Everything I Ate In One Day at Vancouver’s Fall Food Festival

Fall has finally made its way back to Vancouver, and with it comes the familiar scent of roasted chestnuts, cinnamon apples and delicious seasonal events to choose from. Among the events to look forward to is the annual self-guided Vancouver Fall Food Festival, now in full swing until November 9. This year, 19 local businesses across Metro Vancouver are offering 35 unique fall-inspired treats: think gooey sweet potato marshmallow pies, decadent black forest lattes and more. If that’s not enticing enough, with each purchase of a festival-exclusive item, you can earn stamps in your festival passport for a chance to win prizes. A forever fan of pumpkin spice and everything nice, I set aside an afternoon to hit as many spots as I could—here’s what I tried. 

Brussels Sprouts Ramen from Zubu

Just in time for lunch, my first stop of the day was Zubu Ramen’s Kerrisdale location. To say I was nervous about their brussels sprouts ramen ($23.50) would be an understatement—and those who’ve had to pick through their own bitter balls of green growing up will nod in sympathy. But even brussels sprouts haters may change their minds about the infamous vegetable when earthy, crispy sprouts meet rich and savoury pork and chicken soup. Served with your choice of thin or thick noodles and topped with fatty chashu, nutty kikurage and spicy bean sprouts, lunch was pure comfort to say the least. byzubu.com

Downtown: 869 Hornby St; Sunday to Thursday 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday to Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Kerrisdale: 2129 W 41st Ave; Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday to Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Autumn Board from Faubourg Bakery

There’s nothing like chestnuts roasting on an open fire that gets people excited for the colder weather. Right across the street from Zubu Ramen is 2025 Restaurant Awards Reader’s Choice Best Coffee Shop finalist Faubourg Bakery. The spot’s autumn board ($15) offers a trio of treats: a mont blanc chestnut latte, black forest latte and chestnut citrus choux aux craquelin. The crunchy pastry hides a nutty chestnut cream and a lighter citrusy cream on top, while the mont blanc latte is sweetened with a meringue and chestnut cream. But the highlight for me was the velvety black forest latte—decadent and subtly fruity. faubourg.com

Downtown: 769 Hornby St; Monday to Wednesday 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thursday to Friday 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Downtown: 302 Davie St; Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Kerrisdale: 2156 W 41st Ave; Daily 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sweet Potato Marshmallow Pie from Butter Baked Goods

First-time Fall Food Festival vendor (but longtime Vanmag editor fave) Butter Baked Goods has sweet potato marshmallow pie ($8.50) on their menu, and as an avid pie-lover, I had to try it for myself. To make room for the treats to come, I opted to walk to their storefront in the heart of MacKenzie Heights neighbourhood. For fans of pumpkin pie, this indulgent sweet potato pie will be right up your alley. With its flaky crust and gooey, torched vanilla marshmallow, the rich golden slice is served with a side of cream dusted with cinnamon. butterbakedgoods.com

Address: 4907 MacKenzie St; Monday to Saturday 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Sunday 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Peachy from Daan Go Cake Lab

Two short bus rides from Butter Baked Goods is Daan Go Cake Lab’s new South Granville location, where I couldn’t resist a mini peach-shaped entremet almost too cute to eat ($9.50). Inside the white chocolate shell is a fluffy almond sponge cake, green tea crème, silky peach mousse and a refreshing peach compote, all atop a crunchy almond caramel base. Everything did indeed feel peachy after a bite. van.daango.com

Vancouver: 1450 W 7th Ave; Monday to Sunday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Banana Bread Matcha from Avik Café

Stuffed, but also parched, my final stop was Avik Café on West Broadway. Their banana bread matcha ($8.50) combines house-made banana bread syrup with earthy, ceremonial-grade matcha and your choice of milk. Stir well and enjoy the comforting blend of sweet banana bread and smooth matcha—a cozy take on two classic treats. avikcafe.com

Address: 682 W Broadway; Monday to Friday 7 a.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday to Sunday 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.