Restaurants

3 New-ish Restaurants Worth Checking Out Next

A trio of recently opened rooms worth your time.

By Dani Wright /

1. Nui

Main Street’s newest restaurant, Nui, combines traditional Korean dishes, modern techniques and West Coast seasonality to highlight the cuisine’s bold and memorable flavours. Think comforting gukbap (pork and rice soup) and gomtang (beef soup) that chef Jae Hwang tops with gochujang for a twist on classic flavours. nuivancouver.com

Opened March 2025 | 4811 Main St.

2. El Compa

The team behind (now closed, but much loved) Aleph Eatery brings El Compa Cocina Mexicana and its fresh-yet-authentic Mexican eats to Hastings-Sunrise. The street food-style menu features standouts like cheese-pull worthy barbacoa quesadillas and Jamaica tacos with hibiscus. elcompayvr.com

Opened March 2025 | 1889 Powell St.

3. Niwa

East Van’s Niwa is the latest answer to the omakase craze that’s taken the city by storm. The thoughtfully curated selection of dishes rotates daily based on availability and seasonality, but that doesn’t hold back chef Darren Gee’s creativity. From purple cabbage and brown rice salad (with punchy anchovy, bonito and egg) to braised wagyu beef belly with spaghetti squash and black vinegar, each dish is memorable and unique. restaurantniwa.com

Opened February 2025 | 1875 Powell St.