From one-night-only chef collaborations and open-air street festivals to hands-on cooking classes and limited-time tasting menus.
Summer is one of the best times to explore Metro Vancouver’s food scene, and July is packed with unforgettable culinary experiences.
Whether you’re looking to master fresh pasta, indulge in a Michelin-worthy meal, sip cocktails from Canada’s best bars or feast on fresh B.C. seafood by the waterfront, there’s something for every appetite.
Here are the best food and drink events and culinary experiences to check out across Metro Vancouver this month.
Sips Across Canada: Toronto Edition
Botanist Bar wraps up its celebrated Sips Across Canada series by welcoming acclaimed Toronto cocktail bars Civil Liberties and Suite 115 for a one-night-only guest shift. Expect inventive cocktails from two of Toronto’s top bars served inside Botanist Bar’s lush, garden-inspired space.
When: July 6, 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: Botanist Bar, Fairmont Pacific Rim, 1038 Canada Place
Cost: À la carte
An Italian Summer in Tuscany with Chef Bruno Feldeisen
Chef Bruno Feldeisen hosts an elegant evening inspired by the sun-drenched hills of Tuscany. The night features live cooking demonstrations alongside a multi-course Italian dinner celebrating peak summer ingredients.
When: July 7
Where: Skript Kitchen, 250 W 3rd Ave.
Cost: $169 per person
Carnaval del Sol
One of Metro Vancouver’s biggest celebrations of Latin American culture returns with an incredible lineup of authentic food vendors, regional specialties, live music and family-friendly entertainment. Come hungry — it’s one of the city’s best opportunities to sample a wide variety of Latin American street food all in one place.
When: July 10 to 12
Where: Jonathan Rogers Park, 110 W 7th Ave.
Cost: From $15 (free for children under 12 and seniors)
Khatsahlano Street Party
Vancouver’s biggest free music festival returns to West 4th Avenue with dozens of food trucks, neighbourhood restaurants, local craft breweries and extended patios joining the celebration. One stop worth making is Rosie’s BBQ & Smokehouse, where the slow-smoked meats are well worth the lineup between live performances.
When: July 11
Where: West 4th Avenue (from Burrard Street to Macdonald Street)
Cost: Free admission
Choley Bhutary Class with Nav De Rasoai
Discover one of North India’s most beloved comfort foods during this hands-on cooking class led by popular food creator Nav De Rasoai. Guests will learn to prepare a rich, spicy Punjabi-style chickpea curry (choley) paired with fluffy, deep-fried bhature before sitting down to enjoy the meal together.
When: July 11
Where: Skript Kitchen, 250 W 3rd Ave.
Cost: $85 per person
Fanny Bay Oyster Bar Launches Weekend Brunch
The downtown seafood favourite is launching a brand-new weekend brunch service just in time for summer. The menu features ocean-to-table dishes including Lobster Biscuit Benny, Breakfast Paella, Crab Cake Benny and plenty of freshly shucked local oysters.
When: Saturdays and Sundays beginning July 11, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market, 762 Cambie St.
Cost: À la carte
Sabai Sabai Night at Sainam
Chef Angus An welcomes Bangkok’s Somsak for a one-night-only culinary collaboration celebrating the bold flavours of Thailand’s Isaan region.
When: July 14
Where: Sainam, 1235 Davie St.
Cost: Tickets available via Resy
Michel & Friends 2.0
Two of Vancouver’s most celebrated chefs, Michel Jacob and Pino Posteraro, unite for an intimate multi-course long-table dinner inspired by Burgundy’s historic La Paulée tradition, the celebrated Burgundian tradition of sharing exceptional food and wine around a communal table. Proceeds from the exclusive evening support culinary scholarships for women through the BC Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier.
When: July 16, 6 p.m.
Where: Secret Metro Vancouver location (revealed to ticket holders)
Cost: $400 per person
Port Moody Ribfest
Take a short trip across Burrard Inlet for one of Metro Vancouver’s favourite summer traditions. Competitive rib teams, outdoor smoke pits, local craft beer, live music and family activities make this annual waterfront festival well worth the drive.
When: July 17 to 19
Where: Rocky Point Park, 2800 Murray St., Port Moody
Cost: Entry by donation
Gerard Lounge × House of Suntory Pop-Up
Located inside the historic Sutton Place Hotel, Gerard Lounge is celebrating Japanese whisky with a limited-time House of Suntory pop-up. Expect rare whisky pours, curated cocktails and Japanese-inspired features inside one of downtown Vancouver’s most elegant lounges.
When: Nightly through July 19, from 5 p.m.
Where: Gerard Lounge, Sutton Place Hotel, 845 Burrard St.
Cost: À la carte
Minami Summer BBQ
Minami Restaurant is taking the grilling outdoors for a one-day-only Summer BBQ on its Yaletown patio. Chef Cody Hibbard’s menu features six Japanese-inspired skewers, including Chicken Thigh Yakitori, A5 Short Rib Wagyu, Pork Belly, Tenderloin, King Oyster Mushroom and Eggplant, alongside a three-piece Salmon Aburi Oshi Sushi, Japanese potato salad, marinated edamame and two drinks. Additional skewers, sushi and beverages will be available for purchase during the event.
When: July 19, 3 to 6 p.m.
Where: Minami Restaurant, 1118 Mainland St.
Cost: $75 per person (plus tax; gratuity included)
BC Hospitality Foundation 20th Anniversary Gala
Support B.C.’s hospitality community while enjoying an unforgettable evening of food and wine. The BC Hospitality Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary with a fundraising gala featuring an all-star lineup of chefs, including Vikram Vij, Jay Park, Jasper Cruickshank, Dino Renaerts, Julian Bond and Robert Clark. Guests can also enjoy a curated wine bar, rooftop cocktail reception, live entertainment and a luxury auction, with proceeds supporting hospitality workers facing health and financial challenges.
When: July 22, 5:30 to 10 p.m.
Where: LaSalle College Vancouver, 2808 Bradner Court
Cost: $250
Wildlight Summer BBQ Series: Chinese BBQ Night
Wildlight Kitchen + Bar kicks off the return of its popular Summer BBQ Series with an evening celebrating the bold flavours of Chinese barbecue. Served family-style in the restaurant’s open-air atrium, the feast includes roasted pork belly, char siu pork shoulder, grilled lamb, prawns, squid, Hainanese rice, Szechuan cucumber and classic desserts, all prepared by Chef Timothy Hui and his team.
When: July 26, 6 p.m.
Where: Wildlight Kitchen + Bar, 5380 University Blvd. #107
Cost: $120++
False Creek Crab Fest
This waterfront celebration returns with fresh B.C. Dungeness crab, local craft beverages, live music and family-friendly activities while supporting the Chefs’ Table Society of BC.
When: July 26, noon to 4 p.m.
Where: False Creek Fishermen’s Wharf, 1505 W. 1st Ave.
Cost: $70 in advance; $75 at the door (subject to availability)
Boulevard × Sumibiyaki Arashi Collaboration
Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar teams up with Michelin-recognized Sumibiyaki Arashi for an intimate collaboration celebrating premium seafood and traditional Japanese charcoal grilling. With only 14 seats available per seating, this is one of July’s most exclusive dining experiences.
When: July 26, 5 and 8 p.m.
Where: Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar, 845 Burrard St.
Cost: $425 per person
Fresh Pasta Masterclass
Learn the timeless art of making fresh Italian pasta from scratch. This immersive, hands-on cooking class guides participants through dough-rolling and shaping techniques before everyone sits down to enjoy their handmade creations.
When: July 28
Where: Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan St.
Cost: $119 per person
Events running all month long
Wild BC Salmon Season
Wild BC salmon is back on menus across Metro Vancouver as restaurants celebrate what is expected to be the strongest Fraser River sockeye return since 2018. Look for seasonal dishes at favourites including Apollonia Greek Restaurant, Carlino, Honey Salt, June, Lift Bar Grill View, Published on Main, Restaurant Kavita and Savio Volpe, with chefs showcasing the iconic local ingredient in everything from grilled fillets to refined tasting menu creations.
When: Throughout July
Where: Participating restaurants across Metro Vancouver
Cost: À la carte
Lobster Fest at Provence Marinaside
Lobster lovers have a little extra time to indulge as Provence Marinaside has extended its popular Lobster Fest through July 15. The seasonal celebration showcases Atlantic lobster in a variety of French-inspired dishes, making it a perfect excuse to enjoy waterfront dining in Yaletown before the promotion wraps up.
Bid on a half-price gift card to Provence now through our Awesome Auctions page.
When: Through July 15
Where: Provence Marinaside, 1177 Marinaside Cres.
Cost: À la carte
Vancouver Ice Cream Festival
Cool off with limited-edition frozen treats during this annual festival celebrating Metro Vancouver’s best independent ice cream shops, gelaterias and cafes. Participating businesses are serving exclusive flavours and desserts available for a limited time throughout the festival.
When: Through Aug. 3
Where: Participating cafés and ice cream shops across Metro Vancouver
Cost: À la carte
Gastown Summer Sundays
Historic Water Street transforms into a pedestrian-friendly promenade every Sunday with expanded restaurant patios, food trucks, live entertainment and local pop-ups, creating one of the city’s liveliest outdoor dining experiences.
When: Sundays through Sept. 6 (including every Sunday in July), noon to 8 p.m.
Where: Water Street, Richards Street to Columbia Street
Cost: Free
Summer Refresh at Loam Bistro
North Vancouver’s Loam Bistro is celebrating the season with a trio of limited-time features, including a Watermelon & Labneh Salad, Mango Yogurt Bowl and a refreshing Yuzu Mist Iced Tea made with O5 Tea.
When: Throughout July
Where: Loam Bistro, 230 Esplanade W., North Vancouver
Cost: À la carte
Afternoon High Tea and Sunday Beef Masterclasses at House of Dawn
House of Dawn is expanding its culinary offerings with a refined Afternoon High Tea served Wednesday through Sunday and immersive Sunday Beef Masterclasses exploring premium steaks from Canada, the U.S., Australia and Japan.
When: Throughout July
Where: House of Dawn Steakhouse, 8171 Ackroyd Rd. #130, Richmond
Cost: Varies
Lobster Summer at Coast Restaurant
Coast Restaurant celebrates lobster season with a special menu featuring Miso Butter Lobster Rolls, Lobster Louie Salad, Classic Lobster Boil, Lobster Thermidor and tropical-inspired desserts.
When: Throughout July
Where: Coast Restaurant, 1054 Alberni St.
Cost: $68 per person
L’Abattoir’s New Patio Is One of Summer’s Hottest Tables
L’Abattoir has unveiled a new 18-seat streetside patio just in time for summer. Pull up a seat for Champagne flights, seasonal cocktails and the exclusive Le Royal en Crépinette burger, available only at the bar and patio.
When: Throughout July
Where: L’Abattoir, 217 Carrall St.
Cost: À la carte
Provence-Inspired Summer Menu at St. Lawrence
Chef J-C Poirier welcomes summer with a four-course Provence-inspired table d’hôte showcasing local ingredients through Mediterranean flavours inspired by southeastern France.
When: Throughout July
Where: St. Lawrence, 269 Powell St.
Cost: $110 per person
A fixture in Vancouver’s food and hospitality scene for decades, Cassandra Anderton tells the stories of the chefs, producers, and places that define our city. She is the publisher and editor of Good Life Vancouver and a member of the B.C. chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier and Chefs’ Table Society. Whether she’s exploring B.C. ‘s wine regions or scouting the best new table in town, Cassandra’s work is a love letter to the “good life” in the 604 and beyond.