Vancouver, BC - February 28, 2025 - For many years, the Romano’s Macaroni Grill on Davie Street was a go-to spot for Italian-inspired cuisine in downtown Vancouver. Located at the corner of Davie and Thurlow, this popular restaurant offered a casual yet refined dining experience, known for its fresh pastas, open kitchen concept, and signature rosemary bread. The warm, inviting atmosphere made it a favorite among locals and tourists alike, perfect for both family dinners and romantic date nights.

At its peak, the Macaroni Grill thrived as part of a broader expansion of the chain across North America. Customers loved the generous portions, extensive wine list, and tables covered in white butcher paper, where guests could doodle while waiting for their meals. The restaurant also stood out with its opera-singing waiters, who would occasionally belt out Italian arias, adding a unique charm to the dining experience.

However, as Vancouver’s culinary scene evolved and rent prices soared, the Macaroni Grill struggled to maintain its foothold. With increasing competition from independent restaurants and a shift in consumer preferences toward locally sourced, farm-to-table dining, the chain eventually closed its doors.

Initially called Gabriola House, the sprawling home was built in 1901 by B.T. Rogers, the founder of the B.C. Sugar Refinery. After Rogers died in 1918, the house was converted to the Angus Apartments—then in 1978 it became a high-end restaurant called Hy’s Mansion before becoming the Macaroni Grill in 1994.

In the Rogers’ day the estate consisted of a gardener’s cottage, barn and stables, conservatory, greenhouses, tennis courts, and a five-horse paddock. It dominated the full city block from Cardero to Nicola. This part of the estate was lost in the 1920s when the property was subdivided and converted to apartments. Like every good space, there was also an underground tunnel said to be under Gabriola House. “This tunnel was used for bootlegging and prostitution running during Vancouver’s prohibition era,” notes Ghosts of Vancouver.

Today, the space that once housed the beloved Macaroni Grill has been repurposed into apartments, reflecting the ever-changing nature of Vancouver’s vibrant dining landscape. Though the restaurant is gone, many Vancouverites still remember the warm bread, cozy ambiance, and lively Italian melodies that made the Macaroni Grill a special part of Davie Street’s history.

#Vancouver Eats #Davie Street #Italian Dining #Restaurant History #Foodie Memories #Lost Restaurants #Macaroni Grill #YVR Food #WBN News Vancouver #Vancouver #City of Vancouver #Elke Porter

Connect with Elke at Westcoast German Media or on LinkedIn: Elke Porter or contact her on WhatsApp:  +1 604 828 8788

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