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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.

Ah February, post-Dine Out, those who shun the annual prix-fixe free-for-all are to be found reclaiming all their old haunts. Servers are smiling again, bartenders making more than hot water and lemon. It's a good time to be out and about in the city. This month it's all about carbs and coffee - cos, hey baby, it's cold out there. Meet the new heat-makers.

IN: Bestie, Temper Pastry, Greenhorn

OUT: Mosaic, Rise and Shine Ice Cream, Craft Beer Market


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 March.


Heatmap History:

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.

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.

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?

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.

Dunlevy Snackbar

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A brace of good reviews has pushed the Dunlevy Snack Bar onto the Heat Map. Go and find out why their pork buns are on the city's Most Wanted List right now.

Mamie Taylor's

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American comfort food “done right” in Chinatown from Simon Kaulback (ex Boneta) and Ron Oliver (ex-The Diamond). Ticking all the essential Hipster Hang Out boxes (exposed brick, taxidermy, cutesy condiment containers and vintage portraits) it’s scoring much love for its fried chicken, burgers and excellent cocktails.
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.

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.

Greenhorn Cafe

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Presumably sky-high West End rents are to blame for the almost $5 lattes at Greenhorn, but that’s not putting anyone off the West End’s new Place To Be. Swarming with families and cyclists at the weekend, the great buzz and delicious pastries are bringing everyone to Greenhorn’s yard.

Temper Chocolate & Pastry

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Stumptown coffee, hand-crafted chocolates and buttery flaky pastries make a solid case for a West Van visit.

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.

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?

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.

Dunlevy Snackbar

A brace of good reviews has pushed the Dunlevy Snack Bar onto the Heat Map. Go and find out why their pork buns are on the city's Most Wanted List right now.

Mamie Taylor's

American comfort food “done right” in Chinatown from Simon Kaulback (ex Boneta) and Ron Oliver (ex-The Diamond). Ticking all the essential Hipster Hang Out boxes (exposed brick, taxidermy, cutesy condiment containers and vintage portraits) it’s scoring much love for its fried chicken, burgers and excellent cocktails.

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.

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.

Greenhorn Cafe

Presumably sky-high West End rents are to blame for the almost $5 lattes at Greenhorn, but that’s not putting anyone off the West End’s new Place To Be. Swarming with families and cyclists at the weekend, the great buzz and delicious pastries are bringing everyone to Greenhorn’s yard.

Temper Chocolate & Pastry

Stumptown coffee, hand-crafted chocolates and buttery flaky pastries make a solid case for a West Van visit.