With the end of 2024 nearing, we’ve had the time to reflect on some of the great eats we’ve had over the years. However, the restaurant industry is fickle, and unfortunately, we suffered some casualties along the way.
Whether they were 50-year-old cafes or spots that closed way too early, a restaurant closure is always unfortunate.
Here’s your list of notable restaurants in and around Vancouver that closed in 2024.
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
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
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
In an email, Autostrada Osteria broke the news that it closed 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
Autostrada Osteria shared on Instagram that it’s closed the location due to the financial realities of owning a restaurant in the area. While this beloved location is now closed, the restaurant will still operate from its other locations and that a new spot is in the works.
Address: 350 W Pender Street, Vancouver
Cioppino’s, located at 1133 Hamilton Street in Yaletown, had its final service 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
Straight & Marrow
When Straight & Marrow opened its doors back in the summer of 2020, we were still in the thick of the pandemic.
Against all odds, the restaurant from fourth-generation chef and restaurateur Chris Lam launched with a menu focusing on nose-to-tail eats and elevated sips.
Four years later, the small-yet-mighty restaurant is sadly calling it quits. Straight & Marrow’s final service was on Saturday, December 21.
Ebisu Robson posted on Instagram that it has closed its doors, sharing that its final day of operation was Saturday, September 14, 2024.
“We would like to thank you for all your past business and support for the past years,” said the restaurant. “We are very thankful and grateful in having you as our customers. We will miss all of you!”
Address: 827 Bute Street, Vancouver
“Three years ago, we launched the Shameless restaurant with a dream,” Shameless Buns shared on Instagram. “We wanted to evolve past our food trucks and scale our brand into a brick-and-mortar setting. Our goal with Shameless has always been to highlight Filipino food in a new and exciting way and we were beyond elated to have a permanent spot to do so.
“Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Although our food truck business continued to soar, our little restaurant did not.”
Shameless Buns continued by sharing how the brick-and-mortar spot has struggled over the years, but instead of looking at it as a negative, they decided to transition the space into a new concept.
Much-loved local pizza and pie spot The Pie Shoppe has closed its doors.
While this is more of a “see you later” than a “goodbye,” the owners shared that it will be the end of The Pie Shoppe “as we know it,” but they also mentioned that it’s not the end in general, saying the move signifies “the opening of a new chapter.”
Address: 1875 Powell Street, Vancouver
Submitted
Lhy Thai Restaurant has been serving the Burnaby community since opening in 1994. It is best known for its curries, noodles, and other classic Thai dishes.
A sign posted on the restaurant’s window reads, “Dear customers, after 30 years in business, we are now retired.”
Located on Edmonds Street in Burnaby, there’s no word on what will replace the longtime restaurant.
Address: 7357 Edmonds Street, Burnaby
@thefrogpubb/Instagram
Located at 1125 Falcon Drive, Coquitlam, the spot’s final day of operation was on June 18.
“To our customers you really are the best and thanks for your support. For the staff, we’ve all done a great job and [are] proud of you.” continued the pub.
Address: 1125 Falcon Drive, Coquitlam
Hub Restaurant, located at New West Skytrain Station on the second level just above Safeway, has closed its doors.
The restaurant has not made a formal announcement of the closure, but it is now listed as “Permanently Closed” on Google, and online reservations are no longer available.
Address: 800 Carnarvon Street #344, New Westminster
Located at 3121 Granville Street, between 15th and 16th Avenues, Impostori opened its doors in 2022. It offers a menu of Italian classics, with the occasional fusion dish inspired by the chef’s travels.
“It’s time for me to write a new chapter, and I hope to contribute to the dynamic, ever-evolving hospitality sector in Vancouver in a different way,” said Chef Andrey Durbach.
Address: 3121 Granville Street, Vancouver
Earlier this month, Dished reported that Hazukido Yaletown quietly closed its doors. Now, signs for a new spot — Wren Cafe — have popped up.
The new spot offers up eggs Benedict, pulled pork open-faced sandwiches with poached eggs, cashew cream pasta, and an assortment of cakes and tarts.
Address: 280 Nelson Street, Vancouver
A local family of pasta spots is officially down a restaurant. Robba da Matti has closed its Kitsilano location and its Passaparola Burrata Bar, which operated at the same 1898 W 1st Avenue address. The restaurant says this decision was not made easily, citing “unforeseen family problems” as the reason for the closure. “Family always comes first for us, and this choice wasn’t made lightly,” the eatery shared in a statement.
Address: 1898 W 1st Avenue, Vancouver
@marysondavie/Instagram
Founded in Vancouver, BC, in 1979 by a local Drag Queen named “Mrs. G,” Mary’s has been a go-to restaurant for the West End’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community. “We’re proud to have been able to provide a place of employment for so many members of the West End Community and we’re proud of all the charities that we’ve supported and the many guests that we have served,” shared the restaurant.
Address: 1202 Davie Street, Vancouver
This spot closed on May 6. Jamjar cited “a combination of mistakes we’ve made and a very challenging environment” as the reason for the closure.
Opened in 2019, this was Jamjar’s third canteen location.
Address: The Shipyards – 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Photo: Stephanie Lee
After closing its Langley and Park Royal locations, White Spot has also closed its R+D Kitchen.
Located inside Brentwood Mall, the test kitchen closed its doors on April 28.
Address: The Amazing Brentwood (Tables) — 4567 Lougheed Highway, Burnaby
Heirloom’s lead-up to closure made headlines for many reasons, but the South Granville eatery has shut down operations for good. In its place, brunch destination Lucille’s opened in September before closing three months later.
Address: 1509 W 12th Avenue, Vancouver
A longtime Italian spot has now winded down operations in West Vancouver. Trattoria Park Royal closed in April.
The popular concept from the Glowbal Group of restaurants operated at 757 Main Street within the shopping centre for 10 years.
Address: 757 Main Street, West Vancouver
Opened in 2016, Smithe Salad was a “family-run business that believes in and feels passionate about fresh foods.”
Address: 191 Smithe Street, Vancouver
An employee at Finch’s confirmed with Dished over the phone that its last day at this location was March 22.
The employee told us the closure was due to the increasing cost of upkeep and repairs. Thankfully, you can still visit Finch’s at its 501 E Georgia Street location.
Address: 353 West Pender Street, Vancouver
Unfortunately, the Mount Pleasant NSFW waffle shop has now closed.
“Due to rising costs of operations, we have decided not to renew our lease agreement,” shared the waffle shop online.
Address: 223 W Broadway #107, Vancouver
Marco Ovies/Daily Hive
We’re sorry, burger fans. We’ve got some bad news for you. Carl’s Jr., located at 625 Howe Street, has closed its doors.
Fans of the burger chain will now have to travel to Richmond or Surrey to get these handhelds.
Address: 625 Howe Street, Vancouver
Neptune Chinese Kitchen closed its 1136 Alberni Street location on December 29. 2023. “We want to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support throughout the years,” said Neptune.
Address: 1136 Alberni Street, Vancouver
Paul’s Sub Shop posted on Facebook that the restaurant would be closing because owner Mama Desa was retiring. It opened all the way back in 1971 at its original location in Vancouver on the corner of 45th and Fraser. Then, a little over 10 years ago, the sub shop made its way over to its now-closed location on Imperial Street in Burnaby.
AddressL 4608 Imperial Street, Burnaby
After 44 years, White Spot Langley closed its doors due to the new SkyTrain expansion going out to Langley. This location is on the exact footprint of the planned Willowbrooke Station, which is one of eight new stations joining the Expo Line. The Willowbrooke Station will also include a transit exchange.
Address: 19651 Fraser Hwy, Langley Township
White Spot also closed its Park Royal location after over 60 years of operation. “We have cherished serving our guests over the decades, been part of the Park Royal community, and are honoured to be part of many memorable moments,” said the restaurant.
Address: 797 Main Street, West 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
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
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
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
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
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.
Since then, the spot has been transitioned into its sister restaurant, Ramen Butcher.
Address: 4518 Hastings Street, Burnaby
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
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