Where to Find Tasty Indigenous Cuisine and Artisanal Foods in Vancouver

The city of Vancouver is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, whose rich cultures and stories have been woven into the fabric of the land since time immemorial.

Today, the Indigenous food scene in Vancouver is thriving, with popular restaurants, food trucks, and cafés to check out, alongside one-of-a-kind gourmet culinary gifts to take home and enjoy later. These culinary experiences also offer unique opportunities to learn more about Indigenous cultures and the very talented individuals who are part of these vibrant communities.

Dine at Vancouver's Only Indigenous Restaurants

Salmon n’ Bannock

Vancouver’s only Indigenous restaurant, Salmon n’ Bannock opened its doors in 2010 to critical acclaim. Over a decade and a half later, this intimate bistro has become a staple of the scenic Fairview neighbourhood, just a few blocks from South Granville.

Owned by Inez Cook, who is a member of the Nuxalk Nation in Bella Coola, this restaurant showcases Indigenous heritage with pride, serving wild salmon, free-range organic game meats, and of course their famous bannock, which comes with butter and berry jam.

We recommend their “Fiss n’ Rice,” a delicious wild sockeye salmon on Ojibway wild rice with a brown butter sauce, served with seasonal vegetables and bannock. Or, if fusion is more your vibe, order the bannock tacos. Plus, gluten-free diners, you’re in luck! You can get a gluten-free version of their signature bannock.

And, on your way out of town, be sure to stop at their On the Fly location at the Vancouver International Airport, which is located after security for International Departures.

Sip and Relax at these Indigenous Cafés

Thunderbird Café

Located inside the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and Líl̓wat7úl (Lil’wat) Cultural Centre in Whistler, you can find the Thunderbird Café.

After checking out the cultural centre’s exhibits, including “What We Treasure,” a permanent exhibit featuring original cultural belongings such as baskets, blankets, carvings, canoes, house posts, drums, regalia, and so much more, the Thunderbird Café is the perfect place to relax and grab a bite to eat.

Tucked into their admission-free area next to the Gift Shop, this affordable, cozy café offers an Indigenous-inspired menu of daily specials made with fresh local ingredients, including Bannock Tacos, Venison Chili and Salmon Chowder.

Looking for a tasty drink to keep you warm? They also serve Spirit Bear Coffee, which is produced by an Indigenous-owned company based here in the Lower Mainland.

Tradish’s The Ancestor Café

Meanwhile, in the Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada, you’ll find Tradish’s The Ancestor Café. Here, Tradish Founder Chef Sarah Meconse Mierau, a member of the Sayisi Dene First Nation, showcases Indigenous cuisine and ingredients while promoting Indigenous sovereignty and community.

The menu includes elk and bison bannock tacos, blueberry lavender bannock, and plant medicine tea and lemonade.

Plus, vegans, this one’s for you! There’s a Three Sisters Vegan Bannock Taco on the menu that’s sure to blow your socks off. Or, if you’re in a rush, you can always buy their jams and bannock mixes to take home with you.

Cedar Café

Another delightful café is located right inside the Museum of Anthropology at UBC, just up the ramp from the admissions desk. After immersing yourself in the museum’s culturally rich exhibitions, the Cedar Café is the perfect place to snack, relax, and reflect on everything you’ve just taken in at the museum.

While you’re at the MOA, be sure to check out MOA’s permanent exhibitions, including the Bill Reid Rotunda and the Pacific Northwest Galleries & Great Hall.

The Cedar Café is 100% Indigenous owned and operated by Trek Coffee founder, McKenzie Robinson, who is also a Military Veteran. In addition to flavourful coffees and teas, they serve artisanal pastries and tasty sandwiches. 

Snack at These Indigenous Bannock Companies

Mr. Bannock

The super popular Mr. Bannock, run by Chef Paul Natrall (Squamish Nation), began in 2017 as Vancouver’s first Indigenous food truck, expanded to catering and events, and has been instrumental in promoting Indigenous culinary culture through it all.

Natrall is a director of the Indigenous Culinary of Associated Nations (CAN) and has been involved in initiatives to offer workshops on Indigenous traditional cooking practices.

While his food truck doesn’t have a fixed daily schedule or permanent public location, he still does public events and catering, which are not to be missed. Keep an eye on the Mr. Bannock Instagram to see where you can find his delicious food next time.

West Coast Bannock

Another business to look out for when your bannock cravings hit is West Coast Bannock, owned by Richard Mark (Nisga’a-Gitxsan). Known as the Bannock King, Mark makes delicious fried bannock served in all sorts of creative ways, including as a taco, burger, and sockeye salmon sandwich.

This street food spot doesn’t have a permanent location, but they travel across Vancouver, Richmond, Delta, Burnaby, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, New Westminster and Surrey, sharing their tasty foods. They’ve got everything from a Salmon entrée to handheld Rez Dogs (hotdogs), plus yummy desserts like their Bannock Berry Blast served with berry compote and whipped cream.

In the past, they’ve served bannock at events like Hoobiyee, the Nisga'a New Year celebration, and Turtle Island Festival, the largest Indigenous music festival on Turtle Island (North America).

If you’re eager to have a taste yourself, it’s a good idea to monitor their social media to find out where you can catch them next.

Bangin’ Bannock

Last, but definitely not least when it comes to bannock options, is Bangin’ Bannock, an Indigenous woman-owned business run by Kelsey Coutts (whose father is of the Nak’azdli Nation and whose mother is Irish/Scottish) and Destiny Houshte (whose mother’s side is Nakoda/Assiniboine and whose father’s side is Norwegian/German).

Their specially crafted Bannock Dry Mixes and frybread mix collection offer something for everyone, with gluten-free options and fun gift bundles available. These mixes make the perfect souvenir, and can be purchased at places like Stong's Market across the city, or online through their delivery service, which operates across Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Squamish.

Try Treats from These Indigenous Artisanal Food and Delivery Services

Tawnshi

Tawnshi, which translates to “hello” in Michif, the traditional language of the Métis, is also the name of this modern Indigenous charcuterie company that serves Vancouver, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Richmond and Burnaby. Co-founded by Trevor Jansen (Gitxsan) and Marina LeClair (Red River Métis), the company delivers gourmet charcuterie boxes that feature ingredients sourced from Indigenous communities.

Tawnshi is also meant to be a learning experience, with a QR code that comes with each order so that you can learn about its components. These aren’t your typical charcuterie boxes. They feature ingredients like smoked salmon, dulse (sea bacon), bannock and berries. Ingredients change depending on seasonality and availability, so each box is truly unique.

Sriracha Revolver

Calling all lovers of things hot and spicy! Jordan Hocking has developed a loyal following for her creative and fresh-tasting hot sauces. Hocking, a member of the Sweetgrass First Nation, is based in Vancouver, and started Sriracha Revolver because she wanted a job that would give her work-life balance while involving her family.

Inspired by her travels in Thailand, Hocking has created creative and tasty interpretations of sriracha that prioritize fresh ingredients, culture and community. Selections include Habanero, Chili Garlic, and Cilantro and Lime.

These hot sauces are available online, as well as at a variety of retailers, including Welk’s in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood.

Authentic Indigenous Seafood

Seafood fanatics should be sure to check out Authentic Indigenous Seafood, a cooperative of Indigenous fisheries in Canada that is committed to sustainability, traceability and cultural vitality. This cooperative includes members like Tsu-ma-uss Seafoods from Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nations on Vancouver Island, who share fishing rights and harvest sockeye, chinook, chum, and coho salmon.

Need-to-try items include their maple smoked wild chinook salmon and candied wild chinook salmon nuggets. You can find Authentic Indigenous Seafood products at retailers like Meinhardt Fine Foods and Snack City Granville Island.

Have a Drink at These Indigenous Wineries and Breweries

Nk’Mip Cellars

Wine connoisseurs, we know you were waiting for this one! Located in beautiful Osoyoos, British Columbia, Nk’Mip Cellars was the first Indigenous-owned winery on the continent. Its owners (in partnership with Arterra), the Osoyoos Indian Band, which has over 500 Band members, proudly operate this award-winning winery at the south of the Osoyoos Reservation.

Their wines include a Mer’r’iym (marriage of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and malbec), a Merlot 2021, and Dreamcatcher 2022 (a blend of whites).

Nk’Mip Cellars' products can be found at liquor stores across the city including BCLiquor stores, Everything Wine and The Gull Liquor Store, and make an excellent souvenir.

Ravens Brewing Company

Of course, you can’t have a list of food options in and around Vancouver without featuring a brewery! Ravens Brewing Company is a family-owned Indigenous Corporation that brews craft beer and spirits out of Abbotsford, BC. 

With an emphasis on working with high quality suppliers, many of the ingredients going into their products are locally grown right here in British Columbia.

Owned and operated by Paul and Jocelyn Sweeting since 2014, this local brewery and distillery has consistently won awards for their delicious brews. Plus, they offer an impressive array of foods as part of their catering services.

If a trip to Abbotsford is a bit far for you, you can find their products at Everything Wine and Gull Liquor Store.