I have dined at a lot of new restaurants that have opened in 2012. These are 30 of the Best NEW Restaurants in Vancouver that newly define how we eat, drink and play.

Note: These are not in any ranking order.

Via Tevere Pizzeria

1190 Victoria Drive, Vancouver

The best authentic Neapolitan pizza, cool ambience, impressive.

Vicino Pastaria

68 East Cordova, Vancouver

The food is beautiful, creative chef, delicious pasta creations.

Espana Restaurant

1118 Denman Street, Vancouver

Spanish tapas, culinary adventure of flavours.

The Acorn

3995 Main Street, Vancouver

Delicious vegetarian dishes, beautiful presentation, stylish room.

Heirloom

1509 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver

Big bowls of Delish Vegetarian food, in a very cool room.

The Parker

237 Union Street, Vancouver

Fine vegetarian fare, menu changes daily, romantic ambiance.

Fable Kitchen

1944 West 4th Ave, Vancouver

Farm to Table cuisine and creative dishes!

The Sardine Can

26 Powell St., Vancouver

Delicious Spanish Tapas, intimate room.

El Matador

131 West Esplanade, North Vancouver

Andalusian tapas, bright flavours.

Harvest Community Foods

243 Union Street, Vancouver

Large bowls of ramen, meets cool local grocer.

La Pentola Della Quercia

350 Davie Street, Vancouver

Northern Italian dishes, divine.

Bob Likes Thai Food

1521 W Broadway, Vancouver

Authentic Thai, and it was very tasty, wonderful flavours and wonderful service.

Pier 7 Restaurant

25 Wallace Mews Rd, North Vancouver

Outstanding fish and seafood, best patio on the north shore.

East of Main Café

223 East Georgia Street, Vancouver

Moroccan, Spain and the Mediterranean influences and flavours.

Sal y Limon

Unit #5 – 701 Kingsway, Vancouver

Authentic Mexican dishes

Rio Brazilian Steakhouse

689 Denman Street, Vancouver

Authentic Rodizio, delicious desserts.

Cotto Enoteca Pizzeria

6011 Hastings Street, Burnaby

More than just Italian food, beautiful communal table.

Le Parisien

751 Denman Street, Vancouver

French fare, romantic, stylish room.

Soirette Macarons

1433 West Pender Street, Vancouver

Endless flavours of Macarons, high tea service, stylish décor.

Forage

1300 Robson Street, Vancouver

Exceptional local fare, delish flavours, excellent desserts.

Minami Restaurant

1118 Mainland Street, Vancouver

Modern Japanese, inventive dishes, creative cocktails.

Tap and Barrel

1 Athletes Way, Vancouver

Comfort food, beer and wine on tap, beautiful patio.

Catch 122

122 West Hastings Street, Vancouver

French inspired comfort food, creative chef, spacious room.

The Union

219 Union Street, Vancouver

South East Asian eatery, inventive cocktails, stylish room.

Cafe D’Afrique

363 East Broadway, Vancouver

Authentic African dishes, friendly service.

The Mexican

1049 Granville Street Vancouver

Authentic Mexican dishes, friendly service.

Gurkha Himalyan Kitchen

1141 Davie Street, Vancouver

Nepalese cuisine, gracious servers, humble chef, hidden patio.

The Fish Shack

1026 Granville Street, Vancouver

Great seafood, creative chef, great cocktails.

Max’s Burgers

521 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver

Local burgers & shakes, creative cocktails.

The Portly Chef

1211 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver

French influenced West Coast cuisine

Curious which restaurants were on last years list, take a look at my Top 30 New restaurants of 2011.

by Richard Wolak