Regularly fêted as one of the world’s more liveable cities for its fantastic lifestyle, the vibrant and ethnically diverse Canadian west coast seaport of Vancouver is known for its art, theatre and music scenes and its outdoor activities, but increasingly also for its pairing of cultural and culinary delights.
Indeed, Vancouver’s status as one of the world’s most unique cities for dining come from this rich multiculturalism, resulting in a blend of local ingredients with European and Asian influences. Both Olive magazine and Condé Nast Traveler have rated Vancouver as of the world’s best cities for foodies, while iconic chef Anthony Bourdain praised its ‘high density of really good cooks and chefs, and high density of really good products to work with’.
But it’s not all about farm-to-table restaurants, outstanding sushi and quirky food trucks: Vancouver has wonderful markets, festivals and other events, culinary tours of various neighbourhoods and bartending competitions that all combine to give visitors a true taste of the city.
Along with Toronto, Vancouver is now the only MICHELIN Guide destination in Canada, and among only seven in the whole of North America. The launch edition of the MICHELIN Guide Vancouver this autumn will list a handpicked selection of local restaurants awarded one, two or three MICHELIN stars for their stunning cuisine. The Guides also bestow Bib Gourmand ratings on restaurants that offer fantastic food at great prices, and award the MICHELIN Green Star to restaurants paving the way when it comes to sustainable dining.
Sustainability has been a part of Vancouver’s culinary scene from as far back as 2005, when the Ocean Wise global program was founded to protect and restore the world’s oceans. Launched by a marine biologist at the Vancouver Aquarium and local legend chef Robert Clark, it now embraces 140 restaurants across the city offering sustainably harvested seafood that isn’t contributing to overfishing or the disruption of marine habitats. Some of these are 100% Ocean Wise, including RawBar at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, Forage and Tacofino.
Among the city’s busy program of culinary tours, festivals and events taking place throughout the year are the top-rated Vancouver Foodie Tours, started by Michelle Ng to showcase hidden gems and under-the-radar haunts. Among her tours are a journey through the culinary hub of Granville Island, and the new Authentic Asian Eats Tour.
If you’re keen to explore Vancouver’s craft beer scene, Vancouver Brewery Tours will take you behind the scenes at some of Vancouver’s best local breweries, complete with tastings. A Wok Around Chinatown tour brings guests to the colourful downtown neighbourhood, where you can finish up with an optional dim sum lunch.
Then there’s Rockwood Adventures, a boutique company specialising in eco-excursions, including culinary adventures featuring gourmet picnics or lunch or dinner at Best of the Locals™ dining locations.
Canada’s biggest food and drink festival is Dine Out Vancouver Festival in January/February, bringing together more 300 restaurants, wineries, craft breweries and chefs for a month of foodie indulgence and events celebrating the best flavours in the city.
Also taking place in February, the Vancouver International Wine Festival is one of the world’s biggest and longest-established wine events, centered on the International Festival Tastings featuring more than 700 wine bottles, along with gala dinners, themed food and wine pairings and wine seminars at venues across the city.
To book your Vancouver foodie break, call your Travel Counsellor today.
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