Restaurants

7 New Ways to Experience Dine Out Vancouver

Back for its 15th year, the Dine Out Vancouver Festival brings $20, $30 and $40 menu deals to 284 local restaurants

By Amy Watkins /

Knives and forks at the ready! Back for its 15th year, Dine Out Vancouver brings $20, $30 and $40 menu deals to 284 local restaurants, as well as special culinary events across the city between January 20 and February 5. Here are seven great ways to experience the festival this year…

 

1. Find your new favourite restaurant

Been meaning to try out a new restaurant? Dine Out is the perfect chance to try one of Vancouver’s recently opened eating options—from set menus at Kitsilano’s progressive Latin restaurant CACAO ($40) and Yaletown’s upscale House Special Vietnamese Restaurant ($40) to a special tasting menu at Mission Kitsilano ($40) and an exclusive Chef’s Table Experience at Chef David Hawksworth’s new Nightingale in Coal Harbour ($63.35 per person, minimum 14 people and max of 18; tickets include dinner, tax, gratuity and fees).

 

2. Check out a new-to-Dine-Out deal

Main Street staples, including The Cascade Room ($30) and The Acorn ($40), have signed up for Dine Out this year, alongside other renowned places such as Fable ($30), GLOWBAL at Telus Garden ($40), Homer Street Cafe & Bar ($40), Tableau Bar Bistro ($40) and Timber ($20). Dine Out has also scored the support of long established restaurants Bishop’s ($40) and Vij’s, both of whom are joining the festival for the first time this year. Now in a new bigger location on Cambie Street, Vikram Vij is offering a $40 menu in the 48-seater upstairs area of the restaurant, showcasing favourite dishes like jackfruit in cardamom and cumin curry, and mains of green beans and potatoes in mustard seed curry on green lentil and brown Basmati rice pilaf.

 

3. Get Ocean Wise with Chef Ned Bell at the Vancouver Aquarium

Move over fish ‘n’ chips! Chef Ned Bell is transforming the café at the Vancouver Aquarium into a one-of-a-kind bistro dining experience during Dine Out. The three-course Ocean Wise seafood menu will showcase the best in sustainable, locally-sourced foods, with wine pairings and upgrade courses also available. The new Discover Rays touch pool will be open for Dine Out guests after the early seating or before the late seating.
January 20 to February 5, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., 1.5-hour seating; $58 for dinner, tax and gratuity

 

4. Have brunch and wine at Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar

Wine-paired brunch? Yes, please! On Saturday, February 4 (11 a.m.) Boulevard executive chef Alex Chen and Wines of British Columbia present the Explore BC Wine Brunch, which will feature a stand-up, grazing format with seafood-focused canapés from chef Chen and team, along with wine stations from eight of the province’s top wineries.
Tickets $56.50 per person including tax, gratuity and ticketing fees

 

5. Take a trip down under with Café Medina

Café Medina takes a trip down under to host an exclusive Australia Day Wine Dinner that celebrates select wines from some of Australia’s most famous wine-producing regions. On Thursday, January 26 (7 p.m.), join Café Medina owner and chef Adam Perrier for a four-course feast that showcases a variety of wines selected by event partner Wines of Australia, paired with the café’s signature brand of Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
Tickets $79 plus tax, gratuity and ticketing fees and include beverage pairings.

 

6. Get a brew buzz

No napping on this three-hour tour of the city’s best beer and beans with Canadian Craft Tours and Vancouver Coffee Snob. The event kicks off with a look at how green beans become a cup of coffee before moving onto the second caffeinated stop for a taste of cold brew coffee and then heading to a popular brewery for a behind-the-scenes beer tour.
January 22, 28 and February 4, 10 a.m. to 1pm; $75, meet at Canada Place bus zone, 999 Canada Place

 

7. Rediscover an old favourite

Returning events feature a new twist with the World Chef Exchange bringing talent from New York, Mexico City, San Francisco and Galway this year; the Chef Soup Environment on January 20 will support United Way’s Stop the Growl program; and the Secret Supper Soiree visits three new secret locations on the trolley tour (tickets still available for January 20 and 27, $125).
Or, visit one of the few restaurants that have been involved since the festival’s beginning 15 years ago. Joe Fortes seafood and chop house will again be participating in Dine Out and serving up New England clam chowder, sockeye salmon, crème brûlée and more as part of their special Dine Out menu ($40 for three courses).
Visit Dine Out Vancouver Festival for a complete list of events.