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Vancouver Heat Map: Where To Eat Right 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, we offer the Eater Heatmap, which will change every month to continuously highlight where the food nerds are flocking to at the moment.
Heatmap summer stunners Earnest Ice cream, chicken heroes Homer Street Cafe bar and locavore gurus the Farmer's Apprentice have stepped aside to make way for French fancy Bistro Wagon Rouge, Mexican firecracker Gringo and Vegas-vibed Emerald.

IN: Wagon Rouge, Gringo, Emerald
OUT: Earnest Ice Cream, Homer Street Cafe and Bar and The Farmer's Apprentice
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 December.


Heatmap History

October
Added: Wagon Rouge, Gringo, Emerald
Removed: Earnest Ice Cream, Homer Street Cafe and Bar, The Farmer's Apprentice

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

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?

The Emerald

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[Photo Credit] Think Rat-Pack Era Vegas meets Gastown and gets it on over $5 custom-made Caesars served on vintage Dim Sum carts.

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.

Cuchillo

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No restaurant seem to have inspired such love/hate reviews from the city’s critics in recent memory. Such divided opinion means that now everyone is talking about Cuchillo and it’s almost impossible to get a reservation at weekends. Drop by in the week and see what the fuss is about, dive into the tacos and have a Tequila flight. Just look for the giant glowing skull.

Bambudda

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Everyone is ranting/raving about the chicken skin and the radish cakes here - they seem to inspire passionate love/hate reactions. Ray Loy’s (front of house veteran and part of Market By Jean Georges opening team at the Shangri La) first solo venture is a welcoming Gastown joint which already feels like part of the neighbourhood. Chef Keev Mah has a deft touch in the kitchen turning out well-balanced ‘modern interpretations of dim sum’. Barman Buck Friend’s Tsui Hang take on ‘cold tea’ is inspired.
Budget-friendly tacos, solid cocktail basics and all the home-made tortilla chips your heart could desire.

Good Wolfe Kitchen & Bar

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If you've eaten at the ambrosial Fresh, Local, Wild food truck you'll know that chef Josh Wolfe can cook up a storm. Given the space (and toys) back in a larger space again (Wolfe used to be Executive Chef of Coast) only good things can happen. [Photo Credit]

Burdock & Co

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One of the most important chefs in the city, Andrea Carlson’s CV reads like a Best Of... run-down of every restaurant that helped shape Vancouver’s fresh, local and sustainable style: C, Raincity Grill, Sooke Harbour House, Bishop's - she’s worked at them all. Burdock & Co is a shining example of casual fine-dining: Vancouver style. And yes - her ramen is every bit as good as everyone says it is.

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?

The Emerald

[Photo Credit] Think Rat-Pack Era Vegas meets Gastown and gets it on over $5 custom-made Caesars served on vintage Dim Sum carts.

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.

Cuchillo

No restaurant seem to have inspired such love/hate reviews from the city’s critics in recent memory. Such divided opinion means that now everyone is talking about Cuchillo and it’s almost impossible to get a reservation at weekends. Drop by in the week and see what the fuss is about, dive into the tacos and have a Tequila flight. Just look for the giant glowing skull.

Bambudda

Everyone is ranting/raving about the chicken skin and the radish cakes here - they seem to inspire passionate love/hate reactions. Ray Loy’s (front of house veteran and part of Market By Jean Georges opening team at the Shangri La) first solo venture is a welcoming Gastown joint which already feels like part of the neighbourhood. Chef Keev Mah has a deft touch in the kitchen turning out well-balanced ‘modern interpretations of dim sum’. Barman Buck Friend’s Tsui Hang take on ‘cold tea’ is inspired.

Gringo

Budget-friendly tacos, solid cocktail basics and all the home-made tortilla chips your heart could desire.

Good Wolfe Kitchen & Bar

If you've eaten at the ambrosial Fresh, Local, Wild food truck you'll know that chef Josh Wolfe can cook up a storm. Given the space (and toys) back in a larger space again (Wolfe used to be Executive Chef of Coast) only good things can happen. [Photo Credit]

Burdock & Co

One of the most important chefs in the city, Andrea Carlson’s CV reads like a Best Of... run-down of every restaurant that helped shape Vancouver’s fresh, local and sustainable style: C, Raincity Grill, Sooke Harbour House, Bishop's - she’s worked at them all. Burdock & Co is a shining example of casual fine-dining: Vancouver style. And yes - her ramen is every bit as good as everyone says it is.