East Vancouver has a must visit Italian spot in Osteria al Centro. This is one to look out for as they work to complete their terrance, and the city has plans of building a man made lake and park adjacent to their property. I already predict this will be the best patio of 2026, if that all happens prior to summer. If not Vancouver, at least for the East side of it.
For now and for the month of January they are encouraging customers to dine in with their $49 per person, 3 course tasting menu. This is a set menu that allows you to pick your appetizer, entree, and dessert.
Not on this specialty menu, but a must when you visit is their house-made focaccia. Each round is baked first thing in the morning for the day of, but you can ask them to heat it up. This gives you a toasted herbed bite and fluffy bread to dip into DOP quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Great as table bread to start and to have with any of their pastas.
The 3 course dinner antipasti options includes a arugula and fennel salad, beef carpaccio, and stuffed mushrooms. We had the latter which was two Portobello mushroom stuffed with cotechino sausage. Soft and flavourful in two bites each. Tasty enough but it felt me wanting more, definitely something to whet the appetite with.
When we were seated we were warned that we had to get our order in as soon as possible, if we wanted the beef carpaccio. So we thought we did, however we ended up missing our chance on the last, one to another table.
Seeing how disappointed we were to lose out on the carpaccio, the manager allowed us to pick any other appetizer from off the regular menu. This was a courtesy that I am sure isn’t extended to everyone, all the time. Although I saw it as a sign of the level of their customer service, here in this moment. We eagerly accepted the generous offer, and used the opportunity to be able to try their calamari.
Fried calamari rings, chilli oil, arrabbiata sauce, and lemon wedges. I loved the perfect balance of chewy and crispy. I found these rings delicious and easy to pop entirely into your mouth in satisfaction.
For our primi we also had three choices: 2 pastas and a pizza. We got the Tagliatelle alla Bolognese over the Trofie al Pesto pasta, wanting the meat option over the vegetarian one. This was slow cooked beef, pork and tomato ragù, and parmigiano reggiano. We enjoyed how homey the serving was, with plenty of beef to coat, and a sauce that wasn’t too acidic.
I loved the chewy and bubbly Margherita Pizza crust that was like bread. Topped with fior di latte mozzarella, tomato sauce, and fresh basil. You can taste the quality in the ingredients used. This was a great example of simple and clean Italian cuisine.
For dessert it is a Cannolo. They do not make the shell in house, but the ricotta and mascarpone they stuff into it is made in-house. I liked the addition of the chocolate chips at either ends. Not only for its crunchy texture, but as a little sweetness to balance out the dense and chunky cream filling.
If you are willing to pay $8 more you can have a large slice of their house made Tiramisu. Lady finger cookies generous soaked in coffee and light liquor topped with lush cream topping it all. A dessert so soft that you need not chew it, but let it simply melt.
I have yet to have a bad meal here. Theirs is quality authentic Italian cuisine that I have no problem recommending. Delicious and unpretentious, I am happy that East Vancouver as them to call their own.
Osteria al Centro
3087 Slocan St, Vancouver, BC V5M 3E4
(604) 430-9696
italianculturalcentre.ca
