Vancouver's food scene is defined by two things — some of the freshest Pacific seafood in the world, and one of the best Asian food scenes outside Asia. Richmond (a suburb often considered part of Vancouver) has the best Chinese food in North America, full stop.
The neighborhoods with the most interesting food scenes — ranked by Otto.
The best Chinese food in North America. Night markets in summer. Cantonese dim sum, Sichuan hotpot, Shanghainese soup dumplings, Taiwanese shaved ice.
Vancouver's famous public market — fresh BC produce, local cheeses, artisan bakeries, fresh seafood, and lunch on the pier.
Vancouver's multicultural food corridor — Italian cafés, Ethiopian injera, El Salvadoran pupusas, organic cafés.
Vancouver's historic Chinatown — old-school roast duck shops, herbal medicine, dim sum, and the best wonton noodle soup.
Fishing village south of Richmond — fresh BC salmon from the docks, fish and chips at the wharf, the best seafood in the region.
Deep dives into the food culture, street food scenes, and local secrets.
The definitive guide to the best night market in North America.
Aberdeen Centre, Parker Place, the independent Cantonese spots — where to eat.
Chinook vs sockeye vs coho — the salmon guide for the Pacific Northwest.
What to buy, what to eat, who the vendors are, when to go.
The insider context that changes how you experience Vancouver's food culture.
Richmond (adjacent to Vancouver) has a Chinese population of over 50%. The dim sum, Cantonese roast meats, Sichuan hotpot, and Hong Kong-style baked goods here are better than anything in Vancouver proper.
British Columbia has five species of Pacific salmon — Chinook (king), sockeye, coho, pink, and chum. Wild-caught BC salmon from the Fraser River or Vancouver Island is among the finest salmon in the world.
Dim sum in Richmond: CAD$20-35/person for a proper feast. Granville Island lunch: CAD$12-20. Restaurant: CAD$25-50. Vancouver is expensive but the quality is extremely high.
Everything in one place — dishes, neighborhoods, ordering tips, prices, and Otto's personal picks for Vancouver.
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