Thanks to a vibrant ethnic mix, Vancouver’s dining scene offers a range of inexpensive and delicious options from around the world.
Eating on a budget in Vancouver doesn’t have to mean subsisting on McDonald’s–not when there’s affordable poutine, Lebanese, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Japanese, Greek, Indian and Chinese around every corner. Here are a few reliable picks for hungry penny-pinchers:
Poutine
Canada’s favourite comfort food is sold in shops and at food stands all around the city. (But be warned: all poutine is not created equal and when it’s bad, it’s very bad.) Two of the most popular poutine shops are La Belle Patate and Fritz European Fry House. La Belle Patate offers over 20 kinds of poutine (like BBQ smoked meat poutine, hot dog poutine and breakfast poutine) and boasts that its Quebec-made cheese curds are never frozen and its gravy is vegetarian. Prices range from $5-12, or take on the all-you-can-eat offer for $25. At Fritz European Fry House, the offerings are more basic and start at $4.50 for a small poutine or $2.75 for an order of plain fries to which you can add one of over a dozen sauces.
Pizza
For the cheapest of the cheap slices, check out 2001 Flavours, where regular slices are $1.50 each. Down the road at Goldies Pizza and Beer Lounge you can score a higher quality slice and a pint for $7, and at Megabite Pizza, a mediocre chain that has locations around the city and is especially popular with the post-bar crowd, groups can chow down on multiple large pizzas
and sides like cheesy bread or wings for just a few bucks each.
Izakaya
Izakaya is the Japanese version of tapas and is ideal for groups who want to share several items. The noisy, verging-on-chaotic Guu chain is generally recognized as the best purveyor of Izakaya in Vancouver. Sample from dozens of small plates all under $10. Try the sauteed duck breast with sweet miso sauce for $6.90, the $1.20 “Ganmo” deep fried tofu & vegetable ball, the grilled beef short rib with sweet garlic sauce for $5.80 or the pan fried udon with beef, mushroom, green onion, soy sauce and butter for just $7.50.
Self-catering
If your accommodation has a kitchen (or even a mini fridge and microwave) you can eat very well on a small budget in Vancouver. There are of 7-11-type corner stores for breakfast basics; specialized green grocers offering Asian, Indian and Middle Eastern staples; and plenty of Safeways and its more upscale cousins, Urban Fare, Choices, Capers and Whole Foods. Stock up on cheese, baked goods, dessert, sushi, and prepared foods like hummus and spreads, and enjoy a picnic or a meal in your room.
Sushi
Thanks to its coastal location and the influence of Japanese immigrants, Vancouver offers some of the best, freshest and most affordable sushi around. There are hundreds of sushi restaurants to choose from, like Domo Sushi or Sushi Zero One where single pieces of sashimi are about a buck and maki rolls are $2-4 for basics like spicy tuna, California or Alaska rolls. The sushi menu tops out at $8-10 for “creative rolls” like BBQ eel, avocado, cream cheese and egg with wasabi tobiko or yellow tail, salmon, avocado and egg. Look for busy places to ensure the freshest fish and at least once, treat yourself to a more expensive and elegant sushi experience at a high-end resto like Yaletown’s Bluewater Cafe–there really is a difference between good sushi and merely good-enough.
Vietnamese subs
Another inexpensive international option, Vietnamese subs will fill you up for under four bucks. You’ll find dozens of variations around the city, but most sandwiches are served on crispy baguette and include homemade meatballs, spicy tomato sauce, coriander, and shredded daikon, cucumber and carrots.
