Hello Foodies!
It’s Week Two of our exciting partnership with Expedia Canada! We’re bringing you from morning-to-night in Vancouver, giving you the inside scoop on the way locals dine. If you missed it, you can catch up on our previous post on the Hidden Gems in Vancouver’s Brunch Scene. Keep your eyes peeled as the highlights from our Vancouver food blog appear on Expedia Canada’s Travel Blog – it’s a great resource for things to do, eat, and see in Vancouver and across the country!
Whether you are spending your summer in Vancouver working an office or hanging at the beach, there seems to be an undeniable hunger that catches us all around 2’o clock in the afternoon. The dilemma is that it’s already past lunch but not quite dinner, and yet, our appetite demands some attention. So where can you find a healthy dose of sunshine and a tasty afternoon treat? Read on, Foodies! Read on!
Dockside Restaurant
1253 Johnston St, Granville Island
The sprawling patio at Dockside Restaurant is a local secret on Granville Island. Tucked behind the Granville Island Hotel with breathtaking views of False Creek, it’s here on the Dockside patio where locals find serenity and high-quality afternoon fare amidst the hubbub of Granville Island.
Seafood is the highlight at Dockside – both the Albacore Tuna Poke or Smoked Sockeye Pizza are sure satisfy your mid-afternoon cravings. These are just a few items from their special “Bar Bites” menu, served daily from 3-7pm. So kick back on the modern, plush patio seating and take in the ocean breeze! You’ll understand why Vancouverites love to call this city home.
Pronto Caffe
3473 Cambie St
A place like Pronto is a foodie’s delight! From traditional Italian pastas to sandwiches stacked with charcuterie and roasted vegetables, there is so much to be tempted by, regardless of your hunger level. On a lazy afternoon, we’re all about sharing antipasti plates with friends on Pronto’s backyard patio. They’ve got all our favourite summertime comfort foods like Meatballs, Pancetta-Wrapped Prawns, and Caprese Salad!
Scuie
Various locations – Our favourite: Yaletown patio
Have you ever strolled through the streets of Rome? Italy’s iconic capital is filled with fragrant shops serving slabs of pizza topped with fresh mozzarella, sweet tomatoes, vibrant arugula and more. Those who crave authentic Roman-style pizza will beeline for Scuie – here, pizza slices are sized to your liking, espresso is the norm, and chewy Italian donuts are a necessity. There are six Scuie locations around downtown Vancouver, but we love to sip an Italian soda and soak up the sun on their patio in Yaletown.
Terra Breads
Various locations – Our favourite: Olympic Village patio
Artisan sourdough bread is a dangerous thing, especially at Terra Breads at Olympic Village. On summer afternoons, the tantalizing smell of freshly baked breads, brownies, cookies and more will waft through Terra’s patio onto the streets, causing those passing by to stop in their tracks. The daily sandwich special, homemade soups, and savoury focaccias are great options for afternoons that feel particularly long. Don’t forget to wash it all down with a house-made Terra lemonade!
Tacofino
Various locations – our favourite: Gastown patio
When we caught word that one of our favourite food trucks was opening a brick-and-mortar location with a patio, we wanted to give every foodie out there a big high-five. The menu at Tacofino Gastown includes perfect afternoon eats like Chips and Salsa, Salmon Ceviche, and Chicharones…that’s crispy pork belly, folks! Oh, and did we mention the extensive list of cocktails? You might want to stay for a while. And because adults can eat dessert before dinner, go ahead and order a healthy stack of Churros!
Thierry
1059 Alberni St
If there’s one place that best defines the perfect afternoon retreat, it has to be café Thierry. This one-of-a-kind European café is the creation of a Chef Thierry Busset, a second-generation French chocolatier who was called “one of the finest pastry chefs in the world” by his former colleague, Chef Gordon Ramsey.
On sunny afternoons, Thierry’s picturesque patio is a foodie destination. Travellers, wanderers, businesspeople, and friends find solace in downtown Vancouver over the city’s best French macarons, delicate croissant sandwiches, and a refreshing Iced Apple Green Tea. Be warned: Thierry specializes in all things chocolate, so come with your will power in check or you might just find yourself lapping up a cup of Liquid Chocolate with a Pain au Chocolate to go!
Read our full review of Cafe Thierry here.
Thanks for the read, Foodies! Click here to explore more on the best happy hours in Vancouver and the places beer-lovers can’t miss!
