There’s something about Pax Romana that immediately makes you want to linger a little longer. Tucked along the heart of Commercial Drive, the warmly lit tapas bar feels less like a restaurant you simply stop into for dinner and more like the kind of place you accidentally spend your entire evening. Somewhere between the flickering candlelight, tiny cocktail glasses, overflowing share plates, and steady hum of conversation, Pax Romana captures the kind of relaxed, convivial energy that makes Mediterranean dining feel so timeless.

Opened in late 2023 by the same team behind Loula’s Taverna, Sopra Sotto, and Claudio’s Ristorante, Pax Romana brings together Mediterranean-inspired small plates, carefully crafted cocktails, and an atmosphere that feels distinctly European while still fitting naturally into East Vancouver’s vibrant dining scene.

After launching with a loyal following almost immediately, the Commercial Drive hotspot recently introduced a refreshed spring menu featuring new share plates, charcuterie boards, desserts, cocktails, and one of the best happy hour offerings in Vancouver right now. Whether you’re planning a date night, catching up with friends over cocktails, or simply looking for one of the best tapas-style restaurants in Vancouver, here’s what our experience at Pax Romana was like.

The Mediterranean-Inspired Share Plates Are the Main Attraction

Pax Romana’s refreshed spring menu leans heavily into bold Mediterranean flavours, designed around sharing and slower-paced dining. The menu ranges from small snacks and charcuterie boards to richer composed plates that feel substantial enough to build an entire meal around. If you’ve also been as obsessed with tinned fish as I have been, they have a small selection to choose from here as well.

On my visit I had the following:

• Pearl Couscous & Bebé Scallops ($18.00)
• Tartare Di Rafano ($19.00)
• Salmón Curado ($17.00)
• Yellowfin Tuna with Piquillo Peppers ($25.00)

One of the most visually striking dishes of the night was the Pearl Couscous & Bebé Scallops. The dish features caviar, pomegranate, chives, puffed quinoa, pickled tapioca, and bravas crema agria. It had a lovely balance of richness and brightness, especially from the pickled tapioca. The scallops were tender and delicate, while the bursts of pomegranate kept everything feeling fresh and lively. The bravas crema agria added a subtle tanginess, and the puffed quinoa gave each bite an unexpected crunch. It felt refined without becoming overly serious, which perfectly reflects Pax Romana’s overall approach to dining. This was easily one of my favourite dishes of the night and a definite must-order.

The Tartare di Rafano leaned much bolder and more savoury. It features horseradish, herbs, cured yolk, gherkins, shallots, mustard seeds, red wine, and balsamic glaze. The richness of the tartare was balanced by the sharpness of the horseradish and gherkins. The cured yolk added extra depth and creaminess. Every bite felt intensely flavourful without becoming too heavy or overpowering.

The Salmón Curado was one of the lighter dishes we ordered, but it still packed plenty of flavour. The dish features cured salmon, whipped labneh, and sherry slaw. The salmon was silky and delicate, while the whipped labneh added a creamy tanginess that balanced the richness beautifully. The sherry slaw brought brightness and acidity that kept the dish feeling fresh and clean. It’s the kind of plate that works perfectly as a starter before moving into some of the richer share plates on the menu.

I’m currently obsessed with tinned fish, so I had to order something from the Conserva menu. This section features premium tinned seafood imported from Spain and served with sourdough on the side. We tried the Yellowfin Tuna with piquillo peppers. The tuna was deeply savoury, silky, and incredibly rich. Paired with the sweetness of the peppers and warm sourdough, it felt simple but incredibly satisfying. It’s the kind of snack I could easily imagine lingering over at a small wine bar somewhere along the Mediterranean coast. It also makes a great introduction for anyone curious about conservas and Spain’s tinned seafood culture.

Don’t Skip the Cocktails at Pax Romana

While the food draws people in, Pax Romana’s cocktail program deserves just as much attention. The drink menu leans heavily into vermouths, sherries, amari, and spirit-forward cocktails that feel distinctly Mediterranean while still approachable for casual cocktail drinkers.

The restaurant’s signature Pax cocktails also remain some of the strongest drinks on the menu. The Pax Martini felt floral and elegant. The Pax Espresso Martini leaned richer and more decadent without becoming overly sweet. As a non-martini drinker, I am enamoured with the Pax Martini.

What also stood out was how knowledgeable the staff were when it came to both cocktails and wine pairings. Whether you’re looking for a spirit-forward cocktail, a glass of sherry, or a wine recommendation to match your meal, the team does an excellent job guiding you through the menu without making the experience feel intimidating. For cocktail lovers, Pax Romana easily stands out as one of the more interesting bars on Commercial Drive right now.

Pax Romana Might Have One of the Best Happy Hours on Commercial Drive

One of the biggest reasons Pax Romana feels especially accessible is its generous happy hour program available Thursday through Saturday from 5 to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight, as well as all day Sunday.

The happy hour menu includes snacks like Gildas and Pan con Tomate for $3, olives and Marcona almonds for $6, and the Iberico Sandwich for $16. These are great dishes to pair with their discounted cocktails, wine, vermouth, sherry, and beer.

In a city where cocktails regularly climb past the $20 mark, Pax Romana’s happy hour feels refreshingly reasonable. Even with the lower prices, the quality and atmosphere still feel elevated and thoughtfully curated. It’s also one of the rare happy hours in Vancouver that genuinely feels destination-worthy rather than simply convenient.

Pax Romana Is One of the Best Date Night Spots in East Vancouver

What ultimately makes Pax Romana so memorable isn’t just the food or cocktails individually. It’s the atmosphere the restaurant creates around them. The dim lighting, small plates, flowing cocktails, and leisurely pacing naturally encourage conversation and lingering in a way that feels increasingly rare in Vancouver dining.

Whether you’re planning a date night, celebratory dinner, or casual night out with friends, Pax Romana provides a relaxing but elevated experience. If you are searching for one of the best restaurants on Commercial Drive or one of Vancouver’s most charming Mediterranean-inspired dining experiences, Pax Romana is absolutely worth adding to your list.

Pax Romana – Quick Facts

• Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired small plates & cocktails
• Location: Commercial Drive, East Vancouver
  
• Happy Hour:
  • Thursday to Saturday (5 PM to 6 PM + 10 PM to Midnight)
  • Sunday (All Day)
• Known for:
  • Mediterranean share plates
  • Cocktails & wine
  • Spanish conservas
  • Late night bites
  • Commercial Drive happy hour
• Best for:
  • date nights
  • group dinners
  • cocktails with friends
  • late night drinks
  • casual celebrations
• Reservations recommended: Yes

Pax Romana
Address: 1670 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3Y4
Website: https://www.paxromana.ca/