Parker’s Rooftop
Surrounded by towering mountains and with gleaming glass skyscrapers reflecting in the calm waters surrounding its downtown, Vancouver is an easy place to fall in love with. And as British Columbia’s thriving urban centre and proudly immigrant city, there are plenty of people who love it. More than 40 per cent of Vancouver residents were born outside of Canada, and the city is home to strong Chinese, Indian and Filipino communities, to name a few.
The city’s most beloved and vital dining experiences reflect this mix. Chefs from around the world apply culinary traditions to exceptional produce from the Lower Mainland and superb seafood from the cold, clean waters surrounding Vancouver Island, creating a unique style of West Coast cuisine. Vancouver has a wealth of options when it comes to Asian food: Pan-Asian flavours meet French techniques at Pidgin and Remi Patisserie; Vietnamese and Cambodian culinary traditions meld playfully in Phnom Penh; and Richmond Neighbor Vancouver boasts some of the best Chinese food in the world outside of China. Meanwhile, the city’s signature local and plant-based cuisine thrives at restaurants like Burdock & Co, and sustainable seafood shines at Sashimiya. Add to that a burgeoning distillery and brewery scene, fresh, world-award-winning wines from the nearby Okanagan and Similkameen valleys, and a creative cocktail culture that’s second to none, and you can see why Vancouver deserves its reputation as one of the world’s best places to eat and drink.
Updated, August 2024:
Following news of the devastating Jasper wildfires in Alberta, as well as the near-collapse of Okanagan and Similkameen grape and berry crops following a brutal winter, Vancouver’s food community is focused on supporting local producers as much as possible right now. For visitors, that can be as simple (and enjoyable) as ordering BC wine with a meal.
Despite the weather chaos, summer in Vancouver still brings plenty of reasons to celebrate, including late sunsets, days filled with fragrant flowers on the beach, Japanese and Mexican chashu carnitas, a hotel rooftop bar with stunning views, and an ice cream truck beloved by locals. Seasonal salmon varieties are everywhere on menus, and if you see a prized Ivory salmon (a rare, pale version of the glorious, buttery Chinook salmon), order it immediately.
Eater updates this list quarterly to ensure it reflects Vancouver’s ever-changing food scene.
Nikki Bayley is an award-winning freelance travel, food and wine writer whose work has appeared in The Daily Telegraph, Living in BC, and Whistler Traveler.
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