Sliding Doors: Restaurants Opening and Closing in Vancouver Lately

In case you didn’t know this about the staff at Vancouver magazine, we’re always on the lookout for new, exciting places to eat. (Psst—if you want recommendations, peep the 2026 finalists for our annual Restaurant Awards!) But, as all things in life, sometimes you have to let go of the old reliable spots to make way for the new.

Here are some restaurant closures we’re mourning.

All four Matchstick locations will soon be closing.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce we will be winding down operations at Matchstick Coffee,” the team posted on the cafe’s Instagram last week. “Over the last few years, the landscape of our industry has shifted dramatically. Like many independent businesses, we have faced an increasingly challenging environment. After exploring every possible avenue, we have made the difficult decision to close our doors.”

 

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Rice Burger

Another casualty of the business announced on Instagram was Sasamat Street’s Rice Burger.

“It’s a sad day for Rice Burger. After nine amazing years of selling the good people our delicious Rice Burger we are unfortunately selling and will no longer be a restaurant,” they posted online. Since February 18, we’ve had to say goodbye to handheld burgers with rice “buns” that replace what we know as a traditional burger bun. Sigh.

 

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On the bright side, a new crop of concepts is popping up.

Here are some restaurants that have recently opened (or that will be very soon).

Aburi Market Downtown

If anyone loves grab-and-go sushi and bento boxes, it’s working Vancouverites, so the new Aburi Market Downtown will be a welcome addition to the chain. There are already two busy locations from the Japanese grocery chain: one in Yaletown and another in West Vancouver, but the new Granville Street location (officially opening March 3) expands by offering Japanese specialty snacks, signature platters, exclusive imported goods from Japan and award-winning Iwate A5 Wagyu.

101-609 Granville St.
aburimarket.com

Charm Thai Eatery by Zab Bite

Little sister to the Restaurant Award favourite Zab Bite, Charm Thai Eatery has set up shop in Kitsilano serving up lunch and dinner with authentic Thai cuisine, signature cocktails and a thoughtfully curated wine list. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. since February 1.

3293 W 4th Ave.
charmrestaurant.ca

Nabi House

Quietly opened in late December, family-run Korean comfort food spot, Nabi House serves up warming soups, classic Korean dishes and the best dang nokdu pancake (think: savoury, crispy and homey pancake made from kimchi and ground mung beans, served with soy-pickled jalapenos) you’ll ever eat.

 

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1889 Powell St.
nabihouse.ca

Dante Italian Sandwich

Vancouver can’t get enough of sandwiches, and Dante Italian Sandwich has set up yet another shop, this time a cozy six-seater at 505 Burrard St., open today. This is the third spot for the sandwich franchise set up by Dom and Frank Morra (the minds behind Via Tevere and more), making it eligible for Best Chain in next year’s Restaurant Awards.

505 Burrard St.
dantesandwich.com

Burdy

Known as the food truck set up outside Container Brewing, Burdy is taking the wheels off to find a permanent home on Granville Island. Set to open in late spring, Burdy will be serving up rotating feature sandwiches, braised beef sandwiches and calzones made with slow-fermented pizza dough along with rotating local beer, cider and wine.

1425 Anderson St.
eatburdy.ca