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Updating the Vancouver HeatMap: Where to Eat Now

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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
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

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.

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.

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.
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.

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.

Upstairs at Campagnolo

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Fans of the much-missed Fuel/Refuel Dirty Burger rejoice: it is back.

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.

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?

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.

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.

Burger 2.85

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.

Notturno

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.

Ask for Luigi

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.

Bestie

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.

Mamie Taylor's

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.

Upstairs at Campagnolo

Fans of the much-missed Fuel/Refuel Dirty Burger rejoice: it is back.

Yolk’s

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.

Le Wagon Rouge

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?

Merchant's Oyster Bar

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.

The Fish Counter

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.