Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Critically acclaimed Agrius Restaurant on Yates closing

Agrius, named one of Canada’s best new restaurants by Air Canada’s En Route magazine in 2016, cited the impacts of inflation and difficult economic environment in a social-media post
web1_vka-delivery-1633
Fol Epi and Agrius owner Cliff Leir at the Yates Street location in August 2022. DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST

Agrius Restaurant on Yates Street, which opened in 2015 and was critically acclaimed for its food, has announced it will permanently close its doors on Sunday night.

Agrius, named one of Canada’s best new restaurants by Air Canada’s En Route magazine in 2016, was known for sourcing food from local farmers and producers.

In a social-media post Friday, the restaurant, owned by Cliff Leir, cited the impacts of inflation and difficult economic environment in announcing the closure.

“This has been a very difficult and heartbreaking decision,” the post said. “We have been so lucky to work with some of the greatest people from this city and beyond, who have consistently showed up and produced such great food and service … but in the current climate, this has proven to be incredibly difficult.

“With the impact of inflation and the increasing difficulties inherently involved with running a restaurant, we have got to a point where it is no longer financially viable and we are not able to operate any longer.”

Leir will continue to operate his Fol Epi bakeries — one beside the Agrius Restaurant on Yates Street and the other at 398 Harbour Rd.

The popular brunch service provided by Agrius will continue to be run by Fol Epi on weekends from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

dkloster@timescoloniust.com