Story | Kenson Ho Photography | Pretty Chill & Super Friendly Co.
Aegean cuisine, which originates from the coastal regions of Greece and western Turkey, is known for its simple ingredients and balanced philosophy. Olive oil, herbs like oregano and thyme, seafood, and seasonal vegetables form the core of this Mediterranean tradition—one that emphasizes health, nature, and harmony.
Tucked into a quiet corner of Vancouver’s Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood, Selene Aegean Bistro brings this spirit to life. Each dish transports diners to the sunlit shores of the Aegean Sea while weaving in the freshness and bounty of British Columbia’s West Coast. It’s a culinary journey that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new.
Selene’s exterior draws inspiration from seaside tavernas, while preserving the character of the nearly century-old building it inhabits. Inside, the restaurant feels open and calm, reminiscent of a Mediterranean terrace—with high ceilings, a grand olive tree at its heart, hand-painted frescoes, and natural materials in soft, earthy tones that evoke the gentle tranquillity of the Aegean.
The name Selene comes from the Greek goddess of the moon. In line with this, the menu is divided into poetic categories: Meze (small starters), Half Moon (smaller mains), and Full Moon (larger plates). The concept flows naturally through the dishes—from flame-grilled octopus to herb-filled vine leaf dolmas, all infused with Mediterranean soul and West Coast freshness. Seasonal vegetables, wild BC seafood, and forest-foraged ingredients add a contemporary, local twist.
Olive oil plays a starring role, grounding each dish with rustic elegance. Sharing is encouraged. Starters include grape leaves bursting with fresh herbs, smoky roasted eggplant, and grilled halloumi glazed with local honey. Mains may feature wild BC spot prawns with preserved lemon and oregano, or lamb slow-cooked with aromatic spices and forest mushrooms.
One of the bistro’s signature dishes is the Branzino—a European sea bass grilled until crisp, topped with honey-roasted grapes and grape leaf chermoula. Sweet and savoury elements balance beautifully in a dish perfect for sharing.
The wine list features crisp whites and layered reds, thoughtfully selected from Greece and BC’s Okanagan Valley. Highlights include the natural orange wine Moschofilero “Hoof & Lur” Skin-Contact from Mantineia, and the 2022 Assyrtiko by Vassaltis from Santorini.
The cocktail menu also stands out. The refreshing Yasas blends Skinos Mastiha, pisco, umeshu, and Greek mountain tea. Another favourite is the Ottoman-Opoeia, which combines mezcal, Metaxa, spiced plum sharbat, lemon, and egg white—smoky, fragrant, and full of character.
“Selene had been in the works for years. We simply wanted to create a beautiful, heartfelt place in a community we love, and to bring the purity of Aegean flavours to Vancouver,” says founder Yianni Kerasiotis, who runs the bistro with his brother, Petro. “Aegean cuisine is all about balance—traditional yet modern, grounded in local farms, seafood, and nature itself.”
Selene Aegean Bistro
360 Penticton St, Vancouver
seleneagn.com
