24-Hour Guide to Vancouver’s Food Scene

Vancouver: City of glass, city of art, city of a million people taking pictures of their brunch waffle because it’s just that pretty. It’s the foodie category that is really giving Vancouver its claim to fame these days. Whether people are in town for craft beer or modern grub, a visit to this town requires an eager stomach. We recently teamed up with Vancouver Foodie Tours’ on a series of the best places to eat around the city and, inspired by this series, we decided to present you a morning-till-dusk food guide through town.

Brunch

Be honest; who here doesn’t love brunch? You can’t exactly chow down on French toast at 11 a.m. during a work week meeting. No, it’s all about the weekends. It doesn’t matter if you’re brunching with friends, a significant other, or you’re eating solo on the patio with a good book, you can’t beat brunch in Vancouver. All it takes is a visit to Le Marche St. George to understand why.

With cherry trees blooming outside, mix-matched metal chairs scraping the ground, and green shingles framing antique windows, it’s easy to call Le Marche St. George a charming place. The food mirrors the décor, with rustic flavours and picture-worthy presentation. Try out the smoked turkey, fig jam, and Brie crepe and you’ll know what we mean. Or, make a stop at Nelson the Seagull. When you walk in, don’t be surprised if everyone is ordering the poached eggs on sourdough. The owners bake fresh loaves every morning and pay meticulous attention to texture and taste.

See more great Vancouver brunch spots here.

Lunch

It’s surprising that Lunch hasn’t developed a Jan Brady middle-child complex that it’s all about dinner, dinner, dinner. Too often lunch is skipped, squeezed in, or hastily eaten over business meetings. Well, not in Vancouver! Here, lunch is the star of the show.

Make a visit to Dockside Restaurant on Granville Island. The patio is regarded as one of the best in the city and provides ample views of downtown and the docks. Seafood is done right here, and you’ll make your spoon quite happy by ordering the Smoked Sockeye Chowder or Legendary Chili Squid. For something a little different, make your way to Yaletown and visit Sciue. Their pizzas are topped with produce such as freshly picked arugula, sautéed zucchini, and Kalamata olives. Your taste buds will thank you.

See where to spend time outdoors and get a great bite here.

Dinner

Given the vibrant craft beer scene in Vancouver, a cold one with dinner isn’t just a beverage: It’s a full-fledged sidekick. Frothy and bold, a good brew is a beautiful thing. Some of the best dinner spots in Vancouver know exactly how to pair yummy food with a great drink.

Take Craft Beer Market, for instance. They offer over 100 beers on tap, and they pair perfectly with meals such as the Craft Signature Sticky Ribs, tossed with black garlic and BBQ sauce, or the Dark Beer Braised Beef Brisket. You can also make your way to Granville Island Brewery for a drink and meal. Sip on a draft while indulging in favourites like English Bay Bratwurst. You maybe even want to finish the meal with a root beer float made with craft root beer.

See more places to have a night cap here.

When you’re ready to do a full foodie tour, Vancouver is the place to explore. There’s nothing but great eats filling this special city by the water.

What are your favorite places to eat in Vancouver?