Where to grab great ready-made gourmet picnics in Vancouver

Vancouver’s long summer days are best spent outdoors picnicking with friends on a blanket spread across the grass in one the city’s many parks, however, building your own picnic basket of supplies can often prove more hassle than its worth. Not anymore, thanks to a handful of artisans and eateries who have taken it upon themselves to create hassle-free, pre-made picnic kits.

Providing everything one needs for the perfect al fresco dining experience, here’s our list of  local businesses preparing delicious, ready-to-go gourmet picnic supplies.

Picnix

Picnix is a full service picnic company, specializing in delicious, local, seasonal foods, beautifully presented and cleverly stored. Offering a picnic lunch under the tree cover of Stanley Park and a dinner service close to English Bay, Picnix provides a unique and convenient way to eat outdoors while Vancouver’s weather is warm and the nights long.

Complete with a red and white-checkered picnic blanket, cutlery, plates, cups, sun umbrella and outdoor games like bocce ball, the Picnix unit (handmade and custom-built) contains a carefully prepared spread and reusable dining ware, making for a fuss-free and mess-free al fresco dining experience. Both the lunch and dinner service cost $80 for two people.

Website: www.picnix.ca
Twitter: @PicnixVancouver

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The Dirty Apron

For a hassle-free picnic, The Dirty Apron offers an online picnic ordering system, where customers can select sandwiches, salads, cookies and beverages. Gourmet picnic picks are also available, and include charcuterie, local cheese, house made dips, crackers, fruit and snacks. The Dirty Apron’s classic picnic for two costs $50, while their gourmet bag of goodies for two costs $80.

Packaged in a Dirty Apron re-usable jute bag (cutlery included), Dirty Apron’s picnic supplies are for pickup only. Ordering takes place on online, with a deadline of 4pm the business day prior to pick up. Alternatively, picnic-goers can call the delicatessen directly to place an order.

Address: 540 Beatty Street
Phone: 604-879-8588
Website: www.dirtyapron.com

Giovane Cafe

Packaged in a transportable thermal tote bag, Giovane Cafe’s pre-made picnic kits are a super convenient way to enjoy a picnic in the great outdoors, whether it be at the beach or a movie under the stars. Taking away the stress of buying and packaging all of your picnic needs, Giovane Cafe allows customers more time to enjoy some gourmet fun under the sun. The Coal Harbour eatery will even pack you a blanket.

Customers have the choice between two picnic totes, the Stanley Park Stroll ($50) or the Giovane Gourmet ($80), both filled with a wide range of food stuffs like panini, salads, formaggi, salumi, and more.

Note: there’s a minimum two hour notice period for parties of six or more.

Address: 1038 Canada Place
Phone: 604-695-5501
Website: www.giovanecafe.com

Provence Mediterranean Grill

The picnic basket from Provence Mediterranean Grill is made for two ($80), and includes sweet and savory treats such as artisan BC cheese, a range of antipasti, a baguette, tapenade and crostini, fruit salad, dessert, and whole lot more.

Customers have the option to choose whether their picnics are packaged in a stylish picnic basket, which the West 10th restaurant asks to be returned within 24 hours, or disposable bags.

Address: 4473 West 10th Avenue
Phone: 604-222-1980
Website: www.provencepointgrey.ca

Nosh

While Nosh, Glowbal’s casual cafe-style eatery at the TELUS Garden, does not offer a picnic basket per se, they will put together a number of their grab-and-go items and package them up in transportable tote boxes. Picnic-goers can order online and choose between a variety of salads, gourmet sandwiches, handmade pastries and beverages.

Address: 101-510 West Georgia Street
Phone: 604-449-6674
Website: www.nosh-cafe.com

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