More than just a pretty city! Vancouver receives regular accolades and awards for its culinary prowess and we can see why…
You may be visiting for its cool urban vibes or for the city’s epic outdoor activities, but Vancouver has a way of saying ‘thank you for coming’ at every soul-nourishing meal.
The city’s vibrant multicultural population has innovated and inspired gastronomically, but knowing which fabulous restaurant or bar to go to can be challenging. There are so many! That’s where we come in with our five favourite ways to feast in Vancity.
THE REEL DEAL
Sustained by the marine-rich waters of the Pacific Ocean, Vancouverite chefs deliver mouthwatering fish and seafood dishes leave you craving for more. Try the famed West Coast seafood chowder and take any opportunity to sample oysters, halibut, wild salmon or tuna.
If you’re seafood connoisseur, consider visiting in May or June when it is spot prawn season. These firm-but-sweet delicacies even have their own festival
CURRY ON
With 40% of Vancouver’s population having Asian heritage, the city’s gastronomic fare reflects this influence. Chinatown and the West End offer the best neighbourhoods to curb your cravings.
As one of the first Western cities to adopt sushi, Vancouver is rife with Japanese restaurants – over 600 in fact! We rate Miku, Tojo’s or the no-frills Naruto Sushi.
Other notable Asian eateries include the bustling ambience at Vij’s (oooh, that chicken curry), dim sum at Kirin’s, or Sai Woo for East-meets-West fusion.
TRUCK ME
Fancy taking your taste buds on a cheap-eats trip around the world, don’t miss out on fashionable food truck culture. Get the low down on chowing down on pork buns, fish tacos, juices or more on the Street Food App. Expect a line at Mom’s Grilled Cheese Truck.
Can you say you’ve been to Vancouver if you haven’t grabbed a JAPADOG? A wiener with a Japanese twist, enjoy scrumptious hot dogs with extras like seaweed, tonkatsu sauce or yakisoba noodles.
FARMER CHARMERS
It makes sense that a city obsessed with their taste buds caters to every budget. Appreciate Vancouver’s culinary creativity at the year-round Granville Island Public Market. Try the candied maple syrup salmon, Nanaimo desert bar, and fabulous clam chowder potpie at Chieko Bonna.
North America’s largest night market offers lively entertainment as a backdrop to Richmond’s global bites. Alternatively, Dine Out Vancouver’s food and wine festival is a must on any gastronome’s calendar.
BREWS AND BOOZE
Start your day as any self-respecting Vancouverite does – popping into a nearby café. 49th Parallel put Vancouver on the global coffee map. Nab a drool-worthy Lucky Doughnut here too.
With 50 breweries, Vancouver’s finest end-of-day reward is a cool craft beer along the water’s edge. Partner your historical explorations with ale on the Craft Beer & Bites tour with Gastown history intermingled with beer and food pairings.
For a more sophisticated tipple, the Keefer Bar is a local fave for cocktails, as too are the speakeasy vibes of The Diamond; go early evening to enjoy their dollar nigiri sushi.