Gastown Food Tour: 3 Iconic Restaurants, Cocktails Included

Three restaurants, three hours, one neighborhood's food story

A three-hour guided food tour through Vancouver's Gastown district visits three restaurants for progressive tastings paired with craft beer, wine and cocktails, plus an interactive mixology experience. The tour starts at Maple Tree Square and passes the Steam Clock and Blood Alley. Vegetarian and pescatarian options are available with advance notice. Guests must be 19 or older for alcoholic pairings.

Step-by-step itinerary

Gastown Culinary and Historical Tour

• Start at Maple Tree Square
• See the Steam Clock
• Explore Blood Alley
• Visit central Gastown intersection
• Dine at Water St. Café
• Enjoy creative cocktails at a century-old bar
• Experience fusion cuisine at Monarca
• Taste Ukrainian-style dishes and pastries

The experience

The tour begins at Maple Tree Square, the central intersection of Gastown, where your guide meets you and sets the day's pace. From there you'll walk through the neighborhood's narrow cobblestone lanes and historic streetlights: passing the Steam Clock, one of only a few working steam clocks in the world, and Blood Alley Square with its Victorian brick buildings. The route connects three restaurants chosen to show different sides of Gastown's food scene: Water St. Café serves Italian-influenced coastal cuisine with an award-winning BC wine list; Monarca offers playful Mexican-inspired dishes in a lively setting; and a third stop features organic, locally sourced fare including handmade pierogies and borsch. Each stop is a tasting, not a full meal, so the three hours keeps moving without long waits.

The tastings progress through the afternoon and include savory Ukrainian-style wild boar, fusion cuisine blending Mexican and contemporary flavors, and French-inspired coastal dishes. All made with local produce. You'll also get an exclusive make-your-own cocktail experience at one of the venues, where you mix your own drink instead of just ordering one. Craft beer, wine and cocktails are paired throughout. If you prefer non-alcoholic options or need vegetarian or pescatarian versions, you'll note that at booking.

At the end you receive a printed guide listing the restaurants and other foodie recommendations around Vancouver, plus discounts at the featured spots. The tour runs in all weather, so dress for the season. The route is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels.

What’s included

• Progressive tastings at three Gastown restaurants.
• craft beer, wine and cocktail pairings.
• an exclusive make-your-own cocktail experience.
• a printed guide of foodie recommendations and discounts.
• a live guide in English.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Friday, Saturday and SundayDeparts at 15:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Vancouver Foodie Tours

Is this one for you?Three hours is tight enough to fit between other plans but long enough to taste at three separate restaurants and learn the neighborhood's food history without rushing through any stop. If you want a full meal or a longer culinary deep-dive, this tour moves too fast. If you want to sample multiple venues in one afternoon without building the route yourself, the fixed stops and timing hold it together.

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Top questions

What restaurants do we visit on the Gastown food tour?

The tour includes tastings at Water St. Café, known for Italian-influenced West Coast cuisine and an award-winning BC wine list; Monarca, serving playful Mexican-inspired dishes; and a third stop featuring organic, locally sourced Ukrainian fare like handmade pierogies and borsch.

Can I do the Gastown food tour if I'm vegetarian or have dietary restrictions?

Vegetarian and pescatarian options are available if you advise at booking. The tour cannot accommodate other dietary restrictions, as the restaurants may not have alternative options. The operator encourages trying everything selected to best represent each venue.

What is the Steam Clock and will we see it on the tour?

The Steam Clock is a working steam-powered landmark in Gastown, one of only a few in the world, and you'll pass it during the walking route between tastings.

Do I need to be a certain age to join the Gastown food tour?

Guests must be 19 years or older to partake in the alcoholic pairings of craft beer, wine and cocktails. Non-alcoholic pairings are available if you request them at booking.

How long is the Gastown food tour and what does the three hours include?

The tour is three hours and includes tastings at three restaurants, craft beer and wine pairings, an interactive cocktail-mixing experience, and a printed guide of foodie recommendations and discounts.