You’ve Gotta Try This in November 2024

We already had a preview of the last part of the year with that street-soaking atmospheric river, so while it’s sadly time to say farewell to patio season, that also means we get to embrace the joys of carb season instead. The November food scene rocks. There are so many local events and seasonal treats coming our way, from the basic delights of PSLs to candy cane everything and non-stop eggnog sugar highs. Frankly, I can’t wait. Let’s dive in. Bring napkins, it’s gonna get messy.

8 Food and Drink Events in B.C. This November

A Brewmaster’s Longtable Dinner at Dockside

VANCOUVER
There are few things I enjoy more than having my preconceptions squarely knocked on their butts, so please understand just how much I adored dinner at Dockside restaurant the other night. What used to be perfectly-nice-but-not-much-to-write-home-about-food (not ideal for a food writer) has been transformed under the care of exec chef Josef Driemel. Now, it’s something altogether more exciting with cheffy touches like a dashibeurre blanc kissing herb-cheese crusted salmon and a cool tableside beef tartare service with cured egg yolk and bonito flakes. Yum. Check them out soon (they have a great happy hour and delicious cocktails) or bag tickets for their collab dinner with neighbours Granville Island Brewing on November 23. It’s a Brewmaster’s Long Table dinner with four beer-paired courses for $80. Find the full menu and ticket details here.

The Cornucopia Food and Drink Festival

WHISTLER
One of the country’s best food and drink festivals, Cornucopia, is back November 7 to 17 with a packed lineup of parties, tasting events, winemaker dinners and seminars. There are excellent deals on accommodations available, so it’s well worth booking in for a full weekend of drinking, eating, learning and dancing. I’m obsessed with the punwork from the seminar committee this year: delve into Sangiovese at “Sangio-crazy,” or swirl your way to Burgundy with “Romancing the Beaune.” Raise a glass to great wines and wordplay.

A One-of-a-Kind Throwback Dinner at Miradoro

OLIVER
If you ever were lucky enough to go to one of Dana Ewert and Cam Smith’s JoyRoad Catering dinners, then you will know what it is like to feed on pure farm-to-table heaven. It was a dark day when they closed up shop to focus on other pursuits, although the Okanagan still gets to be spoiled by Ewert’s perfect bakes from her small Grist Bakery. All this to say: the duo is back for one night only, on November 26 at chef Jeff VanGeest’s Miradoro restaurant. Get a ticket, pronto.

A Seaside Oyster Festival

TOFINO
Road trip! It’s never a bad time to go to Tofino, but November is possibly the best: the annual Oyster Festival takes place from the 22 to 24, and offers up a fun weekend of food, live music, bubbles and oysters…oh, so many oysters! Dress up and dance at the Mermaid’s Ball, eat and drink your way around the Oyster Festival Gala and scream for your team at the Shucker’s Showdown. Don’t be shellfish—bring a friend.

A Croissant Celebration With Over 50 Flavours

VANCOUVER
Could this be the perfect event for this oh-so-flaky city? The three-week Croissant Crawl across Vancouver features 56 different croissants and croissant hybrids (think cruffins and croffles). I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything as much as I want Butter Baked Goods’ crunchy pistachio cream croissant, unless it’s the gloriously over-the-top-sounding Banh Mi Supreme croissant at Broyé Café (it has paté, cold cuts, homemade mayo and pickled vegetables). There are some fantastic creative efforts here. Go support the bakers and makers.

A Wine Fest for a Good Cause

REVELSTOKE
Help raise funds for the Revelstoke Ski Club (they support youth skiing programs and community development) at the Snowflake Wine Festival on November 16. Taste your way through some of the province’s finest wines, beers and spirits, snack on delicious appies and bid for amazing prizes at the silent auction. Then, head to the after party at the Mac Tavern to dance the night away.There will be a shuttle service provided to key drop-off locations in town—it’s easy to find a safe ride home.

Try the Birria at a New Taco Place

VANCOUVER
I’m still in mourning after Top Rope Birria left the city for the Island (lucky Nanaimo, you get to enjoy some of the best damn birria ever) but I’m hearing good things about Los Sapos Tacos. The new Kits restaurant offers al pastor and birria from their location at 1780 W3rd Ave. There’s vegan options, too—the nopal (cactus sautéed with onions) and hongo (mushrooms sautéed with garlic) both sound awesome.

Mission Hill’s Cooking Classes (Paired with Wine)

WEST KELOWNA
‘Tis the season for Mission Hill’s annual program of winter cooking classes. Chefs share experts secrets for hosting a holiday party, the magic of a four-course Italian Christmas and unleashing the tasty flavours of Greek cuisine. The interactive sessions are three hours long, and you get to enjoy everything you make paired with Mission Hill wines. It’s the perfect early Christmas gift.