A food lover’s guide to Vancouver

Vancouver has often been compared to Sydney – not only is it a picturesque harbour city with a vibrant food scene, but Canada’s parallels with Australia are multi-layered and obvious. It feels familiar as well as unique all at the same time.

Of course there are the North American realities like the coffee (which is… ahem, different, but Canadian coffee is still way better than American coffee), the portion sizes and the tipping culture.

But in British Columbia’s largest city, you’ll find a focus on local and wholesome produce, and a relaxed approach to dining which echoes that of our Australian capitals.

Here are some food haunts not to be missed:

Granville Island Public Market

Not really an island – it is accessible by road from the city – this was originally a sandbar serving as a fishing haven for Indigenous people, before colonial settlement turned it into an industrial precinct, which slid into decline in the post-war era. In a classic case of gentrification gone right, in the 1970s it was turned into an urban public space, with a food market housed in a former warehouse becoming its most famous attraction.

Not dissimilar to Europe’s food halls, the covered market offers a sensory experience with an eclectic collection of local delicacies and produce, enjoyed equally by visitors and locals who come here for their artisanal food shopping.

A guided tour with Vancouver Foodie Tours is a good way to navigate the multitude of stalls in a couple of hours, where you’ll get to taste great local cheeses, cured meats – including reindeer – chocolate, coffee, as well as great local Pacific coast seafood. While a food tour like this will leave you with full bellies, there are plenty of other places to explore around Granville, including stylish boutiques, souvenir stores and cute restaurants.

The bustling, vibrant island(ish) is also a jumping off point for whale watching tours and other aquatic activities around this region.

Gastown

The birthplace of Vancouver, this historic neighbourhood has also gone through a few different iterations, from a frontier town in the early colonial days to a popular tourist area today. Another 1970s glow-up leaning into the area’s history with cobblestone streets, vintage street lights and a thriving boho creative and food scene have made this an atmospheric neighbourhood to explore, even if its gritty undercurrent is never too far from sight.

Come for the famous steam clock – one of the last few remaining in the world – for the obligatory photo op, and stay for a memorable meal, with the pluralistic offerings here reflecting the city’s multicultural tapestry. From Korean and Japanese to Greek, Italian and French, it is all here. One highlight worth checking out is Kozak, a refugee-staffed Ukrainian restaurant serving home-style delicacies including pierogi and hearty borsch, in a cosy setting with Slavic decor accents.

Chinatown

When it comes to multiculturalism, the Chinese influence in Vancouver is oversized – it is home to one of the largest Chinese populations outside of China – thanks to centuries of migration starting with the 1850s gold rush era. And when there is such a strong population, good, authentic food cannot be far behind.

There is no better way to truly understand the dark history of Chinese migrants, while exploring the culinary offerings, than on A Wok Around tour with Robert Sung. A former chef and well respected member of the local Chinese community, Bob Sung is a character who will regale you with fascinating stories, provide access to places tourists wouldn’t normally visit, and host a series of tastings including BBQ duck and delicious dim sum.

Another hub of excellent Chinese food is the upscale suburb of Richmond, home to a large migrant population, many from Hong Kong. There are restaurants aplenty here – including traditional eateries complete with lazy Susans and printed menus with photos.

Published on Main

Vancouver was the second city in Canada to be part of the Michelin guide, testament to its elevated dining scene (although it is worth noting there are no two or three star restaurants here yet). Perhaps that may have something to do with the laid back vibe here, which is evident in Michelin-starred Published on Main.

Located in the Mount Pleasant section of the arterial Main Street – where many other high end restaurants can be found – it is widely recognised as one of the city’s best known restaurants, and is a regular feature on various Best lists.

At Published – as it is colloquially known – there’s no dress code, the staff is not uniformed, and there isn’t a single starched white linen in sight. The term smart casual comes to mind. Here, the ingredient-led food is decidedly the star of the show. The seasonal menu, which can only be described as contemporary Canadian, relies on hyper-local, often foraged ingredients, and technique that combines finesse with fun, to serve up dishes that defy tradition.

In many ways, it is reminiscent of some of Australia’s finest restaurants – just swap out lemon myrtle for douglas fir oil and kangaroo for elk. Familiar, but surprising at the same time.

A whistle stop tour to Whistler

One of the favourite ski destinations with Australians is less than two hours’ drive from Vancouver, and well worth a visit for a short break or a day trip, even if you are not a skier. Stunning alpine landscapes await along the scenic drive and at Whistler’s iconic peaks, which can be explored with various activities, including gondola rides and ziplining. Don’t miss a visit to the iconic Fairmont Chateau Whistler for a taste of the apres-ski life all year round.