Dine Out Vancouver Festival: how it works and how to book

Dine Out Vancouver is the city's big winter food festival. For a couple of weeks each January and February, hundreds of restaurants offer special fixed-price menus, usually three courses or more, and the whole city goes out to eat. It is a great way to try places you have been meaning to visit, if you plan a little.

What is Dine Out Vancouver?

The Dine Out Vancouver Festival is an annual event produced by Destination Vancouver, the city's tourism organization. It exists to bring diners out during the quiet winter months, and has grown into one of the largest events of its kind in Canada, with more than 400 restaurants taking part in recent years. Participating places offer set menus at a few fixed price points, plus special events, tastings and collaborations.

When is Dine Out Vancouver?

It runs for roughly two to three weeks in late January and early February. The 2026 festival, for example, ran from January 21 to February 8. Exact dates change each year, so check the official site. The list of participating restaurants and their menus is usually published a few weeks before the festival starts, and bookings open soon after.

The most popular places book up fast. When the menus go live, decide quickly.

How do you book a Dine Out Vancouver menu?

1. Browse the participating restaurants on the official festival site, where you can filter by neighbourhood, cuisine and price.
2. Read the menu before you book. Some are great value; others are a simplified version of the regular menu.
3. Book directly with the restaurant, usually through its usual reservation system.
4. Mention that you want the Dine Out menu if the booking form asks, and note any dietary needs.

Is Dine Out Vancouver worth it?

Often, yes, but not always. The value depends on the restaurant and the menu. The best Dine Out menus feature dishes a restaurant is proud of, at a fixed price lower than ordering the same courses separately. Less inspiring ones offer a limited choice of cheaper ingredients. Here is how to tell them apart:

Good sign	Warning sign
Dishes that appear on the regular menu	Generic dishes you could get anywhere
A real choice for each course	One option per course, with costly supplements
Signature items included	The best dishes listed as extras
A menu that suits the restaurant's style	A menu that feels like an afterthought

Can you get vegetarian or dietary menus at Dine Out?

Many places include vegetarian options, and some offer vegan or gluten-free menus. Look for these when filtering, and mention dietary needs when you book. If a menu does not show an option, call and ask; many kitchens can adapt.

Are drinks included in the Dine Out price?

Usually not. The fixed price covers the food menu, and many places suggest wine or cocktail pairings at an extra cost. Remember that tax and a tip are added on top, as with any restaurant meal. Tip on the full value of the meal, around 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill.

What else happens during Dine Out Vancouver?

Alongside the menus, the festival includes ticketed events such as tastings, chef collaborations and food tours. A winter food truck festival, Street Food City, has been held outside the Vancouver Art Gallery during Dine Out in recent years. Check the festival program for that year's events.

How do you get the most out of Dine Out Vancouver?

• Pick restaurants you have not tried rather than your usual favourites.
• Go at lunch where offered; lunch menus are often even better value.
• Book early for weekends, and consider weeknights, which are easier.
• Go with friends and order different menus if choices are offered, then share.

Is there something similar in other Canadian cities?

Yes. Toronto runs Winterlicious and Summerlicious, two city-run prix fixe festivals, and other cities hold their own restaurant weeks. They all follow a similar idea: a fixed-price menu during a quieter time of year.

Mosey is built around rating the dish, not just the restaurant. A festival menu is a perfect test: it shows you what a kitchen thinks its best work is, and lets you decide if it is worth going back for the full menu.

More guides to read next:

• Holiday dining in Vancouver: the Christmas Market, festive menus and booking tips
• Foods to try in Vancouver: the dishes the city does best
• Is Granville Island worth visiting for food? A practical guide

More in the Canadian food guides and the ranked lists of places.