There’s always something to do in Vancouver...but first we eat!
Photo courtesy Tuc Craft Kitchen
If you like to make food and drink the focal point of fun, we’ve got 24 (and counting!) delicious food events happening in and around Vancouver this October.
Check back during the month to see what events we've added to the delicious line-up.
ONGOING
Wünderbar: An Oktobeerfest Pop-Up at Bells and Whistles
Photo by Jonathan Norton courtesy Bells and Whistles
Fraser Street’s Bells and Whistles began ushering in 17 days of celebrations in late September, and have transformed into a Bavarian-inspired beer hall to host Wünderbar: An Oktobeerfest Pop-Up until Sunday, October 7. You’ll find German-style beers from the bar, and grub on the menu like warm pretzels, schnitzel, currywurst, strudel and more.
When: Now through October 7, 2018
Where: 3296 Fraser Street, Vancouver
Richmond Night Market
Midway games, vendor booths, live entertainment, and an insane amount of food will once again draw crowds at the Richmond Night Market. The market consistently offers an impressive quantity of options for shopping and eating–they have over 100 food stalls and 200 vendors.
When: Now to October 8, 2018. 7 pm – midnight Fridays and Saturdays, 7 pm – 11 pm Sundays and holiday Mondays
Where: 8351 River Road, Richmond
Cost: $3.75 admission, free for children 10 and under and seniors 60 and up (with ID)
Enchanted Forest Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Photo courtesy Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver has launched an Enchanted Forest tea. Tuck into the Private Dining Room of Notch8 Restaurant & Bar and enjoy an escape–and some beautiful eats–right from the pages of a charming folktale.
When: Now through November 18, 2018, with sittings Wednesdays – Sundays at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm
Where: Notch8 at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver - 900 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Cost: Adults $59, Children $29.50 (ages 12 & under). Reservations are strongly encouraged.
OCTOBER EVENTS
Anniversary Sushi at Tojo's
In celebration of Tojo’s 30th anniversary, Chef Tojo is offering “Anniversary Sushi” on his menu showcasing ingredients from British Columbia, including smoked sablefish, herring roe on kelp, and Chef Tojo’s own pickled ginger. The sushi is served battera-style, which is pressed sushi traditionally from Osaka and temari style, traditionally from Kyoto.
When: October 2018
Where: Tojo's - 1133 West Broadway, Vancouver
DownLow Burgers Pop-Up
@downlowburgers/Instagram
It's impossible to keep this a secret: The DownLow Chicken Shack will morph into a burger joint Monday nights, starting October 1. The menu currently consists of four core burgers, with weekly burger specials.
When: Monday nights starting October 1
Where: DownLow Chicken Shack - 905 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Medina After Dark Fundraiser at Café Medina
‘Greatest Hits’ Menu at Tuc Craft Kitchen
Tuc Craft Kitchen will dig deep into its culinary catalogue and bring back a number of past comfort-food favourites to celebrate its fifth anniversary this October. While a number of Tuc’s most popular menu items will remain on the new fall menu, Tuc is also reviving several ‘greatest-hits’ dishes from years past, including Hanger Steak à la Bourguignon, Snapper Meunière, Chicken Confit and Pork Two Ways--all available with optional wine pairings.
When: New fall menu debuts October 4
Where: 60 West Cordova Street, Vancouver
Oktoberfest 2018 at the Vancouver Alpen Club
Vancouver Alpen Club/Facebook
This is the granddaddy of all Vancouver Oktoberfests that you can’t leave off the list. Held at the historic Alpen Club, they’ve got three October weekends of beer, food, music, and fun. Dress up, dance, and raise a few glasses in the German tradition. Regular tickets $35 (plus taxes) include admission to the Oktoberfest, while VIP tickets $80 (plus taxes) include admission and access to a designated area that provides a delicious German buffet and a server who takes care of your drinks all night long (drinks not included in the prices).
When: October 5-6, 12-13, and 19-20
Where: Vancouver Alpen Club – 4875 Victoria Drive
Cost: $35/$80; tickets available online
Port Moody Oktoberfest 2018
Bigger than ever for 2018, the Port Moody Oktoberfest takes place under two tents, featuring activities, the Miss Oktoberfest contest, Original “München Oktoberfest” beers (Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr), tons of food vendors, and live entertainment.
When: October 5-7, 2018
Where: 100 Newport Drive, Port Moody
Cost: $20-40 individual admission; tickets available online
Tattle Tour - Tayybeh Syrian Cooking Experience
Syrian food is a new arrival on the food scene in Vancouver and the West in general though and Tayybeh was the first to introduce Syrian food to Vancouver through our famous pop-up dinner series. They are now offering interactive cooking classes where you can learn more about the food and culture of Syria and meet their spectacular women chefs. The class will entail learning how to prepare 3-4 items (appetizer, salad, main).
When: Saturday, October 6 from 5-8 pm
Where: Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre - 7646 Prince Albert Street, Vancouver
Cost: $80.73; tickets available online
Squamish Craftoberfest
Hit the road for this revamped October beer fest in Squamish. It's an Oktoberfest event with everything from pretzels to an oompah band, along with Bavarian games, schnitzel, and all the trimmings.
When: Saturday, October 6 from 5-11 pm
Where: West Coast Railway Heritage Park - 39645 Government Road, Squamish
Cost: $40
The Macallan Whisky Dinner at Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar
Photo courtesy Boulevard
Whisky lovers can take part in an ultra-exclusive showcase for single malts and journey through the Scottish highlands when the celebrated distillery takes centre stage during a whisky pairing dinner at Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar. The dinner pairs a custom menu created by Executive Chef Roger Ma with seven varieties of The Macallan’s world-renowned whiskies.
When: Wednesday, October 10 at 7 pm
Where: Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar - 845 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Cost: $149 per person plus tax and gratuity
Feast Asian Dining Festival
This brand-new "dine out"-style fest will offer fixed family-style menus, encouraging you to get out and enjoy meals with friends and family. That means pricing for groups of 2, 4, 6 and 8. Participating restaurants include Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, Taiwanese, Thai, and Vietnamese establishments.
When: October 10-21, 2018
Where: Participating restaurants
Oktoberfest Pub Nights on the Fraser
Embark on an Oktoberfest booze cruise on the mighty Fraser. Pub Nights on the Fraser goes German-style for their paddlewheeler tour. German-themed food and drink will be available for purchase on board, plus music and lots of fun.
When: October 12 and 19, 2018 from 7-10 pm
Where: $39.95 plus tax
Origo Club ‘Champagne Barons De Rothschild’ Dinner
Guests will get a taste of Origo Club’s exclusive selection of Champagne Barons de Rothschild when the restaurant hosts a very special evening of food and wine. Chef David Pan’s seven-course menu of huîtres, pétoncles, salade d’automne, morue charbonnière, canard, crémeux au chocolat and charcuteries et fromages will be paired with Champagne Barons de Rothschild Brut, Extra Brut, Blanc de Blancs, Rosé and 2008 Blanc de Blancs.
When: Wednesday, October 17 at 6 pm
Where: Origo Club - 6888 River Road #110, Richmond
Cost: Tickets are limited and may be purchased online at origoclub.
Haywire Fall Harvest Dinner
Experience the best of the Okanagan fall harvest right here in Vancouver with an exclusive locally inspired five-course dinner paired with wines directly from Haywire Winery including their Narrative and Freeform wines. Hosted by a member of the winery team you will learn about their vineyard, production and the magic that brings these wines to life.
When: Wednesday, October 17 from 6:30-9:30 pm
Where: YEW seafood + bar - 791 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Cost: $116.87; tickets available via Eventbrite
Cooking Stage at the Vancouver Fall Home Show
Dennis Peckham of Fraiche Sheet
Aspiring home cooks, turn up the heat and sharpen your knives - it’s your chance to get schooled by Vancouver’s top chefs on the Fulgor Milano Cooking Stage at the 35th annual Vancouver Fall Home Show. See Vancouver’s culinary legends and modern masters, as they conduct live demonstrations including MasterChef Canada Winner David Jorge, CBC's The Great Canadian Baking Show Judge Bruno Feldeisen, Dennis Peckham of Fraiche Sheet Foods, and many more. A full schedule is online.
When: October 18–21, 2018
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre West
Toast to the Coast
Celebrate ocean wonders at the Toast to the Coast fundraising event in support of Ocean Wise® and Vancouver Aquarium®, presented by CIBC. This anticipated annual event connects food and drink connoisseurs with ocean conservationists for a lively cocktail reception in honour of our ocean. Joined by some of B.C.’s finest culinary creators, guests will sip and savour their way through the evening, from reception to silent auction to after party.
When: Friday, October 19 at 7:30 pm
Where: Vancouver Aquarium - 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
Cost: $150; purchase online
Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week
Photo by Stephanie Cybruch via Vancouver’s North Shore Tourism/Facebook
Vancouver's North Shore Craft Beer Week is packed with beer-rific events perfect for hop heads and the brew curious. The week is filled with a variety of programming for beer lovers, ranging from Happy Hours to games nights, tours and pairing dinners, and including live music, talks, breakfasts, special cask pours, and more. The full schedule is available online.
When: October 19-26
Where: Various North Shore locations
Chefs in the Hood
When: Saturday, October 20 from 7 to 11 pm
Where: The Law Courts Inn - 500-800 Smithe Street, 4th floor, Vancouver
Cost: Tickets are available for $75 via Eventbrite
Grocery Tour : Learn about Chinese Ingredients and Wet Markets
Ever tried grocery shopping in a Chinese supermarket only to be overwhelmed by the hustling and the bustling? Curious about the different types of sauces and ingredients? Worry no more and come out to a grocery tour with Registered Dietitian Renee Chan. Navigate through Crystal Mall's own Wet Market and experience a taste of Asia.
When: Sunday, October 21 from 11 am to 1:30 pm
Where: Corner of McKay Avenue & Kingsborough Street, Vancouver
Cost: Pay by donation
El Santo CAN
Every fall, el Santo hosts a fundraising event where guests are treated to live music and entertainment, a multi-course dinner with drink pairings, exciting guest speakers, and both silent and live auctions. All proceeds from the annual event go directly to the Canucks Autism Network.
When: Sunday, October 21 at 6 pm
Where: 680 Columbia Street, New Westminster
Cost: $145; tickets available online
Hog Shack Swinefest 2018
An evening of competition style BBQ brought to you by Hog Shack's award winning BBQ pitmaster John Lim Hing. They are going to throw down a meatfest featuring smoked brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork, smoked chicken and boatload of southern sides. This year they will be featuring wagyu brisket and a full roasted pig. Plus a tap takeover from Boombox.
When: Monday, October 22 from 6:15-10 pm
Where: 3900 Bayview Street, Richmond
Cost: $57.95; get tickets online
Tasting Plates Gastown
Explore the Gastown neighbourhood and tantalize your tastebuds at several restaurants and cafes. This evening tasting extravaganza is presented by Vancouver Foodster. Participating venues include Buro Coffee, Water Street Cafe, Balila, Wishing Treats, and more.
When: Wednesday, October 24 from 6 to 10pm
Where: Gastown starting location TBA
Cost: $29-45. Tickets available via Eventbrite
