Decisions, decisions: What are you going to eat right now, and where are you getting it?
If you need some help with your next meal, snack, treat, or drink, consider this your guide. Here’s what to eat right now in Metro Vancouver.
November 14, 2019
Happy Hour oysters at Oyster Express
Aw, shucks. Happy Hour is awesome at Oyster Express. Photo by Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome
Oyster Express says it all in their name: OYSTERS. This modest Chinatown evenings-only spot has an impressive array of B.C. oysters, as well as those culled from other locales. They put one B.C. oyster on special daily for $1.95 a shuck, which drops to $1.50 at Happy Hour (5-7 p.m.) They also drop the price similarly on a "premium" non-B.C. selection. Pair it with a pint of specially-priced beer, add in some eats like fried oysters or their grilled cheese sandwich, and you have quite the stellar Happy Hour option for bivalve lovers.
Address: 296 Keefer Street, Vancouver
Spicy Laksa and more Malaysian eats at Shiok
Hearty, spicy, snappy Laksa at Shiok. Photo by Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome
When the weather turns chilly, there's nothing like a big steamy bowl of spicy noodles to warm you up from the inside out. Shiok aims to bring a bit of Singapore to Vancouver. They opened up not too long ago on Kingsway, and they serve up a terrific Laksa, a fiery soup made with curry noodles (your choice of white or yellow). To round out your meal, get some of their prawn-spiced chicken wings or a classic satay with their house-made peanut sauce.
Address: 1716 Kingsway, Vancouver
Cheese Menchi Katsu Burger at Dosanko
That’s one epic burger at Dosanko. Photo: @dosankorestaurant/instagram
Dosanko is one of Vancouver's hidden gems. The casual Railtown eatery specializes in homestyle Japanese fare, including udon, a perfectly jiggly and IG-worthy Omurice (omelette with rice), and some wicked specials. Right now they're showing off this epic beef burger that's stuffed with American cheese, crusted in panko and fried, then loaded with caramelized onions, Tonkatsu sauce, koji mayo, and iceberg lettuce served on a house-made milk bread bun.
Address: 566 Powell Street, Unit 100, Vancouver
All the bars at Butter Baked Goods
Dunbar’s Butter absolutely slays the bar game. Photo by Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome
I've loved Butter Baked Goods in Dunbar for a long time, but it was on a recent visit that it struck me that what they do so well that so few other bakeries in the city do are bars. Not just brownies and B.C.'s beloved Nanaimo, but all sorts of gooey, sweet, crave-worthy bars. Their Coney Island Bar has a fudgey base with a toasted coconut marshmallow topping, while their signature Dunbar is made with chocolate, pecans, coconut and dulce du leche. They've got Date Bars, Lemon Bars, Hello Dolly bars, Dream Bars...seriously, the list goes on. Belly up to these bars for a sweet escape.
Address: 4907 Mackenzie Street, Vancouver
Area 51 ice cream at Rain or Shine
Area 51 at Rain or Shine. Photo: @rainorshineyvr/Instagram
Leave it to the creative minds at Vancouver's Rain or Shine to turn the meme/U.S. military base into an ice cream flavour they're now scooping at all their locations. Their Area 51 is a limited edition ice cream made with a green apple base swirled with charcoal cinnamon caramel and mixed in with purple star sprinkles and gold star candies.
Address: 3 Vancouver locations (UBC, Kits, Cambie Village); check site for details
