Food in Vancouver: 9 Quintessentially Canadian Dishes and Where To Eat Them
Canadian cuisine can be hard to define—when colonizers arrived, traditional British and French dishes were reshaped by available ingredients and cooking techniques, while taking inspiration from Indigenous recipes and flavors. As newcomers continued to arrive, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Ukrainian, and Filipino dishes (among others) became incorporated into Canada’s culinary repertoire. Today, Canadian cuisine is defined less by specific dishes, and more by the fusion of ingredients and recipes—a traditional poutine is reimagined with a butter chicken gravy, while maple syrup can be found in everything from soups to cocktails. At the same time, Indigenous chefs are redefining the Vancouver culinary scene by reintroducing traditional ingredients, but with a contemporary twist.
1. Poutine
Poutine is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Canadian food.
Traditional poutine sees crispy fries topped with gooey cheese curds and a rich gravy. A perfect poutine should have fries that maintain their crunch before they soak up the gravy, and the cheese curds should be fresh enough that they squeak between your teeth. Salty, rich, and decadent, it’s the perfect follow-up to a day on the ski hill.
Where to try poutine in Vancouver: Today, restaurants reinterpret the classic with toppings like butter chicken (head to Belgian Fries on Commercial Drive), or riff on another Canadian favorite with the All Dressed poutine at La Belle Patate.
2. Maple-glazed donuts
Maple-glazed donuts combine two of the things Canadians love most.
Although Canada’s maple syrup is produced in the sugar shacks of the eastern provinces, it’s an ingredient that can be found across the country. Vancouverites take the tasty tree sap to a new level by combining it with the richness of a donut. Whether you’re a fan of delicate fluffy yeast donuts, or the denser cake version, it comes down to the quality of the maple glaze. Good syrup shouldn’t be cloyingly sweet, and Canadians tend to prefer the darker, more flavorful version.
Where to try maple-glazed donuts or doughnuts in Vancouver: Head to Granville Island where you’ll find Lee’s Donuts (get there early, before the line gets too long) and sample their maple-iced doughnuts while watching the busy harbor. Once you walk that off, pop over to Lucky’s Doughnuts, at 49th Parallel Roasters on Main Street, and try their tasty maple bacon version.
3. Salmon sushi
Smoked, seared, or spicy—it’s always delicious.
On Canada’s west coast, you’ll find five species of wild-caught salmon, each with a distinct flavor. You’ll also find a plethora of sushi restaurants—all filled with chefs who have strong opinions about the best way to present one of the city’s best-loved ingredients. The salmon in your sushi should always be wild-caught, never farmed, but beyond that it’s best to sample lots of options.
Where to try salmon sushi in Vancouver: At the playful undersea-themed Japanese fusion restaurant The Eatery, try the popular spicy salmon sushi. For a more upmarket take, the elegant Miku serves Aburi salmon Oshi (pressed, flame-seared sushi) as one of their signature items.
4. Nanaimo bars
Nanaimo bars are wildly sweet and surprisingly contentious parts of Canadian cuisine.
One of Canada’s signature desserts, the Nanaimo bar was born in the '50s, although the exact origins are under debate. Traditionally, the bar consists of a biscuit base layer with nuts and coconut, a middle layer of custardy icing, and a top layer of dark chocolate ganache.
People fiercely guard their Nanaimo recipes, and debates rage regarding whether nuts should be included, what the ratio of the layers should look like, and how thick the chocolate top should be.
Where to try Nanaimo bars in Vancouver: If you don’t have time to make it to the dessert’s namesake city and hit the Nanaimo Bar Trail, North Vancouver’s BjornBar Bakery serves up a delightful version. For gluten-free people, try Wendel's Nanaimo bar, which you’ll find in the frozen section of most Vancouver grocery stores.
5. Hawaiian pizza
Thin or thick crust, it’s a Vancouver favorite.
Despite its name, Hawaiian pizza was actually invented in Ontario in 1962. While the sweet and savory combo of pineapple, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and ham can be oddly divisive, Vancouverites are a pro-pineapple people. Studies have shown the city is home to the most pineapple-on-pizza eaters in Canada, with 1 in 10 city pizza orders including the fruit.
Where to try Hawaiian pizza in Vancouver:The Strathcona Beer Company serves up a decidedly non-traditional Hawaiian pizza with pineapple, crumbled pistachios, capicola ham, and jalapeno crema. Pizzeria Barbarella’s Hawaiian Punch stays a bit truer to the original with hot capocollo, fresh pineapple, bocconcini, aged mozzarella, and a brown sugar glaze.
6. Bannock
Bannock is a simple bread with a long history beginning in Scotland.
Originating in Scotland, the first bannocks were heavy, unleavened flatbreads made from barley or oats, cooked on a griddle stone. It was adopted (and adapted) by the Indigenous communities that encountered Scottish settlers, and they would use corn and nut meal to form their bannocks. Today, bannock is typically made from wheat flour, and can be baked, deep-fried, or pan-fried.
Where to try bannock in Vancouver: Head back to Salmon n’ Bannock Bistro for their comforting, creative menu which features bannock tacos, mushroom and brie topped bannock, and bannock served with a selection of jams. You can also check out the Mr. Bannock food truck, they also sell bags of bannock mix online so you can try your hand at this staple food.
7. Caesar cocktail
The Caesar is a Bloody Mary with a Canadian twist.
Clam juice might seem like an unexpected addition to a drink, but its briny freshness is a perfect match for spicy hot sauce, crisp tomato juice, and chilled vodka. Done right, the Caesar is a savory, spicy, and refreshing drink, and one of Canada’s most well-known cocktails. It can be tricky to find outside of Canada, so try some variations to find your favorite.
Where to try a Caesar cocktail in Vancouver: Granville Island’s Liberty Distillery offers a choice of vodka or gin in their Caesar, but stays traditional with lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and Tobasco. For something truly outrageous, Score on Davie serves the “Checkmate” and the “Grande.” Both Caesars ring up at a whopping $60, but they’re loaded with everything from burgers, to slices of pie, to fried mac and cheese balls.
8. London fog
Skip the coffee and pick this sweet treat.
Despite the name, this drink originated in Vancouver. In the '90s, a local woman experiencing pregnancy cravings ordered a custom tea latte at her favorite café—with Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla sugar, the drink was a hit, and quickly took off. Today, you’ll find it at most cafés in Vancouver, but some do it better than others. The tea needs to be strong enough that the floral, citrus notes of bergamot shine, and it can’t be too sweet.
Where to try London fog in Vancouver: Try Foglifter cafe on Main Street, or try Nero Waffles for their delightful lavender London Fog. Vancouver favorite Earnest Ice Cream also offers a take on the drink with its rich London Fog ice cream.
9. Chinese pork buns, char siu bao
Vancouver’s Chinese pork buns are possibly the perfect snack.
The history of Chinese food in Vancouver is intertwined with the legacy of the city's Chinese community and reflects a blend of traditional and modern influences. Pork buns, specifically, hold a special place in Vancouver’s Chinese cuisine. Initially a staple in Cantonese dim sum culture, they’ve evolved into the epitome of comfort food. Filled with barbecued pork (char siu), chopped and mixed with a sweet and savory sauce, the bun is steamed until it’s soft and fluffy.
Where to try Chinese pork buns or char siu bao in Vancouver: You may need to line up at the New Town Bakery, but the Chinatown staple’s famous BBQ pork and vegetarian buns are worth the wait. For an old-school dim sum experience and traditional buns, try the Pink Pearl.
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