The Best Food and Drink Events Happening This April in Vancouver

Get into spring with a cocktail-driven science party, a Vietnamese cooking class, a Secret Garden-themed domed dinner and more. Plus, we’re giving all you carnivores a heads-up on a meaty June event that always sells out.

Science World’s Science of Cocktails

Don’t miss the one night per year that everyone’s favourite orb of science turns into a raucous party. (Trust us.) Science of Cocktails is the non-profit’s biggest fundraising event, serving 30 unique drinks prepared by award-winning bartenders, bites prepared by local restos and a chance to explore the exhibitions. Dress up, grab a date and leave the car (and kids) at home.

WHEN: April 11
WHERE: 1455 Quebec St.

H Tasting Lounge’s Secret Garden

Three words: Private. Dome. Dinner. It’s basically one of the best special-occasion meals, and H Tasting Lounge has decorated its outdoor domes for spring, rolling out a Secret Garden menu to match—each mini-oasis seats six and you can even control the music. Don’t miss the Pacific Zen Salad for Two, which pairs a black-ice spectacle with grilled prawns, tamari lime vinaigrette, and a rainbow of fresh veggies. Book soon, because the domes come down for summer May 12. 

WHEN: Until May 11
WHERE: 1601 Bayshore Dr. 

Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts’ Taste of Vietnam Cooking Class

If you’re always craving Vietnamese, it’s high time you learned how to make it from one of the city’s best. Chef Quang Dang, former exec chef of West and Araxi, will walk you through favourites like fresh shrimp salad rolls, lemongrass chicken and spring rolls, demystifying ingredients along the way.

WHEN: April 27
WHERE: 1505 West 2nd Ave.

Carlino’s Festa Della Polenta

Polenta is one of those dishes that’s easy to get wrong, but ethereal when done right. Enter the Festa Della Polenta at Carlino (located above the Shangri-La), a multi-course tasting menu of classic Friulian dishes from northeastern Italy which showcases polenta’s diversity.

WHEN: April 22–May 6
WHERE: 1115 Alberni St.

Miku’s Sakura Kaiseki 

Not sure about you, but we wait all year for sakura (cherry blossom) season. Miku is celebrating with a seven-course Sakura Kaiseki dinner menu inspired by the pink blossoms that overtake the city this time of year, created by head chef Martin Simicek and pastry chef Isabelle Valencia. A sample: snow crab tortellini, lobster terrine, and strawberry chamomile mousse for dessert. 

WHEN: Until April 14
WHERE: 70-200 Granville St.

Published on Main x LURRA° Dinner

Kyoto’s Michelin-starred Lurra lands on Main Street for a one-night-only dining experience. At time of writing, the menu is still top secret, but it’ll focus on seasonally foraged ingredients—a passion of both chefs Jacob Kear (Lurra) and Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson (Published).

WHEN: April 28
WHERE: 3593 Main St.

Latincouver’s Trail of Coffee

Latte art contests, live music and Latin culture will take over The Pipe Shop in North Van for an immersive celebration of all things coffee. Learn about the cultivation process from vendors and speakers while caffeinating and snacking along the way.

WHEN: April 20
WHERE: 115 Victory Ship Way

Passport to Spanish Delights 

Canada’s first professional ham carver (yes, it’s a thing) and owner of Arc Ibérico Imports recently launched an eponymous label of Spanish delicacies, Antonio Romero Productos Españoles. To celebrate, he’s throwing two ham-heavy events: An Evening in Spain: A Culinary Journey, a fam-friendly reception with tapas, cheese, and a live master Ibérico ham carving. The second, A Night in Spain: Spanish Tapas Party, is adults-only with similar snacks, drinks for purchase and a DJ spinning Spanish beats until 1:30 a.m. 

WHEN: April 5
WHERE: 1263 Homer St.

Hawksworth x Le St-Urbain Dinner

Take a trip east without leaving the city when one of Montreal’s top chefs joins one of Vancouver’s for one night only dinner. Chef Marc-André Royal of St-Urbain will team up with Chef David Hawksworth for a still-to-be announced tasting menu that will embrace contemporary Canadian cuisine with a European influence.

WHEN: April 16
WHERE: 801 W. Georgia St.

Main Street Brewing’s Glow Fundraiser

In support of the Canucks Autism Network, Main Street Brewing is hosting their second annual admission-by-donation fundraiser. Expect a silent auction—think Folk Festival tickets, golf passes and gift certificates—as well as door prizes and delicious beer; the brewery will also debut its Glow Alsatian Pilsner.

WHEN: April 4
WHERE: 261 East 7th Ave.

Fable Kitchen x El Santo Dinner 

This month, farm-to-table favourite Fable kicks off a series of monthly culinary events, starting with a three-course dinner with Chef Sam Fabbro of New Westminster’s El Santo, known for its contemporary Mexican cuisine. Some highlights? Stinging nettle risotto, confit duck salad and Pacific ling cod with gnocchi.

WHEN: April 3
WHERE: 1944 West 4th Ave.

BC Distilled Festival 

We love local, we love spirits, and we love the Italian Cultural Centre—that’s the new venue this year for BC Distilled, Canada’s largest spirits event that focuses exclusively on local artisans, who will be pouring 200 of BC’s finest spirits (plus a few non-alc vendors for good measure).

WHEN: April 13
WHERE: 3075 Slocan St. 

PSST—INTO BEER & MEAT? Tickets for the annual Brewery and the Beast festival (June 2) are now on sale. This outdoor extravaganza includes innovative food from more than 55 restaurants, giving chefs free reign to cook whatever they want over an open fire. It sells out fast every year, so get ‘em while you can.