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Feature image credit: mikurestaurant.com June is here and that means it’s time to don those gowns, throw those caps high in the air and mark the exciting accomplishment of moving on from this chapter into a world ripe with possibility! And what better way to celebrate your proud and deserving graduate, (and all the loved ones that helped get them there), than with a fine West Coast meal? Here are just a handful of restaurants in Metro Vancouver in which to fete your new grad. Adelicia’s Mexican Restaurante | Langley City Graduation is a time of transition. But for now, the real world can wait! Whisk your grad away to a dinner celebration that feels like a tropical getaway at Adelicia’s Mexican Restaurante. All the colours, smells and tastes are the real deal here, in authentic cuisine by a family of restauranteurs whose roots go all the way back to…

Lunar New Year is almost here! Kicking off on January 29 and running until February 16, LNY is a spirited holiday filled with culture, tradition, and, most importantly, food! While the occasion is celebrated across numerous countries in Asia, in Metro Vancouver, our vibrant Chinese community always makes a memorable splash with street festivals, live performances, and local restaurants offering special menus and experiences. If you’re looking to celebrate with fantastic Chinese cuisine from all our local communities, you’re in the right spot! Vancouver Notch8 Celebrate the Year of the Snake with this Lunar New Year-inspired afternoon tea experience at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Indulge in a curated selection of exquisite teas paired with a variety of sweet and savoury treats inspired by traditional flavours and festive delights. A kid’s tea service is also available which includes finger sandwiches, cookies, scones, and other delicious treats. Mott 32 One of the…

The tastiest, time-honoured tradition returns to Metro Vancouver to keep us warm and well-fed through the winter—Dine Out! Running from January 22 – February 9, if your resolution was to tour through some of the best eateries of the city, here’s your chance! For the uninitiated, Dine Out Vancouver is a celebration of local restaurants, chefs, artisans, and foragers. The annual foodie festival offers a delicious way to kick off the year by trying new things and sampling new flavours. So consider this your official invite to take a break from the holiday leftovers, and dig into the wonderful world cuisine of the West Coast food scene Participating restaurants will feature exclusive menu options that often let guests try the breadth of flavours on their main menu, while offerring a bit of a discounted price. It’s the perfect chance for an overdue friend catch up, a solo dinner to decompress,…

While on paper, January might not be known for its bountiful flavours, the famously overcast month has had more and more tasty surprises in the last few years. For every cloud in the new calendar year, it seems like there’s now a tasty silver lining to pair with it. Whether it’s a food truck festival or a wine and cheese night, these are a handful of the bright spots you should make a note of— care of the creative chefs from our local food scene! *Featured image: Street Food Vancouver at the Vancouver Art Gallery The Perfect Pairing – Wine & Dine – Coquitlam All Saints R.C. Parish, 821 Fairfax Street, Coquitlam Delight your senses and support a great cause! The Rotary Club of Coquitlam is pleased to present The Perfect Pairing – Wine & Dine. Learn more about a variety of wines paired with a curated multiple-course meal. January…

I’ve eaten a lot of cookies in my day. But, if I’ve learned anything in my travels it’s that secret of making a good one, depends on two things: An outstanding cookie should always be slightly underdone. While it may look impossibly gooey out of the oven, once that baby cools, you’re going to have a perpetually soft biscuit no matter what temperature it’s at. And that is the sweet spot for diving into those nostalgic bites from when you were no taller than a Keebler. Boosting that savoury flavour. Anybody can dump sugar in flour, chuck a stick of butter in and call it a day. But for a cookie to transcend, there should be full palate engagement, not just the tip of the tongue.    I wanted to outline these rules first because the “Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookie” from Flourist Bakery takes these criteria and pushes them as far…

If you’re lacking Christmas spirit, Vancouver’s South Granville neighbourhood is the prescription. Over the last few years, the South Granville BIA has turned their strip into a picture-perfect snow globe with a public Christmas tree, Santa-themed pop-ups, live music, and pops of holiday-inspired street decor. Aside from the cheerful adornments, South Granville is truly the perfect spot for holiday shopping and entertainment. You can tackle your shopping list in one visit, enjoy a wonderful meal or two, and catch some live theatre by the Arts Club at the iconic Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage (Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol is on until Dec 24, don’t miss it!). To help you make the most of your visit, we’ve compiled a few of our favourite South Granville spots and eats to help fuel your holiday cheer. Gary’s on 12th 1485 W 12th Ave Fresh off their 2024 Michelin recognition, Gary’s has…

The holiday season is the quintessential time to gather with good people for good food, so why not share these festive moments with some of our wonderful local eateries? Wondering what restaurants are open on Christmas Eve? These favourite foodie spots are offering holiday service on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so you can focus more on catching up and less on turkey temperatures. Whether it’s offering a special menu for the occasion or just opening for regular service, the following eateries have you back this holiday. Whatever your traditions are this time of year, it’s never a bad time to start something new, especially if it means someone else taking care of the dishes afterwards. So grab a Christmas cracker, order an eggnog, and dig into one of these delicious yuletide meals! Restaurants Open in Vancouver Botanist  1038 Canada Place, Vancouver Celebrate the magic of Christmas…

Gingerbread, yule logs, apple pie—this is the best time of year to have a sweet tooth! We’re already into the holiday season so if you haven’t indulged a bit yet, then you’ve got some serious catching up to do. Across the Lower Mainland, local bakeries are filling their menus with all kinds of seasonal treats. These are just a few of the things we can’t wait to dig into over the break. We just hope there will be enough for Santa! Mon Paris Patisserie – Burnaby 4396 Beresford Street, Burnaby  Red Fruits & Vanilla Christmas Log With the right decadent dessert, you can win the potluck party every time. Filled with red fruit confit, white chocolate mousse, vanilla biscuit, and waffle crunch this holiday staple is the perfect end to any gathering. Blacksmith Bakery – Langley 115-5385 216 St. Langley Marzipan Stollen Don’t call it fruit cake! This…

H Tasting Lounge’s Winterlust – Vancouver November 1, 2024, to March 16, 2025 Escape to a cozy and enchanting winter retreat with our private dome dining experience. Embrace vintage charm and nostalgic Alpine accents for an unforgettable seasonal dining experience. 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver Wine and Cheese Pairing – Charcuterie Class – Vancouver December 17, 2024 Elevate your wine and cheese pairing skills with this interactive class. Taste a variety of wines alongside carefully selected cheeses and learn the principles of pairing to create harmonious combinations. LaSalle College Vancouver, 2665 Renfrew Street, Vancouver Festive Cookie Decorating – Cooking Class by Classpop! – Vancouver December 8, 2024 In this cooking class, join Chef Roy to create cheerful, colourful cookies perfect for any celebration!  Get ready to unleash your creativity as you explore a variety of fun toppings, including vibrant sprinkles, M&M’s and a rainbow of icing made with…

By Kristi Alexandra Move over, waffle cones— chimney cakes are here to stay! While they’ve been around for a while in Europe, this innovative and delicious alternative to the traditional ice cream cone is still relatively new to the Vancouver food scene. Jaroslav Mestka, owner of the Praguery, has been a key player in introducing the delicacy to the Lower Mainland over the past decade. The Praguery has quickly become a beloved line of food trucks across Metro Vancouver and the sea-to-sky area, famous for serving up delicious soft serve, fresh fruit and sauces, and other toppings inside freshly baked (never-fried) chimney cakes. At the moment, you can find the Praguery’s sweet treats at any of their frequent local stops: Richmond’s McArthur Glen outlet mall, Squamish’s Sea-to-Sky Gondola, and as a roving ice cream truck in Coquitlam. West Coast Food recently talked to the Mestka about his journey from Prague…

We’re officially into the pre-holiday season, which means menus will start featuring the richest flavours and most sumptuous dishes! It’s truly the pinnacle palate experience. We’re also about as far away from beach season as you can get, so it all lines up nicely. Start with a meat and cheese festival in North Van, then a bit of mulled wine and German pastries at the Vancouver Christmas Market, and perhaps a leisurely stroll through the food trucks at Langley’s Enchanted Forest. Whatever your comfort food is this time of year, make sure you savour every moment! Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week, November 1 – 15  Various locations on Vancouver’s North Shore Get ready to kick back and soak up the vibes, because Craft Beer Week is back for another round of laid-back fun in North Vancouver! From November 1st to November 15th, we’re rolling out the barrel for two…

If you’re like us, and you keep a dedicated list of YVR restaurants you want to try, get ready to add a few more points of interest to the map! The Michelin Guide recently announced which local spots it would be adding to its list of notable eateries in the city, and we’re ready to dig in. Keeping with the high standards that Michelin is known for, there were only two new additions this year, but the restaurants that did make the cut are well deserving of the spotlight. One Michelin Star Sushi Masuda – Vancouver This intimate sushi bar tucked into Coal Harbour is the latest locale to earn a coveted star. With modest Japanese decor, Chef-owner Yoji Masuda lets guests focus on his unrivalled omakase service. The fact that Masuda only opened in March of this year is extra impressive and speaks to the meteoric rise of the…

Fall has arrived, and the local foodie calendar already has plenty of ways to fill your days (and plates)! September kicks off the cozy season with a feast of flavours— pumpkin, spice, and everything nice. You can dig into fresh strudels at Harvest Haus Festival,  sample the area-famous perogies at the Polish Festival Vancouver, or even wander through local farms with a glass of wine in hand, care of Feast Of Fields! Whatever you’re in the mood for, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your cravings. Grab a light jacket, and let’s take a brisk stroll through the itinerary! Halal Ribfest – Surrey, August 30-September 1 Experience the Ultimate Halal Ribfest in Vancouver! Join us for an unforgettable event featuring 100% Halal BBQ, delicious street food, a pop-up market, live entertainment, kids fun zone and so much more. Don’t miss out on the smoke, sizzle, and excitement! Holland Park…

We’re now into one of the sweetest times of the year—berry season! Whether you’re using them to bake, adding them to breakfast, or eating them on their own, we can all agree that Lower Mainland berries are second to none. And one of the best parts of living/visiting here is all the fantastic places you can pick your own. By the basket or bucket full, these spots let you load up and feast on the best strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries that are now in full ripeness. So roll up your sleeves, let’s get picking! Driediger Farms – Langley 72nd Ave, Langley Since 1964 Driediger Farms has been supplying Langley and it’s surrounding communities with juicy and flavourful Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Red Currants and Raspberries. The Farm has over 160 acres of berries, with dedicated U-pick fields where you can harvest for yourself. The onsite farm market also sells fresh…

Welcome to Metro Vancouver wine country! If you’re a wine lover, the Lower Mainland is full of places to please your palate. From family-owned vineyards to award-winning wineries, our local wine scene has plenty of ways to keep your glass full this summer. Whatever varietal you’re into right now, these are just a few delicious tasters of what you can expect when you start sampling the area’s grapes. Let’s start pouring! Pacific Breeze Winery – New Westminster One of our favourite spots to sip in New West, Pacific Breeze, holds the claim to fame of being the very first “Garagiste” (garage winery) in Canada. It’s a unique urban model that allows the family-owned business to hand-craft small lot wines without actually growing any grapes onsite. Since they began making their signature full-bodied reds and luscious white wines in 2007, they’ve won over 50 international wine awards, including  InterVin’s “Winery of…

The summer feasting continues! We hope you’ve booked some time for even more seasonal snacking because this month’s outdoor foodie events are well worth a wander. At the Richmond Night Market, you can cruise the aromatic aisles looking for that perfect chicken karaage skewer, or you can always stop by Langley Ribfest to sample the secret sauces and admire the swathing technique of local grill masters. Take it from us, there’s nothing that pairs better with a summer evening than heading for a stroll and trying all the treats along the way! Fort Langley Summer Food Festival, August 3-4 Indulge in a culinary adventure at the Fort Langley Summer Food Festival! Join in for a weekend packed with mouthwatering delights, local wines, and artistic wonders. It’s the perfect recipe for a memorable summer experience! Langley Fort Langley Community Hall The Korean Cultural Heritage Festival, August 3 The Korean Cultural Heritage…

While an increasing number of restaurants in Metro Vancouver proudly advertise themselves as LGBTQ+ friendly, there remains a noticeable scarcity of LGBTQ+-owned establishments. Discrimination, whether subtle or overt, has long posed significant challenges for LGBTQ+ individuals aiming to establish themselves in entrepreneurship. These obstacles, spanning financial disparities to enduring social stigma, highlight the resilience needed to launch and sustain openly LGBTQ+-owned restaurants. Moreover, many of these businesses choose not to openly promote their LGBTQ+ identities, wary of potential backlash or loss of clientele. Join us as we celebrate the pioneering eateries in Metro Vancouver that proudly celebrate their LGBTQ+ ownership. Article by: Mithalee Rawat Tall Shadow Bakery – Vancouver 2474 E Hastings St, Vancouver Tall Shadow Bakery began by showcasing their organic sourdough, artisanal loaves, and pastries at farmers’ markets and fulfilling custom orders for beloved Vancouver restaurants and food trucks. The enthusiastic reception prompted them to establish a bustling…

The scents of summer have begun wafting through the air, and we’re ready to start feasting! Whatever your sunny favourites are: BBQ, popsicles, cob salads, or hot dogs and burgers, there are always plenty of delicious ways to celebrate the season. Start with these local happenings that take the warmer weather as an opportunity for bold menus and big flavours. Here are some of the notable events you should put on our foodie radar this month! 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.  Richmond Steveston Village VCBW: Vancouver Craft Beer & Music Festival, July 6 By combining delicious beer with incredible food, cutting edge arts, music and craft culture, the yearly event captures the very essence of…

Adventurous foodies need not leave Metro Vancouver to explore hidden gems of world cuisine. In an era where global connectivity is at our fingertips, our local dining scene becomes a portal to far-off lands. By exploring unique regional cuisines, we not only indulge in exotic flavours but also get the opportunity to engage in a deeper dialogue about identity, heritage, and the socio-political forces shaping our world. In each dish lies a story of history, migration, and resilience, offering insights into the complexities of our world. From culinary fusions born out of cultural exchange to dishes that carry the weight of centuries-old traditions, every bite becomes a lesson in empathy, understanding, and appreciation for the diverse tapestry of human experience. Uncover the delightfully unexpected at these restaurants around Metro Vancouver.  Article by: Mithalee Rawat Spice of Nepal – Surrey While Indian cuisine enjoys worldwide popularity, the culinary treasures of its…

June is Indigenous History Month, with June 21st marking National Indigenous Peoples Day, so we invite you to celebrate the occasion with these local Metro Vancouver Indigenous food spots. Each of these Indigenous-owned restaurants, eateries, and small-batch producers offers the opportunity to savour local ingredients and flavours as they’re woven into traditional and contemporary recipes. When you visit these culinary gems this month (and year-round), you’re not only supporting small businesses but also the culture of Metro Vancouver’s first people—an important step as we collectively move towards reconciliation. Once you’ve sampled the delicious menus of each, you can continue your foodie tour outside of Vancouver with more culinary delights in Whistler, Squamish, Shushwap and beyond. Visit Indigenous Tourism BC to discover other Lower Mainland gems you might be missing. You can use this guide to spruce up your travel plans with some added wellness opportunities, and outdoor adventure ideas. Salmon…

Things we can’t wait to eat/drink in June: flights of award-winning local and international ciders, spot prawns just pulled from the water, and 70+ authentic Japanese food vendors. The list goes on!  If you can’t tell, we’re already experiencing sensory overload with the many tasty things to do in the coming weeks. The smell of BBQ is in the air, and eager ice cream trucks are revving their engines— bring on the first course of summer! These edible events are just the start of what we’ll be digging into for June. Shipyards Night Market – North Vancouver, Every Friday Night from May 10-Sep 13 Every Friday night, locals and visitors gather at the Shipyards District to indulge in a culinary extravaganza, explore unique artisan vendors, enjoy live music and DJ sets while unwinding in the lively beer garden. This one-of-a-kind experience is brought to you by the Greater Vancouver Food…

You can learn practically anything from the internet these days. However, interactive classes are way more fun and immersive than learning from a YouTube video. What’s more, you get to taste the fruits of your labour while you learn.  Get set to impress at your next dinner party or dazzle your date with skills learned at these fun adult cooking classes and wine workshops. Don your apron and dive into a world of flavour. Class is now in session!  By Mithalee Rawat Posh Pantry – Burnaby On weekends, Posh Pantry offers hands-on cooking classes tailored for those with a passion for food. Their lineup includes professional chefs and seasoned home cooks, all geared towards equipping you with impressive kitchen skills. This summer, you have the opportunity to learn firsthand from an authentic Italian mamma how to handcraft gnocchi or ravioli. If West Coast seafood is more your style, a former…

Summer is around the corner and that can only mean one thing: Farmers’ market season is calling! So grab your sturdiest tote bags, wagons, and baskets, and get ready to hit the stalls at your local farmers’ markets across the BC Lower Mainland. Farmers’ markets offer far more than just fresh, organic produce–although, that’s reason enough to make the trip–these busy bustling spots are valued community hubs, offering an array of culinary and artisanal delights. Support your local growers and producers by shopping local for everything from bread to dairy products, to canned goods and frozen products. Food stalls only scratch the service, however – plenty of farmer’s markets open up to vendors who sell other handmade goods such as candles, jewelry, ceramics and more.  From the quaint charm of suburban markets to the bustling energy of stalls nestled in the center of the city, these Lower Mainland farmers markets…

Kitsilano’s Tayybeh offers a unique culinary experience with authentic Syrian fare prepared by a team of all-women newcomer cooks. Tayybeh means good, positive, and delicious in Arabic. True to its name, this restaurant in the heart of old Kits feels welcoming and fun, featuring pops of bright white and fuchsia, brimming with natural light and redolent of spiced dishes and rich coffee. “We initially thought of opening as a café,” says Nihal Elwan, Tayybeh’s founder, “but soon our guests made it clear that they are expecting a full-service dining experience.”  Tayybeh is a social enterprise that creates stable employment to empower refugee and newcomer women from Syria and other parts of the Middle East.  Though Tayybeh is just in its sophomore year as a brick-and-mortar location, Elwan and her team have been serving Vancouverites a taste of Syria “just the way they cook at home” for years. Since 2015, the…

If there was an award for best cocktails in Metro Vancouver, it’d certainly be hard to choose just one winner—but it sure would be fun to be the judge. There are more than a handful of destinations in the region to sip on an inventive cocktail, from the soulful notes of Free Bird Kitchen + Bar in Richmond to the unapologetically vibey atmosphere of Steven’s Cocktail Corner in Langley. Here are some spots to enjoy every sip-savouring minute of cocktail hour. MEO – Vancouver Chinatown’s newest cocktail bar MEO is a must-visit, where Ukrainian-born bar manager Denis Bykov creates a refreshing cocktail experience amid kitschy ‘70s aesthetics. The cocktail menu is fruit-and-vegetable forward, with drinks like the Golden Devine (Blue Agave Altos Tequila, summer peach, cacao nib, ginseng cordial, Cocchi Americano vermouth, and a peach cacao yogurt crisp) and Espresso Carrotini (Beefeater Blood Orange gin, carrot reduction, citrus peel infused…

Burger-love. It’s a thing. We absolutely crave them, so when the mood hits, no other meal will do. Here’s 5 restaurants doing something special between two buns. By Catherine Dunwoody New Westminster Burgers Burger Heaven has been dedicated to burgers since 1984 with a menu filled with both classic combos and unusual offerings. No matter what you choose, their potato wedges and salad are delicious sidekicks. Ernie’s Mile High is 8 patties thick and weighing in at 3 lbs of meat. Not for the faint of heart. Or try the Perogy Burger topped with our favourite Ukrainian doughy dumplings, sour cream, cheddar cheese and chives. Langley Burgers Built in 1946, Hilltop Diner is like something out of a time machine. Who doesn’t love the classic, diner-décor vibe while chowing down on a burger and shoestring fries? Check out the TV & Movies tab on their website, as many cool films…

International Women’s Day is just around the corner, and we’re celebrating some of our region’s incredible chefs and restaurateurs with a guide to fabulous female-led businesses you’re going to want to check out! By Avneet Takhar Pampanga Cuisine – Vancouver Edith Malang, who fed frontline nurses during the throes of COVID-19 with her comforting Filipino food, has seen her business grow to two Vancouver locations due to its popularity! From breakfast plates such as Longsilog (rice and Filipino style sausage) all the way through to Combo Meals (any dish, with rice and soup) and meat dishes consisting of favourites such as Crispy Sisig (chunks of pork, chillies and ginger), Malang makes sure you’re well taken care of. Instagram Get there by transit: The R4 or number 8 buses will take you to the Fraser location and Joyce station is a 1 minute walk from the other site.  Burdock & Co…

The arrival of spring means more and more events will be budding around Metro Vancouver, and these are some of the tastiest ones on the calendar! A showcase of the types of different dumplings across various cultures? Book your spot now! How about a week-long celebration of the best mixologists in the city? Prime your palate, and keep reading! Taste of the Tri-Cities, February 16 – March 10 This annual food and drink festival is designed to highlight the amazing restaurants, eateries, pubs, breweries, distilleries and cafes in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. Various Locations Bite of Burnaby, March 1 to 31 If you missed Dine Out Vancouver, or you just miss it in general, get yourself to Burnaby for the Bite of Burnaby Festival. This annual foodies dream takes place all month and features local restaurant favourites offering prix-fixe menus. Burnaby bills…

It’s that time of the year, folks: Hygge!  But instead of hibernating indoors (boring!), why not take it outside by a roaring heated winter patio in the company of friends and delicious eats?  Here are our top 5 cozy outdoor spots in Metro Vancouver. By Avneet Takhar Paratha 2 Pasta – Vancouver The hottest new spot to drop in Vancouver, which opened at the end of 2023 after its success in Surrey, is a second location serving up parathas, a savoury Indian flatbread usually slathered with makhan (butter).   With a year-round front heated winter patio you can “people watch” Yaletown (all the more entertaining on a Friday night!), as you devour paranthas generously filled with classic stuffings. The MVPs are aloo (potato), gobi (cauliflower) or mooli (radish).  There’s also the chance to let loose with the adventurous fusions they feature, including the pastas and P2P favourite: Loaded Fries with butter…

 Why stay cooped up inside through winter? After all, Valentine’s is this month, and what better way to show your intentions than by taking your date OUT to a food event or two? Here are the Feb happenings you should know about so you can flex your foodie status with someone special. Just remember, nothing says “💘”, quite like… 🌮 🥗 🍕 🍜 Vancouver International Wine Festival, February 24 – March 3 The Vancouver International Wine Festival is one of the world’s biggest and oldest wine events, offering something for every level of wine enthusiast, collector and trade professional. In 2023 alone, the festival featured 147 wineries across 17 countries, pouring and discussing over eight nights. The heart of the event is the International Festival Tastings at the Vancouver Convention Centre, where each winery pours 4 to 5 wines for the public. Vancouver Various Locations Dark Fields of Winter, Vancouver…