1. VV Tapas Lounge

957 E Hastings, Vancouver
Who: Former Mission Kits somm/owner Chase MacLeod and Rachelle Goudreau (previously of Mission Kits and Provence Marinaside).
Why we're excited: Small share plates (like mole-spiced pecans and devilled duck eggs) and an intriguing wine list create a sophisticated date-night spot in an evolving corner of Strathcona.
vvtapaslounge.com

2. Published

3593 Main St., Vancouver

Who: Chef Gus Stieenhofer-Brandson staged at Noma and worked under local stars David Hawksworth and Scott Jaeger; owner Cody Allmin also runs Port Moody brewery Twin Sails.
Why we're excited: See above. Put a hungry young chef with a knack for contemporary West Coast dishes in a 100-seater Mount Pleasant space designed by Evoke, and you€™ve got a recipe for something special.
publishedonmain.com

3. Deadbeetz Burgers

1950 D Oak Bay Ave, Victoria
Who: The owners of the ultra-popular food truck of the same name.
Why we're excited: The pickled-beet-topped burgers are so good (choose Vancouver Island beef or vegan-approved cashew chickpea or quinoa patties), you don't even mind if your whole mouth and face turn purple.
deadbeetz.com

4. Old Bird

3950 Main St., Vancouver
Who: Chef Deseree Lo (who honed her chops at CinCin) and GM Shawn Jones (a Chambar alum) team up with newcomer owner Sophia Lin.
Why we're excited: The former Nomad location is set to transform into a showcase of Taiwanese and Shanghai street food (official motto: €œChinese food with attitude€), with small plates that reflect Lo and Lin's childhood favourites: try pork stew with sous-vide egg, or hot and sour bamboo shoots.
oldbird.ca

5. Pubblico

2018 33 Ave SW, Calgary
Who: A room designed by Paul Lavoie plus chefs from Tavernetta equals some serious potential.
Why we're excited: Share plates of stuffed zucchini flowers, sunchoke and sea urchin malfatti or Roman-style oxtail ragu await in a delightfully maximalist space. pubblicoitaliankitchen.com

6. Beach House

150 25th St., West Vancouver
Who: The Fuller Family have been stewards of West Van's most iconic building since 2010; they€™re celebrating 10 years with a facelift of the historic house… and the menu too.
Why we're excited: Extensive renovations have elevated the Edwardian architecture and put focus on the waterfront views and work from B.C. artists. A revamped, seafood-focused menu from Earls€™ chefs David Wong and Hamid Salimian pairs beautifully with a specially curated wine list that clocks in with 101 offerings.
thebeachhouserestaurant.ca

7. 1931 Gallery Bistro

750 Hornby St., Vancouver
Who: The Vancouver Art Gallery (maybe you€™ve heard of it?).
Why we're excited: The patio overlooking Robson Square is one of the city's best; the modern exposed-concrete interior design is the work of Calgary's Frank Architecture. With a rotating menu of locally inspired offerings€” braised B.C. short ribs, roasted fennel quiche and an extensive cocktail list among them€” we'll be well fueled for our next visit to the Cindy Sherman exhibit.
vanartgallery.bc.ca

Stacey McLachlan

Stacey McLachlan

Stacey is a senior editor at Western Living magazine, as well as editor-in-chief of sister publication Vancouver magazine. She loves window shopping on the job: send your home accessories and furniture recommendations over to [email protected]