We travel through the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) several times a year and I always have to step back and appreciate it’s beauty. YVR is one of the top airports in the world and I am so proud to call Vancouver my home.
Early in 2019, YVR announced the revamp of their Food and Beverage program with more than 20 new food and beverage concepts opening over the next two years. They are bringing a balance of local and international brands that I am really excited for.
Recently, we were invited to TasteYVR, a public event hosted by YVR to showcase a few of the exciting eateries opening up.
Japadog
Japadog is a Vancouver staple. Since their humble start in 2005 on the street corner of Burrard and Smithe, their Japanese influenced hot dogs captivated the tastebuds of locals and visitors.
They currently have a stand outside the airport’s International Arrivals area as well as a store at the McArthur Glen Premium Outlets. In January of 2020, you can find Japadog with a new in-terminal location at the domestic terminal before security.
They will boast the same menu, but with the addition of their breakfast items like their mashed egg, and mini breakfast buns.
Stanley Park Taphouse
The Stanley Park Brewing legacy dates back to 1897 when their namesake brewery was established in Stanley Park. It’s a local favourite brewery and they have some amazing seasonal brews like the Sunsetter Peach Wheat Ale and Summer Hefe. You also can’t go wrong with their year round brews like the 1897 Amber Ale or the Day Trip WestCoast Lager.
Stanley Park Taphouse opened at YVR in December 2017 and has been a fun place to chill before flights at the Domestic Terminal.
Their menu features starters and share plates, big salads, or braised short rib burgers. You can pair those food items with a BC wine or a craft beer served exclusively at YVR.
Globe@YVR
Globe@YVR serves up Pacific Northwest cuisine with thoughtfully prepared dishes featuring the best of locally sourced, sustainably grown ingredients. Their menu rotates seasonally. They boast a solid afternoon tea, brunch, as well as lunch and dinner made with local seasonal ingredients by Executive Chef Nandaskishore Rangan. His style of cooking that is represented on the menu as he calls it ‘local and honest’, which I admire a lot.
They are located right outside the US departures inside the Fairmont Vancouver Airport. It’s a great place to unwind, dine, and watch the planes come in and out of their gates.
Did you know, if you spend a minimum of $30 at Globe@YVR, you get 3 hours of free parking at the airport.
Illycaffè
Illy serves up some pretty darn good coffee and known around the world. They are a third-generation family-owned coffee company from Trieste, Italy. Illycaffè is the first full-service, post-security airside location of the authentic Italian coffee bar in Canada. You can find them in the international section of the main terminal near gate D58.
Their menu includes fresh sandwiches, healthy snack cups and decadent baked goods paired with their coffees like espresso, latte and cappuccino, to illy Cold Brew and original specialty drinks.
Uno Gelato
James Coleridge, the man behind Uno Gelato is unofficially known as the Vancouver gelato king and former owner of Bella Gelateria. He has won countless International awards for his Gelato and has now open up his new venture – Uno Gelato. There are currently 3 Vancouver locations and they serve up to a dozen original gelato offerings every day featuring fresh, local and organic ingredients. They have partnered up with local companies like Avalon Dairy, Krause Berry Farms and Vancouver Island Salt Company to have their high quality products incorporated into the gelato.
Popular flavours at YVR include Salted Caramel, Mint Chocolate Chip, Lemon, New Fashioned Chocolate and Very Cherry.
Hudson Group / Joe & the Juice
If you’ve been to their airport and needed headphones, magazines, or snacks last minute, you know you’ve visited the Hudson Group. They are best known for travel essentials and convenience stores, bookstores, duty-free shops and branded specialty stores.
They will be introducing Joe & the Juice, a well known European coffee and juice concept. You can find Joe & the Juice in other cities in North America too. They will be located post-security in both the Domestic and Transborder Terminals serving up their signature organic coffee, fresh fruit and vegetable juices and sandwiches.
Pacific Farms Market
I absolutely love the idea of Pacific Farms Market as I’ve seen the operator – Tastes on the Fly operate Napa Farms Market out of San Francisco. For locals and visitors, you can get access to locally sourced and seasonal goods from the best producers in British Columbia.
Angie Quaale, owner and chef of Well Seasoned in Langley is curating their selection of food and beverages. She’s the perfect person to do so as she’s so engrained in all things local.
You’ll notice 49th Parallel, one of Vancouver’s favourite coffee producers will have products available, a selection of fresh baked goods from Purebread Bakery, local wines from the Okanagan, and much more.
This is planned for both the Domestic Terminal and International Terminal when you go past security. The opening dates are planned for Spring 2020 (Domestic Terminal) and Summer 2020 (International Terminal).
Sal y Limon
Sal y Limon is my personal favourite taco shop in Vancouver and I’ve been there more than a dozen times. They have a variety of tacos, burritos, quesadillas and other items that give locals and visitors a taste of Mexican street food. My go to order is always 4 tacos with avocado salsa and a horchata. It hits the spot.
Slated to open in October 2019, they are located past security of the Transborder Terminal.
Heritage Asian Eatery
Heritage Asian Eatery originally opened in Downtown Vancouver serving up contemporary Asian comfort food and then they opened their second location in Mount Pleasant. Now, they’ve taken on Vancouver International Airport serving up baos, rice bowls, and noodles that just hit the spot.
The ambiance is very casual and you order up front before you take a seat. You get the deep Asian flavours mixed with locally sourced ingredients and modern Western techniques.
You’ll find them at the Domestic Terminal past security.
The Dirty Apron
The Dirty Apron is an amazing space in the heart of Downtown Vancouver acting as a culinary hub for great food, products, and cooking classes. The location in YVR won’t have all that, but their amazing deli will serve their array of delicious sandwiches, nutritious and health-conscious meals and snacks, all featuring locally sourced, seasonal produce and meats. If you want an elevated soup and sandwich, this is the place to go.
They are slated to open Spring 2020 in the domestic terminal past security.
Final Thoughts
I love the new changes coming to the Vancouver International Airport as it gives visitors more food and drink options at the different terminals. It highlights a lot of great local restaurants and products as well as bringing some more familiar global options. It’s a good balance that will be much welcomed.
Website:
http://www.yvr.ca/tasteyvr
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Vancouver International Airport. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Vancouver International Airport.
2 Comments
Can’t wait for Sal Y Limon! Best Vancouver tacos hands down
Wish they were all in the same terminal