Lucias Syme
Chef & Restaurateur

Lucias Syme

Vancouver

Founder of Cinara, Autostrada, and Capo and The Spritz in Vancouver, BC. Handmade pasta, regional Italian, two decades in Vancouver's best kitchens. Cooks the way Italy actually eats — not how it's marketed.

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Based in Vancouver, BC, Lucias is widely recognized as one of the leading figures in the city's modern Italian dining scene. Lucias has built a reputation for ingredient-driven Italian cuisine rooted in simplicity, technique, and hospitality.

With more than three decades in professional kitchens, Lucias has helped shape several of Vancouver's most respected restaurants. His culinary background includes roles and partnerships with acclaimed establishments such as La Quercia, La Pentola, and Cinara, as well as collaborations with some of the city's top chefs and restaurateurs. His approach to Italian cooking emphasizes restraint, precision, and allowing exceptional ingredients to speak for themselves.

Lucias is particularly known for his dedication to craftsmanship and sourcing. His philosophy centers around quality ingredients, traditional techniques, and building memories that feel welcoming, timeless, and deeply personal.

Experience & Background

Culinary Specialties

Culinary Philosophy
The best restaurants are built around simplicity, hospitality, and genuine respect for ingredients — thoughtful execution over excess, and dishes designed to bring people together around the table.

Meet Lucias on a trip.

Lucias leads the kitchen on Italian-forward expeditions and pasta-focused experiences. His program brings handmade pasta and wood-fired technique into the field.