We're baaaaaack! Time to fire up the monthly food events roundup for your eating and drinking pleasure this July.
Here in B.C. we are in Phase 3 of the province's "Restart" plan, which means many of us are venturing out more. Of course, large gatherings are still not on the menu, so when we say "food events" right now, they aren't all in the traditional sense. These are not big get-togethers that will find you in crowds and bumping elbows with strangers, or mingling with a few dozen folks. We're talking organized, physically-distanced, COVID-conscious revamped events, as well as food specials and promos going down across the city this month.
If you like to make food and drink the focal point of fun, we’ve got 15 (and counting!) delicious food events happening in and around Vancouver this July.
Check back during the month to see what events we’ve added to the delicious line-up.
If you have a tip for a food or drink special for July, or any other month, please send it to [email protected].
Sausage & Rosé Party: Wildebeest x The Diamond
Wildebeest’s most famous annual event is back. This time, Sausage & Rosé rewinds with a retro early 90s themed vibe, playing all your favourite R&B and hip-hop music from that period. While practicing proper social distancing & safety measures, join us for an evening of Rosé, house-made sausages, and the iconic tunes of modern music’s golden era. There will be a dance floor to practice your socially distanced throwback moves. For the first time ever, the event will be held at The Diamond in Gastown. Groups capped at six people per B.C. rules.
When: Sunday, July 19 from 5-8 p.m.
Where: The Diamond - 6 Powell Street, Vancouver
Cost: $40 + tax; purchase online
The Praguery's BC SPCA Fundraiser
Beat the summer heat with a sweet treat for a great cause, as Vancouver's The Praguery hosts a pop-up ice cream fundraiser for the BC SPCA in honour of National Ice Cream Day. The Praguery will have their dessert truck on site in front of the McArthurGlen shopping centre, and will be selling a special ice cream with raspberry toppings with a fun dog-shaped cookie. $1 from every cone sold will go directly to the BC SPCA to support their Champions for Animals Initiative that works to protect and enhance the quality of life for animals in our province.
When: Sunday, July 19 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: McArthurGlen Designer Outlet - 7899 Templeton Station Rd, Richmond
Lee's Donuts x DL Chicken and Downlow Burgers
Photo courtesy DL ChickenIt's the ultimate mashup of the summer: Granville Island's Lee's Donuts has been working with DL Chicken and Downlow Burgers to come up with some epic creations available for a limited time only. Meet the "Lee’s Honey Dip” Fried Chicken Sando (DL Chicken’s famous fried chicken breast with pickles, Rookie Sauce, and shredduce, sitting between a Lee’s Honey Dip yeast donut) and the “Lee’s Honey Dip” Bacon Burger (a “smashed” all-beef patty with maple mustard mayo, bacon onion jam, and shredduce, also sitting between a Lee’s Honey Dip yeast donut). These sweet and savoury treats are available starting this holiday Wednesday, July 1 at both DL Chicken Shack (905 Commercial Drive) and Downlow Burgers (926 Main Street), and every Monday after at Downlow Burgers.
When: Launches July 1
Where: DL Chicken Shack - 905 Commercial Drive - and Downlow Burgers (July 1 and then Mondays) - 926 Main Street
Snack Window at Mak N Ming
Mak N Ming has been making it through the last few weeks by offering special dishes, meal sets, and more for pick-up from their restaurant. On Sundays, the Kits modern Japanese/PacNW eatery has their "snack window" up and running, from noon to 3 p.m. with special items available for grab and go. Pre-order items, like a mentaiko udon kit, then pick up (cash only). Follow them on Instagram for dish details and ordering info.
When: Sundays from noon to 3 p.m.
Where: Mak N Ming - 1629 Yew Street, Vancouver
Magkasama: Virtual Filipino Marketplace
15 Filipino vendors from around Vancouver are taking part in a virtual market event called Magkasama this June and July. Photo: @pigoutyvr/InstagramMagkasama, which translates from Tagalog as "together," is a great way to get to know Vancouver's many Filipino entrepreneurs who make and sell things like authentic Filipino pastries, desserts, sauces and condiments, apparel, coffee, and more. For this online event, there is even a vendor who makes non-medical reusable face masks in her signature fabric patterned with kawaii-style Filipino icons (like lumpia and Vicks VapoRub). If you have a sweet tooth, you'll especially want to take note, because there are a lot of talented Filipino bakers in Vancouver working with flavours like ube and coconut, creating all sorts of treats and breads. When you pick up your order, Magkasama customers will want to save room in their bellies because the event organizers will have their Shameless Buns truck in service with food available for purchase.
When: Shop now through July 5, 2020. Pick up July 10-12 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Shop online. Pick up at 302 Industrial Ave, Vancouver
Online Winery Party - with celebs
Photo courtesy Black Hills Estate WineryBlack Hills Estate Winery is holding a free online party July 17 for anyone who buys 12 bottles of the 2018 Nota Bene, by July 2. The party kicks off with a guided tasting of the wine by winemaker and MW Ross Wise, and includes a live musical performance by recording artist and co-founder of the Barenaked Ladies, Steven Page. Then join in the conversation with other Canadian personalities, including: Jason Priestley, Erin Cebula, Olympic gold medalist Kelsey Serwa, and Vancouver's own Juno Award-winning hip hop artist (and burger restaurant owner) Prevail.
When: July 17
Where: Online! Order by July 2
Pac Rim Patio Pop-Up
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Photo by Leila Kwok/courtesy Fairmont Pacific RimOn July 1, the Fairmont Pacific Rim is launching a temporary plaza restaurant, called the Pac Rim Patio Pop-Up. In partnership with hotel owners Westbank, the Pac Rim is making use of their front plaza to set up picnic tables for groups of six of fewer with plenty of physical distancing space in between. There will be live music, and the Patio Pop-Up is a full-service dining experience. On the menu, summery BBQ season eats from the hotel’s executive chef Damon Campbell, like burgers, sandwiches, poke bowls, and desserts. From the bar, Bulleit Bourbon Old Fashioned cocktails, a line-up of local brews from Stanley Park Brewing, and wine. You'll make a contactless purchase of food and drink tickets upon arrival.
When: Thursdays and Fridays from 3-8 p.m., Saturdays from noon-8 p.m. Patio launches on Canada Day, Wednesday, July 1.
Where: Plaza outside Fairmont Pacific Rim - 1038 Canada Place, Vancouver,
Lobster Madness at Water St Cafe
Photo courtesy Water Street CafeWater St. Cafe is featuring their Lobster Madness menu again this year, celebrating the succulent lobster. Brunch items are available seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with all other items available seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Look for dishes like Lobster Bisque, Surf & Turf, Lobster Papardelle, a Lobster Benny, a classic Lobster Newburg, and much more lobster. It's madness!
When: July 6-13, 2020
Where: Water St. Cafe - 300 Water St, Vancouver
Vancouver Greek Summerfest To Go
Greek Summer Fest on Boundary/FacebookFor 2020, Greek Summerfest is focusing on the food, and will offer six days over two weekends of fantastic eats, all to-go. Vancouver Greek Summerfest To Go will be set up as a massive hub for take-out fare. Indulge in all your favourites like loukoumades (Greek donuts), souvlaki, BBQ lamb, spanakopita, and take a piece of Greece home with you,
When: July 10-12 and July 17-19; 3-8 p.m. Fridays and noon-8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
Where: 4541 Boundary Road (@ East 29th Avenue)
Disco Dim Sum weekends at Cold Tea
One of Vancouver's newest restaurants has a new fun weekend special rolling - literally. Cold Tea, located downtown on Granville Street in the former Tsui Hang spot, launched their Disco Dim Sum this month. On Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. they have old school dim sum cart service, with a mimosa cart, too, for the perfect brunch double up.
When: Weekends 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Cold Tea - 1193 Granville Street, Vancouver
Brentwood Great Take-out Food Truck Festival
Photo: Restaurant take-out food/ShutterstockThe Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival has re-tooled their events to suit the current restrictions on gatherings and physical distancing. One of their refreshed events started June 20 in Burnaby, and will continue all summer. Structured as a "take-out" event, the fest takes place in Burnaby’s Brentwood area at 2150 Alpha Avenue. The event will run bi-weekly throughout the summer. Additionally, the Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival is offering another modified style of event in Langley, Abbotsford, and Chilliwack starting this month. In those cities, they will be offering a "drive-thru" food truck event. Details for each of those events are available via the Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival site.
When: Bi-weekly from June 20 to Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Where: 2150 Alpha Avenue, Burnaby
National Fried Chicken Day: Half priced sammies at Juke & Beetbox
Photo courtesy JukeDouble the fried chicken (or chick-un) fun is on tap for these sibling spots in honour of Fried Chicken Day, July 6. West End plant-based hotspot Beetbox is offering its signature Fried Chick-Un Sandwiches for half-price ($4.75) to celebrate. It's a riff on the classic Fried Chicken Sandwich swaps in breaded and fried seitan and is topped with miso aioli, iceberg lettuce and spicy pickled cucumber, and the half-price promo is available exclusively for in-store pickup orders, with a limit of five sandwiches per guest. Meanwhile, for the third consecutive year, Juke Fried Chicken (182 Keefer Street) will give chicken lovers plenty of good reasons to cross the road — in physically distanced style, of course — by offering its popular chicken sandwiches for half-price ($3.50) for one day only, and with a limit of 10 per guest. Available exclusively for in-store pickup, Juke’s signature sammies feature its always-gluten-free, southern-fried chicken marinated for 24 hours in buttermilk and garnished with house-made barbecue sauce and slaw.
When: Monday, July 6
Where: Beetbox - 1074 Davie Street, Vancouver and Juke - 182 Keefer Street
The Vegan Farmers' Market
You can buy kale, and all sorts of plant-based foods and products, at this summer's Vegan Farmers' Market in Vancouver. Photo: rawpixel/Getty ImagesCalling all plant-based food fans: Vancouver's first-ever all-vegan farmers' market is launching this summer, with a series of Saturday events. While of course, in its purest form, most farmers' markets do focus on naturally vegan products, like vegetables, fruits, and herbs, this all-vegan market will not have any meat, dairy, or other animal-sourced products for sale - it's totally plant-based vendors. Launched June 27, the event will also take place on July 11 and 18; August 1, 15, and 29; and September 12 and 26.
When: Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (July 11, 18; Aug. 1, 15, 29; Sept. 12, 26)
Where: Concord Community Park - 50 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver
80s Brunch at Fable Diner
French Toast. Photo courtesy Fable DinerDress up and enjoy a 80’s ‘Buffet’ Tasting Brunch at Fable Diner every Saturday. This includes a choice of coffee or tea plus choice of cocktail or beverage. There are five seatings available between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., and each seating is an hour long. $25 per person and you get to try all of these items: Sweet scones, butter, strawberry jam; local charcuterie plate with house pickles; avocado benny; bacon, kimchi brunch toast; breakfast potatoes & rosti; skinny loaded french toast; coffee or tea. Plus Choice of beverage: Orange or Grapefruit Juice, Mimosa, Kapow Caesar, Cocktail Feature, Banana Milkshake, Chocolate PB Milkshake, or a Fable Diner signature mocktail. Reservations: head over to Fable Diner’s website, online ordering platform F1rstbite, choose your time, pick your drinks, requests, add-ons, pay or pay at the restaurant.
When: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Fable Diner - 151 E Broadway, Vancouver
Cost: $25 per person
Jules Bistro
Photo courtesy Jules BistroCelebrate Bastille Day at Jules Bistro with a complimentary French 75 (gin, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice and sparkling wine) with purchase of any food items. Vive la France!
When: July 14, 2020
Where: Jules Bistro - 216 Abbott St, Vancouver
