16 Must-try Caesars in Vancouver

Raise a glass of clam to celebrate Canada’s national cocktail

Thursday, May 19th is National Caesar Day and there’s no better way to celebrate than by having a drink (or two). Vancouver is home to some of the best versions of this spicy concoction so we’ve rounded up some local favourites for you to toast Canada’s national cocktail.

Click through for all the savoury sippers…

Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar, 845 Burrard Street

This Cajun-inspired Caesar from Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar features Absolut Vodka, Louisiana creole seasoning, Walter all-natural Caesar mix and is garnished to perfection with pickled okra.

Café Medina, 780 Richards Street

Café Medina’s Moroccan Maria is a twist on a classic Caesar made with Reposado Tequila, fresh tomato juice, celery bitters, fresh lime juice and Medina’s house spice mix. It’s topped with pickles, smoked salt and a paprika and sumac rim.

Enjoy Medina’s $7 “Golden Hour” happy hour from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on National Caesar Day.

Joe Fortes, 777 Thurlow Street

This legendary signature Caesar from Joe Fortes is made with vodka, horseradish, sambal oelek, clamato juice and Worcestershire sauce. It’s served in a tall cocktail glass rimmed with lemon pepper and garnished with a jumbo prawn, celery stick and lime wedge.

Chewies Steam and Oyster Bar, 1055 West Hastings and 2201 West 1st Avenue

Add a spicy kick to your day with Chewie’s Caesar made with New Amsterdam Vodka, homemade hot sauce, fresh horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, clamato and garnished with a cajun prawn.

The Liberty Distillery, 1494 Old Bridge Street

The Liberty Distillery on Granville Island offers Vancouver’s first hand-crafted, premium spirits made from 100% B.C. grain. Step back in time at its 110-year-old Saloon Bar to socialize and taste its signature Caesar cocktail made with local ingredients.

Local Public Eatery, 2210 Cornwall Avenue

It’s known as The Wild West and served in a boot-shaped glass. Local’s El Caesar is made with Smirnoff Vodka, Mott’s Clamato Juice, a special Mexican hot sauce, different spices and topped with a pepperoni stick to snack on.

Provence, 1177 Marinaside Crescent and 4473 West 10th Avenue

Satisfy your taste buds with four uniquely delicious Caesars from Provence. The West Coast has a tangy lemon pepper rim, smoked salmon rosette, a cucumber slice and a generous helping of horseradish. The Cowboy is served up spicy with a shot of pickle juice, a peppered bacon rim, a smoked pepperoni stick and a pickle spear. The Dirty Gin features a skewer of house smoked trout and olives. The Mediterranean (our personal favourite) is garnished with a prawn, olive, pickled onion, pepperoncini and spicy bean.

Tap and Barrel, 1 Athletes Way, 1055 Canada Place and 8 Lonsdale Avenue, North Van

Hit one of Tap and Barrel’s patios and enjoy this tasty signature Caesar garnished with local pepperoni from East Side Beer Food and a spicy pepperoncini. The cocktail will be on special all day long to celebrate National Caesar Day.

Tacofino, 2327 East Hastings Street and 15 West Cordova Street

A little citrus and a lot of spice. The El Cesar at Tacofino is made with El Jimandor Tequila, house-made clamato juice and topped with smoked olives and a wedge of lime.

Score on Davie, 1262 Davie Street

No list would be complete without this infamous Caesar. Less of a drink and more of a meal, the Checkmate comes with roasted chicken, a mini burger, a pulled pork sriracha-glazed slider, onion rings, chicken wings, a pulled pork mac-and-cheese hot dog and a brownie to satisy your sweet tooth. Think you can handle it? This $60 cocktail must be shared between two or more, so grab a friend and head over to the West End.

The Fish Shack, 1026 Granville Street

This Caesar’s for the seafood lover. The Fish Shack’s Own is made from a signature in-house Caesar mix, vodka and horseradish. Perfectly spiced with a Cajun-salted rim, the cocktail comes with a prawn skewer and a shucked oyster.

The Keg Steakhouse + Bar, multiple locations

The Keg’s famous Caesar made with Polar Ice Vodka, a signature Caesar mix, Tabasco, and Worcestershire is a classic for sure. In fact, it’s so popular the restaurant sells its Caesar mix for you to make at home—a perfect purchase on National Caesar Day.

The Parlour, 1011 Hamilton Street

This Caesar from The Parlour is made with premium Absolut Vodka, fresh Clamato juice and is deliciously garnished with a local pepperoni wrapped pickled asparagus and a house-made lemon pepper Montreal-spiced rim. 

Cactus Club Cafe, multiple locations

They’ll never tell. Cactus Club Cafe’s signature Caesar is made from a top secret mix of spices and garnished with an Italian Borettane Onion pre-soaked in balsamic vinegar, a fresh Bocconcini pearl, a Peruvian pepper and a vermouth-soaked olive.

The Lamplighter Public House, 92 Water Street

Refreshing and tangy, The Lamplighter‘s classic Bloody Caesar is made with Absolut Vodka, Lea & Perrins, Tabasco, Mott’s Clamato and deliciously topped with cucumber, black olives, Blaze’s Bean, crispy bacon, a celery salt rim and a lime wedge.  

Enjoy $5 specials all day long at The Donnelly Group‘s eight different pub locations on National Caesar Day.