There’s always something to do in Vancouver…but first we eat!
If you like to make food and drink the focal point of fun, we’ve got 20 (and counting!) delicious food events happening in and around Vancouver this May.
Wine/Shutterstock
Check back during the month to see what events we’ve added to the delicious line-up.
ONGOING
BC Cider Week
The NorthWest Cider Association, along with your local BC Cider producers, are really stoked to be bringing BC’s Cider Week to you. This week long series of events will take place around the province, and with an opening festival at the start of CiderWeek.
When: April 26 to May 5, 2019
Where: Various locations around the province
TMRW Vegan Burger Pop-Up
@tmrwfoods/Instagram
The Juice Truck has been teaming up with TMRW Foods to run a weekly pop-up at in Vancouver, showcasing totally plant-based burgers, fries, and shakes. But the event has moved south to their Richmond location in Steveston Vilalge. Vancouver-based TMRW Foods is behind the “altBurger,” a patty made from plant-based ingredients. For their weekly pop-up they’ll be offering special burger creations each Sunday
When: Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: The Juice Truck (Steveston)– 12151 First Ave, Richmond
Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea
A pop-up chocolate dessert lounge at Notch8 Restaurant & Bar at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is taking sweet treats to a whole new level. The private dining room of Notch8 Restaurant has been transformed into a dessert-lovers’ delight complete with custom built, floor-to-ceiling chocolate covered walls — though the themed offerings and creative cocktails promise to take centre stage.
When: Available Thursday – Sunday, sittings at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.
Where: Notch8 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver – 900 West Georgia St, Vancouver
Cost: Adults $59; Children $29.5 (ages 12 and under); reservations recommended
MAY EVENTS
‘Wines of BC’ Dinner at The Salted Vine Kitchen + Bar
The Salted Vine's Co-Owner Jeff Park will pair his signature brand of Pacific Northwest-inspired cuisine with an array of notable B.C. wine for this four-course dinner. The evening begins with a reception featuring canapés and glasses of Steller’s Jay Brut before Salted Vine Sommelier/Co-Owner Pat Allan showcases varietals from such award-winning producers as Inniskillin Estate Winery, Sunrock Vineyards and See Ya Later Ranch, all paired with a feast.
When: Thursday, May 2 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: The Salted Vine Kitchen + Bar - 37991 2 Ave, Squamish
Cost: $89 per person plus tax and gratuity; available by calling the restaurant at 604-390-1910.
Chocolate Challenge
Variety of chocolate pralines / Shutterstock
Each year, this event wows guests with its one-of-a-kind chocolate treats crafted by Vancouver’s master chocolatiers and their top protegees. Contestants must pass their confections by the judging panel, which is made up of some of Vancouver’s premiere chocolate masters.
When: Thursday, May 2 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: The Gourmet Warehouse - 1340 East Hastings St, Vancouver
Cost: $79 per person
Greek Food Festival 2019
Hosted by the Hellenic Community of Vancouver and running from May 3-5, 2019, the Greek Food Festival is a major draw each year, bringing in hundreds of people to enjoy the live music, entertainment, history, and, of course, loads of food. Attendees can expect to find all sorts of traditional Greek fare, from souvlaki to spanikopita, gyros, loukoumades, and much, much more.
When: May 3-5, 2019
Where: Hellenic Community of Vancouver – 4500 Arbutus St, Vancouver
The 2019 Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival
Featuring a line-up of regional food truck fan favourites, the Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival has been serving up tasty eats on four wheels since 2014. Each installation features 20-plus hand-picked food trucks and carts, family activities, an artisan pop-up market, and live entertainment. Admission is free – you just pay for what you eat.
When/Where: Saturday, May 4 from 11 a.m. to 6 pm: Heritage Park, Chilliwack
When/Where: Saturday, May 11 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Civic Plaza, Abbotsford
When/Where: Saturday, May 25 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Cloverdale Exhibition Grounds, Surrey
Electric Bicycle’s 1st Birthday Bash
Mount Pleasant craft brewer Electric Bicycle is celebrating their first birthday with an indoor-outdoor garden (and beer) party. Join them inside or on the patio for BBQ, brews, live DJ sets, dancing, and plenty of fun. They’ve teamed up with Public Disco for this epic afternoon to nighttime celebration.
When: Saturday, May 4 from noon-10 p.m.
Where: Electric Bicycle Brewing Company - 20 East 4th Ave
11th Annual Cinco de Mayo 5-Pounder™ Burrito Eating Challenge
This Burrito Eating Challenge asks you to consume a Taco Del Mar 5-Pounder™ in 30 minutes or less and it’s free. The 5-Pounder™ is a five‐pound burrito rolled with four tortillas stuffed with rice, beans, ground beef, cheese, pico de gallo, and sauce. It is equivalent to four-and‐a‐half Baja Burritos – and it usually costs $30.
When: Sunday, May 5 from noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Taco Del Mar – 113-2020 Oxford Connector, Port Coquitlam
Cost: Free
Wildebeest & Patron Party
Wildebeest Executive Chef Ian McHale and Bar Manager Alex Black are putting their pairing skills to good use as they create a special dinner using Patron’s unique line of spirits. The six-course meal includes decadent dishes such as wagyu tartare, wakame-poached cod, and Cache Creek ribeye.
When: Sunday May 5 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Wildebeest - 120 West Hastings St, Vancouver
Cost: $79 per person plus tax and gratuity.
Veg Expo
Summer vegetables/Shutterstock
Veg Expo is a vegan, vegetarian, plant-based and sustainable food expo where attendees can enjoy cooking demonstrations led by celebrated chefs, sample new food products, browse vegan fashion and learn about the future of sustainable eating. Veg Expo will feature over 200 plant-based, sustainable, edible products and services you can implement into your daily lifestyle. This year’s featured speakers include animal activists, nutritionists and fitness professionals.
When: Sunday, May 5, 2019 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre West
Cost: $10-45; tickets available online
Shipyards Night Market
The Shipyards Night Market will once again liven up Shipbuilders’ Square in North Vancouver’s lower Lonsdale with over 100 vendors, including food trucks, and a 19+ beer garden. With a “hot food alley” stacked with dozens of food trucks, the Shipyards Night Market is one of the summer’s most delicious pop-up weekend eats destinations. Plus you can sip on craft beer and cider in the beer garden, shop from the many vendor stalls, and enjoy live entertainment.
When: Fridays from 5 to 10 p.m., May 3 to September 27, 2019
Where: Shipbuilders’ Square – 15 Wallace Mews, North Vancouver
Related:
- 9 spring and summer B.C. wine events you don’t want to miss
- Shipyards Night Market brings back the food trucks, beer garden, and family fun starting this May
- The largest plant-based food event of the year is happening this May in Vancouver
Form@ dinner series at The Mackenzie Room
Conceptualized by The Mackenzie Room team, this exciting new dinner series will take place at The Mackenzie Room every Tuesday and Wednesday in May with a four course meal and beer or wine pairings for $98 per person, in collaboration with selected farmers, foragers, breweries and wineries in B.C. Here's the schedule:
- May 7-8: Form@LAMB – Wine from Bella , Sparkling Wine
- May 14-15: Form@BBQ – Wine from Lock and Worth and Nichol Vineyards
- May 21-22: Form@OCEAN – Beer from Steel & Oak along with a Tap Takeover
- May 28-29: Form@VEG – Wine from Rathjen Cellars , Vancouver Island
When: Tuesdays and Wednesday in May from 7 to 10 p.m.
Where: The Mackenzie Room - 415 Powell St, Vancouver
Cost: $98 per person. Call 604-253-0705 to reserve
Richmond Night Market
Midway games, vendor booths, live entertainment, and an insane amount of food will once again draw crowds at this popular event. The market consistently offers an impressive quantity of options for shopping and eating–they have over 100 food stalls and 200 vendors. But the food is always one of the most exciting parts of the Night Market, so you can expect to find everything from those iconic “tornado potatoes” to grilled meats, bubble waffles, “large” fried chicken, wild beverage concoctions, epic treats, and who knows what else is in store for this year.
When: May 10 to Oct. 14, 2019. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (May 10-Sept. 2): 7 p.m. to midnight; Sundays (After Sep 2) and Stat holidays: 7 to 11 p.m.
Where: 8351 River Road, Richmond
Cost: Admission rates for this season TBD
National Caesar Day
The Victor/Facebook
Find your favourite bar or restaurant for a Caesar and raise a glass to Canada's national cocktail. Always observed on the Thursday ahead of the May-long weekend, National Caesar Day is a great opportunity to gather with friends and enjoy the beverage. Look for specials at bars and restaurants, or make your own. (Just drink responsibly!)
When: Thursday, May 16
Where: Various places across Metro Vancouver
13th Annual Spot Prawn Festival
The Spot Prawn Festival celebrates its 13th edition with several ways to enjoy fresh, delicious local spot prawns at the event. Chefs will prepare chowder made with spot prawns fresh off the boat, served with bread from Terra Bread. Alternatively, the fest features a brunch offering a six-dish tasting menu with fresh-baked bread from Terra and wine sample pours, beer, and coffee, as well as a sweet treat. Plus, you can buy the prawns right off the docks at the fest. Hang out and enjoy live music, family-friendly activities, chef demos, and more.
When: May 19, 2019 from 11:30 am to 3 pm
Where: Fisherman’s Wharf at False Creek
Cost: Free admission to grounds. Chowder is $12 and can be pre-purchased by time slot. Brunch is $60 and should be pre-purchased. Details here.
Top Drop Vancouver
Handcrafted, terroir-driven wines (as well as craft beer and cider) are the focus of this two-day celebration of delicious sustainability. Thursday night, it’s all about food and wine at restaurants like Wildebeest, Mamie Taylor’s and Bodega on Main for just $49 a person; on Friday, it’s the grand tasting at the Yaletown Roundhouse.
When: May 23-24
Where: Yaletown Roundhouse (tasting event); participating restaurants (Thursday night dinners)
Cost: $49-75. Tickets available via Eventbrite.
Shuck it Forward V
Photo courtesy Shuck It Forward V
Where: Chewies Oyster Bar - 1055 West Hastings St.
Cost: $25-100; tickets available online
La Paulée Wine Dinner at Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar
On May 30, Boulevard Executive General Manager and Wine Director JP Potters will launch Boulevard’s ongoing ‘La Paulée’-styled dinner series by hosting a dinner showcasing classics from France's Burgundy and Northern Rhone regions. Guests bring their own bottle of rare, limited-edition or library wine and break bread with fellow wine lovers while enjoying a regionally themed, multi-course dinner courtesy of Chefs Chen and Ma.
When: Thursday, May 30 at 7 p.m.
Where: Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar - 845 Burrard St, Vancouver
Cost: $125 plus gratuity and taxes. Book by calling the restaurant at 604-642-2900
Tacofino X Strathcona Beer Dinner
When: Thursday, May 30. Seatings at 6 and 8:30 p.m
Where: Tacofino - 2327 East Hastings St, Vancouver
Cost: $55 per person inclusive of tax, gratuity and ticketing fees. Purchase via Eventbrite.
With files from Vitis, Elana Shepert, and Adam Nanji
- Have a food or drink event we should know about? Send tips and links via e-mail to lindsay@vancouverisawesome.com
