: Where to Eat Now

by Nikki Bayley
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by Nikki Bayley

If you've been puzzling over where you should eat out, Eater is back to answer that very question with our newest edition of the Heatmap—a guide to what's new, what's hot, and which restaurants are causing most buzz in Van City. 
While the Eater 38 is a resource that covers old standbys and neighborhood essentials across the city, it is not necessarily a chronicle of the "it" places of the moment. Thus, in no particular order, we offer the Eater Heatmap, which will change every month to continuously highlight where the food nerds are flocking to at the moment.

Maybe we're trying to comfort ourselves post-Luuuuu's trade? Maybe we're just all about the basics right now? Whatever - this month all anyone is talking about is burgers. Whether it's the anonymous truck sort at Burger 2.85 or the dirty variety upstairs at Campagnolo; carb-y bread with a slab of beef is what is making our heart beat harder, faster and stronger this month. Meet the new heat-makers.

IN: Merchant's Oyster Bar, Burger 2.85, Upstairs at Campagnolo

OUT: Greenhorn, Temper Pastry, Dunlevy Snack Bar

Got a suggestion for a restaurant you think deserves to be added to next month's Heatmap? Drop us a line or leave a comment and stay tuned for the next edition of the Heatmap, dropping the first Thursday of April.


Heatmap History:

March
Added Merchant's Oyster Bar, Burger 2.85, Upstairs at Campagnolo
Removed: Greenhorn, Temper Pastry, Dunlevy Snack Bar

February
Added: Bestie, Temper Pastry, Greenhorn
Removed: Mosaic, Rain or Shine Ice Cream, Craft Beer Market

January

Added: Yolk's, The Fish Counter, Ask for Luigi and the Dunlevy Snack Bar

Removed: Burdock & Co, Good Wolfe, Bambudda and Boneta

December

Added: Rain or Shine Ice Cream, Notturno, Craft Beer Market, Mosaic, Boneta

Removed: Gringo, Cuchillo, Emerald

November

Added: Wagon Rouge, Gringo, Emerald

Removed: Earnest Ice Cream, Homer Street Cafe and Bar, The Farmer's Apprentice

Read More

Burger 2.85

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One no-name burger van. Two items. Queues down the block and a Globe & Mail review from restaurant critic Alexandra Gill. It's a $2.85 burger and incredibly, you can believe the hype. It's fantastic: all crisp lettuce, juicy patty and a judicious slick of Teriyaki sauce.
500 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC V6B, Canada

Notturno

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This tiny bar and restaurant tucked away on Carrall has cocktail fans thoroughly over-excited thanks to bartender H's creative concotions - impressively, William Robitaille's Italian tapas even delighted notoriously hard-to-please Globe & Mail critic Alexandra Gill.
280 Carrall Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B2J1, Canada
(604) 720-3145
(604) 720-3145

Ask for Luigi

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We're hearing nothing but good things about this Italian family-style restaurant on the DTES. And no wonder: at the helm is chef Jean Christophe Poirier - ex of Lumiere and Montreal's Toque. Pop by and welcome them to the neighbourhood and dive into their fresh-made pasta delights. Gluten-free pasta is available on request.
305 Alexander St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1C4, Canada
(604) 428-2544
(604) 428-2544

Bestie

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Riding the Alexandra Gill Glowing Review train, Bestie’s "little sausage shop that could" has steamed straight into the hotlist. Go: eat sausages, soak up the happy atmosphere.
105 E Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1T5, Canada
(604) 620-1175
(604) 620-1175

Mamie Taylor's

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Mamie's have hit the headlines this month for serving horse tartare on their menu. If you're not a fan, then stick to their American comfort food “done right” and have the fried chicken and gravy instead.
251 Georgia Street East, Vancouver, BC, Canada
(604) 620-8818
(604) 620-8818

Upstairs at Campagnolo

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Fans of the much-missed Fuel/Refuel Dirty Burger rejoice: it is back.
1020 Main St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2W1, Canada
(604) 484-6018
(604) 484-6018

Yolk’s

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The city's beloved breakfast truck has found a bricks and mortar home in the old Brave Bull spot. Go, feast on free-range egg benedicts and definitely try the double-smoked bacon. Chicken and waffles fans are in for a treat thanks to guilt-free organic birds. The lack of a liquor license (yet) and long queues aren't putting people off.
1298 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
(604) 441-9655
(604) 441-9655

Le Wagon Rouge

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French bistro classics from the creator of one of the city's favourite diners, the Red Wagon. What's not to love at Brad Miller's new venture on Powell?
1869 Powell Street, Vancouver, BC V5L 1H9, Canada

Merchant's Oyster Bar

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A new chef, David Jackman, at this neighbourhood favourite has put it squarely back on the map. Yes, go for the great buck-a-shuck oyster deals, but take time to check out treats like house-made gnocchi and their EVOO ice cream with sea salt too.
1590 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3Y2, Canada

The Fish Counter

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The creators of the city's Ocean Wise fish programme, Chef Robert Clark and Marine Biologist Mike McDermid have opened a fish counter on Main serving nothing but - of course - sustainable fish. As well as seafood to cook at home you can also dive into their delicious fried to order fish and chips (with possibly the city's best batter), tacos and hearty chowders and soups at the dining counter. Check out the stunning carved benches - loving attention to detail shines from every corner.
3825 Main St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
(604) 876-3474
(604) 876-3474
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Burger 2.85

500 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC V6B, Canada
One no-name burger van. Two items. Queues down the block and a Globe & Mail review from restaurant critic Alexandra Gill. It's a $2.85 burger and incredibly, you can believe the hype. It's fantastic: all crisp lettuce, juicy patty and a judicious slick of Teriyaki sauce.
500 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC V6B, Canada

Notturno

280 Carrall Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B2J1, Canada
This tiny bar and restaurant tucked away on Carrall has cocktail fans thoroughly over-excited thanks to bartender H's creative concotions - impressively, William Robitaille's Italian tapas even delighted notoriously hard-to-please Globe & Mail critic Alexandra Gill.
280 Carrall Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B2J1, Canada
(604) 720-3145
(604) 720-3145

Ask for Luigi

305 Alexander St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1C4, Canada
We're hearing nothing but good things about this Italian family-style restaurant on the DTES. And no wonder: at the helm is chef Jean Christophe Poirier - ex of Lumiere and Montreal's Toque. Pop by and welcome them to the neighbourhood and dive into their fresh-made pasta delights. Gluten-free pasta is available on request.
305 Alexander St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1C4, Canada
(604) 428-2544
(604) 428-2544

Bestie

105 E Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1T5, Canada
Riding the Alexandra Gill Glowing Review train, Bestie’s "little sausage shop that could" has steamed straight into the hotlist. Go: eat sausages, soak up the happy atmosphere.
105 E Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1T5, Canada
(604) 620-1175
(604) 620-1175

Mamie Taylor's

251 Georgia Street East, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Mamie's have hit the headlines this month for serving horse tartare on their menu. If you're not a fan, then stick to their American comfort food “done right” and have the fried chicken and gravy instead.
251 Georgia Street East, Vancouver, BC, Canada
(604) 620-8818
(604) 620-8818

Upstairs at Campagnolo

1020 Main St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2W1, Canada
Fans of the much-missed Fuel/Refuel Dirty Burger rejoice: it is back.
1020 Main St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2W1, Canada
(604) 484-6018
(604) 484-6018

Yolk’s

1298 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
The city's beloved breakfast truck has found a bricks and mortar home in the old Brave Bull spot. Go, feast on free-range egg benedicts and definitely try the double-smoked bacon. Chicken and waffles fans are in for a treat thanks to guilt-free organic birds. The lack of a liquor license (yet) and long queues aren't putting people off.
1298 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
(604) 441-9655
(604) 441-9655

Le Wagon Rouge

1869 Powell Street, Vancouver, BC V5L 1H9, Canada
French bistro classics from the creator of one of the city's favourite diners, the Red Wagon. What's not to love at Brad Miller's new venture on Powell?
1869 Powell Street, Vancouver, BC V5L 1H9, Canada

Merchant's Oyster Bar

1590 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3Y2, Canada
A new chef, David Jackman, at this neighbourhood favourite has put it squarely back on the map. Yes, go for the great buck-a-shuck oyster deals, but take time to check out treats like house-made gnocchi and their EVOO ice cream with sea salt too.
1590 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3Y2, Canada

The Fish Counter

3825 Main St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
The creators of the city's Ocean Wise fish programme, Chef Robert Clark and Marine Biologist Mike McDermid have opened a fish counter on Main serving nothing but - of course - sustainable fish. As well as seafood to cook at home you can also dive into their delicious fried to order fish and chips (with possibly the city's best batter), tacos and hearty chowders and soups at the dining counter. Check out the stunning carved benches - loving attention to detail shines from every corner.
3825 Main St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
(604) 876-3474
(604) 876-3474