Vancouver’s dining scene never stops evolving, and this September brings a fresh wave of culinary innovation to our city’s already impressive gastronomic landscape. From high-concept dining experiences to comforting neighborhood spots, I’ve spent the past few weeks sampling what’s new and noteworthy across the city. Here’s my curated selection of Vancouver’s most exciting restaurant openings this month that deserve your immediate attention.
The city’s restaurant industry continues its post-pandemic renaissance with concepts that feel both forward-thinking and deeply connected to Vancouver’s multicultural identity. What’s particularly striking about this month’s openings is how they reflect broader cultural shifts in how we dine, gather, and experience food as community.
Tidal Bay
2815 Main Street, Mount Pleasant
Chef Miranda Chen’s long-awaited solo project has finally opened in Mount Pleasant, and it exceeds the considerable hype. The former Hawksworth sous chef has created a Pacific Northwest seafood sanctuary that manages to be both refined and unpretentious. The restaurant’s design—all weathered wood and ocean blue accents—perfectly frames the star attractions: impeccably fresh seafood treated with technical precision and creative flair.
The must-order dish is undoubtedly the charcoal-grilled octopus with fermented chili sauce and sea buckthorn, which balances smokiness, acidity, and oceanic flavors with remarkable harmony. Chen’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond menu rhetoric—the restaurant partners exclusively with small-scale fishers using low-impact methods, with QR codes linking to information about each supplier’s practices.
Nonna’s Tavola
1237 Hamilton Street, Yaletown
In a neighborhood often criticized for style over substance, Nonna’s Tavola delivers both in spades. This intimate 36-seat Italian restaurant comes from the Wildebeest team, but represents a complete departure from their previous ventures. The space feels like it’s been transplanted directly from a Tuscan hillside—terracotta walls, family photos, and hand-written menus that change daily.
The house-made pasta program under Chef Giovanni Bastone (recently relocated from Florence) showcases regional Italian specialties rarely seen in Vancouver. The pici with rabbit ragu and foraged mushrooms transported me straight to central Italy, while the simplicity of their perfectly executed cacio e pepe demonstrates a confidence that comes from absolute mastery of technique.
Ember & Smoke
3297 Fraser Street, Fraser District
The growing trend of live-fire cooking reaches new heights at this ambitious Fraser Street restaurant. Chef Priya Sharma has installed a custom-built hearth as the centerpiece of both the restaurant design and her cooking philosophy. Everything—and I mean everything—touches fire at some point in its preparation.
The tandoor-roasted whole cauliflower with black garlic and pine nut dukkah showcases Sharma’s ability to coax profound flavor from humble ingredients. Meat dishes shine equally bright, particularly the 45-day dry-aged beef short rib that’s smoked for 12 hours before being finished over open flames. The cocktail program, heavily featuring smoke-infused spirits and charred fruit, provides perfect complements to the food.
Petit Marché
1901 West 4th Avenue, Kitsilano
Part all-day café, part gourmet market, part wine bar—Petit Marché defies easy categorization, and that’s precisely its charm. The French-inspired concept from the team behind Café Medina transforms seamlessly from morning pastry destination to evening natural wine haven.
During daylight hours, the counter service offers some of the city’s finest croissants and a rotating selection of tartines on house-made sourdough. By evening, the space reconfigures for a more intimate experience with small plates designed for sharing. The chicken liver parfait with black currant gelée and brioche has already developed a cult following. Their retail section features an impeccably curated selection of local and imported specialty items that make ideal gifts or pantry upgrades.
Cascadia Commons
888 Nelson Street, Downtown
The most ambitious opening of the month isn’t exactly a restaurant but deserves inclusion nonetheless. This massive food hall in the newly renovated former Vancouver Stock Exchange building houses 17 independent food vendors, three bars, and a demonstration kitchen for classes and events.
The project represents a fascinating cultural shift in Vancouver dining—bringing together established restaurateurs and first-time entrepreneurs under one roof, with a particular focus on supporting Indigenous food sovereignty and immigrant-owned businesses. Standouts include Chef Crystal Lavallee’s indigenous cuisine stall Gathered, Mei Lin’s hand-pulled noodle counter Stretch, and the remarkable plant-based ice cream from Cold Comfort’s new outpost.
Terraza
2775 Commercial Drive, Grandview-Woodland
Commercial Drive’s newest rooftop restaurant combines panoramic city views with sophisticated Spanish-influenced cuisine. The partially covered dining terrace means Terraza will extend Vancouver’s typically brief patio season well into fall with strategically placed heaters and a retractable awning system.
The menu focuses on seafood and vegetable-forward small plates executed with technical precision. The crispy patatas bravas with smoky aioli and piquillo pepper sauce might be the best version of this classic tapa in the city. Their gin and tonic program deserves special mention, featuring house-made tonics infused with botanicals that complement their extensive Spanish gin collection.
As Vancouver’s dining scene continues to mature and diversify, these September openings reflect both global influences and deep connections to local ingredients and cultural traditions. What stands out across all these new establishments is a renewed emphasis on creating genuine hospitality experiences that go beyond mere sustenance to foster community and connection.
Whether you’re looking for technical brilliance, comfort food executed perfectly, or innovative concepts that push boundaries, September 2025’s restaurant openings offer something for every palate. The only challenge will be securing reservations before everyone else discovers these gems.
