Culinary Adventure in British Columbia — A Food Tour Guide to Canada's Pacific Coast
Culinary Adventure - British Columbia — A Recommended Food Travel List for British Columbia, Canada
British Columbia, on Canada’s western edge along the Pacific, is blessed with mountains and sea, and its cuisine draws on fresh seafood and local produce. Add the wines of Canada’s leading wine regions, led by the Okanagan Valley, along with the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island, plus Vancouver’s long-standing craft beer culture, and the province boasts a rich food scene. Set off on a culinary journey with these food tour programs in the region.
Words Pitch by Pitch
Which Wine Region Can You Visit on a Day Trip from Vancouver?
A Taste of the Valley Tour
A Taste of the Valley Tour
About 50 kilometers east of Vancouver, the Fraser Valley is one of British Columbia’s wine regions. Small in scale, it is known for producing quality wines thanks to abundant rainfall and a clear, pleasant climate. Because it takes only about an hour by car from downtown Vancouver to reach the Fraser Valley wine region, it suits anyone who wants a wine trip in a single day. You can savor local wines against a backdrop of mountains, valleys, and wide open fields along the river. The tour visits three wineries, including Chaberton Winery, the Fraser Valley’s largest wine producer, and includes wine tastings accompanied by a professional sommelier’s explanations of winemaking, wine characteristics, and pairings.
Schedule: Daily, 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., about 5 hours
Meeting point: 1088-1098 Melville St, Vancouver (pickup service available at major locations)
Included: A light meal of cheese, crackers, and fruit, water, and transportation
Price: CAD 125 per person
Recommended for: Travelers who want to set aside just half a day of their Vancouver itinerary to experience local wine!
Website: foodietours.ca
From Forest to Table, Experiencing Indigenous Food Culture in Nature
An Eco-Tour with Wild Food Tastings
An Eco-Tour with Wild Food Tastings
Led by a nature interpreter and wild food expert, A Taste of Nature offers an experience of local Indigenous food culture built around a “forest to table” concept in Stanley Park, a 400-hectare urban retreat. Guided by an expert, you stroll through the forest and along the shoreline and taste ingredients and dishes rarely found on a typical food tour: several kinds of smoked salmon, tarts made with wild berries, Yukon-style sourdough served with sea asparagus and wild mushrooms, a seafood platter, and spruce tip tea. Tours run with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 15 guests.
Schedule: Daily, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., about 2 hours
Meeting point: Pickup/drop-off service available
Included: A tasting menu generous enough to replace lunch, plus 15 minutes of free time
Price: CAD 150 per person (pickup fee not included)
Recommended for: Anyone who dislikes ordinary food tours and is curious about the roots of Vancouver’s local food culture.
The Ultimate Walking Tour for Foodies and History Lovers!
Gastown Food Tour
Gastown is Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood and is widely known as the birthplace of the city. Beyond its charming historic architecture, it is packed with distinctive shops, restaurants, bars, and cafés, making it a delight to wander through every corner. The Gastown Food Tour is the best way to discover the neighborhood’s appeal by exploring its local eateries. You can sample Gastown’s international flavors, from Sicilian-style tortellini paired with local wine to Japanese-style fried chicken, classic French onion soup, and authentic poutine. As you make your way through Gastown’s cobblestone alleys, the guide’s fascinating stories about local history take you back 150 years. Along the way, you can also see Gastown landmarks such as the Steam Clock and Maple Tree Square.
Schedule: Daily, 2:00–5:00 p.m. / 3:00–6:00 p.m., about 3 hours
Meeting point: Waterfront Station, 601 W Cordova St.
Included: Tastings of 6 food items and 3 drinks (non-alcoholic options available)
Price: From CAD 128 per person
Recommended for: Those who want to enjoy great food without worrying about calories and see Gastown’s signature sights too!
Website: tastevancouverfoodtours.com
From Fresh Fruit to Specialty Coffee, Local Flavors at the Market
Granville Island Market Tour
Granville Island Market Tour
Visit the most popular stalls at Granville Island Market with a food expert and experience local flavors you can only enjoy in Vancouver. Tour participants get priority entry at each stop, with no waiting in line. You’ll taste some 20 local foods, including locally made cheese, smoked salmon, sourdough, and single-origin coffee, and chat with the market’s producers and vendors. Another advantage of the tour is that the market is indoors, so the weather doesn’t matter. It is also a chance to take a closer look at Granville Island’s rich history and its vibrant culture and architecture. The tour runs as a small group of up to 12 people and is suitable for all ages, including children.
Schedule: Daily, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., about 2 hours
Meeting point: Granville Island Public Market
Includes: Meals and drinks featuring Vancouver’s local cuisine
Price: CAD 125 per person
Recommended for: Anyone who wants to explore Vancouver’s popular markets like a local and experience all the best eateries!
Website: foodietours.ca
Curious About the Rising Stars of Vancouver’s Craft Beer Scene?
North Vancouver Brewery Tour
North Vancouver Brewery Tour
Brewery Creek, which began taking shape in the late 1800s, is Vancouver’s oldest brewery district. North Vancouver, home to a cluster of newer craft breweries, is the area on the rise. Across the harbor from downtown Vancouver, it also lets you enjoy a beer with views of both sea and mountains. On the North Vancouver Brewery Tour, you visit three of the area’s distinctive breweries and get a look at the city’s craft beer trends: House of Funk, which also runs a coffee roastery; Bridge Brewing, which aims for 99 percent zero waste; and Beere Brewing, which experiments with new styles of beer.
Schedule: Daily, 12:00–15:00 (about 3 hours)
Meeting point: Pickup and drop-off service available
Includes: Visits and tastings at three breweries; transportation (private 14-seat van)
Price: CAD 130 per person
Recommended for: Beer lovers who already know Vancouver’s traditional local breweries and craft beers and want to see the latest trends!
Website: vancouverbrewerytours.com
How to Enjoy Vancouver’s Craft Beer Culture
Vancouver Brewery Tour
Vancouver Brewery Tour
This tour is run by Canadian Craft Tours, a specialist operator that has introduced British Columbia’s local breweries, wineries, and distilleries to visitors from around the world. It offers a range of programs by region and theme, and the Vancouver Brewery Tour takes you right to where the local beer is made. Aboard a minibus, you travel through areas where brewing is thriving, including Brewers Row, Brewery Creek, and Yeast Van, and visit three of the best breweries, each serving up local beers full of personality. An expert guide joins you and shares a wealth of beer knowledge, and it’s a special chance to catch a glimpse of the brewing process too.
Schedule: Daily, 12:00–15:30 / 16:00–19:30 (about 3.5 hours)
Meeting point: Customized pickup and drop-off service available
Includes: Tours of three breweries with beer tastings; transportation (minibus)
Price: CAD 110 per person
Recommended for: Travelers curious about the hottest local beers and breweries in Vancouver right now!
Website: www.canadiancrafttours.ca
Discovering the Charms of Victoria by Eating and Walking
Chinatown, Old Town, Inner Harbour Food Tour
Chinatown, Old Town, Inner Harbour Food Tour
There’s no better way to discover a new side of Victoria and immerse yourself in its food and culture than by wandering the city on foot. Starting from the Victoria Public Market, this tour takes you through the city’s historic neighborhoods, including Chinatown, Market Square, and the Inner Harbour, with local bites along the way. A guide with deep local knowledge accompanies you and explains the history and character of each area and stop, and the local treats you sample along the way, such as meatballs, perogies, craft beer, and desserts, add a fun twist. It launched in 2016 and has been named Canada’s best food tour every year since 2020, making it a hugely popular program. After the tour ends, you can also purchase a Victoria city guide, delivered via QR code, to keep exploring on your own.
Schedule: Tuesday–Saturday, 11:00–13:00 / 14:00–16:00 (about 2 hours)
Meeting point: Victoria Public Market
Includes: Local food tastings
Price: CAD 89.95
Recommended for: Anyone who wants to walk downtown Victoria with fellow travelers and enjoy local food!
Website: atasteofvictoriafoodtours.com/
A Local Culinary Adventure in Search of Whistler’s Hidden Gems
Hidden Gems Dinner Tour
Hidden Gems Dinner Tour
Curious about the world of local food that only Whistler residents seem to know? We recommend this tour, in which a local guide takes you to four restaurants considered Whistler’s hidden gems for a four-course dinner. You can try each restaurant’s signature dishes, from traditional Canadian cooking to menus built on fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables, plus dessert at Canada’s first chocolatier. You can visit popular restaurants without booking ahead or waiting in line, and you explore Whistler’s nooks and corners on foot between stops. For an extra CAD 45, add a drink pairing of British Columbia wine or craft beer from a local brewery for an even richer culinary experience.
Schedule: Daily, 16:45–20:15 (about 3.5 hours)
Meeting point: Whistler Public Library
Includes: Dinner and dessert at four Whistler restaurants
Price: CAD 155 per person
Recommended for: Travelers who want to uncover Whistler’s hidden local restaurants!
Website: whistlertastingtours.com
Wineries That Rival Tuscany, Italy
West-East Kelowna Wine Tour
Kelowna West and East Wine Tour
The Kelowna area, set along the beautiful Okanagan Lake, is the heart of British Columbia’s wine industry. This tour visits five of Kelowna’s world-class wineries and samples local wines along the way. It begins at Mission Hill Family Estate Winery on the east side of the lake and ends at Summerhill Pyramid Winery on the west. Against a backdrop of vast vineyards and lake scenery that rival Tuscany’s, a guide’s detailed commentary makes each winery’s character and history easy and fun to understand. Transportation is provided throughout, and wine tastings and lunch are included, making for a convenient and rewarding day. You will also hear fascinating stories about the region’s wineries, from the first vineyard planted in the Okanagan to an organic estate where wine ages inside a pyramid, which will satisfy any wine lover’s intellectual curiosity.
Schedule: Daily, 10:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (about 4 hours 30 minutes)
Meeting point: Mission Hill Family Estate Winery
Included: Visits to five wineries, wine tastings, lunch, transportation
Price: CAD 150 per person
Recommended for: Travelers who want to enjoy the beautiful scenery around Okanagan Lake and discover the charms of Canada’s wine country!
Website: westkelownawinetours.com/choose-a-tour/ west-east-kelowna-wine-tour