Just a couple months ago, our editorial team was complaining about how summer hadn’t hit Vancouver yet. Fast forward to today and we’re complaining about how hot it has been lately—all we want are bright sunny days with cooling breezes, is that too much to ask for? While we can deliver a never-ending slew of complaints about the weather, one thing we can’t criticize is the multitude of food events happening this month. From Pride celebrations over the long weekend to commemorating the anniversaries of beloved restaurants in the city, this month is jam-packed with must-attend events.

Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar’s Summer Seafood Boil

A Vancouver summer staple, Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar brings back its Summer Seafood Boil for its 11th year. Fresh West Coast fare meets traditional Southern influences to create the baked Fanny Bay oyster topped with sauvagine cheese and Roger Ma’s reserve ossetra caviar. Save stomach space for a generous helping of lobster, mussels and pacific prawns—if you’re seated with us, grab those prawns quick before we devour them all.

845 Burrard St.; August 23–24, 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Reservations here

Jay Nok’s Drag’n’Brunch with Ricecake

House of Rice brings its spicy drag show to Jay Nok this month, with drag queens Lulu Lomein, Ploy Pailin, Shay Dior and DJ Bella Sie taking the stage. No show is complete without food, so don’t forget to chow down on the piquant pad kee mao (spicy drunken noodle) or creamy gaeng keaw whan (green curry) while you’re there.

127 W 2nd Ave.; August 2, 11:30 a.m.– 2 p.m.

Tickets here

Italian-inspired Summer Pasta Pop-Up at Loam Bistro

Chef Rahul Negi is cooking up a storm this summer, opening up the brunch restaurant for a limited-time dinner service on Fridays and Saturdays. Keep it classic with the rigatoni alla bolognese topped with ricotta, or go for the gochujang and burrata gnocchi—we hear this was inspired by a dinner chef Negi would cook for his girlfriend.

230 Esplanade West; Fridays and Saturdays, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Reservations here

Fat Mao’s 10th Anniversary

It’s time to get your slurp on: Thai-style noodle bar Fat Mao is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and they’ve brought back two favourites: the spicy Southern Thai beef laksa and the creamy tom kha coconut mushroom soup. Come hungry, and don’t wear white.

Chinatown: 217 E Georgia St.; Daily 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Downtown: 983 Helmcken St.; Daily 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Details here

Table Champêtre-inspired Menu at St. Lawrence

Journey through Québec without having to leave the province: St. Lawrence owner and chef J-C Poirer celebrates the Michelin-starred restaurant’s eighth anniversary with a special menu inspired by Québec’s farm-to-table traditions. Poirer pays homage to his roots with a rotating menu of classic, home-spun Québécois fare, so don’t expect any two dinners to be the same.

269 Powell St.; Tuesday to Sunday, 5 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Details here

Tequila Garden at Bow & Stern Brentwood

Margaritas with the girls, anyone? Bow & Stern’s Tequila Garden will be offering three different margarita flavours and two other cocktails with Don Julio Tequilas at the forefront. Have a glass or two (or three or four or five) and dig into fresh seafood offerings including oysters served with a zesty lime and tajin infusion. Leave room for dessert though—they’re serving up an indulgent tres leches with a creamy dulce de leche.

4567 Lougheed Hwy, #2626, Burnaby; August 9, 2 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Reservations here

Pride Brunch at Honey Salt

A tableside sangria cart? Sign us up. Honey Salt brings a boozy brunch to our calendar for this year’s Pride weekend, serving up brunch classics alongside Pride-themed cocktails like the fruity Davie Street Dapper, where peach-infused Canadian Club meets Southern Comfort whiskey and lemon. Alternatively, opt for the refreshing Fizzing With Pride: gin, blackberry balsamic shrub and mint come together to create a bubbly berry explosion. 

39 Smithe St.; August 2–3, 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Details here

Wine Dinner with Jermann at Italian Kitchen

Enjoy some of Italy’s best vintages at this special evening at Italian Kitchen, where a special five-course menu has been curated to pair with each glass. The wine may be the star of the show, but don’t overlook the dishes either: think roasted and confit sungold tomatoes served with black truffle and fresh cavatelli, and a herb crusted roast veal topped with northern divine caviar.

860 Burrard St.; August 12, 6:30 p.m. – late

Reservations here

Pride Weekend at Barra Gitano

This weekend’s theme is patio party eleganza extravaganza—Barra Gitano will be hosting a Pride Weekend filled to the brim with activities, live music and even a Pride-themed menu. Expect lots of tacos filled with succulent confit pork belly, ribeye and battered ling cod, and for the drinks to keep flowing with bespoke cocktails throughout the weekend.

1202 Davie St.; August 1 – 3, 2 p.m. – late

Details here

Myth Dessert & Patisserie’s Grand Opening

Our sweet tooth just got a little sweeter at this brand new Chinese dessert spot in Richmond. Creamy milk custard, sweet Thai milk tea jellies and a DIY-dessert menu with a multitude of options… Catch us ordering bowl after bowl on grand opening day: we heard customers can enjoy their DIY desserts at half the price.

8100 Ackroyd Rd., #155; August 3, 2:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Details here