30 must-try Vancouver food events happening in January
New year, same appetite.
If you’re anything like us, the hunger for unique and delicious food and beverage-centred events is as strong as ever, so it’s a good thing Vancouver always delivers them month after month.
Kick off 2018 with some wonderful culinary shindigs and celebrations – here are 30 that we think are worth checking out in and around the city.
See also
- Dine Out Vancouver 2018 dates announced
- Can you handle this insane 2-pound burger challenge from this Vancouver eatery?
- 6 noteworthy food trends on the rise in Vancouver in 2018
- Vancouver International Wine Festival announces 2018 dates
New West Farmers Market – Winter Market
This Winter Farmers Market in New Westminster features fresh farm produce, plants, quality crafts from local artists and artisans, gourmet prepared foods, community information, live entertainment, and more.
When: Saturday, January 6 and Saturday, January 20 from 11 am to 3 pm
Where: Belmont Street, New Westminster
Silver Screen Hollywood Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
The Silver Screen Hollywood Afternoon Tea celebrates all the glitz of Old Hollywood, think Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and John Wayne. Black and white flicks are projected on a screen at the centre of the room, but the real star of the show is the food.
When: Wednesday through Sunday from January 10 to April 1, 2018; seatings at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm
Where: Notch8 Restaurant & Bar at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver – 900 W Georgia Street, Vancouver
Price: $65 per person
$3 Poke Bowls at Riz Sushi
To celebrate the opening of their new storefront addition, Riz Sushi (located at 2887 E Broadway) is giving out poke bowls for $3 on January 11th, 12th, and 15th. During the $3 Poke Bowl Promotion, the regular menu isn’t available. What patrons can order, though, is Salmon Poke and Ahi Tuna Poke (both have set toppings but your choice of sauce).
When: January 11th, 12th, and 15th from noon to 8 pm
Where: 2887 E Broadway, Vancouver
Price: $3
Taste BC 2018
Taste BC is an experience of BC’s finest wine, beer and spirits accompanied by tasty fare from local restaurants. Expect food and drinks, music, door prizes, and a silent auction. Silent auction items include luxury items, local experience packages, destination packages and delicious products made by BC locals.
When: Thursday, January 11 from 4:30 to 7:30 pm
Where: Pan Pacific Vancouver – 300 – 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
Price: $50; buy online
Taco Party at Lucky Taco
In collaboration with U-Feast Vancouver, you’re invited to come and dine around communal tables with friends old and new, with a lineup of special off-menu tacos and Mexican treats, alongside delicious margaritas.
When: Thursday, January 11 from 7 to 10 pm
Where: Lucky Taco – 1685 Yew Street, Kitsilano, Vancouver
Price: $55; buy online
Gluten Free Expo 2018
This annual convention brings everything gluten free together for two days of learning, cooking, sampling, and buying with some amazing discounts. There will be more than 500 products to try – everything from beer and pizza to breads and perogies. And many of these products aren’t just gluten-free, a ton are also allergen-free, dairy-free, low-FODMAP, and diabetic-friendly.
When: Saturday, January 13 at 10 am to Sunday, January 14, at 4 pm
Where: 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
Price: $12-$50; buy online
Bark-Making Class at Purdys Chocolatier South Granville
Learn from Purdys’ experienced connoisseurs how to create your own scrumptious chocolate bark with your choice of nuts, dried fruits or other crunchy inclusions.
When: Saturday, January 13 from 1 pm to 3 pm
Where: Purdys Chocolatier South Granville – 2705 Granville Street, Vancouver
Price: $30-$60; buy online
Make Brioche
To start this new year, learn something new. Discover the secret of this sweet dough: Brioche, and all the recipes you can do with it. Bring home recipes and pastries.
When: Wednesday, January 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: Kensington Community Center – 5175 Dumfries Street, Vancouver
Price: $50; buy via Kensington Community Ctr
Lezervations Vancouver – Volume XIV
It’s like a big family dinner, if your entire family were made up of lesbians (all letters welcome). Have a taste of some delicious eats paired with the perfect glass of wine and a chance to get to know others in the local LBTQ community. The evening starts with a cash bar, then dinner in a private room. Seating is assigned to ensure new connections.
When: Wednesday, January 17 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm
Where: Nicli Antica Pizzeria – 62 East Cordova, Vancouver
Price: $74.80; buy online
Sushi Art Cooking Class
This Sushi Art class is taught by Nour Bahgat and takes its attendees on a creative cooking journey. Learn for to make perfect sushi rice and use natural food colouring and make artistic shapes with other ingredients available. This is suitable for all experience levels and vegans too.
When: Thursday, January 18 from 7 to 9:30 pm
Where: W 1st Avenue, Vancouver
Price: $50-$60; buy online
Dine Out Vancouver
Dine Out Vancouver is back for its 16th year, bringing with it a crowded calendar of food events, with almost 300 restaurants participating in this year’s exciting event. Taking place from January 19 through February 4, 2018, the popular annual fest features hundreds of restaurants, each offering multi-course dinners at $20, $30 or $40 (plus tax, gratuity and beverages).
When: Friday, January 19 through Sunday, February 4, 2018
Where: Multiple restaurants around Vancouver
Price: $20 to $40
Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival 2018
The annual celebration of all things hot chocolate is kicking off on January 20 and runs until February 14 – which means you have 22 days to try all 35 of the participating ‘chocstars’ at this year’s fest, all of which are local purveyors.
When: January 20 to February 14, 2018
Where: Multiple venues around Vancouver
Price: Prices vary
Beta5 Weekend Brunch
Available on Saturday and Sunday, Beta5’s new mid-morning service will offer four rotating pastries for eight weekends only. Starts January 20 and 21 and runs until March 10 and 11.
When: 10 am Saturdays and Sundays until treats run out
Where: 413 Industrial Avenue, Vancouver
Timbertain Latte Art Class
This local coffee roaster announced they’ll be bringing back these popular classes on a regular basis every other Saturday at their East Vancouver location, Depot.
When: Every other Saturday, starts January 20 from 10 am to 12:30 pm
Where: Depot – 551 McLean Drive, Vancouver
Price: $125; buy via Eventbrite
Dark Matters Xperience
This is an extensive experience to explore liqueur-infused desserts. Sample five different types of ‘Dark Matters’ either from 77K Freeze’s Signature Menu or make up your own. Your liqueur-infused desserts are made fresh and on-demand using liquid nitrogen.
When: Saturday, January 20 from 7:30 to 9 pm
Where: 77K Freeze – 2240 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Price: $38; buy online
Easy Moroccan Vegetarian Dinner
If your resolutions are to eat less meat and learn something exotic, this is the class for you. Enjoy a three-course meal demonstration, get samples, and take home recipes.
When: Sunday, January 21, from 2 to 4 pm
Where: Trout Lake Community Center – 3350 Victoria Drive, Vancouver
Price: $57.14; buy via Trout Lake CC
Italian Hot Chocolate and Cookies Workshop
This workshop will cover how to make Italian hot chocolate as well as cookies that are traditionally paired with it. Participants will get a taste of classic Italian hot chocolate and learn a few new ways to spice it up, as well as learn how to make cookies from scratch using a traditional Italian recipe. The class is hands-on and there are only 12 spots per session.
When: Sunday, January 21 and Monday, January 29 from 2 to 4 pm
Where: Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre – 3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver
Price: $35; buy online
Greasy Spoon Vol. 35 with Letitia Wan of Ask For Luigi
This dinner series pairs the best chefs in the world with the legendary Save On Meats to create a monthly four-course dining experience. Chefs trade in their tweezers for tongs, creating four courses inspired by diner food. The meal is paired with cocktails made by award-winning bartenders, as well as craft beer and wine.
When: Tuesday, January 23 from 5:30 to 10 pm
Where: Save On Meats – 43 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
Price: $95; buy via Eventbrite
French Gastronomy Series: East Country Pates
Pâtés are easier than you think, and they are amazing to have on hand whenever you have company. Enjoy them during the class with a glass of wine, or bring them home. Take home recipes and samples .
When: Wednesday, January 24 from 6 to 9pm
Where: The Uncommon Café – 477 Powell Street, Vancouver
Price: $65; buy via Eventbrite
Free Coffee at Dalina
The coffee shop, located at 687 Main Street, is offering FREE coffee and tea on Thursday, January 25. Along with the free java, patrons can expect a $5 deal on beer and wine after noon, live music, and demos from local vendors.
When: Thursday, January 25
Where: Dalina – 687 Main Street, Vancouver
Robert Burns’ Night at The Cascade Room
On Thursday, January 25, for the ninth year, The Cascade Room will host a lively and delicious celebration in honour of Scottish poet Robert Burns. The evening will feature bagpipes, whisky, haggis and other delicacies from the kitchen, including decadent deep-fried Mars Bars.
When: Thursday, January 25 at 4 pm
Where: The Cascade Room – 2616 Main Street, Vancouver
Quick Tings at Calabash Bistro
Quick Tings is an interactive experiential cooking event like no other. Experience the flavours, sounds, and unique atmosphere that can only be found in the Caribbean. No need to pack; however. Food, drinks, art, music and a warm environment included.
When: Thursday, January 25 from 5 pm to 1 am
Where: Calabash Bistro – 428 Carrall Street, Vancouver
Price: $52 to $59; buy online
Ramen Heads (VIFF Vancity Theatre)
A mouthwatering survey of culinary history, famous restaurants and specialty ingredients, this film makes a compelling case for finding Japan’s heart through its stomach.
When: Friday, January 26 at 1 pm; Monday, January 29 at 1:50 pm; Wednesday, January 31 at 7 pm
Where: Vancity Theatre – 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver
Price: $30; but via VIFF
Tea Drunk at O5 Tea
Get tea drunk, experience tea high. The menu for this night will include a selection of five amazing teas know to lead to a state of tea drunkenness. O5 Team hosting is hosting this event lead by Tea Sommelier Michael Bryan Gampp.
When: Friday, January 26 from 7 to 9 pm
Where: O5 Tea – 2208 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
Price: $30; buy online
Taste of Sardegna at Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre
The ‘Taste of’ buffet dinners are back. Join the exploration of the foodie highlights of the island of Sardinia. Tickets are $35. Alcoholic beverages are not included, but a cash bar is available. This event features a special dinner menu created specifically for this event, and substitutions are not possible.
When: Friday, January 26 from 6 to 9 pm
Where: Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre – 3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver
Price: $35; buy online
Babes Who Brunch
Each Babes Who Brunch event begins with the intention to grow, connect with one another and become comfortable in the uncomfortable, and it is led by one fierce female keynote speaker who shares her insights, experiences and life story – AKA #realtalk for real women.
When: Saturday, January 27 from 10 to noon
Where: The Gold Room at Glowbal Restaurant – 590 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Price: 45; buy online
Nada Grocery Package-Free Pop-up
Looking towards opening, Nada’s hosting their first pop-up in their future space on Saturday, January 27. The pop-up will run from 10 am to 6 pm and it will feature bulk dry goods, cleaning supplies, and a stash of long-lasting alternatives to single-use plastic disposables such as stainless steel straws, lunch containers, and reusable makeup rounds.
When: Saturday, January 27 from 10 am to 6 pm
Where: 675 East Broadway, Vancouver
Eastside Flea 2018 Kickoff (Friday Evening Shop n’ Bops)
The 2018 Kickoff is going down on Friday, January 26. It features a select lineup of curated vendors, craft beer and drink specials, food trucks, live vinyl deejay and more.
When: Friday, January 26 from 6 to 10 pm
Where: The Ellis Building – 1024 Main Street, Vancouver
Price: $3
Eastside Flea (Bi-Weekly Market)
The Eastside Flea is a modern-day flea market that occurs every weekend in Vancouver. Each event hosts over 50 local vendors selling diverse goods from handmade craftsmen items to vintage clothing, antiques and collectibles, plants, artisan eats and more. You’ll also find food trucks, deejays, pinball machines, a pool table, outdoor courtyard, and other fun things to check out.
When: January 26 and 28 from 11 am to 5 pm
Where: The Ellis Building – 1024 Main Street, Vancouver
Price: $3 for a single day, or $5 for all weekend
Cooking for Truth and Reconciliation
Cooking for Truth and Reconciliation is happening on Monday, January 29, and the one-night-only Chefs Collaboration Dinner will feature a delicious mashup of the rockstar chef’s respective expert area of cooking – Indian and Indigenous cuisine.
When: Monday, January 29
Where: My Shanti – 15869 Croydon Drive, Surrey
Price: $135 per person; buy online
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