Come to British Columbia for the spectacular scenery, and linger because of the delectable food, wine and relaxing settings.
Many restaurants incorporate fresh BC ingredients in their dishes, and there are dining options that cover every type of global cuisine. Culinary tours or cooking classes are an excellent way to learn to prepare (and to taste) local specialties.
BC Wineries, Breweries and Cideries
BC vineyards are renowned for their cool-climate grapes, with wineries creating crisp whites, robust reds, heady fruit nectars, refreshing ciders and unique ice wines.
Wineries throughout southern BC welcome visitors for tours and tastings. An increasing number also offer gourmet dining as an ideal complement to their wines.
For those who prefer hops to grapes, microbreweries have a long, illustrious tradition in BC, particularly in Vancouver and Victoria. Regional pubs often feature handcrafted, small-batch specialty brews, along with traditional pub fare or contemporary cuisine.
Famous West Coast Cuisine
Dining options and restaurants abound for all tastes and budgets all over BC. Savour innovative west coast cuisine created by internationally award-winning chefs. Explore a world of ethnic eateries, particularly in the Vancouver area, where Southeast Asian cuisine reigns supreme. Pull up a log for fish and chips on the beach; relax at a sidewalk cafe with fresh-roasted coffee; or savour an afternoon tea in quaint environs and charming gardens.
Ambitious cooks will find culinary tours and schools to suit every palate and budget. Master chefs, many associated with renowned wineries, offer classes from a few hours to full weekends in unforgettable settings.
Food & Wine Trip Ideas
Interested in a culinary-focused vacation? Check out food and wine trip ideas for some suggestions about where to sip and sample in BC's regions and cities.
Farmers Markets in BC
Farmers markets abound in every region and burst with seasonal bounty, fresh-baked goods, artisan cheeses, preserved savouries, syrups, honeys, and jams.
Farms and orchards welcome visitors for tours and, if the idea appeals, u-pick farms allow visitors to pick their own strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries in the Fraser Valley or cherries, peaches, and apricots in the Okanagan.
Take a guided tour or follow an easy driving route through the vineyards and agricultural areas of rural British Columbia (such as a Circle Farm Tour in the Fraser Valley).
Show Less