The topic of restaurant closures is never fun to report on. It’s the natural way of the food and beverage world, we know, but it still stings to see the list creep up every month when we share it with you.
It’s no secret restaurant industry in this city can be fickle, and – once again – the city’s dining scene has suffered some casualties.
Here is your update on restaurants in and around Vancouver that have recently shuttered or will soon do so imminently.
Grub wrapped up its final dinner service at the end of October.
The spot was best known as a cozy neighbourhood restaurant with an ever-changing menu. It served items like duck confit, lamb fricassee, and bison bolognese, just to name a few.
Address: 4328 Main Street, Vancouver
Vancouver pizza fans now have one less option as City Square Pizza has closed its West End location.
The Davie Street pizzeria posted the news on Instagram, explaining that it had made the decision to close “with careful consideration.”
Address: 1112 Davie Street, Vancouver
Located at 6360 Kingsway, Burnaby, this was the chain’s first and only Metro Vancouver spot, opening in 2022. It was best known for its various styles of chicken and tteokbokki.
While the restaurant has not officially announced its closure, a new eatery, Sushi Bay and Oyster Bar, has already opened in the space.
Address: 6360 Kingsway, Burnaby
Sad news, pastry lovers: Le Doux Ciel has closed its downtown Vancouver locations after five years of operation.
This location, which opened in 2019, was best known for its afternoon tea experience alongside its delicious sweets like croissants, tarts, and cakes, to name just a few. It also used to operate a location in Aberdeen Centre, which has since closed.
This spot’s Broadway location (1050 W Broadway, Vancouver) is still open, and its got an outpost opening soon at SFU.
Address: 65 Smithe Street, Vancouver
Ramen Gaoh took to Instagram earlier this fall to announce that its final day of service would be November 30, 2024.
“After careful consideration and evaluation of various factors, It is with humble gratitude and a heavy heart that we announce the closing of Ramen Gaoh,” said the ramen spot.
Address: 4518 Hastings Street, Burnaby
Earlier this fall. Chau Veggie Express announced on Instagram that it would be closing the doors to both of its locations after 13 years of operation.
Chau Veggie was best known for its plant-based Vietnamese food, such as hearty soups, bowls, and fresh and crispy rolls.
Address: 5052 Victoria Drive, Vancouver
Address: 1689 Johnston Street, Vancouver
You may have heard that Listel Hotel Vancouver was closing to undergo redevelopment when Urbanized shared the news earlier this year, but with it comes some unfortunate restaurant closures as well.
Forage, located at 1300 Robson Street, was best known for its locavore-focused menu, and it closed in November.
Address: 1300 Robson Street, Vancouver
Daily Hive
Signs in the windows at Johnnie Fox’s Irish Pub indicate that the building is available for lease, and the curtains have been drawn in all the windows.
Additionally, Google lists the spot as “Permanently Closed.” However, the pub has yet to announce a closure on its social media.
Address: 1601 Main Street, Vancouver
Rich Won
It’s been two years since Menya Itto, the cult ramen brand hailing from Japan, opened its first North American location in Vancouver.
In November, the restaurant shared that it would shut down its Robson Street outpost and withdraw from the Canadian market altogether.
When it launched in Vancouver in 2022, it was the number-one-rated, most famous shop in Tokyo. With that acclaim came tons of hype prior to the opening.
Address: 1479 Robson Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-568-6898
Perverted Ice Cream closed its doors at midnight on October 31.
“This closure was not my choice and came as a shock but, for many reasons, it turned out to be a blessing,” said owner Jade Ratcliffe.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom for the ice cream spot. Ratcliffe shared that this is not a goodbye but a see you later, and to expect bigger things to come.
Address: 797 Thurlow Street, Vancouver
Ikoi Cha, a mochi donut shop, has quietly closed the doors to its Robson location.
The restaurants have not made a formal closure announcement, but the business’s windows have been papered up, and the spot is listed as “Permanently Closed” on Google.
Address: 386 Robson Street, Vancouver
Daniel Chai/Daily Hive
Joe’s Cafe is officially closed on Saturday, October 26, marking the end of the iconic shop experience after nearly 50 years in operation.
Staff and patrons alike are sad to see it go but are also grateful for the memories made throughout the decades.
Address: 1150 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Romer’s Kits was best known for its wide assortment of burgers made with local, free-range, hormone-free beef from Semlin Ranch in Cache Creek, British Columbia. It also served sourdough pizzas, pasta, and more.
A sign in the restaurant’s window indicated that its final day of operation was Sunday, October 27. The brand operates three other locations around Metro Vancouver.
Address: 1873 W 4th Avenue, Vancouver
Katie Cross Photography
Say Mercy! wrapped up operations after five years of serving the Fraserhood community.
Say Mercy has been delighting locals with its signature blend of Americano and Italiano cuisine, championing what it called “an unexpected love story” between cultures.
“It is with a heavy heart that Say Mercy announces its closure, with the final service set for November 2, 2024,” the restaurant shared on Instagram.
Address: 4298 Fraser Street, Vancouver
Bells & Whistles Dunbar (@bellsandwhistlesyvr/Instagram)
Bells & Whistles’ parent company, Gooseneck Hospitality, confirmed to Dished that the Dunbar location offered its final service in October.
The group, which also operates multiple Lucky Taco and Bufala locations, shared that despite being a locally loved place, they felt that the Dunbar eatery wasn’t a fitting long-term spot for Bells & Whistles.
Address: 4497 Dunbar Street, Vancouver
Dished
Kalamish opened its doors in January 2024 and served kebabs, pasta, and more.
While the restaurant has yet to make a formal announcement, the spot is now listed as permanently closed on Google. Additionally, the restaurant’s windows are papered up, and the sign has been removed.
Located at 617 Stamps Landing, the Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant closed after less than a year of operation in the former location of Branas restaurant.
Address: 617 Stamps Landing, Vancouver
Squish Juicery, located in Coquitlam Centre, announced that it has closed after six years of operation.
“These last few years have been filled with constant uncertainty beyond our control, the battle with produce inflation, plastic inflation and honestly a rising cost at every single corner,” shared the juicery on Instagram.
Squish Juicery, owned by Callan and Jessica Morrison, was best known for its vast selection of juices and smoothie bowls. In December 2023, it also closed its original Port Coquitlam location.
Address: Coquitlam Centre — 2929 Barnet Highway, Coquitlam
Amir Ali/Daily Hive
JJ Bean closed its CBC Plaza location on November 1.
“Ahead of the 2010 Winter Olympics, we were offered the opportunity to build a temporary structure as a pop-up location on the CBC plaza. ‘The Shack,’ as it has affectionately come to be known, experienced wonderful staff and customers over the years, and we will be forever thankful for both,” said JJ Bean.
“Since the pandemic significantly changed downtown culture with more remote work, the location has not been busy enough to justify the renewal of the agreement.”
For those worried about where they’ll grab their JJ Bean fix, you can visit one of its many other downtown locations.
Address: 740 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
S+L Kitchen’s South Surrey location closed its doors on September 25. Dished reached out to the Joseph Richard Group of Companies (JRG), which owns S+L and other spots like The Henry, Oak and Thorne, and The Buck and Eat.
“Unfortunately, that location, post-pandemic, has been a challenge. We looked at a number of options, but ultimately, it made the most economic sense to focus our efforts on our other locations,” shared co-founder and CEO of JRG Ryan Moreno. “Thankfully, no other locations are planned to close.
Fans of S+L will still be able to visit its Langley and Abbotsford locations.
Address: 16051 24th Avenue, Surrey
Japanese restaurant Avo House, located at 1509 Robson Street, is now closed. This was also the location of Kazami Sushi, which closed its doors in 2022.
On its website, the restaurant said “Our last business day is September 15. Thank you for your support!”
Address: 1509 Robson Street, Vancouver
The chain confirmed with Dished that Zubu Food Hall at Olympic Village has closed.
Located at 159 W 4th Avenue, Vancouver, the spot served tasty dishes like ramen, hand rolls, and sushi. But don’t worry — you can still enjoy your Zubu favourites at its downtown, Kerrisdale, Park Royal, and Metrotown locations.
Nana’s Green Tea has confirmed that it will open in the space and move from its current Kerrisdale location.
Address: 159 W 4th Avenue, Vancouver
In an email, Autostrada Osteria broke the news that it will be closing the doors of its Main Street location on December 14.
“It hasn’t been an easy decision to close this location and while we do so with heavy hearts, we want to wholeheartedly thank each and every guest that’s walked through our doors,” the restaurant shared in the email.
Address: 4811 Main Street, Vancouver
Cioppino’s, located at 1133 Hamilton Street in Yaletown, told Dished it will close on December 21.
Founder and chef Pino Posteraro told Dished, “At the moment, at 60 years of age, I want to finish strongly (along with loyal and dedicated staff) the last eight months of our glorious 25 years of business.”
Address: 1133 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-688-7466
It’s been two years since Menya Itto, the cult ramen brand hailing from Japan, opened its first North American location in Vancouver.
The restaurant announced last month that it would close its Robson Street outpost and withdraw from the Canadian market.
When it launched in Vancouver in 2022, it was the number-one-rated, most famous shop in Tokyo. With that acclaim came tons of hype prior to the opening.
Address: 511 W 7th Avenue #109, Vancouver
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With files from Hanna McLean and Marco Ovies