It’s no secret that the restaurant industry has been hit HARD by the pandemic and post-pandemic economic downturn…
It has been basically a constant barrage of bad news for restaurant owners.
And it has become the reason that many beloved restaurants permanently close their doors.
Below we’ve compiled a list of 15+ Vancouver restaurants and food spots that are on their way out or have closed recently:
🧋 Longtime Joyce Street bbt shop closes – Sunflower Bubble Tea has shut down after 20 years; a Korean concept is coming.
🍦 Popular gelato shop closes at Brentwood – Bella Gelateria has permanently closed its Burnaby mall location after three years of operation.
🍱 Richmond Japanese staple shuts doors – Ajishou Japanese Restaurant has permanently closed its Garden City Plaza location after 8 years.
🥣 Burgoo closes North Vancouver location – The Lower Lonsdale comfort food staple has permanently closed its doors after 20 years.
🧋 Burnaby bubble tea shop quietly closes – Lattea at Crystal Mall has shuttered, joining several recent food closures in the area.
🥩 West End steakhouse closing already – Handson Steak and Frites is shutting its Denman Street doors on April 12th.
🍜 Richmond food court stall quietly shuts down – Haoyijia in Aberdeen Centre has permanently closed following its recent for-sale listing.
🥪 Famed cheesesteak shop closes – American Cheesesteak Co has shut its Metrotown location after 10 years, planning a future relocation.
🔥 Beloved Burnaby skewer spot closes – After 7 years, Roadside Spicy Pot has officially shut down its Kingsway location.
🔥 Popular Robson hot pot shuts down – Liu Yi Shou has quietly closed and chained its doors, with the space now listed for sale.
🐷 Tonkatsu spot closes at Brentwood – Saboten has permanently closed its TABLES food court stall after five years.
🍞 Purebread Kitsilano shuts its doors – The West 4th location has officially closed after less than two years in business.
🧇 Burnaby Korean street food gem closes – Kim’s Korean Waffles shuts for the season for six months.
☕️ Broadway cafe to shut down – Lumiere Cafe is closing its West Broadway location on March 28 for a reset.
🍜 Robson hand-pulled noodle shop closes – Noodle Arts has shut after 8 years, though a new concept is teased.
🍜 West End Vietnamese spot closes – Family-owned Pho Q&M has permanently shut down its Denman Street location after four years.
🇹🇭 Burnaby Thai staple closes after 20 years – Green Basil is retiring, with Yin Ji Chang Fen already replacing the space.
🔥 Burnaby K-BBQ staple closes – Arisu on North Road has shut down after a decade, being replaced by Sizzle AYCE.
🍲 Global Malatang chain exits BC – YGF Malatang in Richmond has permanently closed its doors after six years on Ackroyd Road.
🍝 Farewell to an Italian gem – Bacaro, the Michelin-recommended Italian eatery in Coal Harbour, closes its doors.
🌱 Yaletown’s longtime Plant-Based Spot Bids Adieu – MeeT’s Yaletown location closing March 28 after 8 years.
🍜 Richmond food court favorite retires after 15+ years – Taikoo Yummy Food to close April 28.
☕️ Trees Coffee Davie quietly closes – Organic Bites takes over with new coffee and wellness menu.
😱 Richmond soup curry spot closes doors – Garaku’s lease terminated due to $53K in missed rent.
🧋 MACU Tea Richmond closure shocker – Third location shutting down, leaving fans puzzled and disappointed.
🚪 Richmond’s beloved Manzo Izakaya closes – After 26 years, Manzo Izakaya says farewell on Alexandra Road.
⛩ Burnaby sushi spot closes – Sushi Toki shutters after three years; Fortune Katsu moving in.
🍞 Sandwich shop says goodbye – Richmond’s beloved Smokehouse Sandwich Co. closed after 12 memorable years.
😢 UBC’s beloved Lebanese eatery closes – Jamjar Canteen has permanently closed its UBC location.
🔪 Beloved Richmond sushi restaurant bids farewell – Seto Japanese Restaurant closes after 29 years on Alexandra Road.
😢 Main Street landmark Goldilocks bids farewell after 18 years – Iconic Filipino bakery closes March 15; Burnaby branch remains open.
🔒 Richmond coffee shop closure – My Coffee in Lansdowne Centre closes after 15 years due to lease non-renewal.
🏗️ Darby’s Kitsilano home demolished – Landmark pub’s 45-year location makes way for redevelopment.
😢 Vancouver taco staple shutting down all locations – Gringo is closing all three spots by mid-March, citing ongoing challenges.
🧋MACU Tea closes 2 locations suddenly – Burnaby and Robson spots shut pre-mango season, with Richmond staying open.
😔 Taiwanese beef noodle chain closes in Richmond – Chef Hung ends 16-year run at Aberdeen Centre.
🍔 Vancouver favourite bids farewell – Rice Burger in West Point Grey closes after nine years.
🔒 Chinese yogurt chain closes Kerrisdale store – Hey! I Am Yogost shutters amid shrinking Vancouver presence.
Without sounding too doom and gloom…know for a fact that the world keeps revolving regardless.
All we can do is cherish the memories we’ve made at these food spots and understand that change is inevitable. Want to see what changes are coming up?
Check out our list of new Vancouver restaurants that recently opened and are opening soon.