After seven years of serving thoughtful Middle Eastern plant-based food, East Vancouver’s Aleph Eatery has officially closed for good.
The cozy spot on Powell Street was a spot for vibrant mezze platters and community dinners actually quietly shuttered earlier this year.
But even after their January 2025 closure announcement, regulars noticed Aleph still appeared on delivery apps and was operating in a ghost kitchen-style format for a short while, giving fans hope that it might stay alive in some form.
Now, with their final farewell post on Instagram, that hope has come to an end.
Aleph Eatery first opened its doors in 2018 under the care of husband-and-wife duo Haitham El Khatib and Fiona Hepher.
What started as a humble East Van spot soon became a space where culture, food, and sustainability intertwined.
Drawing on El Khatib’s Palestinian-Syrian roots, Aleph reimagined traditional Middle Eastern dishes through a modern, vegan lens.
Its menu was equal parts nostalgic and inventive, earning the restaurant a 4.5-star rating on Google Reviews and a loyal following from Vancouver’s plant-based community.
Aleph’s atmosphere reflected the heart of its cooking: intimate, warm, and intentional. Natural light poured in over wooden tables, patterned tiles, and small greenery touches that gave the space a casual charm.
It encouraged lingering, where conversations stretched longer than meals and newcomers left feeling like old friends.
Aleph’s closure marks another bittersweet chapter in Vancouver’s dining landscape.
The city continues to evolve, with beloved long-timers and niche gems alike disappearing from the scene.
It joins a growing list of closures in Vancouver like Potluck Hawker Eatery, Mister Kitsilano, and 404 Coffee Lab.
Address: 1889 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V5L 1H8