British Columbia’s largest and most populous city, Vancouver is blessed with the abundance of dazzling natural beauty. Surrounded by the Pacific as well as snow-capped coastal mountain ranges filled with cedar trees, this vibrant city welcomes adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. With culturally diverse neighbourhoods and incredible natural splendour all around, it is no surprise that Vancouver is consistently ranked as one of the top five cities for quality of life. Vancouver’s multicultural influences and abundant availability of fresh produce and ingredients has given the city an extraordinary selection of delectable local cuisines. From smoked salmons to buttermilk fried chicken, here is a list of 10 foods to try in Vancouver.
1. Nanaimo bars

Named after the city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, this bar dessert that doesn’t require any baking and is three-layered. The base layer is made up of a coconut crumb wafer, the middle one is made up of custard-flavoured butter icing which is topped by a layer of chocolate ganache. The bar is popular among the local residents and was once voted as Canada’s favourite confection in a national newspaper survey.
Try the best Nanaimo bars in Vancouver here:
Bonchaz bakery cafe
Address: 426 W Hastings St, Vancouver
Price: 2 - 10 USD
Opening hours: Mon - Fri 7 am - 7 pm, Sat 9:30 am - 4 pm, Sun 10 am - 4 pm
Website: Bonchaz bakery cafe
2. Poutine

Originating from the province of Quebec, this Canadian delicacy is made up of French fries and cheese curds topped with brown gravy. The dish is eaten so much in Canada that it has been called Canada’s national dish. Canadians call it the perfect thing to have after a night of drinking and celebrate the dish with poutine competitions and festivals devoted to it.
Try the best poutine in Canada in:
Fritz European Fry House
Address: 718 Davie St, Vancouver BC
Price: 7 - 15 USD
Opening hours: Tue 11 am - 2 am, Wed and Thu 11 am - 2:30 am, Fri 11 am - 4 am, Sat 1 pm - 4 am, Sun 1 pm - 2 am
Website: Fritz European Fry House
3. Maple treats
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Canada’s most delicious creation, maple syrup is made from the sap of sugar maple, black maple or red maple trees. Most of it is produced in Quebec and has been long savoured by culinary experts for its unique flavour. The syrup is commonly used in pancakes, waffles, French toast, porridge and oatmeals although variants of the syrup are used in products such as maple beer and maple coffee as well.
Try the best Maple treats in Vancouver in:
Edible Canada
Address: 1596 Johnston Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3S2
Price: 11 - 30 USD
Opening hours: 9 am - 8.30 pm
Website: Edible Canada
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Bannock
Scrumptious Sage Smoked Salmon Bannock Flatbread !! New menu item ! #wildsalmon #vancouver
Posted by Salmon n' Bannock Bistro on Saturday, 7 July 2018
Bannock is a variety of bread that once formed the staple diet of early settlers and fur traders of Canada. It is flat and round and includes flour, lard, salt, water and baking powder. This simple fried bread is nutritious and is full of carbs and is traditionally made by mixing the ingredients in a frying pan and baking it into a large, hockey puck shaped biscuit.
Try the best Bannock in:
Salmon 'n' Bannock Bistro
Address: 7 - 1128 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC
Price: 5 USD onwards
Opening hours: 5 pm - 10 pm
Website: Salmon 'n' Bannock Bistro
5. Termiayo hotdog
Posted by JAPADOG on Monday, 24 July 2017
Popularised by a chain of street food stalls in Vancouver, this dish with a unique Candian-Japanese flavour are hotdog topped with teriyaki sauce, Japanese mayo and shredded seaweed. Originally prepared by a Japanese couple that opened their first hotdog stand in 2005, this hotdog is a hit among the locals and keeps them raving about it. If you have to try one street food item in Vancouver, go for this city classic, You will not be disappointed.
Try the best Terimayo hotdog in Vancouver in
Japadog
Address: 530 Robson St, Vancouver BC
Price: Under 10 USD
Opening hours: 11 am - 10 pm
Website: Japadog
6. Smoked BC salmon
This preparation of salmon includes a fillet of wild salmon that is cured, smoked and wrapped in cedar or a bentwood box. You can also find smoked in beautifully decorated gift boxes that can be bought and shared with your families and friends back home. The species of wild salmon is usually one of chinook, coho, sockeye, pink and chum caught off the pristine, cold waters of the Western coast.
Try the best smoked BC salmon in:
The Lobby Restaurant & Lounge
Address: 138 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Price: 15 USD onwards
Opening hours: 6.30 am - 9 pm
Website: The Lobby Restaurant & Lounge
7. Black sesame choux
These delicious dome-shaped desserts are made up of black sesame cream puff on a plain choux base. They are slightly larger than the American varieties and are topped with a traditional choux that adds to the sweetness and crunch. They come in varieties ranging from simple vanilla to chocolate flavoured ones.
Bakery Sate
Address: 2879 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC V5N 0A6
Price: 11 - 30 USD
Opening hours: 7.30 am - 7 pm
Website: Bakery Sate
8. Local dungeness crab

Dungeness crab is a species of crab that is found on the western coast of North America with sweet, moist and delicate flesh that is enjoyed by the residents of Vancouver. The crustaceans are usually available during a season that starts from December and runs through spring. Usual preparations of the crab involve boiling the crabs and then eating them by cracking the shell but you can find restaurants that serve them with their shells cracked and the meat easily accessible.
You can try the best local Dungeness crab in Vancouver in:
Blue Water Cafe
Address: 1095 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5T4
Price: 31 - 60 USD
Opening hours: 4.30 pm - 12 am
Website: Blue Water Cafe
9. Buttermilk fried chicken
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Buttermilk Fried Chicken is meticulously prepared and cooked till it attains a crispy, tangy, tenderized form. Chicken meat is tenderized with a brine solution and is made flavourful by battering it with spices and cornstarch. It can also be served with a range of sweet and savoury sides that include hot chilli sauce, honey, coleslaw and pickles.
You can try the best buttermilk fried chicken in Vancouver in:
Juke Fried Chicken
Address: 182 Keefer Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 1X4
Price: 11 - 30 USD
Opening hours: 11 am - 12 am
Website: Juke Fried Chicken
10. Caramel coffee frozen parfait
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
We have added a new menu which is called KINAKO Sundae!! Kinako means soybean powder that tastes delicious with sweets!!...
Posted by Bon Crepe on Friday, November 16, 2018
Originally from France, parfaits are made from boiling cream, egg, sugar and syrup. Caramel Coffee Frozen Parfait is a delicious dessert with a cream topping carrying a delicate flavour of Espresso. They can also be served with a topping of chopped nuts and cocoa powder.
Try the best caramel coffee frozen parfait in Vancouver in:
Bon Crepe
Address: 1238 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 1C1
Price: 10 - 20 USD
Opening hours: Wed, Thu and Sun 1 pm - 10 pm, Fri and Sat 1 pm - 11 pm
Website: Bon Crepe
Tickle your taste buds
From finger-licking good buttermilk fried chicken to lip-smacking portions of gravy-rich poutine, scan the above list of foods to try in Vancouver, take your pick and get a taste of the city’s incredibly diverse gastronomic scene.
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Create an account to bookmark our articles, like local expert tips, receive great stories in your inbox, and follow writers and topics that you love.
Log in with Google ×