Coquitlam, Port Moody and the Tri-Cities: where to eat east of Vancouver

The Tri-Cities are Coquitlam, Port Moody and Port Coquitlam, a cluster of cities east of Burnaby along the Burrard Inlet and the Lougheed corridor. They are often treated as suburbs, but each has a food identity worth the trip, and the Evergreen SkyTrain line makes the area easy to reach from Vancouver without a car.

What is Port Moody known for?

Port Moody sits at the head of the inlet, with a waterfront trail, a historic downtown and a small-town feel. Its food reputation rests on a cluster of craft breweries, often called Brewers Row, a short walk from the Moody Centre station area. Brewery taprooms usually serve food or allow outside food, and some partner with food trucks. Look for flights of beer, pub snacks and a patio in summer.

Along Clarke Street and nearby, you will also find cafés, bakeries and independent restaurants. It is a good place for a weekend brunch followed by a walk around the inlet.

What kinds of food are in Coquitlam?

Coquitlam is large and varied. Around Lougheed Highway and North Road, you will find a strong Korean food scene, with barbecue, tofu soup, fried chicken and bakeries. Coquitlam Centre and the surrounding retail areas hold a mix of chains and independents, and the city has plenty of Chinese, Persian, Middle Eastern, Vietnamese and Japanese options.

Strip malls hide some of the best food, so look beyond the street frontage. A restaurant in a plaza with a full car park at 7 p.m. on a weekday is usually doing something right.

What about Port Coquitlam?

Port Coquitlam has a small downtown along Shaughnessy Street, farm-influenced produce stands in season, and family restaurants. It is quieter for dining out than Coquitlam, but a good base for a cafe stop on a ride along the Traboulay PoCo Trail.

How do you get around without a car?

The Evergreen Extension of the SkyTrain Millennium Line serves Burquitlam, Coquitlam Central and Port Moody, and bus routes connect the stations to neighbourhoods. Plan your return trip, because late evening service is less frequent than in the middle of the city.

What are the best times to go?

Weekday lunch is the easiest time to get a table at popular Korean and Chinese restaurants. Weekend evenings can mean waits, and busy places often have a waitlist or a walk-in queue. Ask when you arrive how long the wait will be.

Brewery taprooms are busiest on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons. A weekday afternoon is a relaxed time to taste.

How do you eat well on a budget?

Look for lunch specials, bakery sets and shared dishes. Korean barbecue is usually ordered for the table and is better value with a group. Many places have all-day menus that cost less than dinner.

What should families know?

Most casual restaurants welcome children and have high chairs. Breweries often admit children until a set time in the evening, and rules depend on the licence, so check before you go.

How do you pay and tip?

Cards are widely accepted. Tip 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill at a sit-down place. Restaurant food in BC carries GST, while alcohol carries additional provincial tax.

What about coffee, bakeries and quick bites?

Port Moody and Coquitlam both have independent roasters and bakeries, and you will find bubble tea and soft-serve counters near the transit stations. A good plan for a half-day is a bakery stop in the morning, a walk on the Port Moody waterfront trail, and a late lunch in Coquitlam.

What are some good ideas for a group?

Korean barbecue, hotpot and Chinese banquet-style restaurants are built for groups. Call ahead for a table of six or more, ask whether there is a minimum spend, and say if you need a separate bill for each person. Brewery taprooms with long tables also work well for a casual group, though they may not take bookings.

What changes with the seasons?

Summer brings patios and the waterfront trails. In winter, the focus moves indoors to hotpot, noodle soups and warm bakery treats, and rain is common, so check the forecast before a long walk.

Mosey is designed for the way people actually decide where to eat: by the dish. If you have a favourite hotpot or taproom snack out here, rating it helps the next hungry visitor.

More guides to read next:

• Salt Spring Island food guide: the Saturday Market, farm stands and where to eat
• Victoria's Chinatown and Fan Tan Alley: a food guide for a first visit
• Saskatoon berry pie: what it is, when to eat it and how to tell a good one

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