February’s Top 10 Food Events in Vancouver: Where to Feast This Month

In stark contrast to oh-so-slow January, this month is stacked with stellar food. Read on for your Superbowl party plans, a rare matcha tea tasting experience, a Greek celebration of grilled meats and some do-not-miss Lunar New Year eats, including a post-parade food fest in Chinatown and a dumpling eating contest you should probably enter immediately.

Fortune Food Fair at Fortune Sound Club

After watching the lions munch lettuce at Chinatown’s Lunar New Year Parade, head upstairs to Fortune Sound Club for a Sunday afternoon feast (12-4pm) presented by Vancouver Night Market. Choose from authentic Okinawa soba with braised pork belly from Tatchan Noodle, handmade Elbo Jamaican Patties (we love the wild mushroom), Rebel Rebel Barbecue and loads more. Bonus: the club is family-friendly for this pop-up, so no need to whip out ID at the door.

WHERE: 147 E. Pender
WHEN: Sunday, February 2

Tsiknopempti Celebration at Nammos Estiatorio

Carnivores, this one’s for you. Tsiknopempti, also known as “Smokey Thursday” in Greece, is a festival that falls on the Thursday before Lent and involves grilled and roasted meat—lots of it. Get into the celebration with a reso at Nammos, where you can expect a spread of sizzling skewers, lamb chops, and celebratory surprises.  

WHERE: 3980 Fraser St.
WHEN: Thursday, February 20

Year of the Snake Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 

This immersive tea, presented in collaboration with the Chinatown Storytelling Centre, takes place in the sunken back room at Notch8, bedecked with red lanterns and cherry blossoms. Expect hearty bites served upon a three-tier tower—it comes apart to mimic dim sum steamers—with standouts that include the jammy tea egg with chili crunch and the brûlée egg tart. You’ll be hard-pressed to finish everything, making for an exceptional box of leftovers to enjoy later.

WHERE: 900 W. Georgia St.
WHEN: Until February 23

Dumpling Eating Contest and Chef Series at Metrotown

To celebrate Lunar New Year, Metropolis at Metrotown is planning some Asian food festivities including a Chef Series of cooking demonstrations from a few of BC’s top chefs—including Burdock and Co.’s Katy Cheung and Chanthy Yen, the 2024 winner of Top Chef Canada—as well as a Dumpling Eating Contest. (Yes, it’s open to the public and you can sign up here.)

WHERE: 4700 Kingsway (Grand Court)
WHEN: February 2 and 9

Superbowl Party at D/6

This year, take in the Big Game—and, more importantly, the Kendrick Lamar/SZA halftime show—while sipping on “The Huddle” (an XXL margarita paired with two bottles of Sol) and devouring a spread of chicken wings and nachos you didn’t have to prep. Book your tickets ASAP and take your crew down to D/6 where there’ll be gift card giveaways, special food and drink packages and a huge screen to watch all the action go down.

WHERE: 39 Smithe St.
WHEN: Sunday, February 9

Sommelier Showdown Series at Five Sails

A battle royale showcasing really good wine? We’re in. For this dinner, acclaimed sommeliers Nick Bertoia (L’Abattoir, Published on Main, Bar Susu) and Randy Chafe (Fairmont Hotels, The Vancouver Club) will pair wines with a four-course meal by Five Sails culinary director Alex Kim. Guests will taste blindly and vote on favourites, sending the winning sommelier off to another battle on March 25—and giving him a chance to win a trip to Champagne, France.

WHERE: 999 Canada Pl.
WHEN: Tuesday, February 18

05 Tea x Wagashi and Co. Matcha Tea Experience at Fairmont Pacific Rim

Nothing says serenity quite like a bowl of tea cultivated by Japan’s most celebrated tea grower of the 21st century, Tsuji Kiyoharu (his name is basically synonymous with premium matcha). This limited-time experience in PacRim’s Taschen Lounge pairs the tea with handmade Japanese sweets by local confection company, Wagashi and Co., and an exhibition of rare, handcrafted tea bowls. 

WHERE: 1038 Canada Pl.
WHEN: Until February 8

Dine Out’s World Chef Exchange Dinners

Among the most unique Dine Out events are the Chef Exchange dinners, which host international chefs at top local restos. There are only two happening in February, so grab tickets while you still can. First up is at Suyo Modern Peruvian (February 4), which will welcome the executive chef from San Diego’s Callie Restaurant; next is Anh and Chi (February 5) playing host to Chicago’s HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen.

WHERE: 3475 Main St. and 3388 Main St.
WHEN: February 4 and 5

Progressive Indigenous Cuisine: An Evening with Chefs Shane Chartrand and Dino Renaerts

With all the incredible Dine Out menus happening at restaurants this year, don’t let this special fundraiser at the Bill Reid Gallery slip by. Edmonton Indigenous chef Shane Chartrand, competitor on the most recent season of Top Chef Canada, will create an epic four-course dinner paired with sips from Indigenous-owned wineries, breweries and distilleries. Proceeds will support the Chief 7idansuu James Hart Emerging Artist Program, nurturing the next generation of Indigenous Northwest Coast artists.

WHERE: 639 Hornby St.
WHEN: Wednesday, February 5

Good Thief x Moon Rabbit Visa Infinite Dinner

If you’re a Visa Infinite cardholder, you’re in luck. Washington, D.C.’s Moon Rabbit—known for its reimagined Vietnamese fare—is coming to town for one night only to commemorate “bygone Saigon” at Good Thief. The chefs of both will turn out an inventive, traditionally inspired tasting menu paired with elevated Woodford Reserve cocktails.

WHERE: 3475 Main St. and 3336 Main St.
WHEN: February 26

Extra Bites…

In addition to Dine Out Vancouver Festival—which takes place at 400-plus Lower Mainland restaurants until February 9—mark your calendar for this year’s Vancouver International Wine Festival (February 22 to March 2) and the 15th anniversary edition of the Hot Chocolate Festival, happening all over town until February 14.