Come to British Columbia for the spectacular scenery, and linger because of the food and wine and gourmet dining and market experiences. They are, in a word, delectable.
BC Farms, Orchards, Markets and Quality Food Growers
Thanks to a sun-blessed abundance of farms & orchards, vineyards, and the specialty food producers who work in concert with award-winning chefs and vintners, the province has become a destination for serious foodies and wine connoisseurs.
Wines, Wineries, Vineyards and Breweries & 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 of them now offer gourmet dining as the ideal complement to their wines.
For those who prefer hops to grapes, microbreweries have a long, illustrious tradition in this province, particularly in Vancouver and Victoria. Regional pubs feature these specialty brews, matched by meals from traditional pub fare to contemporary cuisine.
Learn more about the Wineries, Vineyards, Food and West Coast Cuisine of BC
Famous West Coast Cuisine
In fact, no matter where you travel in BC, dining options abound for all tastes and budgets. Savour innovative west coast cuisine created by internationally award-wining 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 replenish your energy with afternoon tea in quaint environs and charming gardens.
Ambitious cooks will find culinary 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.
Buy Direct from Growers and Markets
Farmers’ markets abound in every region, bursting with seasonal bounty as well as fresh-baked goods, artisan cheeses, preserved savouries, syrups, honeys, and jams.
Farms and orchards welcome visitors for tours and if the idea appeals, the opportunity to pick your own strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries in the Fraser Valley or cherries, peaches, and apricots in the Okanagan.
Take a guided tour or enjoy an easy self-drive through the vineyards and agricultural areas of rural British Columbia – it’s all waiting for you.
Highlighted Food and Wine Regions in BC:
Vancouver Island
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Vancouver Island region is home to many "boutique" farms, a cidery and a smattering of wineries. Most farms make direct sales to visitors and some offer tours, meals and/or family-friendly activities. Restaurants emphasize fresh, local ingredients, such as wild salmon, orchard fruit, artisan cheeses and BC wines.
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Food & Wine in Vancouver Island
Vancouver, Coast and Mountains
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Vancouver, Coast and Mountains region has more restaurants, ethnic food markets and gourmet grocers than other parts of BC. It offers every urban pleasure but is also home to one of Canada's most productive agricultural regions. Farm circle tours are popular in the Fraser Valley. Most wine touring focuses on the Langley area. Richmond is associated with Asian food, White Rock with its seaside "Restaurant Row." The Sunshine Coast offers a quirky mix of dining options in idyllic natural surroundings.
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Food & Wine in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains
Thompson Okanagan
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Thompson Okanagan is BC's Horn of Plenty. It’s the province's top orchard fruit, wine and home to many small farms specializing in things like lavender, ginseng and honey. You can count on being delighted when eating out, whether you’re sitting down to a gourmet meal at a world-class winery or biting into a juicy peach at a roadside stand.
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Food & Wine in the Thompson Okanagan