It’s no secret that the restaurant industry has been hit HARD by the pandemic and its second-order effects (ie. rising food costs, lack of staffing, heightened aggression from customers, insane lease hikes, etc.)…
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.
🍲 End of an Era for Sala Thai – Closing soon after 38 years of service.
🌿 Richmond high end farm-to-table closes – Acre Through the Seasons shuts April 18, economic woes cited.
🚗 Initial D-themed dessert shop closes in Richmond – Fujiwara Tofu Shop shuts after 2 years.
🔥 Yaletown’s The Parlour closed indefinitely – Fire engulfs popular pizza spot, causing major damage.
🍵 Finch’s Tea House bids farewell – After 20 years, the beloved cafe closes its doors.
🍣Kazu’s farewell – Burnaby’s staple for authentic Japanese to close after 10 years.
🍣 Downtown Vancouver’s ‘Black Rice‘ bids adieu – After 10 years, innovative Japanese Izakaya closes April 7.
🍂 Mount Pleasant cafe says goodbye – Novella to close doors April 7, ending a local era.
🌮🍣Miso Taco stays put – Chinatown’s Mexican-Japanese spot cancels sale.
🌿The Arbor closing in April – Popular Vancouver veg-forward spot ends its 7.5-year run.
🍵 Famous bubble tea spot closing – Machi Machi’s Robson St. location ends lease March 31.
Below we’ve compiled a list of 15+ Vancouver restaurants and food spots that are on their way out or have closed recently:
🍜Chef Hung‘s Kerrisdale location closes – Only UBC outpost remains for Taiwanese beef noodles in Vancouver.
📉 Digital food hall bids farewell – Food Republic closed its doors in downtown Vancouver.
🍢 Richmond’s Hot Oden Closes Doors – First oden specialty spot shuts down after 3 years amidst rising costs.
🌮 Tacofino Bids Farewell to Gastown – Iconic location to close after 10 years, promises grand send-off.
🍗 St. Louis Bar & Grill Closes in B.C. – Only location shuts after a year, ending its “devilishly good” wings run.
🍰 Burnaby bids farewell to Basak – Korean Chubby Waffle & Dessert Cafe closes after 4 years.
🍔 White Spot Park Royal’s Final Farewell – Grab a legendary burger before it closes this weekend after 60 years of service.
🍗Cocoru closes after 7 years – Richmond’s favourite Korean fried chicken spot quietly shuts down.
🍣 Farewell to Ebisu in Richmond – Iconic Japanese spot closes after 30 years.
🏳️🌈 Mary’s on Davie to close after 45 years – Icon of inclusivity and charity in Vancouver bids farewell.
🍕 Green Tea Dough Pizza Chain Closes Robson Shop – Pizza Maru shuts after a year, hints at new brand.
🍜 Richmond’s Lollipot closes – After 4 years, Lollipot shutters, making way for beef noodles.
🇮🇹 Kitsilano’s Italian Gem Bids Farewell – Robba da Matti closes, ending a chapter of authentic Italian cuisine.
🌿Lotus Seed Vegan bids farewell – Closed after a decade of vegan delights.
🍵Onezo Bubble Tea Closes Burnaby Shop – After 6 years, the pioneer of fresh tapioca bids farewell.
🍦 Dairy-Free Farewell in Chinatown – Say Hello Sweets serves its last scoop Feb 25.
🍕 A Farewell Slice – Mount Pleasant’s vegan pizzeria, Grano, to close next month.
🔥 Richmond Market Fire Shocks Locals – Steveston’s Super Grocer & Pharmacy engulfed in flames.
☕️ Farewell to Faebrew – Richmond’s unique high-end coffee spot closing end of January.
🍝 Award-Winning Autostrada Closing – Downtown gem ends 10-year Italian culinary journey.
🍞Longtime Asian bakery closes after 14 years – you won’t believe what is taking over…
🌿 Vancouver Vegetarian Icon Says Goodbye – After 12 years, Heirloom Vegetarian is bidding farewell.
🌭Korean Hotdog Chains Say Goodbye – 2 Korean Hotdog spots quietly close in Downtown Vancouver.
☠️ Another White Spot gone – after 60 years of operation, the Park Royal White Spot is closing.
🏘️ Farewell Fratelli Bakery – New Westminster location is forced to close after 10 years of operation.
🥪 Farewell to Paul’s Sub Shop – Burnaby icon closing after decades of operation.
📜 Farewell to Neptune Chinese Kitchen – Downtown’s beloved eatery closes its doors on December 29.
🌮 Farewell to Tacomio – Beloved Mexican eatery Tacomio closes its doors after 8 vibrant years in Vancouver.
🍔Cannibal Cafe closing after 13 years – Iconic burger joint bids farewell, last day of service is Dec 17.
🍞 End for Vancouver bakery – Marui Bakery on Kingsway will close as the owners are set to retire. Last day is Dec 18.
🍺 Burnaby’s Brewery Bids Farewell – Studio Brewing closing on December 22 after memorable run.
🍲Hanoi Old Quarters closes quietly – Victoria Drive’s Northern Vietnamese gem shuts down.
🥐 Marpole’s L&J Patisserie closing – Farewell to mochi mousse cakes after 3 sweet years.
🥞Gram Pancake Cafe Closes in Kerrisdale – End of a short era with the final Canadian outlet shuttered.
🇫🇷 Farewell to Gastown’s Jules Bistro – Iconic French eatery to close after 16 memorable years.
🎲Turquoise Goat bids farewell after 1 year – Gastown’s beloved board game cafe closes unexpectedly.
🍲Corner 23 Ends an Era – Beloved Vancouver Taiwanese spot closes after redevelopment.
🍰 Yaletown Icon Shuts Doors – Ganache Patisserie ends 20-year sweet legacy.
🎣 Farewell Sockeye City Grill – A Steveston seafood favorite says goodbye after 20+ years.
🥞Gram Pancakes Closes 3 Locations – Famous for jiggly Japanese pancakes, struggles to recover post-pandemic in Metro Vancouver.
🚪Nukid Cafe shuts down – The West End Korean bakery says farewell after just a year.
🥲 Longtime HK-style cafe closes – After more than 15 years of operation, W Broadway’s I-Cafe has closed. The word on the street is that the owner sold the business to retire. The unit is now under renovation.
🔥Kerrisdale Businesses Decimated – Nando’s, Deer Island Bakery, Pho Tan, and others were destroyed in a devastating fire this week.
🍺 Paddlewheeler Pub Closes Down – A New West staple shuts after 37 years, blaming inflation and taxation.
🚪Kouign Café Says Goodbye – Celebrated Chinatown bakery to close doors in mid-November, citing unspecified challenges.
☠️ RIP Jenjudan – the bbt brand’s Robson Street outpost spotted to have shut down and in midst of being replaced by a new pizza and bbt spot called Tiko Pizza.
🔥 OG Gyu-kaku quietly died – a community member spotted the longtime West Broadway Gyu-kaku (since 2013) is being replaced by another yakiniku spot called Homura.
🍛WA! CURRY Bids Farewell – The downtown curry spot to shut down as of September 29th, focusing on new ventures and in-house offerings at Aburi.
🍵 Richmond Bubble Tea Spot Closes – One Tea bids farewell after less than a year at Union Square, Richmond’s bubble tea hub.
☠️ Cursed spot is cursed – unlucky spot continues its streak as Foodie Kitchen at Aberdeen Centre is spotted to be closed.
💀 Another BBT down – Taan Char BBT at Crystal Mall is spotted to be replaced soon by a Fresh Slice.
🍗Rib & Chicken Says Goodbye – The Korean spot has closed 2 locations (Renfrew & West 10th). The Renfrew location is replaced by a new sushi spot called KURO.
🍣Pacific Poké Closes on Main Street – Shut down due to recurring break-ins in the Chinatown area.
🚪Nox Quietly Closes Doors – Upscale Italian spot in downtown Coal Harbour is marked permanently closed on Google.
🏍️ Burnout Cafe’s Farewell – East Vancouver’s motorcycle cafe closing due to building demolition. Last day is Sept 24th.
🍛 Farewell Taste of India – Closed after gracing Robson Street for 35 years.
🍺 Farewell to award-winning Andina Brewing – Closed permanently due to landlord dispute, the business is now for sale.
☕️ JJ Bean closing Woodward’s location – The Vancouver coffee chain is shutting its downtown Gastown cafe on July 31.
🍵 Farewell, Tea Drop Café – The downtown bubble tea joint is closing its doors July 30 after a year of operation.
🍜 Kerrisdale says goodbye to Chi Noodle Bar, guess what eatery coming soon to the space?!
💎 End of an era for Gastown – The Diamond Bar, a local favourite, closing July 31 after 14 years.
🍗 Filipino-style fried chicken joint Win Win Chick-N says goodbye to its Vancouver Main Street outpost. Guess who is taking over?
🇨🇭 Farewell to Gastown’s Röosh – Swiss-inspired eatery, known for BC-focused drinks, abruptly shutters after 2 years.
🍣 Farewell to Vancouver’s cherished sushi spot – Hikari Cafe on Granville Street closes after 9 years.
🌱 Chinatown says goodbye to Kokomo – The popular plant-based eatery will relocate to East Vancouver soon.
☕️ Whitewood Coffee bids farewell – The cherished Oak Street café, known for their Belgian Liege Waffles, closed doors on 29th June.
🍗 Clarke Rd. KFC closes after 50 years – Site to be developed into a four-tower project.
💀 Yaletown vegan Vietnamese spot closes – Buddha Chay to close down and relocate after 6 months of operation.
🍺 Last call at 12 Kings Pub – The sports bar known for foosball, open mic, karaoke, and craft beer will shutter at the end of June, marking the end of a 9-year run in Mount Pleasant.
👋 Farewell to Sweets and Beans – the beloved Kingsway cafe with a diverse menu has permanently closed, making way for a new Korean bistro, Soju.
🌮 Farewell fiesta at La Taqueria – The Hornby Street location wraps up operations this month due to lease expiry but their food truck at Vancouver Art Gallery continues.
🌿 Farewell to Vancouver’s pioneer zero-waste store – despite attempts to shift to an online model, Nada announces permanent closure due to pandemic-related challenges.
🥢 Old Bird bids farewell – After 3 years of service, the popular Main Street Chinese restaurant Old Bird has announced its permanent closure.
🥢 Grand Dynasty Seafood Restaurant ousted – The Burnaby eatery, known for fresh seafood and traditional Dim Sum, will be replaced after 13 years of service.
🇬🇷 Stepho’s Souvlaki Greek Taverna says goodbye – The iconic Greek restaurant has closed its Robson Street location, leaving fans to enjoy their favourite dishes at the Davie Street outpost.
☕️ Farewell to a Vancouver icon – After a decade-long run, Aperture Coffee Bar will serve its last cup at its Broadway location on May 28. Still open at 4124 Main Street.
🍰 Farewell for now to Buttermere Patisserie – Known for their delectable cakes, this Vancouver bakery will temporarily close its doors starting June 11th.
🥤 Farewell to a bubble tea icon – After three years, Sharetea bids adieu to their Robson location amidst growing competition and rising operational costs.
🍵 Happy Lemon bids farewell, BeauTea steps in – After six years, Happy Lemon’s Richmond and Burnaby locations close, making way for newcomer BeauTea.
🍗 Farewell to a local favourite KFC – Chimec, the much-loved West End Korean fried chicken joint, announces closure after three successful years at 835 Denman Street.
🍦 Timothy’s Frozen Yogurt closes Garry Point Park location – Due to park transformation, the beloved Richmond froyo spot quietly shutters.
🍻 Biercraft UBC outpost closes, teases new concept – Popular Belgian pub Biercraft shutters UBC Wesbrook Village location, hinting at an exciting upcoming concept for the space.
💀 Mount Pleasant hit with closures – during our recent stroll down Mount Pleasant, we spotted 4 food spots with their windows covered up.
🚫 Steveston’s Supper SuperMoment closes – The Hong Kong-style cafe near Steveston’s Fisherman Wharf, known for its authentic cha chaan teng experience, clean environment, delicious food, and attentive service, has abruptly closed due to “uncontrollable external factors.”
🥤 Chun Yang Tea in Richmond closes down – Amidst the bubble tea craze and growing competition, Chun Yang Tea has shuttered its flagship BC store in Richmond, following the earlier closure of its Kerrisdale location.
🍽️ Fraserhood’s Ubuntu Canteen to close – Organic restaurant and bakery Ubuntu Canteen announced on Instagram that it will serve its last day on April 16th.
🍣 Longtime all-you-can-eat sushi closes permanently – Tomokazu’s closure marks the end of an era for many locals who enjoyed affordable all-you-can-eat sushi there for over a decade.
🍴 Vancouver Asian fusion restaurant Michi Craft Kitchen closes – Known for its stuffed chicken wings and bear-shaped ice in Hong Kong milk tea, Michi Craft Kitchen has permanently closed its West End location due to a shortage of supplies, according to a notice posted on their door.
🍣 Vancouver’s Pokérrito closes West End location – The local poké chain has permanently closed its Robson location since March 21st, as confirmed by a sign on the door and its removal from the official website.
🚪 Festal Cafe closes due to increase crime – The popular Paleo and Keto-friendly cafe is permanently closing its Granville Street location after 6 years, citing COVID-19 losses and growing safety concerns. The cafe is actively searching for a new, safer location.
💀 Korean grocery store forced to close due to failed health inspection – Kim’s Mart in East Vancouver, has been temporarily shut down due to multiple health code violations found during a recent inspection by Vancouver Coast Health. This is not the first time the store has failed an inspection.
💀 41 year old restaurant to close and move – Neighbour’s Restaurant is closing its current Victoria Drive location and moving to a new location blocks down due to redevelopment in the area. The restaurant will be closed for two weeks starting April 2nd.
😭 Commercial Drive bakery temporarily closes – Seasons Bakery, a family-owned and run bakery, has temporarily closed due to undisclosed “family circumstances.” They hope to reopen in the future.
💀 Robson premium BBT spot closes abruptly – Chatime Atealier, a premium bubble tea shop by Chatime chain has suddenly closed.
💀 Say goodbye to Ubuntu Canteen – the beloved organic restaurant and bakery in Vancouver’s Fraserhood neighbourhood, has announced that it will be closing its doors on April 16th.
💀 Victoria Drive Asian fusion cafe shutters this weekend – Weirdo Cafe is closing after being open for 4 years due to continued difficulties they faced after the pandemic. The cafe was known for its creative Asian-inspired menu and simple interior design.
💀 Benkei Ramen permanently closes – the beloved Vancouver ramen joint, has announced its closure after 13 years of operation. The owner has decided to retire.
💀 Cheap Chinese food spot to close after 40 years – Kent’s Kitchen, a popular Chinatown restaurant in Vancouver known for its affordable Chinese food, is closing its doors for good on April 30th after 40 years of service.
💀 Pajo’s getting kicked out – Pajo’s Fish & Chips at Garry Point in Richmond, Canada is closing after 23 years of service because the City of Richmond has chosen a new vendor for the location.
💀 Longtime Oyster Bar to close at end of April – Coal Harbour’s Chewies Oyster Bar announced they are being vacated by their landlord at the end of April.
💀 Milk Bar to close with Nordstrom Canada ceases operations – the luxury retailer shocked Canadians in their 4th quarter earnings call announcing closure of all Canadian stores by the summer. Milk Bar in Pacific Centre’s Nordstrom will also be closing as a result.
💀 Mount Pleasant vegan cafe announces closure – Kind Cafe & Eatery announced on their Instagram that it would be closing down in April after four years of business.
💀 Kingsway neighbourhood banh mi shop shutters – Bean Banh Mi by a mother-son duo from Saigon, has sadly closed up shop this week.
🦪 Popular oyster bar to close after 10 years – Family operated Chewies Oyster Bar announced a shocking closure announcement this week for their Coal Harbour outpost.
💀 Robson Bento spot to shutter – Right on the bustling Robson street and across from Jinya is Bentoya. A sign posted on their door states that they will be shutting down as of March 17th.
💀 Burnaby’s Deer Garden was taken over – known for their affordable noodle and soup, the Burnaby Deer Garden outpost is being gutted and replaced by Coquitlam’s Singapore Hawker new location.
💀 Hidden gem in Yaletown has last service – Noah’s Cafe, a well-rated Japanese tapas-style restaurant in Yaletown, has closed its location and will reopen in the West End later in March.
💀 Longtime Mount Pleasant dessert shop closes – After 22 years of service, Sweet Revenge on Main Street will close. It is reported that it is due to issues with the building.
💀 Chinatown’s Daisy Garden Kitchen to shutter – The family-run restaurant who just recently reopened last year – after the 2015 fire – has permanently closed down. It was reported that the closure was due to a labor shortage.
💀 Main Street ice cream sandwich shop shutters – Innocent Ice Cream, a gluten-free ice cream sandwich shop, is leaving Main Street after 6 years and moving to Hastings Sunrise neighbourhood in late Spring 2023.
💀 Luxury tea chain to leave the city? – TWG Tea, a luxury tea salon and boutique chain, may not be opening in Vancouver after covering up “coming soon” posters with “For Lease” signs.
💀 Chinatown juice bar to close – Aesthetic juice bar and cocktail lounge, Kevin & Kevin , will close in Chinatown. It was reported that they are moving to the West End, beside The Three Brits. Last day was Jan. 29th.
💀 Most popular Aberdeen Food Court to shutter – Cafe D’Lite Express announced it is closing on March 8th. The cafe has been serving Hainanese Chicken and Rice for the past 14 years.
💀 Hip award-winning bubble tea brand abruptly closes – Exposure Bubble Tea was known for its events (that ranged from car meets to street fashion) and its discount on days when it rained in the city. It abruptly closed and is being replaced by a new bubble tea chain called Whale Tea.
💀 DT Katsu spot shutters – Robson katsu spot, Katsuya, has closed their only Vancouver location (1471 Robson Street). Their Coquitlam location will remain open and the upcoming Langley outpost will continue as planned.
💀 Burnaby HK style cafe closes – After 11 years of service, Cattle Cafe on Kingsway (4877 Kingsway) has closed. A new hot pot brand called Pot Empire has taken over the unit.
💀 Yaletown Distillery closes after 10 years – Out of the blue, the longtime spot for drinks and Italian American food has permanently closed. Rumors say it is because the cost to renew the lease would be unsustainable for the business.
💀 Iconic Starbucks closes – quietly the popular Starbucks right across from the Gastown Steamclock has shuttered after 28 years. No doubt that another cafe brand will jump on that prime real estate.
🍻 Cambie’s Biercraft shutters – the Belgian gastro-pub announced on their IG that they have shut down their Cambie Village location. Their UBC and SFU locations will remain open.
💀 OG Burnaby ramen spot abruptly closes – Burnaby Heights’ Hakkaku Ramen has been a spot for locals for cheap and decent ramen for over 10 years. It was reported that a sign was posted on their door thanking their customers for years of service.
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.