If you’ve ever eaten your way through Vancouver, this news probably feels validating rather than surprising.
Still, the recognition is worth pausing on. Condé Nast Traveler recently asked its readers to rank the best food cities in the world, collecting more than 757,000 votes in the process. The results included global heavyweights like Tokyo, Madrid, and Phnom Penh.
Vancouver landed at number three.
Only Kyoto and Montreal ranked higher.
For a West Coast city better known internationally for scenery than cuisine, that placement speaks volumes.
Why Vancouver Stands Out on the Global Food Stage
Condé Nast summed it up perfectly, highlighting Vancouver’s ability to blend natural beauty with an exceptional food culture. The city’s access to fresh Pacific seafood plays a huge role, especially salmon and shellfish, alongside what the publication described as “some of the best East Asian cooking outside of East Asia.”
That combination defines Vancouver dining. World-class sushi exists blocks from casual neighbourhood spots. You’ll find top-tier dim sum, West Coast oysters, and a craft beer scene that holds its own anywhere.
It’s refined without feeling exclusive — and that accessibility matters.
Great Food Isn’t Limited to One Neighbourhood
One of Vancouver’s biggest strengths is that incredible food isn’t confined to a single district.
You can eat remarkably well:
- At major attractions like Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
- While exploring the beauty of Stanley Park
- On a day trip to Squamish or The Sunshine Coast
- In suburban neighbourhoods right across Metro Vancouver
That consistency is part of what makes Vancouver so appealing for families and travellers who like to explore beyond the downtown core. Wherever your day takes you, good food tends to follow.
A Food Truck Scene That Defines the City
Condé Nast also called out Vancouver’s food trucks as being “central to the city’s identity,” which longtime visitors already know to be true.
Two food trucks received special recognition.
The first is Japadog, a Vancouver original that’s been serving its Japanese-inspired hot dogs since 2005. With dozens of variations available, its most famous offering remains the Terimayo — topped with teriyaki sauce, Japanese mayo, fried onions, and seaweed. Japadog’s Shaked Fries have also become something of a local legend.
The second standout is Aperitivo, a full bar on wheels serving Italian drinks and vegan charcuterie boards. Run by Kelly and Yasmin McKenzie — the team behind Melt City, Mom’s Grilled Cheese, and Green Coast Coffee — Aperitivo even operates out of a vintage van powered by a solar-charged lithium battery system.
It’s a very Vancouver detail.
A Food City That Feels Effortless
What makes Vancouver’s ranking especially impressive is how naturally the food scene integrates into everyday travel.
You’re not building an entire trip around reservations. You’re discovering memorable meals between sightseeing stops. A casual lunch becomes a highlight. A quick bite turns into something you talk about long after the trip ends.
That ease is a big reason families, first-time visitors, and repeat travellers all tend to leave impressed.
Why This Matters for Visitors
Being named one of the best food cities in the world isn’t about bragging rights. It sets expectations — and Vancouver meets them.
Whether you’re eating near the water, in a park, on a mountain drive, or in a quiet suburb, the quality holds. The city rewards curiosity, and it does so without asking you to overplan.
For visitors, that’s the best kind of food city to explore.
And now, it’s officially one of the world’s best.
