Restaurants

Opening Remarks: Three New(ish) Restaurants to Try This Month

Our monthly fresh sheet uncovers the city’s newest restaurants.

By the Editors /

1. Bear Necessities

food on the table at Locanda dell’Orso

A new downtown restaurant is bringing Italian summer to the city: Locanda dell’Orso (“Inn of the Bear”) serves fresh, indulgent pastas like pappardelle with bison ragu, Dungeness crab gramigna and agnolotti stuffed with chicken and beef. Look for a twist of Italy on the cocktail list, too (the “Old Disaronno Fashioned,” for example). locandadellorso.com

Opened May 2024 | 350 W Pender St.

2. Royal Family

a pair of hands grabbing a burger from the counter at Monarch Burger

Perhaps you’ve had chef Rob Belcham’s “dirty burger” before at Campagnolo Upstairs (RIP), the American or a local pop-up—it’s been making its way around Vancouver for a decade, but now it’s found a permanent home on Main Street. The dirty burg reigns supreme at Monarch Burger, but there are heirs to the throne: a veggie mushroom burger and spicy loaded poutine are also on the menu. monarchburger.ca

Opened May 2024 | 3034 Main St.

3. Double Trouble

a beautiful room with moody lighting and greenery on the ceiling

Shira Blustein teaming up with Meeru Dhalwala may be the most exciting collab of 2024 (sorry, Taylor Swift and Post Malone). The founder of the Acorn (and the Arbor—which closed in April, but don’t get too sad yet) and the former chef and co-owner of Vij’s have dreamed up a new Indian restaurant, Lila, that lives in the Arbor’s former space. (See? A delicious silver lining.) lilarestaurant.ca

Opened May 2024 | 3941 Main St.