Locanda Dell’Orso opens in Iconic Downtown Location

Locanda dell’Orso, or ‘Inn of the Bear’ in Italian, opened to the public, May 14, 2024. The new restaurant will be located at 350 West Pender Street, and will be open for dinner service Tuesday through Saturday.

Step into Locanda dell’Orso and you’ll find the ambience of a warm, welcoming Italian home, with dishes found across Northern and Coastal Italy. Chicken and beef stuffed Agnolotti, cooked down with rosemary, represents cuisine hailing from the Piedmont region. Meanwhile, the classic Sicilian dish of Canestri Caponata, with vegetables, capers and olives, spiced with Calabrian chilli, and topped with salted ricotta, embodies flavours found along the Italian coast.

Of course no Italian meal is complete without wine, and oenophiles will be pleased to find a selection of wines from smaller wineries in Italy, not commonly found in Vancouver. For those looking to try by the glass, the wine menu also boasts organic wines from a variety of regions across Italy. Meanwhile, the cocktail list – curated by Bar Manager, Riccardo Farina – is inspired by the Milanese aperitif, blending both classic and innovative cocktails to appeal to all tastes. A selection of BC wines by the glass and bottle will also be on offer.

The interiors of the restaurant have been fully reimagined, with chic marble and wood countertops, walnut flooring, and burgundy eco-leather upholstered booths perfect for tucking into a meal over a glass of wine. The artwork, inspired by advertising seen during the modernist avant-garde movement known as ‘Futurism’ will be displayed throughout, creating a bold statement.

Located at 350 West Pender Street, operating hours for the restaurant will be Tuesday through Saturday, from 5:00 PM till 10:00 PM. The restaurant occupies a space of 1,500 sqft and accommodates 50 guests, including 12 at the bar.

ABOUT LOCANDA DELL’ORSO

A new venture between culinary experts, Ianna Vazquez (Restaurant Director), Marquella Uhrig (Head Chef), Doireann Walsh (General Manager), and Riccardo Farina (Bar Manager), Locanda dell’Orso collates decades of experience from around the world, bringing an authentic Italian, family-style restaurant to downtown Vancouver. The eatery’s philosophy, taken from the Italian legend of the Inn of the Bear, focuses on providing a welcoming and hospitable atmosphere, where diners can enjoy a true taste of Italy’s Northern and Coastal regions.

For more information, visit www.locandadellorso.com or follow @locandadellorso on Instagram.

Media release and image provided by Daniel Jones, MILK