Condé Nast Traveler rates Vancouver #12 in its Best Food Cities in the World
Vancouver’s culinary scene is widely acknowledged as one of the most exciting and varied in the world. The city ranked 12th in Condé Nast Traveler’s World Best Food Cities awards and named among the Top 10 dining cities by Food and Wine magazine. Believe the hype when people tell you Vancouver’s food scene has it all, because it truly does. We’ve compiled a few of our favorites in some unconventional categories to help inspire your next Vancouver foodie adventure.
ECO EATING
Vancouver has set itself the audacious goal of being the “Greenest City in the World” by 2020, a challenge that the city’s chefs are keen to take on one sustainable mouthful at a time. The city is committed to local, sustainable and ethical food, and their efforts are evident from the smallest food cart using compostable packaging to fine dining restaurants committing to carbon neutrality. Below are some of Vancouver’s most eco-friendly restaurants.
Executive Chef Chris Whittaker grows his own vegetables, catches his own fish, makes his own preserves, composts all food waste, keeps mason bees to pollinate plants, hunts for the purpose of conserving our land and feeding his family, and forages as a reminder of where our food comes from.
Chamber became carbon neutral in 2011, and since has dramatically reduced its impact on the environment. One example: through composting, the restaurant reduces garbage by 19,581 pounds per year.
Tucked away in the Lobby Lounge of the Fairmont Pacific Rim, RawBar was named Vancouver’s first 100 percent “OceanWise” sushi destination by the Vancouver Aquarium in 2014. Determined to make only responsible and sustainable seafood choices, the culinary team creatively sources the best of OceanWise-recommended seafood found locally and around the Pacific Rim.
Located on Granville Island, Edible Canada features recycled fir tabletops, beach-scavenged cedar hostess stands, an outdoor patio lined with planter boxes of herbs and vegetables, and two electric vehicle plug-in parking stalls. The menu features all-Canadian, mostly locally grown, market-fresh and seasonal items.
VEGAN EATS
Vancouver never falls short of vegan options. With restaurants across the city, vegans have a hard time choosing which neighborhood to hit next!
Known for its vegan poutine and cleaver name, MeeT is a favorite spot for local vegans. With locations in Yaletown, Gastown, and Main Street, this veggie hot spot has turned into a Vancouver staple.
Located in Vancouver’s historic Chinatown, meatless pizza lovers can find some of the city’s best pie! This popular pizza joint also serves up dairy-free ice cream, organic kombucha and local craft beer.
This award-winning, vegetable-forward restaurant and bar is located at the heart of Vancouver’s Main Street. Diners seeking some of the best and most creative meals made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients congregate in this establishment.
This South Granville eatery opened its doors in 2012 inside one of Vancouver’s many beautiful heritage buildings. Heirloom offers a contemporary dining experience coupled with a creative current menu.
FOOD TRUCKS
Food trucks burst onto Vancouver’s culinary scene in 2010, thanks to a change in city by-laws. The movement started with just 17 trucks and now there are more than 100 across the city, serving everything from Belgian waffles to Filipino fusion. Vancouver’s street food scene prides itself on being one of the world’s most eco-friendly, thanks to a focus on using compostable and biodegradable packaging and cutlery and sourcing regionally grown, locally produced, organic, sustainable, and fair-trade items. To track down your new favorite street eats, download the Street Food Vancouver app.
Vancouver’s original food cart serves up hotdogs with a Japanese twist, including their signature hot dog the Terimayo, served with Teriyaki sauce, mayo and seaweed.
Traditional UK Tandoori comes to the city in the form of a little black cart parked at Granville and Georgia. Expect to taste super fresh Naan (leavened, oven-baked flatbread) that they peel directly from their tandoor oven.
The Disco Cheetah Korean Grill
Serves up Korean-Mexican fusion from the Fraser Valley. Try the Korean Taco, with choice of protein, 6” corn tortilla, greens, pickled red cabbage, vinaigrette dressing and garlic mayo.
SWEET TASTE OF THE CITY
Vancouverites have a serious sweet tooth, and specialty dessert cafes are popping up across the city to feed that desire. From organic soft serve ice cream to fancy Champagne and dainty cake bars, the city is bursting with sweet treats.
This sweet spot is a chocolate lovers dream! Initially beginning as a chocolate drinking bar, Cacao 70 discovered that their customers had an appetite for more. Originating in Montreal, you can find this classic chocolate café in three Vancouver neighborhoods: Gastown, the West End, Granville Street, and North Vancouver’s Shipyards District.
The city’s first all-organic soft serve ice cream café, Soft Peaks serves whipped ice cream made with local Avalon milk. Try toppings such as honeycomb, from the nearby Fraser Valley, Himalayan pink salt, or Yuzu marmalade.
Walking into this bakery is the perfect way to treat all your senses. Enjoy the sweet smell of fresh buttery baked goods and an enormous display of treats at this local favorite. With locations in Mount Pleasant, Gastown, Kitsilano, and Whistler, you’ll always feed your cravings.
Thierry Chocolaterie Patisserie Cafe
Opened by Thierry Busset, who is widely regarded as one of North America’s finest pastry chefs, indulge in some of the café’s delectable desserts, such as macaroons, liquid chocolate, mango tarte, and chocolate cakes.