Most people passing through New Westminster stick to Columbia Street or the River Market, grab something familiar, and move on. That’s fine for a quick stop, but it means they’re missing the spots that locals actually talk about; the family-run Italian kitchen tucked away on 6th Street in Uptown, the Ukrainian bakery that smells like your grandmother’s house, the burger counter inside a mall that most people walk past without a second glance. New West has a food scene that rewards people who pay attention, and we’ve been paying attention for a while.
We put this guide together for people who live here and want to eat better, and for anyone new to the city who’s ready to skip the obvious and go straight to the good stuff. Each spot on this list is the kind of place you find out about because a neighbour mentioned it, not because it showed up in a travel feature. That’s exactly how we like it.
Artusi Restaurant (Uptown; 412 6th St)
Artusi is the kind of place you walk past without realizing what you’re missing; most people in Uptown New West don’t know it’s there unless someone tells them. The exterior doesn’t give much away, but step inside, and you get a cozy, intimate dining room with about 40 seats and the smell of fresh pasta coming from the kitchen. Everything is made in-house; the truffle gnocchi and squid-ink linguine with clams are the dishes locals keep coming back for, and the handmade gelato is worth saving room for. Street parking is available on the side streets, and bookings are recommended since tables fill up fast on weekends. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 4:00 to 8:30 pm, and Friday through Sunday from noon to 10:00 pm.
Kozak Ukrainian Eatery (Downtown; 444 6th St)
If you’ve never had Ukrainian food, Kozak is the place to start, and if you have, you already know this spot is something worth finding. It’s a small, mostly counter-service setup on 6th Street with maybe eight stools and a steady stream of takeout orders going out the door. The borsch is rich and warming, the pierogies are plump and properly filled, and the sourdough bread is baked fresh at this location. Here’s what to order if it’s your first visit:
- The Hungry Tato Combo for a solid introduction: borsch, cabbage rolls, varenyky, nalysnyk, and sourdough all in one
- Mama’s Combo if you want something a little different and just as filling
- Caramel chocolate croissant if it’s in the case
- Cabbage rolls (holubtsi) for something hearty on their own
- Ukrainian latte to finish, if you’re curious
They’re open seven days a week from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, which makes it an easy stop whenever you’re in the neighbourhood. Don’t come expecting a sit-down dinner; come expecting genuinely good food at an honest price.
IT Char Burger (West End; 800 McBride Blvd, Unit 29)
IT Char Burger sits inside Royal Square Mall on McBride, and if you didn’t know it was there, you’d never find it; which is the whole point. It’s a tiny counter run by a family who takes the food seriously, and the result is one of the best burgers in New Westminster by a fair margin. The signature IT Char Burger comes with two chargrilled house-made patties, caramelized onions, bacon, cheese, lettuce, and tomato, and everything is made to order, so give it a few minutes. The hand-cut garlic fries with Parmesan and garlic aioli are the thing most regulars order alongside, and adding a side of thick gravy is a decision you won’t regret. They’re open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 am to 8:00 pm; the mall has parking, and the quieter setting actually makes it a decent lunch option if you want to eat without the noise of a busy restaurant.
Wild Thyme (West End; 705 12th St)
We send friends to 12th Street when they want Lebanese food without the downtown attitude. Wild Thyme sits in a plain storefront at 705 12th; easy to miss if you are driving too fast. Inside, you will find a family kitchen that has been feeding this neighbourhood for years.
Order the quarter-chicken and quarter-kafta plate for two. It comes with garlicky tahini and fresh fattoush salad; the kind of meal that reminds you why you skipped the fancy places. The portions are heavy, the prices are honest, and the owners remember your face after two visits.
Street parking is available along 12th; or walk fifteen minutes from the SkyTrain if you want to work up an appetite. We suggest going for lunch when it is quiet; or grab takeout if the small tables are full. Bring cash; while they take cards, cash never fails here.
Sapperton District Taphouse (Sapperton; 421 East Columbia St)
Sapperton doesn’t get as much attention as Downtown or Uptown when people talk about where to eat and drink in New West, and the Sapperton District Taphouse is the clearest example of what the neighbourhood is quietly getting right. It’s entirely locally owned, with 33 rotating craft taps, exposed brick walls, and a layout that works just as well for a weeknight pint as it does for a group dinner. The Jambalaya Rice Bowl, chicken, shrimp, and chorizo over spicy rice with creole seasoning, is one of the better things on the menu, and the Big Carnivore Burger with two smash patties, brisket, and spicy mayo is the one to get if you’re hungry. Tuesdays bring 50% off pasta, which makes the Creole Cream Pasta worth planning around. Transit is the easiest way in from the SkyTrain, and there’s street parking nearby if you’d rather drive. It’s a solid alternative to the busier Downtown options if you’re after something low-key with a genuinely local feel.
Questions Often Asked
Are these restaurants easy to find, or do you need to know where you’re going?
Most of them take a little effort the first time, and that’s part of what keeps them local favourites. IT Char Burger is inside Royal Square Mall with no real street presence, Wild Thyme sits in a plain storefront that’s easy to drive past, and Artusi doesn’t call attention to itself from the outside. Our advice is to look up the address before you go, rather than relying on foot traffic to find it; once you’ve been there once, you’ll know exactly where to go back.
Do any of these spots work for vegetarians or people with dietary restrictions?
Yes, a few of them have solid options. Kozak Ukrainian Eatery has a vegan borsch made with red kidney beans and several other vegetarian items on the menu. The Sapperton District Taphouse offers vegetarian versions of both the Jambalaya Rice Bowl and the Creole Cream Pasta. Artusi is flexible with its menu and has accommodated dietary requests, so it’s worth calling ahead if you have specific needs.
Do Any of These Eateries Provide Takeout or Delivery Services?
Yes, most of our favourite spots offer takeout, and we’ve seen more adding delivery through apps recently. The family-run restaurants are particularly helpful when you ring ahead. They look after their regular customers well.
Which of these spots is best for a group?
The Sapperton District Taphouse is the easiest call for groups; it has the most space, a private event area, 33 taps on rotation, and a menu wide enough that everyone tends to find something. Artusi works well for smaller groups of four to six, though it’s a good idea to book in advance since the dining room only seats about 40 people.
What’s the best way to get to these spots without a car?
Most of them are very transit-accessible. Artusi and Kozak are both on 6th Street, a short walk from New Westminster Station. The Sapperton District Taphouse is reachable from Sapperton Station, and Wild Thyme on 12th Street is about a fifteen minute walk from the SkyTrain. IT Char Burger at Royal Square Mall is the one exception; it’s on McBride Boulevard, which is about a 10-minute walk from 22nd Street Station if you don’t mind the distance.
