The 2025 Vancouver Dining Shift

Fresh Plates & Empty Tables: Navigating Vancouver’s 2025 Restaurant Revolution

If you live for a great meal in Vancouver, 2025 was a year that likely kept your stomach full but your heart a little heavy. As a Realtor here in the Lower Mainland, I always tell my clients that the "soul" of a neighborhood is found in its local eateries. This past year, that soul underwent a massive transformation. We saw international giants land on our shores and local legends hang up their aprons for good.

The New Stars on the Block

The buzz in 2025 was undeniable. We finally saw the arrival of the legendary Din Tai Fung on Alberni Street. At a massive 16,400 square feet, it wasn’t just an opening; it was an event.

But the real story was the elevation of our local craft. Sumibiyaki Arashi achieved the rare feat of opening its doors and snagging a Michelin star within the same year, proving that Vancouver’s appetite for high-end omakase (chef's choice) yakitori is stronger than ever. We also saw incredible cultural fusions, like Peya’s French-Indian brasserie and Touk, where Top Chef Canada winner Chanthy Yen brought Cambodian flavors to the forefront.

Other neighbourhood wins included:

• Threefold: A brilliant "triple-threat" brewery collab in East Van.

• Giusti: A fresh Italian trattoria that breathed new life into the historic Mount Pleasant space formerly home to The Whip.

• Nero Tondo: Proving that big things come in small packages with its intimate 18-seat counter.

Saying Goodbye to the Icons

It wasn't all celebrations, though. 2025 reminded us how fragile the hospitality industry can be. The headline that broke the most hearts? Cartems Doughnuts closing its doors on Valentine’s Day—exactly 14 years after they started.

We also lost staples that defined the city for generations. The Flamingo closed after 50 years of dim sum memories, and Zefferelli’s on Robson called it quits after 35 years. Even Michelin-recognized spots like Archer and Bar Susu weren't immune to the pressures of rising costs and lease challenges.

The Takeaway for Our Community

As someone who helps people find their place in this city, I know that a vibrant restaurant scene makes our neighbourhoods more desirable and our lives more colourful.