It’s finally summer–which means festivals with live music, local breweries and international flavours are happening across Metro Vancouver. Check ‘em out here. Steveston Salmon Festival, July 1 The annual Steveston Salmon Festival is Richmond’s largest event! Enjoy the Salmon Festival parade, musical entertainment, historical and cultural programs and displays, and lots of food, including the famous salmon BBQ and festival chow mein. Parade starts at 10AM and festival grounds are open 11AM – 5PM Steveston Community Centre, 4111 Moncton Street Langley Bubble Tea Festival, July 7 – 9 After a successful inaugural event last summer, the Bubble Tea Festival returns! This year’s Bubble Tea Festival theme is Taste of Taiwan, featuring Bubble tea vendors, Food trucks with Asian street foods, outdoor movies, concerts, performances and even bumper cars for toddlers. Children 12-year old enter free (with an accompanying adult.) Swangard Stadium, 3883 Imperial Street Burnaby BC Halal Food Fest, July…
Summertime is synonymous with weekend visits to the local farmer’s market. Picture this: it’s a weekend morning, the sun is shining, and the farmer’s market is abuzz with shoppers and vendors selling artisanal honey, boisterous gleaming vegetables, and crusty loaves of pungent sourdough. You’ve got a wagon full of goodies in one hand, and an iced lavender latte in the other. Maybe your dog is leashed around your wrist, wiggling their nose as they pass by the cheese table. Not to get too Nancy Meyers about it since farmer’s market weekends don’t have to be a fairy tale – but there are many scattered across Metro Vancouver just waiting for you to visit and have your best weekend ever. By: Brittany Tiplady North Shore Markets Lonsdale Quay Farmers Market “In addition to the talented bakers, jam makers, and honey gatherers, the Lonsdale Farmers’ Market welcomes some of the province’s most…
‘May’ new exciting flavours find their way to your plate this season! It’s spring, and with the warmer weather comes longer days and more food and drink events in Metro Vancouver. Check ‘em out here. Lonsdale Farmers Market, May 6 Stroll the boardwalk on North Vancouver’s Lonsdale Quay while you check out fresh locally grown produce, delicious baked goods and nifty crafts created by local growers, bakers and crafters every Saturday from 9am to 2pm, running from May 6th until October. North Vancouver: Lonsdale Quay Market, 123 Carrie Cates Court Tian Jin Taiwanese Street Food Festival, May 6-7 Taste Taiwanese treats at the Taiwanese Food Fair at Tian Jin Festival, a free community cultural event showcasing the multiculturalism and diverse backgrounds of Metro Vancouver through food, outdoor performances and free carnival style games for family and children to enjoy. Burnaby: Tian Jin Temple, 3426 Smith Avenue New West Farmers Market,…
Black History Month isn’t the only time to support Black businesses, but we’re spotlighting a bunch so you can keep going back again, and again for some real soul food! Oh, and if you also want to shake down to dancehall beats after some bites, check out AfroQueer’s rave on February 17! By Avneet Takhar Without further ado, here are some places we recommend. Arike Restaurant – Vancouver ‘Nigeria Meets the Pacific Northwest’ is their tagline and it’s certainly fitting! Arike has a tasting menu until Feb 5 that you can enjoy consisting of pineapple jerk, boar with plantains and a chili chocolate sponge. Sounds divine to us. Reserve your spot via Tock. 1725 Davie St, Vancouver Ember Indian Kitchen – Richmond An African Indian Fusion restaurant located on waterfront in Steveston, offers many flavours here at Ember. This chic space has a bit of everything! From Zanzibar style lentil…
A trip to Vancouver and the surrounding areas doesn’t just mean straight-up West Coast cuisine -it’s home to a bunch of international treats. And we’re here to tell you where they’re at! By Avneet Takhar Duso’s Italia Tucked away in Granville Market, is Duso’s Italia. Duso’s own brands of pasta are actually born in B.C, but they import a variety of foods from all over including Italy and Spain. From Sicily’s own Agostino Recca brand of famous anchovies, Ines Rosales’ olive oil tortas (Orange and Original) from Castilleja de la Cuesta, La Molisana’s numerous pastas and risottos, there’s an abundance of European cultural items to take home! And don’t forget to check out their homemade counter filled with cheeses, raviolis, arancini and desserts including tiramisu. Check it out here! Vancouver: Public Market, 1689 Johnston St Cilantro & Jalapeño Located in Lonsdale Quay’s Market, this authentic Mexican vendor has all you…
You’re an adult now, and while you may not still be trick or treating (hopefully), it’s time to have a serious talk about candy. If you’re one to commit to cheat days, then it’s worth doing it right. If you’re going to cheat, then cheat well. With Halloween looming, it’s a fitting time to up our candy game, instead of waiting until Nov 1, to pillage the dollar stores for discounted leftovers. If nothing else, these options will introduce you to a whole new world of snacking that is worth circling a few more days on your calendar. *Cover image care of Karameller Candy Shop Steveston Sweet Shoppe What better way to cap a zenned-out stroll by the water than with a mouth full of Pop Rocks? Come crashing back down to Earth and speed towards its sugary core with all manner of extreme sweets on offer. Crack…
For kids, maintaining composure in the lead-up to Halloween can be just as unbearable as trying not to eat the whole advent calendar on December first. I say “for kids” mainly as a misdirect to hide the fact that, as I’m a grown man, with no kids, I’m finding it hard to maintain my composure in the lead-up to Halloween. Thankfully these spooky, fresh-air activities are like a ghostly balm on my impatience as I wait for the calendar to run down. Hazelmere Pumpkin Patch – Surrey A mainstay of the best autumn events in Surrey, the Hazelmere patch returns with a you-pick pumpkin area, a mini corn maze, a playground area and a wagon ride. Oh, and not to be outdone, there’s plenty of opportunity to interact with the friendly locals of the farm (goats, pigs, peacocks). Food trucks will be on the scene, so stay for lunch and…
As we continue our tour of the best patios on the West Coast, we land in Richmond where the Fraser River meets the Pacific Ocean meets epic views all around. By Wade Kinley Milltown Bar & Grill Situated on a land bar in the Fraser River, Milltown boasts not one but two amazing waterside views to sit by and enjoy plates of West Coast pub favourites and one or two of their signature cocktails. On the north side, you’ll take in the majesty of the Coastal Mountains, the backdrop to the new and bustling Milltown Marina. Southside, you’re right next to the river with the main YVR Airport runway in the background. So pick your poison: boats or planes? Blue Canoe Waterfront Restaurant – Richmond On the busy Bayview Pier in the iconic Steveston Village, Blue Canoe serves up fresh local-as-it-can-get seafood on their patio right along the…
Why make your own coffee and lunch when you can work from one of these delicious spots? By Winnie Tam Richmond is a foodie’s paradise with a diverse range of restaurants and cafes. Here are three worthy places to check out if you’d like to get some work done while enjoying delicious treats and beverages. Rocanini Coffee Roasters With a passion for the art of living, Rocanini Coffee Roasters has a keen understanding of the delicate balance of coffee. They’re not only in pursuit of the arts, but also dedicated to the scientific side of coffee roasting and preparation. There are lots of unique drinks and treats you can enjoy at Rocanini. Special mentions include their Matcha Basque Cheesecake, Ice Teddy Bear Latte, and Rose Caffe Latte. With large tables, plenty of seating, and free wifi, it’s a great spot to meet and work. You can even make…
By VisitRichmondBC.com Most restaurants tend to shut their doors on Christmas and we can’t really blame them. It is, after all, a time to celebrate with friends and family! Even so, Christmas remains a busy day for the few restaurants that are open during the holidays. Here are our top five restaurant picks in Richmond that’ll keep their lights on for Santa. HK BBQ Master If you’re looking to get a fill of Cantonese-style barbecue, HK BBQ Master (4651 No. 3 Road) is hands down one of the best places to get your fill of char siu, crispy skin roast pork, BBQ duck or BBQ chicken. It’s a tiny hole-in-the-wall type eatery with just 14 seats and they accept cash only for payment. So be warned: come early to snag seats, or buy the meats by the pound with a side of rice and take it to go for an…
By Avneet Takhar It’s no secret that veganism has been on the rise in the last few years, and most notably within the health-conscious West Coast. When plant-based comes to mind, media coverage tends to be dominated by food outlets and “food-fluencers” who happen to be white. But the communities of colour who have primarily always provided veggie options (Indian and Vietnamese in particular) are leading the way in showing how it’s done. Here’s the lowdown on 5 PoC (people of colour) vegan spots that are causing a stir. Cham Cham Vegan Vietnamese Chefpreneur Kim Vo decided to leave her well-established catering and food truck business in Toronto for Vancouver- amidst the pandemic! Some would say a bold choice when the world was at the brink of disaster? But she didn’t even blink before setting up in Kits with Cham Cham (meaning ‘slow-down’ in Vietnamese). The crunchy Saigon chick’n…
By Kristi Alexandra While autumn marks the end of the u-pick berry season, it doesn’t mean local harvesting is over. From pumpkin patches to cranberries to organic greens, here are a selection of working farms in Metro Vancouver and beyond that have markets where you can purchase seasonal produce this fall. Riverside Cranberry Farm Riverside Cranberry Farm boasts a picturesque harvest season perfect for scooping up fresh cranberries and taking selfies. On your visit, you can snap photos around Riverside’s cranberry bog, learn about cranberry farming, and bring home some freshly harvested cranberries and other goodies from the new onsite Farm Store. If getting it all for the ‘gram is your motivation, we suggest adding the “Cranberry Plunge,” where you can plunge into the bog of berries to do some harvesting yourself. Don’t worry–the farm provides the waders so you don’t actually get wet. Open Sept 30–Oct 7, Thurs–Sat 26885…
By Brittany Tiplady Picnic and patio weather is almost behind us. Soak up the last few weeks of warm weather with some takeout and a picnic blanket. The Richmond area is a perfect place to explore on a nice day — we rounded up some great spots that pair well with the outdoors. LA Chicken 11780 Thorpe Rd Transit: 410 Bus 22nd St Stn. Get off at Cambie at No. 5 Road, walk three minutes A trip to LA Chicken has been on my list for some time so this article was the perfect excuse to finally try it out. For research, of course. We ordered the 2 piece chicken dinner meal — fries, coleslaw and gravy included for $13.50 — and headed across the street to King George Park for a fried chicken picnic. King George Park is great for kids and family gatherings — on this particular Saturday…
By Jaclyn Hayward Autumn may be nearing, but lavender season is still in full bloom, so relish and enjoy the sensory experience offered by this captivating and locally-grown herb. Lavenderland opened earlier this summer in Richmond, providing an excellent opportunity to take friends and family on a scented journey exploring endless photo-taking moments and exclusive products and treats. Purple-flavoured anything is delightful, and that goes without saying for this summer’s newest favourite food pairings available exclusively at Lavenderland: lavender-infused gelato, and lavender-infused tea. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Richmond Lavenderland (@richmondlavenderland) Blackball Tea has really captured the flower’s essence and colours with their magnificent purple display of new tea flavours created especially for Lavenderland. Try the Lavender Meet Yogurt drink and be ready to wander the fields refreshed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Richmond Lavenderland (@richmondlavenderland) Steveston’s Mr.…
Richmond has a bounty of fresh foods gathered and grown locally, from berry farms and wineries to free-range chickens and eggs.
By Jaclyn Hayward We’re spending a lot of time catching up with friends and family outside, which means ordering takeout is a must. Richmond has so many delicious places to eat, here are some food options to try near great community parks. Chef’s Playground Eatery at Steveston Community Park 12420 No 1 Rd Transit: #170 bus to Moncton St @ No. 1 Rd Seize the day and take your brunch to go, at this gem located just around the corner from Steveston Community Park. Mushroom lovers will enjoy the Avo Mushroom Benny on focaccia, served with a little crunch and great hollandaise. Steveston Community Park has off-leash dog areas, a water park and playground for the kids, and lots of trails to roam, so there’s plenty to keep you occupied after you’ve finished your bennies. @chefsplaygroundsteveston chefsplayground.ca John 3:16 Malaysian and Minoru Park 6838 No. 3 Rd Transit:…
You’re an adult now, and while you may not still be trick or treating (hopefully), it’s time to have a serious talk about candy. If you’re one to commit to cheat days, then it’s worth doing it right. If you’re going to cheat, then cheat well. With Halloween looming, it’s a fitting time to up our candy game, instead of waiting until Nov 1, to pillage the dollar stores for discounted leftovers. If nothing else, these options will introduce you to a whole new world of snacking that is worth circling a few more days on your calendar. *Cover image care of Karameller Candy Shop Steveston Sweet Shoppe What better way to cap a zenned-out stroll by the water than with a mouth full of Pop Rocks? Come crashing back down to Earth and speed towards its sugary core with all manner of extreme sweets on offer. Crack…
By Gail Johnson You may be baking bread and craving comfort foods these past few weeks, but with spring upon us, now’s a good time to seek out healthy bowls abundant in veggies and greens. With hundreds of restaurants in the region offering takeout, delivery, and curbside pickup, here are a few hearty salads to seek out. Cardero’s Vancouver Kale and quinoa are nutritional powerhouses. In the Coal Harbour restaurant’s dish, grains and baby kale are jumbled with bright strawberries, creamy avocado, crunchy almonds, fresh goat’s cheese. Add grilled chicken for some extra protein. Chickpea Vancouver All things green rule at the popular plant-based restaurant. Treat yourself to the Cauliflower of Life Platter: Gluten free, it boasts roasted cauliflower drizzled with fresh parsley, mint, tomatoes, red onions, all drizzled with tahini and lemon-garlic sauce. COVID-19 bonus: spend $100 and get a free roll of toilet paper. Field & Social Vancouver…
By Brittany Tiplady Richmond has a lot to offer. Most notably, the beautiful Steveston village and boardwalk and, recently, a burgeoning craft beer community. Fuggles & Warlock Craftworks recently took home some serious hardware at the BC Beer Awards, which means, you now have no excuse not to visit their tasting room, and tack on a few others too. Check out the seasonal goodies pouring this fall and winter in Richmond. Fuggles & Warlock Craftworks 11220 Horseshoe Way #103, Richmond Bean Me Up Espresso Milk Stout, 5.7% Coffee, meet beer. We think you’ll get along perfectly, and so do the follks at Fuggles & Warlock. This delightful, winter-friendly stout made in collaboration with Notch Coffee is extra creamy and sweet from the added lactose. Enjoy it on tap, or in cans. Britannia Brewing Brewery: #110-12500 Horseshoe Way, Richmond Brewpub: 12240 Second Ave, Richmond, Steveston Sirens Chai Saison, 5.75 Basically just…
By Brittany Tiplady If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the holidays, why not take a stroll through a gorgeous display of lights? Treat your family, your significant other, or maybe just yourself to some Yuletide cheer! Metro Vancouver sure knows how to get into the holiday spirit with a vast selection of holiday light festivals popping up from Vancouver’s North Shore all the way to Langley. The artistry and brilliance of these events are bound to dissolve any Grinch-like feelings. The holidays are for feasting and you know that here at WestCoastFood we’ve got you covered in the food department. Grab a bite before or after with one of our recommendations below. Happy Holidays to you and yours! Festival of Lights at the VanDusen Botanical Garden – Vancouver 5251 Oak St, Vancouver The annual Festival of Lights at the VanDusen Garden is arguably one of the most beloved holiday events in…
By VisitRichmondBC.com In the nights before Christmas, you and your loved ones may well have “visions of sugar-plums” dancing in your heads. Part of the delight of the holidays is the chance to indulge in decadent sweets and desserts, as well as gift them to friends and family. Richmond is home to some amazing boutiques and patisseries that are bound to satisfy everyone on Santa’s nice list— read on for details. Wild Sweets Dominique and Cindy Duby are the ultimate Christmas elves, busily coming up with innovative ways to transform ordinary chocolates and cakes into innovative works of art. Wild Sweets® (2145 – 12191 Hammersmith Way) has just released some new chocolate tasting gift sets, which consist of three, four, or five tiers of their cocoa bean-to-bar chocolate collections. One of the tiers is their new Crispy Praline & Ganache ‘arOma’ Collection, with each chocolate featuring crunchy nut butter praline,…
By VisitRichmondBC.com With the holidays approaching fast, it’s time to start thinking about those gifts you want to buy. Especially when most of the people on your list probably have an overabundance of “stuff”, food and drink gifts can be ideal options since they don’t add to household clutter—and they taste delicious. Richmond has a wealth of different specialty food stores, as well as drink producers where you’ll find items to please the gourmands in your life. Give the Gift of Tea If you’re looking for the ultimate tea selection, head to Ten Fu Tea & Ginseng (Aberdeen Centre, 4151 Hazelbridge Way) where the knowledgeable staff will guide you through your purchasing decisions. The boutique has a range of pu-erh tea, a fermented tea that hails from Yunnan, China; plus oolong, jasmine, lapsang souchong (smoked black tea), and ginseng teas. Great Mountain Ginseng (Aberdeen Centre, 4151 Hazelbridge Way), a company…
By Tourism Richmond If you have food intolerances or dietary restrictions, it can often be hard to find a restaurant that accommodates your particular needs. Fortunately, there are many restaurants in Richmond that have menus that are tailored to those who are gluten intolerant or on a special diet, like paleo or keto. The slogan for Goodbowl (#1630 – 4791 McClelland Road) is “Eat Good, Feel Good, Live Good,” which epitomizes the kind of food they serve. Basically, they offer a healthy version of a Mongolian grill experience, in which you pick the components of your own bowl and then watch it cooked speedily in front of you. Every bowl comes with jasmine or harvest wild blend rice. Of course, those on a low-carb diet can opt not to include the rice. After you pick your bowl size (e.g. regular), you then choose from a variety of veggies such as…
Heading out to the pumpkin patch to pick the perfect future Jack O’ Lantern is one of those special traditions that kids of all ages look forward to. From getting your hands dirty on the field, with pumpkin muck, and finally with salt from roasted seeds, it feels thoroughly of autumn. When taking a trip out to a local farm to pick out your family’s pumpkins here are some helpful tips: Don’t pick your pumpkins too early in the season. If you pick them too soon they will be piles of mush long before you can take a knife to them or they will just be too soft to carve. Try to head to the pumpkin patch during “non-peak” times like mid-afternoon during the week to avoid crowds if you can. Don’t always go for the perfectly round. Sometimes the flawed, lopsided or puckered pumpkins make for carved faces with the…
By Tourism Richmond Over the years, the City of Richmond has proven that it knows how to throw a massive end of summer party. The fifth annual Richmond World Festival (August 30 & 31, 2019) returns to Minoru Park with a jam-packed roster of music, cultural and artistic displays, family-friendly activities, and of course, a smorgasbord of food and drink offerings. Last year’s event attracted over 55,000 people, with this year promising to be just as spectacular. Richmond celebrates its multicultural make-up during this two-day festival that will dazzle attendees with performances by over 100 acts on 8 different stages. Community-based cultural and dance groups, as well as a roster of music artists, like Sister Says and Phé, will entertain attendees with their talents. Each day culminates in a headlining performance on the main stage: Friday night features the infectious tunes of reggae-pop group Bedouin Soundclash, and Saturday is bound…
By Tourism Richmond In the heart of Richmond’s picturesque Steveston Village, you’ll find a small shop selling handcrafted German sausages and charcuterie, along with cheeses and other high-quality products. In the shop’s modest quarters, co-owner Jens Hertha enthusiastically greets customers—many of whom he knows by name—and recommends items to try for summer barbecuing. Hertha wasn’t always a purveyor of artisanal products at D Original Sausage Haus (#130 – 12000 First Avenue, Richmond). The idea for the shop began roughly a decade ago when Hertha worked at a bank and used to watch Canucks games with his friend Thorsten Stock. For their noshing during the game, Stock would bring the most amazing sausages, reminiscent of the kind that Hertha had when he was growing up in Annweiler, Germany. “I haven’t had sausages like this since I left Germany,” Hertha declared to Stock. He discovered that the maker of the sausages was…
By Sonu Purhar On July 1, celebrations commence nationwide for Canada’s birthday–and as with any major festivity, one of the best parts is the food! Whether your pleasure lies in red-and-white waffles, maple-and-bacon cupcakes or locally sourced salmon, we’ve rounded up 10 venues across the Lower Mainland dishing up patriotic fare this Canada Day. Bon appetit! Lobster Cookout on Granville Island Granville Island, Vancouver Live entertainment, family-friendly activities and tons of food will greet visitors to Granville Island on July 1. The Lobster Man is hosting its annual lobster cook-out, complete with corn-on-the-cob–an indulgent combo that sells out every year (so arrive early!). At Lee’s Donuts, you’ll find a themed Canada Day donut; and, at Liberty Distillery, you can show your patriotism by ordering a specialty Caesar. If you still have room for more, browse the artisan market and nibble on homemade local fare. It’s a food free-for-all! Salmon Barbecue…
By Sonu Purhar Move over, Mothers – it’s Dad’s time to shine! Father’s Day is coming up Sunday, June 16, and what better way to tip your hat to the man who taught you how to start a campfire, change a tire, hit a baseball, cook a meal, or shave your beard? What about the man who boasts about you at the office, even though you’re a grown-up, too? Or the man who danced with you at your wedding, even though he hates (like, really hates) dancing? Whatever your relationship with your dad, seize the day – Father’s Day, that is – to show him that he’s appreciated, too; and when the cheque comes, take pride in pulling out your wallet and saying, “Don’t worry, Dad – I’ve got this.” For the dad who secretly adores mimosas: The Taphouse Coquitlam 405 North Road #2, Coquitlam Weekend brunch here will satisfy…
By Tourism Richmond Richmond’s coastal location gives it access to incredible seafood that can be showcased in its restaurants. However, increasingly there is growing awareness that this seeming bounty cannot be taken for granted, especially if future generations are to enjoy these precious ingredients. The Ocean Wise seafood program has been instrumental in educating both restaurants and consumers about sustainable seafood options. Tania Leon, an accounts coordinator at Ocean Wise who focuses on Asian partner restaurants, has seen a significant shift in the willingness of those establishments to join the program. With Richmond’s high concentration of Asian seafood dining options, this change is incredibly exciting. “For a couple years now, I’ve been working on bringing on Chinese restaurants. In the past, we’ve seen a gap in terms of more diverse restaurants,” she says over the phone, adding, “It’s really come a long way.” Two industry leaders who Leon mentions are…
By VisitRichmondBC.com With the weather warming up, it’s time to start thinking about al fresco eating. Richmond’s Garry Point Park is an ideal location with its waterfront views of the Gulf Islands and the Fraser River, and its many opens areas for picnicking and exploring. All you need is a blanket, a carefree attitude, and plenty of delicious nibbles and drinks from establishments in nearby Steveston Village. Win Win Chick-N Seriously. Is there anything more satisfying than fried chicken, especially with a side of sunshine? Win Win Chick-N (12160 1st Avenue) prides itself on its local sourcing, as well as the juicy brined meat and crisp golden coating of its fried chicken. The spicing is subtle but addictive, and works really well with the light crust. Get their 2, 3, or 5-piece meals that come with thick-cut fries, dinner rolls, or mashed potato. Or, order 8, 10, or 20 pieces…