East is East is a dream borne from the minds and hearts of Mustafa and Razaviah, siblings of Afghan descent. Escaping Afghanistan as a family during the soviet war, they relocated in India and traveled throughout the country absorbing the culture through it's language, art and cuisine.
East is East, an Afghan restaurant in the heart of Vancouver, offers a million reasons to lounge amongst the pillows and enjoy an ethnic meal. With arguably the spiciest chai tea in the city and the tastiest curries and sauces, East is East boasts cozy throws, wooden benched nooks and snuggly feather cushions where food is savoured with friends and cultural differences are left at the door.
After their family fled Afghanistan during the outbreak of the Soviet war, brother and sister duo, Mustafa and Razaviah Reza spent ten years in India before immigrating to Vancouver. They opened East is East in Kitsilano in 2001 and later, a second location on Main Street. “We wanted to have a place where you could go and experience a culture,” says Mustafa. Their restaurant is a symbol of passion come to life, as East is East breaks cultural boundaries and creates an atmosphere that encourages the appreciation of food, friendship, and music, with live entertainment routinely gracing their intimate stage.
With multiple locations, East is East brings Silk Road flavours to Vancouver taste buds. Spend some time lounging on pillows while sipping on an incredible chai tea. East is East can be a welcoming escape from soggy winter days, but it also comes alive in the evening when visitors can enjoy Eastern tapas and take in live music. It's a one-of-a-kind experience.
East Is East fuses multiple cultural traditions into one seamless experience. Both the Kitsilano and Main Street locations have a sublime selection of vegetarian roti, and the meat options include lamb, chicken and salmon.
You can’t go wrong with a strong cup of chai from Main Street’s venerable East is East restaurant. The popular Mount Pleasant spot, which has served the drink for more years than most on the block can count, boasts chai so delicious that staff often offer free samples to passersby in what’s surely a successful method for attracting new clientele. Two traditional varieties are available – black Darjeeling and green masala chai – as well as a rooibos, apple ginger and chocolate chai with real organic cocoa. Make any of these into a chai latte – and add almond milk for an extra boost of nutty flavour.