If you are a local food lover, 2025 felt like a particularly BRUTAL year.
We didn’t just lose the trendy spots that tried to ride a hype wave for six months.
We lost the titans.
We said goodbye to family-run institutions that had survived decades of change, only to finally succumb to the perfect storm of rent hikes, redevelopment, and retirement.
These weren’t just places to eat.
They were the living rooms where we celebrated birthdays, the late-night stops after a shift, and the reliable corners of our neighborhoods that we assumed would be there forever.
It is a heavy list to get through, but it is one worth reading to remember the legends.
Here are the 15 heartbreaking longtime restaurant closures in Metro Vancouver from 2025.
1. Pizzeria Farina
For 13 years, the iconic red door on Main Street was the beacon for Vancouver’s best Neapolitan-style thin crust.
It was the ultimate “if you know, you know” spot, a minimalist room that locals packed nightly for the legendary Finocchiona pie.
The neighbourhood was gutted when the team served their final slice on May 31st, closing the book on one of the city’s most beloved casual pizzerias.
It has now been replaced by Mortadella.
Address: 915 Main St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2V8
2. Cartems Donuts
For 14 years, this homegrown brand redefined the city’s sweet tooth with its Earl Grey donuts and inclusive vegan options.
It was a bittersweet Valentine’s Day for locals, as the beloved donut shop permanently closed all locations on February 14th.
While the downtown outpost had already fallen to redevelopment, this final goodbye marked the definitive end of the “red box” era.
Cream Pony will be taking over the Main Street unit.
3. Flamingo Chinese Restaurant
For 50 years, this Vancouver institution was one of the first authentic spots to bring dim sum culture outside of Chinatown, famous for its old-school push carts and chaotic family brunches.
The community said a tearful goodbye on September 28th when the original team finally hung up their aprons for a well-earned retirement.
While the family legacy lives on through their modern offshoot “Little Bird,” the closure of the Marine Drive location marks the definitive end of an era for traditional Cantonese dining in the city.
Address: 1652 SE Marine Dr., Vancouver BC
4. Penang Bistro
For over 21 years, this Fraser Street staple was the definition of no-frills Malaysian comfort, famous for its flaky Roti Canai and rich Beef Rendang.
Locals were heartbroken when owner Suzan Chan announced the family-run spot would serve its final meal on July 31st.
While no specific reason was given. The unit has been taken over by Korean donut shop, Goldie’s.
Address: 3932 Fraser St, Vancouver, BC V5V 4E4
5. Mr. Red Cafe
For over a decade, this award-winning spot was instrumental in teaching Vancouverites that there is more to Vietnamese food than just Southern-style pho, gaining a cult following for its authentic Northern dishes.
The brand quietly faded into history this summer with a late farewell post, leaving loyal fans to discover a “Permanently Closed” notice on Google where their favourite bowl of pho used to be.
It has been replaced by Pho Viet Lotus.
Address: 2680 W. Broadway, Vancouver BC
6. Wo Fung Noodle House
For 30 years, this Richmond legend was the undisputed king of “Wind Sand” chicken wings: crispy, garlic-flecked, and dangerously addictive.
The community was sent into a panic when the family announced their final service for December 15th, marking the end of the last remaining outpost operated by the original founders.
While a dessert stall in Aberdeen Centre still carries a similar name, the closure of the Park Road location feels like the true end of a chapter for Hong Kong-style cart noodles in the city.
Address: 8088 Park Rd, Richmond, BC
7. Kibune Sushi
For over 42 years, this wood-paneled Yew Street sanctuary was the antithesis of the trendy sushi bar, beloved for its MSG-free dashi and the warm hospitality of owners Julie-San and Endo-San.
The neighbourhood quietly lost one of its oldest Japanese institutions in August.
It was replaced by Syu Japanese Restaurant.
Address: 1508 Yew Street, Vancouver, BC V6K3E4
8. Lombardo’s Pizzeria & Ristorante
For 39 years, this Commercial Drive mainstay was a literal trailblazer, famous for introducing Vancouver to its very first authentic wood-fired pizza oven back in 1986.
Sud Soi has replaced Lombardo’s.
Address: 1641 Commercial Drive, Vancouver BC
9. Floata Seafood Restaurant
For 30 years, this Chinatown titan was the largest Chinese restaurant in the province, serving as the 1,000-seat heartbeat for massive weddings and political banquets.
The community was left reeling on October 30th when the City of Vancouver terminated the lease and changed the locks, citing unpaid rent disputes.
Address: 180 Keefer Street, Vancouver BC
10. Zefferelli’s Spaghetti Joint
For 36 years, this second-floor Robson Street legend was the definition of “unpretentious Italian,” beloved for its cozy atmosphere and reliable spaghetti dinners.
The city lost a piece of its soul when the team wound down operations during the May long weekend, closing the book on one of downtown’s most dignified pasta joints.
Address: 1136 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 1B2
11. McKim Wonton Mein Saga
For over 15 years, this Kingsway stalwart was the reliable late-night answer for comforting congee and unpretentious wonton noodles.
The neighbourhood lost its favorite budget-friendly canteen on March 9th when the owners officially retired to focus on “grandparent duties”.
It marks the end of a specific era of Hong Kong-style diners that are becoming increasingly rare in East Van.
It has been replaced by La Chuoi.
Address: 2565 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC
12. iTofu
For 13 years, this brand evolved from a humble Night Market stall into Richmond’s go-to for silky, organic tofu pudding.
Locals were saddened when the founder, affectionately known as the “Tofu Queen,” announced her retirement and the shop’s final closure on September 28th.
Address: 125 – 4940 No.3 Road, Richmond, British Columbia V6X 3A5
13. Ma Dang Goul (MDG)
For 30 years, this cozy Denman Street haven was the West End’s go-to for late-night comfort, famous for its sizzling bibimbap and soulful soups.
It was a massive blow to the neighbourhood when the owners posted a sign on the door announcing their final service on June 29th, citing economic challenges as the reason for the sudden goodbye.
It has been replaced by Handson Steak & Frites.
Address: 847 Denman St, Vancouver, BC V6G 2L7
14. Victoria Chinese Restaurant
For 33 years, this downtown institution was a flagship for high-end Cantonese banquets and reliable dim sum lunches.
The “end of an era” announcement on August 1st quickly turned controversial when eviction notices for $73,000 in unpaid rent appeared on the doors shortly after.
Address: 1088 Melville St, Vancouver, BC V6E 4L4
15. The Poor Italian
For over 16 years, this rustic fixture at First and Rupert was the definition of East Van hospitality, famous for its homestyle pastas and unpretentious family vibes.
The neighbourhood lost its favorite Italian corner spot on December 21st, when the team served their final dinner under Head Chef Stefania Marinova.
While they kept the reasons private, the closure leaves a massive hole in the Hastings Sunrise dining scene.
Address: 3296 East 1st Avenue, Vancouver BC
Reading through this list is admittedly heavy.
It is a stark reminder that in a city as expensive and fast-changing as Vancouver, longevity is never guaranteed.
Even the places that seem invincible—the ones that have been around for 30 or 40 years—are often operating on razor-thin margins or facing lease negotiations that could end it all overnight.
If there is a silver lining to this year of goodbyes, let it be this.
Don’t wait for the “Closing Soon” announcement to visit your favorite spots.
Because if 2025 taught us anything, it’s that we truly don’t know how long we have until the lights go out for the last time.
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