Photo by Tim Mossholder from Unsplash
When I began compiling a list of new restaurant openings in Vancouver, WA, I envisioned creating an extensive and comprehensive guide. One problem with making a nice long list is that it becomes too long, and no one will find what they are looking for.
With that, I’m going to change this up. While the running list will continue to grow, I’ll start highlighting new places in smaller, more focused segments for easier browsing.
Over the last several months, a lot of places have opened up. They range from coffee shops to fast-casual chains, fast food spots, and more. Here are a few highlights:
In downtown Vancouver, there are approximately six coffee shops and cafes. One of those is a chain, while the others are local. What does the newest entry bring to the table? Cariño is a Mexican-style coffee shop. With specialty drinks like a Hot or Iced Dirty Horchata—a house-made horchata with espresso, panela syrup, and cinnamon powder—it’s already turning heads. If you want something that brings a little spice to your life, they have a Habanero Mexican Mocha, made with espresso, milk, Mexican chocolate, and habanero chili.
They don’t just have coffee. Like any good shop, they have food. If you’re a fan of pan dulce, this will be your place. If sweet isn’t your thing, they also have a Sincronizada (a hot flour tortilla sandwich) that comes with ham and cheese on their house-made flour tortilla.
There’s a Reddit group for everything going on in Vancouver. I posted about Chipotle opening, and let me tell you, the feedback wasn’t exactly enthusiastic. Even so, having a national chain come to downtown Vancouver is interesting—not to mention the location, across from New Seasons on Main Street.
I think we all know about Chipotle. If you don’t, it’s better than Taco Bell (though not cheaper). They’re mainly known for their burritos—that’s all I’d ever had, though it’s been a while. They also have tacos and burrito bowls too.
Sool Korean Kitchen isn’t located in downtown Vancouver, but it’s also not far away either. This Korean restaurant is located in Hazel Dell in the shopping center anchored by Safeway, Marshall’s, and Ross, along with several other fast casual restaurants.
Their menu features authentic Korean dishes, including the savory seafood pancake, hearty sul lung tang (beef bone soup), and flavorful LA galbi (grilled short ribs). For fans of mixed rice dishes, they have bibimbap along with chicken bulgogi and jap chae (stir-fried glass noodles).
One of the newest restaurants took over a very familiar space. The new restaurant is a Latin Fusion place called La Frontera. It’s the brainchild of the owners of La Frontera Public House in Vancouver close to Uptown, along with Little Kahuna and Tommy O’s at the Camas Hotel.
They took over what use to be Woody’s Taco’s downtown location, which due to multiple reasons didn’t last in their return to downtown. La Frontera’s menu primarily has tacos, with other specials like quesadillas, nachos, loaded tacos, pasta dishes, and more.
They have a lot cocktails, along with beers on tap, and other drinks for you to try.
Going ahead we’ll be doing shorter lists that highlight a few places here and there. Eventually, we’ll have a full list of new places. You can find out about newer places in Vancouver. Reference them as they open.
As always, if you know of a new place that you want to share. Place let us know. We want everyone to know about everything that is happening all around Vancouver.
Journey, Feast, and Live 
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