Eat the Suburbs: Where to Find Great Eats in New Westminster

It’s only been three years since he moved to New West from the West End, but Seeking Blue Records partnerships director Adam Caddell has wasted no time in getting the lay of the land. The avid foodie can fire off recos for the best chicken wings (“Saigon Ivy”), the next-level picnic fare (“split the ‘full barnyard’ from ReUp with friends”) and the perfect chocolate-walnut cookies (Hive Cafe: “SO GOOD”) without taking a breath. So we thought: who better to walk us through a dream day of dining in the Royal City?

The Perfect Food Day in New Westminster

9:00 a.m. Snag fuel for a dog walk at Moodswing Coffee.

“The place has a Mount Pleasant feel, so you can forget you decided to do the grown-up thing and move to the ’burbs while you enjoy your cappuccino ($4.50).”  655 Front St.

10:00 a.m.  Stock the pantry with essentials.

“I always grab  the dark chocolate Babka ($5) from the original Kozak.”  444 6th St. 

12:00 p.m.  Hit up Kirin for dim sum.

“Kirin has been doing it right for years, but this is probably their least known location—which means spending less time in line and more time devouring har gow dipped in chili oil ($10) and crushing the best tea on earth.” 350 Gifford St.

1:30 p.m. Take a post dim sum nap.

Zzzz.

3:00 p.m.  An afternoon brew at Steel and Oak Brewing Co.

“Right now I’m enjoying their cranberry pomegranate orange sour ($6.50). Their patio area is dog friendly, too.” 1319 3rd Ave.

6:00 p.m. Chicken out at Wild Thyme.

“In my opinion, it’s the best Lebanese food in the Lower Mainland. We’ll share the quarter-chicken, quarter-kafta plate for two ($56), with the insanely good garlicky tahini sauce and fattoush salad.” 705 12th St.

8:00 p.m.  Cap it off with a cone at Anny’s.

“For dessert, I’m walking over to Anny’s Dairy Bar—open ‘til 9:00 in the summer. The place is an homage to Quebec-style diners, and while they’re known for their poutine, smoked meat and steamies, I’m going for their maple twist cone ($6). Real maple syrup over the creamiest vanilla soft serve you can find anywhere.”  722 6th Ave., 604-515-1410

More of New West’s Best Restaurants 

Perfect Pizza

Seek out L’Onore Pizza for their soft and chewy sourdough-based Neapolitan-style pizza.

Top-notch Takeout

Order Longtail Kitchen for perfectly spicy,  salty pad see ew.

Crushable Cocktails

El Santo makes their “El Padrino” with its own in-house mole bitters and Sons of  Vancouver amaretto.

Lunch You’ll Love

Hit up Mediterranean Donair House for chicken donair, loaded with fresh veggies and flavourful sauces for around $10. 604-777-4010

Sublime Sandwiches

Gastronomia Italia is the place for “simple but unforgettable” focaccia sandwiches: think thinly sliced mortadella, burrata and a generous amount of housemade pistachio pesto.   

What to do Between Meals in New West

1. Feel the music

Another Beer Co. hosts monthly karaoke nights. Summon some liquid courage to take the stage with a pint of The Hardest Part Of Making A Beer Is Naming It! West Coast Pale Ale. 

2. Catch up on Oscar bait

Movie lovers trek to New West specifically to catch a flick at Landmark Cinema. You’ll see great new releases in lush, comfortable recliners—without the premium pricing.  

3. Join the party on Front Street

If you’re in town on a summer Friday, don’t miss Fridays on Front, a weekly (fully licenced!) street party with live entertainment, food trucks, an artisan market and beer galore. 

4. Get your game on

There are—delightfully—two different arcades in New West to help you scratch that Pac-Man itch. Drop in at Industry Arcade or Capital City Classic Arcade and dust off the ol’ joystick muscles. 

5. Grind those gears

The passenger-only Q to Q ferry takes you from the River Market across to Queensborough, where a long dike trail leads cyclists on a pretty ride around the neighbourhood.