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17 awesome Vancouver food events happening in August

Mouth-watering and COVID-safe food features worth checking out this month across Metro Vancouver
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Photo courtesy Grounds For Coffee

How is it August already?

Here in B.C. we are in Phase 3 of the province's "Restart" plan, which means many of us are venturing out more. Of course, large gatherings are still not on the menu, so when we say "food events" right now, they aren't all in the traditional sense. These are not big get-togethers that will find you in crowds and bumping elbows with strangers, or mingling with a few dozen folks. We're talking organized, physically-distanced, COVID-conscious revamped events, as well as food specials and promos going down across the city this month. 

If you like to make food and drink the focal point of fun, we’ve got 17 (and counting!) delicious food events happening in and around Vancouver this July.

Check back during the month to see what events we’ve added to the delicious line-up.

A Taste of the PNE - Best of BC Celebration

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You can get your hands on vendor Steve-O's deep fried Kit Kat fries during A Taste of the PNE - Best of BC Celebration. Photo by Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome

The PNE is putting on a Best of BC Celebration, featuring outdoor dining paired with live entertainment. The physically-distanced celebration is capped at 45 people, and is being offered in time slots spread out across the afternoon and into the evening on each day of the three-day BC Day long weekend. Tickets($49.50) for the dine-in Best of BC event include live entertainment, a guided tour of the PNE Prize Home, a full meal, $10 discount on admission to Playland for upcoming August weekends, and two free tickets to Opening Day 2021 at the PNE Fair. However, should you prefer, they will still be offering a drive-thru version of the experience. If you go that route, you will pre-purchase your food items and choose a time slot for your drive-thru pick-up. You'll also still get two free tickets to next year's opening day of the Fair. To attend either version of A Taste of the PNE - Best of BC Celebration, guests must pre-purchase tickets online for a specific time slot.

When: Aug. 1-3, 2020. Time slots available from 1-8 p.m. 

Where: PNE Grounds - 2901 East Hastings St, Vancouver

Cost: $49.50 for dine-in, cost of food for drive-thru. Tickets MUST be pre-purchased online

Dr. Peter Pride fundraiser at Grounds For Coffee

Suns out, buns out. Cinnamon buns, we mean! In celebration of Pride Grounds for Coffee will be donating $1 from every bun sold between July 31 and Aug. 3. All donations will go to the @drpetercentre, a leader in the care of people living with HIV. Available at both Grounds locations.

When: July 31-Aug. 3

Where: Grounds For Coffee - 2565 Alma St and 2088 Commercial Dr, Vancouver

Chatime Oat Milk Launch - Buy 2 Get 1 Free Deal

To kick off the launch of the bubble tea chain adding oat milk, Chatime will be offering an in-store only promotion from August 1-3, 2020 where guests can buy any 2 large Non-Dairy Milk Teas and get 1 free regular sized Non-Dairy Grass Jelly Roasted Milk Tea at select Chatime British Columbia stores. All of Chatime's oat milk bubble teas are crafted from locally-sourced, Earth’s Own Barista Line Oat Milk, a plant-based milk made in Vancouver.

When: Aug. 1-3, 2020

Where: Participating B.C. Chatime locations

Paella Guys x Como Taperia

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Get an individual portion of paella from Vancouver's The Paella Guys at this fun summertime pop-up on the Como Taperia patio. Photo courtesy Paella Guys/Como Taperia

How's this for a perfect pairing? The Paella Guys are teaming up with the crew at Mount Pleasant's award-winning Como Taperia for a fun summer patio 'party' series. This authentic paella experience will serve as a bold and fun addition to the deliciousness already on offer at Como's cheery sidewalk patio. Guests can tuck into personal-sized plates of real-deal Spanish paella made by the Pallea Guys ($15), as well as order up dishes off the Como Chico menu (the abbreviated menu presented by Como as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic). Reservations can be made online via Resy, with seatings at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. You can also email the restaurant directly at [email protected]. Walk-ins welcome. 

When: Sunday Aug. 9 & 23; seatings at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Where: Como Taperia - 201 East 7th Ave, Vancouver

Schoolyard Harvest Dinner At-Home Edition

The Schoolyard Harvest Dinner, a summer event that benefits Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society, is revamping their fundraiser. This year, Fresh Roots will hold their dinner as an "At-Home Edition" where diners can enjoy a small gathering with big, fresh flavours at home, and can connect with other supporters online - instead of on the lawn at David Thompson Secondary as usual. Ticket holders can purchase summer harvest boxes curated by Fresh Roots that will be filled with everything you’ll need to create a beautiful meal at home to share with friends or family. There will even be wine and flowers, to accent your at-home experience. Order online and pick up on your chosen day. Harvest boxes are available for two, four, or six guests.

When: Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 6 p.m.

Where: At the location of your choosing/online

Cost: $150-450. Order online 

Dine OutSide Vancouver

Organized by Tourism Vancouver, Dine Out is making an unexpected return this summer, with an al fresco twist. Called Dine OutSide, this new seasonal fest will make the most of the warm weather and the city's many regular and temporary patios. Dine OutSide will find Vancouver restaurants offering up prix fixe menus at $15, $25, $35 or $45 price points, or special promotional offers for diners to enjoy on-site. Don't want to dine in? No problem. Dine OutSide will also feature special take-outside and picnic packs for you to grab and go and enjoy in a park, at the beach, in one of the city's many pop-up plazas, or at home.

When: Aug. 21-Sept. 21, 2020

Where: Participating restaurants

Seafood Boils at Boulevard

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Photo courtesy Boulevard

Featuring generous piles of fresh Dungeness crab, lobster, prawns, mussels and clams alongside an array of sides including corn, potatoes and the infamous Boulevard Corn Bread this is a fun-filled experience not to miss. ⁠To start the evening guests will be treated to a welcome glass of bubbles on the patio. Freshly made beignets, for dessert complete this must-try Southern-inspired experience.⁠ Tickets will be available for socially-distanced tables of 2, 4, and 6, they can be purchased via tock.com. An at-home version of the boil is also available through BLVD Provisions for those who prefer to enjoy the experience at home.

When: Thursdays, Aug. 6-27 from 6-8:30 p.m.

Where: Boulevard - 845 Burrard St, Vancouver. Also available to-go

The Arbor Summer BBQ

One of Vancouver's favourite vegetarian restaurants is not just blowin' smoke - they're launching a Sunday BBQ series, and it gets going with an all-day, all-veg physically distanced cookout. The Arbor will have two chefs, one grill, and a "$#!+ load of veg" on hand at their Mount Pleasant restaurant - which also happens to boast a killer hidden back patio - for a full-on feast. The restaurant will be focused on this special one-day menu (so The Arbor's regular menu will not be available) but you can expect to find things like grilled zucchini, kohlrabi, and stuffed jalapeños, sourced from B.C. growers like Klippers Organics, as well as cornbread, and more. 

When: Sun. Aug. 2 from noon-10 p.m.

Where: The Arbor - 3941 Main St, Vancouver

Cost: $25; purchase tickets at door. Seating first-come first serve indoors and on patio, to-go is available as well

Stanley Park Brewing's 1-Year Anniversary

To celebrate their 1 year anniversary of brewing in the park, Stanley Park Brewing is hosting a stellar lineup of events carrying over into August. Backyard BBQ & Brews - an exclusive backyard bbq & beer garden on the West side of the Restaurant & Brewpub, where you can order your beers and bites right to your table. Check out the BBQ & Brews menu here (Saturday, Aug 1 & Sunday, Aug 2, noon to 10 p.m.). Drag Brunch - Celebrate Pride Day with Drag Queens Gloria Hole & Mina Mercury! These fabulous ladies are hosting a one-of-a-kind drag brunch in support of the Vancouver Pride Society. Your ticket includes brunch, beer cocktail, and a chance to win prizes. Tickets: $35.00/person (including tax & gratuity) To book your spot click HERE (Sunday, Aug 2; showtimes at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m.).

When: Through Aug. 2, 2020

Where: Stanley Park Brewing - 8901 Stanley Park Drive, Vancouver

Black + Blue Prime Rib Sundays 

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Photo courtesy Black + Blue

Starting Sunday, August 2, Black+Blue will be doing Prime Rib Sunday dinners every Sunday night starting at 5 p.m. Dinner includes Caesar Salad to start, Prime Rib with all the fixings, and cheesecake for dessert. All for $40. Not valid on The Roof. Reservations recommended.

When: Sundays starting Aug. 2 from 5 p.m.

Where: Black + Blue - 1032 Alberni St, Vancouver

Greek Food Festival 2020

Typically held in the spring, the event, which is hosted by the Hellenic Community of Vancouver, is a major draw each year, bringing in hundreds of people to enjoy the live music, entertainment, history, and, of course, loads of food. The festival will be a totally take-out model, though organizers say they may also have some delivery options available. Attendees can expect to find all sorts of traditional Greek fare, from souvlaki to spanikopita, gyros, loukoumades, and much, much more.

When: Aug. 15-16, 2020 from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Where: Hellenic Community of Vancouver - 4500 Arbutus Street

Prime Rib Sundays at Seasons in the Park

End your week with a serious Prime Rib feast. The classic three course special is priced at $42.50 and is available from 5 p.m. (while quantities last). Appetizer choice of Manhattan Clam Chowder/Mushroom Soup or Caesar Salad, entrée: Slow Roasted Prime Rib & Yorkshore Pudding with mashed potatoes and broccolini, dessert choice of Chocolate Cake with chocolate truffle, raspberry coulis or Sunburnt Lemon Pie with two fruit coulis, or enjoy Prime Rib on its own for $35.00.

When: Sunday nights starting at 5 p.m. (while quantities last)

Where: Seasons in the Park - West 33rd Ave (Queen Elizabeth Park), Vancouver

Braid StrEAT Experience - Drive-thru food trucks

Featuring a rotating selection of regional food truck favourites, the event is a complete drive-thru experience in order to maintain physical distancing and other COVID-19 safety measures. That means there will be no walk-ups or bicycles permitted, and payments are credit and debit only - no cash accepted. The event is produced by West Coast Pop Ups, a collective of small businesses who have operated through the pandemic by either sharing their revenue with other struggling businesses or with charities like the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation.    

When: Aug. 8, 9, 22, 23; and Sept. 5, 6, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: 97 Braid Street, New Westminster

Sunday Seafood Boil for Two at Sandbar

The Sandbar's signature Sunday Seafood Boil for Two features a mouth-watering melange of fresh shellfish that includes a full pound of mussels and clams, jumbo tiger prawns and two lobster tails all tossed in a savoury Old Bay broth with andouille sausage, potatoes and local corn on the cob topped with a citrus lemon butter. Available exclusively on Sundays throughout the summer months, the Seafood Boil feature dish is priced at $90 ($45 per person), with the option to enhance the meal with the addition of Dungeness crab and/or a whole lobster for an additional charge. Reservations are available. This is available every Sunday during dinner service. 

When: Sunday nights, dinner time

Where: Sandbar - 1535 Johnston Street, Creekhouse #102, Vancouver (Granville Island)

Marukatsu Pop-Up at Gyoza Bar

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Dishes at Marukatsu. Photo by Mark Yuen/courtesy Aburi Restaurants

Vancouver is now home to an exciting new fusion venture that aligns the foods and flavours of Japan and Mexico. Called Marukatsu, the endeavour is from Aburi Restaurants (Miku, Minami, Gyoza Bar), and focuses on katsu-based dished made with Mexican ingredients. The limited-time pop-up takes place at Gyoza Bar restaurant, and was created by Aburi's founder and CEO along with the talents of head chef Woojin Kim. Marukatsu's menu is centred on the teishoku, or set menu, experience. The central component is the katsu, which here is made with high-quality proteins like pork tenderloin or fresh seafood, in a special nano-panko breading, deep fried to a glorious golden crisp on the inside, with a juicy interior. You can also get a burrito and bowl that pairs katsu with pops of flavour from things like pico de gallo and sour cream, along with some other globally-influenced dressings, sauces, and components. To check out Marukatsu at Gyoza Bar you can dine-in with reservations (recommended) or by walk-in. Take-out and delivery via UberEats are available.

When: Limited time only

Where: Gyoza Bar - 622 W Pender St, Vancouver

Brentwood Great Take-out Food Truck Festival

The Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival has re-tooled their events to suit the current restrictions on gatherings and physical distancing. One of their refreshed events started in June in Burnaby, and will continue all summer on Saturdays. Structured as a "take-out" event, the fest takes place in Burnaby’s Brentwood area at 2150 Alpha Avenue. The event will has now been expanded to run weekly throughout the summer. 

When: Saturdays from June 20 to Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Where: 2150 Alpha Avenue, Burnaby

The Vegan Farmers' Market

Calling all plant-based food fans: Vancouver's first-ever all-vegan farmers' market is launching this summer, with a series of Saturday events. While of course, in its purest form, most farmers' markets do focus on naturally vegan products, like vegetables, fruits, and herbs, this all-vegan market will not have any meat, dairy, or other animal-sourced products for sale - it's totally plant-based vendors. 

When: Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Aug. 1, 15, 29; Sept. 12, 26)

Where: Concord Community Park - 50 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver

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