May’s Best Food Events in Vancouver: Where to Dine this Month

They say April showers bring May flowers, but in our case, May is blooming with a multitude of food events that’ll keep your spirits high and bellies full. It’s a smorgasbord of choices—cheap tacos and juicy cuts of prime rib among them—so take a peek and fill your plate, err, calendar.

Cinco de May at La Taqueria

Described as an all-day fiesta, two Vancouver La Taqueria spots (and Burnaby’s Brentwood location, too) are celebrating Cinco de Mayo with $5 tacos, $5 margaritas, $5 cervezas and $5 tequila shots. Cheaper (and dare we say more fun) than hitting the Ikea food court.

Pinche Taco Shop – 367 Seymour St.,
Comedor by La Taqueria – 2450 Yukon St.
May 5, all day

Special Cinco de May Menu at Ophelia

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Ophelia with a special feature menu designed for sharing. The family-style cantina offering highlights classic Mexican favourites, from coctel de camarón and tacos dorados de papa to chicharrón en salsa roja, tacos campechanos, and queso con chorizo. Pair it all with festive cocktails like the Ophelia, passion fruit margarita, and refreshing cervezas. 

165 W 2nd Ave.
May 5

Cinco de Mayo at Fable Diner and Bar 

A lively patio lounge party takes place on May 5 with a festive taco bar, refreshing drinks, music, piñatas and prizes. Live music from The Jaivas pumps the place up at 8 p.m., with by DJ Haze taking over late-night. Be ready to call in sick the next day.

755 Richards St.
May 5, 5 p.m. onwards

Uchu and Lobby Lounge RawBar Collab Dinner

The evening will feature a seven-course collaborative menu with Chef and Owner Riccardo Valvedere of UCHU Cevicheria. Known for its vibrant expression of Peruvian cuisine, UCHU brings a dynamic counterpoint to RawBar’s Chef Youssef Jbari’s Nikkei approach, creating a natural synergy between Japanese and Peruvian culinary traditions.

1038 Canada Pl.
May 6, 6 p.m.
Reserve here.

The Altitude at Five Sails

Chef Alex Kim’s spring  tasting menu is a seasonal journey through British Columbia’s coastlines, valleys and mountains. The special menu ($195 per person) moves from bright, coastal dishes like oysters with yuzu and seaweed with Pacific shrimp, through refined seafood courses such as scallop mandu and halibut with shio koji broth, into richer inland flavours including Fraser Valley chicken, beef cheeks, and spring lamb. It finishes with a light, floral dessert of wild berries and spruce tip. B.C.-based wine and beverage pairings optional.

999 Canada Pl.
Everyday, 5 p.m. onwards

Cuisine Bourgeoise at St. Lawrence 

Chef JC Poirier’s current seasonal menu is a refined expression of “cuisine bourgeoise.” Priced at $110 per person, the menu features dishes built around standout seasonal elements such as Hiramasa, Arctic char, Atlantic lobster, Iberico pork and vegetables from local farms including Cropthorne and North Arm. The menu reflects an evolution of Chef Poirier’s style, rooted in classic French tradition, yet more precise and pared back, with an emphasis on balance, depth and beautifully executed sauces that anchor each dish. 

Tuesday to Sunday, 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
269 Powell St.

Spring Tasting Menu at Desi Indian Lounge

Executive Chef Bal Ajagaonkar introduces a new Spring Chef’s Tasting Menu that highlights seasonal B.C. ingredients through a modern, refined take on regional Indian cuisine. Five courses ($75 per person) include asparagus shorba, tandoori Brussels sprouts, tamarind-glazed sablefish, Cornish hen with butternut squash butter sauce and a golden beet and paan mousse. Wine pairings optional.

1355 Hornby St.
Thursday to Saturday, from 6 p.m.

Prime Rib Tuesdays at Glowbal Restaurant

New Prime Rib Tuesdays bring a classic steakhouse ritual to life with a tableside experience. Guests can choose from 10oz, 12oz or 16oz cuts of Chef’s prime rib, carved and served tableside with roasted vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, horseradish cream and a rich Merlot jus. Not decadent enough? Add-ons including truffle fries, East Coast lobster mashed potatoes, grilled prawn skewers and a mushroom ragu. 

590 W Georgia St.
Every Tuesday in May from 4:30 p.m.

Regional Spring Menu at Italian Kitchen

Drawing inspiration from Trentino–South Tyrol in northern Italy, highlights include cajinci ricotta and beetroot ravioli with gorgonzola cream and burnt honey, tagliolini with porcini and speck finished with spruce tips and Vezzenna, and a grilled venison striploin served with parsnip purée, braised cabbage, and morel mushroom jus. All paired with a curated selection of northern Italian wines.

860 Burrard St.
Everyday until 10 to 11 p.m.

Wine Hour at The Teahouse

A relaxed weekday escape where guests can enjoy a selection of white, red or rosé wines for $15, alongside seasonal tasting boards for $12. It’s an easygoing pairing of light pours and shareable bites, designed for an unhurried afternoon overlooking the water.

7501 Stanley Park Dr.
Monday to Friday,  2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Anniversary Menu at Kobe Japanese Steakhouse 

Signature teppan favourites including shabu shabu soup, tiger prawns, sirloin steak and teriyaki chicken are all part of Kobe’s 58th anniversary menu, extended through May. The menu is served with steamed rice, seasonal vegetables and dessert all for $60 per person. 

1042 Alberni St.
Monday to Thursday from 5 to 11 p.m.

Clos du Soleil Winery at Bacchus

Celebrate the expressive wines of Clos du Soleil Winery at a special one-night-only dinner at Wedgewood Hotel’s Bacchus Restaurant. A multi-course menu by Chef Stefan Hartman is paired to showcase Clos du Soleil’s portfolio, including premium wines, limited releases and winemaker’s series selections.

845 Hornby St.
May 20, 6 p.m.
Tickets are available online via Tock

Paella Patio Series

For $28, join a fresh paella pop-up on Como Taperia’s patio, plus tapas and drinks, is the first of eight instalments of the Paella Patio Series over the summer. “We started this series as a way to bring people together outdoors, and it’s grown into something our guests really look forward to each year – it’s a tradition!” says Shaun Layton, co-owner of Como Taperia, in a release.

201 E 7th Ave.
May 24, 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Tickets are now available online.

Spring Lasagna at Giusti 

The most exclusive lasagna you’ll ever have. On Mondays and Tuesdays only, Giusti chef Mark Perrier serves just 12 servings of his spring lasagna: green sheets in a foundation of ragu cooked slowly with pancetta, lard, parmesan rinds and prosciutto ends. The slow-cooking dish is browned in stages until deeply caramelized, eased back with water, then pushed forward again. This cycle repeats until the sauce reaches the kind of depth that can’t be rushed or faked.

209 E 6th Ave.
Mondays and Tuesdays
Reserve here.

New Spring Menu at the Sequel

Having opened just one year ago, Coal Harbour’s The Sequel adds new dishes to its spring offerings, including a roasted pesto spring hen with basil pesto and seasonal vegetables, a “Duck Duet” featuring both confit and arancini and Spiced Lamb Lollipops (watch out, Vij!).

1575 W Georgia St.

10 Year Anniversary Special at Nightingale

Celebrating a decade since its doors opened, David Hawksworth’s Nightingale is whipping out its signature pizzas at a two-for-one price for one week in May. 

1017 W Hastings St
May 13 to 20

The Origins Dinner: Hawksworth x Jacob x Posteraro

One night, three legendary chefs. Chefs David Hawksworth, Michel Jacob and Pino Posteraro celebrate Hawksworth’s 15-year anniversary and the local culinary community with a one-night-only, communal multi-course dinner experience.

801 W Georgia St.
May 20, seatings start at 5 p.m.

Reserve here.