Local Food

What to Eat and Drink Around Vancouver this July

May your July be filled with foodie passports, fresh fruit and al fresco long table dinners

By Nikki Bayley /

As I write this, Canada still has a chance in the World Cup. What a delicious sentence to type.

I have, like most of the city, done a full 180 on my views of football and am now wholly in love with us as a footie-city. The vibes at the fan zones at the PNE and on Granville Street are absolutely elite. There is something so joyful about celebrating with folks from all around the world who are just bedazzled by our city’s beauty. If you haven’t been, go check it out—it’s a wonderful feeling out there. And while you’re out and about, support all those food vendors, slogging away in the heat—tip like you mean it.

July brings so much deliciousness from the Okanagan and Similkameen. Head to your local farmers’ market and scoop that fruit. I’ve done very little but eat cherries for a week now. No regrets!

Support Chinatown

Meo

While I may be enthusing about the World Cup, not all businesses in Chinatown are having a good time right now. Vancouver restaurant legend, Tannis Ling explains why: “The World Cup has brought incredible energy to the city, and it’s been amazing to be part of it. But like any big event, the energy isn’t always evenly spread out, as many of our friends and neighbours in Chinatown have seen a considerable dip in business compared to this time last year. We decided to do something about it and create something fun. That’s how we came up with the Chinatown Passport.”

Running through July, the Chinatown Passport is a simple web-based experience. Open the link on any phone browser, review a map of participating venues, then collect a digital “stamp” at each location you visit (e.g. a drink at the bar, have lunch or dinner). After collecting eight stamps, you are automatically entered into a draw to win a two-day trip to Bodega Ridge on Galiano (conditions apply).

Up on the Roof

Continuing with my summer fascination with our city’s rooftop restaurants, can I just say a gang of us had an absolute blast on the Parker Rooftop last weekend? They have a daily “Golden Hour” from 3-6 p.m., which features delicious $10-12 cocktails (the strawberry Aperol Spritz and the Hot Girl drink of the summer, the Hugo Spritz, are on point), $7 bubbles, treats such as a trio of sliders for $15 and a really good Aburi nigiri from $10. Most importantly for an easy-to-burn gal like me, you can enjoy all this in the shade. Great music, great vibes and a three-hour happy hour? See you there.

Also! Bar Supernova’s rooftop patio is finally open, and oh my god, it’s amazing. Book here for dynamite views and astounding cocktails.

FauxBo Reno

Photo: Juno Kim

All change over at one of the Fraserhood’s most beloved spots, the Faux Bourgeois. Now under new management (the folks behind Nammos Estiatorio, Selene Aegean Bistro and AMA), the restaurant has now reopened with an official launch on July 8.

I’ve not been there yet, but I’m excited to hear there will be a raw bar, and my favourite French bistro treat—oeuf mayonnaise with trout roe and white anchovy—will be joining the menu, along with steak frites with sauce au poivre. Most importantly, they assure us that, “Yes, the French Onion Soup will return this winter as a seasonal dish.”

CrabFest Is Back

Get your tickets now for the fourth annual False Creek Crab Fest on Sunday, July 26 from 12-4 p.m., hosted by BC Crab Fishermen’s Association and Chefs’ Table Society of BC at Fishermen’s Wharf in False Creek. On the menu: a delicious locally harvested Dungeness crab boil prepared by chef Vish Mayekar and chef Johnny Bridge, live music, games and beverage sips (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options) in the heart of False Creek. Tickets include one crab plate and two drink tickets.

Long Table Road Trip

Truly one of the highlights in the culinary calendar, the Araxi Long Table is back for its 15th year at North Arm Farm on July 26. If you’ve never been, please treat yourself as it’s one of the most joyful and delicious experiences that you can have in Canada. On the menu, a multi-course family-style meal which brings together local farmers, producers, winemakers and the chefs from Araxi, Bar Oso, Il Caminetto and Provisions for an afternoon of non-stop food and drink delights. Tickets available here.

The ever-delicious Wild Blue in Whistler also has a double dinner series this summer. Its first event heads up the mountain on Sunday, July 19 to the Valley View Deck at the Roundhouse Lodge for a multi-course menu of chefs Alex Chen and Derek Bendig’s ambrosial cooking. Enjoy seasonal, handcrafted cocktails from bar manager Zack Lavoie, plus wines from wine director Benoit Nadeau and champagne from Perrier-Jouët. On August 16, do it all over again at The Range at Whistler Golf Club, just steps from the restaurant, with a delicious menu paired with a cocktail collaboration with The Keefer Bar. Bag your tickets here.

Lunch Is Served

 

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One of my all-time favourite East Van restaurants, Dachi, is now open for lunch from Friday to Sunday from 12 p.m. They have one of the cutest patios in the city and some of the most reliably creative, delicious food and fun wine pours. Chef Jiwon’s famous crispy fried chicken with kimchi and gruyere waffle is featured on the menu right now—do not miss out.

Sainam Pop-Up

 

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It’s no secret that I’m a raving fan of everything that chef Angus An does. So do yourself a favour and grab a ticket for a one-night-only pop-up with Bangkok’s Somsak at An’s Isaan-style restaurant, Sainam on Davie Street for an evening of sabai sabai (take it easy, enjoy) vibes.

Joining An and Sainam head chef Poom Sikarin Sirisupanon for Sabai Sabai Night is Vancouver-raised, Thailand-based chef Andrew Martin, who will highlight the bold flavours and raw hospitality his eatery is known for. “Sainam has enjoyed such a warm welcome to Vancouver’s West End this past year, and we wanted to celebrate by throwing a fun Sabai Sabai Night with a good friend,” says An. “Isaan food is meant to be enjoyed together, with good drinks and good company. It’s wonderful to welcome Andrew home and to have him cook with us and show our guests what sabai sabai is all about.”

Tickets, available online now, are $75+ per person, with an optional $20 beer pairing. The menu will feature five dishes, including a Som Tum, a grilled meat dish, a curry, a salad and a special dessert.

Nikki Bayley

Nikki Bayley

Nikki Bayley is an award-winning freelance travel, food and wine writer whose work has appeared in The Daily Telegraph, Eater.com, and Whistler Traveller. Follow her on Instagram or Threads @nikkibayley