Vancouver: fun, different and delicious

There are so many reasons why Vancouver is a tasty destination for those who love great food

Farm produce, fresh seafood, ethnic cuisine, greasy or gourmet food truck fare—there’s no debating the fact that Vancouver, B.C., is a great place for eating.

“Our growing region is so diverse,” said Bonnie Todd, part owner of Off the Eaten Track Culinary Tours. “We’re right next to the ocean and we’re very close to the Fraser Valley. We’re only five hours, if that, to a really beautiful wine region—so I think the quality of food that Vancouver has to offer is exceptional . . . Another thing is that the different cultures that are represented here are pretty amazing. We’ve got some of the most incredible Asian flavours outside of Asia. You can always get a vast array of culinary experience here in terms of culture.”

Offering food tours in Vancouver and Victoria, Off the Eaten Track is dedicated to showing visitors local establishments that showcase the Vancouver culinary scene and provide the opportunity to learn about an area through food. Diverse stops might include a butcher, an apiary, a culinary school or a tea shop tucked inside an ethnic grocery store. Anyone exploring the Vancouver culinary scene should not limit themselves to the expected.

Reasons to stay and eat

One unique element of eating in Vancouver is available through its eager adoption of urban gardening and its proliferation of farmers markets. A vegetable farm in the middle of a city might be surprising, but this movement means fresher food with a smaller footprint. Many of Vancouver’s chefs are utilizing this access to local and organic ingredients while some restaurants are fully focusing on this aspect of food in the city.

Fine dining to street food—Vancouver is also becoming well known for its thriving food cart scene.

“I am a really big fan of our food cart movement,” said Todd. “It really does distinguish Vancouver. We’re by far the largest food cart city in Canada and we’ve recently been voted the third best food cart city in the world by Travel and Leisure magazine, so it’s a pretty big designation. We really do have a booming, interesting scene. They’re sort of scattered everywhere and then, of course, we have our Food Cart Fest on Sundays, so we really embraced it. I think that really is a fun way to eat.”

One cannot talk about eating and drinking in Vancouver without mentioning the growing prominence of B.C. wines. Todd said that almost every local restaurant will offer a selection of wines from the province. For those wanting to try a variety of different local wines, Vancouver is a great place to find wines on tap. Off the Eaten Track stops at Vancouver Urban Winery and another good option, suggested Todd, is Tap and Barrel.

Embracing food

Whether it's exceptional Asian fusion, fine dining, street food or kale from a backyard garden, Vancouver offers flavours to delight every taste. With such a variety of culinary delights, the city is a joy for foodies—or just those who enjoy wonderful cuisine.

“We’re just growing exponentially as a city in terms of how we embrace food,” said Todd. “Culinary tourism in general is on the rise. I really like interacting with restaurant owners and chefs and food cart owners and people who are growing wine—anyone who has anything to do with our food industry here. (People) are so passionate about it and are just really dedicated to putting out something really fun and different and delicious.”