Vancouver, B.C., July 27, 2026 – Get ready to pull up a chair. On August 4, 2026, hospitality veterans and brothers Justin and Cristian Isidro are officially opening the doors to Maria Celeste, their long-dreamed tribute to Portugal’s cherished tascas. Named for their mãe (mother in Portuguese), the intimate 36-seat restaurant at 4181 Fraser Street will welcome its first guests during a limited soft opening the week prior. Reservations can now be made online.
Maria Celeste unites the brothers’ hospitality careers under one roof, each drawing on years spent in some of Vancouver’s (and Europe’s) most acclaimed rooms. Justin, formerly longtime director of operations at Michelin-starred Kissa Tanto, Meo, and Bao Bei, and founder of Vìnicola Portugal, leads the front-of-house, while Cristian (previously Kissa Tanto, Lisboeta in London, and Cozinha das Flores in Porto) helms the kitchen.
“Growing up in Portugal, tascas were where everyone ended up on any given day because they were all about welcoming the whole community,” says Justin. “That's the feeling we want the moment people walk through our doors – there's always a seat for you at our table. It's been a long road to get here, and we can't wait to finally share this room with our friends, family, and guests."
True to the tasca spirit, the food menu is built for the whole table and to-be-shared. À la carte options include Cristian’s Pratos, which pay heartfelt homage to Portugal through British Columbia’s seasonal ingredients, with signatures including: Rissois de Camarão, featuring crisp golden half-moons of sweet shrimp folded through cream with a touch of lemon; Bacalhau à Brás, shredded salt cod, egg, and straw potatoes; and Arroz de Marisco, Portuguese seafood rice with prawns, mussels, and clams.
Larger plates, or Da Terra, feature dishes such as a the surf and turf Pluma de Porco Iberico, Algarve’'s famous marriage of pork from the Alentejo with fresh clams; and Bife a Portuguesa, highlighting Carrara Wagyu paired with Lisbon-style cafe sauce of cream, butter, and mustard.
Guests also have the option of experiencing Maria Celeste’s Come e Cala-techef’s menu, where the kitchen takes the reins and brings dishes out for the table – built around what’s freshest, what’s in season, and what the kitchen is most proud of.
“Everything on this menu starts with memories of the way our mãe cooked and the way Portugal eats,” explains Cristian. “We take those traditions and let British Columbia's ingredients speak through them. We are cooking simply and generously – letting nothing go to waste. When a plate lands on the table, I want it to taste like you are in Portugal.”
Justin’s all-Portuguese wine list travels the country glass by glass, from Espumante through to Vinho Branco, Vinho Tinto, and Vinho Fortificado. It moves from the structured reds of the Alentejo to the freshness of Vinho Verde and the elegance of the Bairrada. Guided by the philosophy of “vou para a terra” (a deep respect for place), wine the program celebrates historic producers and small-scale growers alike, and lends its name to the list’s own Vou Pra Terra section.
Maria Celeste’s 1,300-square-foot room is designed by Studio Roslyn, together with Justin and Cristian. The contractors that made the space into a reality was built by Belcarra. As previously described, the space features warm wood, aged materials, and nostalgic touches – reflecting the essence of the traditional tasca: honest, familiar, and unadorned, where atmosphere is felt and enjoyed.
Maria Celeste officially opens on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Soft opening begins July 29, 2026. At launch, Maria Celeste will be open Tuesday to Sunday, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Reservations recommended. Walk-ins welcome. To stay up-to-date, please visit mariaceleste.ca