By Jenni Sheppard
Springtime is a magical season in Metro Vancouver, as gorgeous clouds of pink and white blossoms burst forth from cherry trees across the region.
Metro Vancouver’s streets are lined with more than 43,000 glorious plum and cherry trees, many of which were gifts from Japan after WWII. Nowadays, these extraordinary trees and their joyous petals are springtime symbols of romance, renewal, inspiration, and change.
And where better than in a natural setting to spend a long lunch or a dinner date? Here’s our guide to 9 perfect spots to dine surrounded by blushing blooms and emerald canopy.
Minami
Flowering wisteria grows over the Yaletown patio at Minami in Vancouver, while diners enjoy an upmarket combination of Japanese and West Coast cuisine, including sushi, sashimi, and nigiri. During cherry blossom season, you’ll also be able to try a special menu of culinary creations named after sakura, the Japanese word for cherry tree.
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Minami is located at 1118 Mainland Street, Vancouver. Opening hours are Sunday to Thursday, from 11:30 am to 10 pm, Friday and Saturday, from 11:30 am to 10:30 pm.
The Teahouse in Stanley Park
Near the Lovers’ Walk trail in Stanley Park, the Teahouse is surrounded by a green canopy of trees and sweeping ocean views. This cozy restaurant offers refined brunch, lunch, small plates, and dinner. Choose from sablefish, salmon, and steak for dinner, or try pork and apple sausage benedict for brunch. Yum!
The Teahouse in Stanley Park is located at Ferguson Point, Stanley Park, Vancouver. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 11:30 am to close, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays, 10:30 am to close.
Little White House Salon Cafe
The Little White House in Fort Langley is a heritage house with beautiful gardens just outside. Meanwhile, their Salon Cafe, designed in the Parisian style of the late 1800s, also offers brunch, lunch and afternoon tea, with a menu including lavender lemonade and an Oscar Wilde cucumber croissant.
Little White House is located at 9090 Glover Road, Langley. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 10 am to 5 pm, weekends, 10 am to 6 pm.
Sockeye City Grill
Sockeye City Grill in Steveston, Richmond offers a fresh and tasty seafood menu, including Pacific halibut, wild sockeye salmon, and seafood yakisoba on their waterfront patio—just a short walk from Garry Point Park, where 255 gorgeous cherry trees await you on the mouth of the Fraser River.
Sockeye City Grill is located at 108-3800 Bayview Street, Richmond. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 11 am to sundown, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, 11 am to 2 pm then 5 pm to sundown.
London Heritage Farm Tea Room
London Heritage Farm in Richmond is an 1890s historical site overlooking the Fraser River. The grounds feature a rose garden, heritage garden, and west and south lawns, all brimming with flowers and trees. Best of all the quaint tea room offers afternoon tea, including signature London Lady Tea, homemade scones and desserts, plus fresh cream, butter and organic jam.
London Heritage Farm is located at 6511 Dyke Road, Richmond. The grounds are open every day from dawn till dusk. Tea Room opening hours are every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 pm.
Feast
At Feast in West Vancouver, you need only glance out of the large windows to soak up the pink and white blooms all around you. This neighbourhood table prides itself in serving local food created by local people and offers everything from fresh fish chowder and roasted artichoke sandwiches, to a signature feast burger and succulent steak frites.
Feast is located at 2423 Marine Drive, West Vancouver. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 11:30 am, Saturday and Sunday from 10 am.
Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club
Fairways Grill & Patio and Rogues Bar & Grill, at the Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club in Coquitlam, both offer panoramic views from Eagle Mountain. Cherry blossoms are just the start—on a clear day, you can see as far as Mount Baker. Try some bourbon vanilla French toast for brunch, khao soi gai noodle soup for lunch, lobster conchiglie for dinner, or braised duck and blueberry pizza anytime!
Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club is located at 3251 Plateau Boulevard, Coquitlam. Rogues Bar & Grill is open Monday to Friday from noon to close, and weekends from 10 am to close. Fairways Grill & Patio is open Monday to Friday from 11 am to close, and weekends from 10 am to close.
Centennial Rose Garden
When it comes to dining out in nature, you can’t beat a good old fashioned picnic, and Centennial Rose Garden in Coquitlam is the perfect spot for it. You’ll be able to marvel at more than 800 roses, and take selfies under archways covered in blooms. And don’t be fooled by the name—in spring, the neighbourhood is surrounded by cherry blossoms!
Centennial Rose Garden is located at 624 Poirier Street, Coquitlam. Open 24 hours a day, every day.
Shaughnessy Restaurant
Shaughnessy Restaurant in Vancouver is set in VanDusen Botanical Garden, with a light, airy deck surrounded by blooming plants and trees. You’ll be able to enjoy a seasonal brunch, lunch, or dinner there—they use produce harvested from the garden wherever possible. Delicious dinner options include braised lamb roulade, kale and quinoa galette, and pumpkin seed pesto roast chicken.
Shaughnessy Restaurant is located at 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver. Brunch is Saturday and Sunday, from 11 am to 3 pm. Lunch is Monday to Saturday, from 11:30 am to 3 pm,. Dinner is every day from 5 pm onward.
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