Eat Your Way Around Vancouver on This Flavor-Packed Weekend

Surrounded by the sea and hugged by towering mountains reflected in gleaming glass skyscrapers, Vancouver effortlessly earns its reputation as one of the world’s top photographable cities. But don’t think that Vancouver’s charms are all in its undeniably good looks.

Along with a variety of galleries, museums, and excellent shopping, this multicultural city also boasts a delicious and dynamic culinary scene.

Take a tasty weekend tour of the city’s highlights, sampling the best it has to offer. As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.

Friday

If you arrive in the city on the first Friday of the month, you’ll find the Vancouver Art Gallery has free admission (reserve tickets in advance). It also stays open on Fridays until 8 p.m. In this case, you’ll have time to hit happy hour at Joe Fortes and enjoy local oysters paired with crisp, fruit-forward white wine from the nearby Okanagan before perusing the gallery. On any other Friday, hit the gallery first (start with their collection of Emily Carr landscape pieces) and then head to Joe’s.

Afterward, take a stroll along Robson Street to check out the shops. Browse Japanese candies, skincare, and snacks at Konbiniya Japan Centre (try the matcha soft-serve if you have a sweet tooth); stock up on essential oils at Saje; and rifle through Vancouver-founded, internationally-beloved apparel at Aritzia.

For dinner, make a reservation at Miku to catch gorgeous views of the water and North Shore mountains while digging into sushi with locally sourced ingredients and flame-seared (aburi) touches.

Saturday

Grab coffee and fresh-baked bagels to-go at Siegel’s Bagels in Kitsilano. Open 24 hours, it’s the perfect pit stop before heading to the beach to join Vancouver Water Adventures for a morning guided kayak tour while the waters are calm. Spot local wildlife, such as harbor seals and great blue herons, as you paddle past landmarks that include the Science World globe and B.C. Place.

After your paddle, fuel up with Koko Monk Chocolates‘ flavorful hot chocolate options (think black-sesame white hot chocolate with lemon and lime caramel). You’ll want the boost for the journey by transit to nearby Richmond for dim sum to indulge in what’s often lauded as the finest Asian food in North America.

Once in Richmond, do not miss out on xiao long bao (soup dumplings) from Dinesty or har gow (steamed shrimp and prawn dumplings) from Empire Seafood Restaurant.

While the district is known for its cuisine, Richmond is also home to the stunning International Buddhist Temple. Modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing, it’s one of the largest Buddhist temples in North America. Visitors are welcome, and it’s a fascinating spot to explore. History buffs can plan a stop at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site and discover the fascinating history of 19th-century canning on Canada’s west coast.

From April through September, foodies should visit the Richmond Night Market for superb pan-Asian street food, live music, entertainment, and imported retail items. The largest night market in North America offers hundreds of stalls serving dishes including tasty takoyaki (fried dough skewers with octopus), bao buns of all types, spiral-cut tornado potatoes on a stick, and mango sticky rice.

If you’re not visiting during night market season, return to Vancouver for a night of deliciousness. Keep to the Asian continent with a stop at Pidgin for consistently creative Asian–French small plates and beautiful cocktails. Or try Burdock & Co, where the seasonal hyper-local menu is an edible love letter to the bounty of the Pacific Northwest.

After dinner, there are exciting options for a sip. If craft beer is your jam, then the Alibi Room is one of the best spots to enjoy more than 50 different local and international brews on tap. Cork dorks should make a beeline for The Wine Bar at Provence Marinade, open late. It’s a great spot to explore wines from B.C. and around the world.

Sunday

Enjoy a cozy morning featuring incredible Belgian and North African bites at Chambar in the charming Vancouver Gastown neighborhood. The waffles and shakshuka are both unmissable.

Fully sated, head back to the West End to learn about the city’s Indigenous roots and enduring culture. The city of Vancouver was founded on the unceded traditional territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Squamish First Nations of the Coast Salish peoples. Explore the Stanley Park area with Talaysay Tours and learn about the legends, history, and culture of the Coast Salish tribes.

You can’t leave Vancouver without slurping up a bowl of its famous ramen, and nowhere does it better than Maruhachi Ra-Men, home to the silky, incredibly flavorful creamy chicken broth Tori-Paitan served with light, springy, house-made noodles. Order the tamago ramen with pork shoulder cha-su and savor the warming comfort that comes with every bowl.