New Westminster food guide: River Market, the Quay and the Columbia Street area

New Westminster, known as the Royal City, sits on the north bank of the Fraser River about 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver by SkyTrain. It has a long history in the region, and it has a food scene that most Vancouverites overlook. For a half day, it offers a market, a riverfront walk and a handful of good independent places.

What is River Market?

River Market at Westminster Quay is an indoor public market on the riverfront beside the New Westminster SkyTrain station. A public market of this kind has a mix of food counters, small grocers and cafés under one roof, so you can have lunch, browse and take something home.

The market has changed owners and tenants over the years, and a 2011 renovation steered it toward specialty food, restaurants and cooking classes. The line-up of stalls is not fixed, so look at the current directory before you go, rather than relying on a list in an older guide.

Is there a farmers market in New Westminster?

Yes, but the schedule is seasonal and the locations change between winter and summer. Check the New West Farmers Market's own page for this year's schedule.

Where else should you eat in New Westminster?

Beyond the Quay, it helps to know the main areas:

• Columbia Street, the historic main street, which runs uphill from the waterfront and has cafés, bars and independent shops.
• Uptown, around Sixth Street, a neighbourhood centre with bakeries, pubs and a mix of cuisines.
• Sapperton, to the east, with its own small cluster of cafés and restaurants and a local brewery presence.
• The riverfront walk, a boardwalk with benches that is a good place to eat takeout in good weather.

Restaurants come and go, so check recent photos and opening hours for anywhere you have your heart set on.

How do you plan a half day in New Westminster?

Start at the river. Take the SkyTrain to New Westminster station, look at River Market's current directory and have an early lunch, then walk the riverfront boardwalk to settle it. Head up to Columbia Street for a coffee, a browse of the independent shops or a drink, and leave time to wander before you return by SkyTrain. Keep one backup in mind in case a counter is closed.

How do you get there?

The Expo Line SkyTrain runs from downtown Vancouver to New Westminster station, which is a few steps from the Quay. The trip takes around 20 to 25 minutes. Buses connect to Uptown and Sapperton. By car, River Market has paid parking at either end.

Is New Westminster cheaper than Vancouver?

Generally, a little, but not by a large margin. Coffee and lunch cost about what they do elsewhere in the region, while rents are lower for small businesses and that can show up in the menu. As in the rest of British Columbia, GST of 5 percent applies to food, and alcohol also carries 10 percent PST. For table service, a 15 to 20 percent tip on the pre-tax amount is the norm.

What is it like with children?

Quite good. The riverfront has space to run, River Market has casual food to suit fussy eaters, and the SkyTrain ride is itself a treat for younger children. Cafés in Uptown and Sapperton are used to families.

What is the history behind the city?

New Westminster was the first capital of the colony of British Columbia, which is why it is called the Royal City. Its position on the Fraser River made it a port and a mill town, and the waterfront was long industrial. The Quay and the riverfront walk are a modern layer over that working past. A short stop at a museum or the old customs house on the waterfront gives the food some context, and the river views make lunch at the market feel like a destination rather than an errand.

A half-day plan

1. Take the SkyTrain to New Westminster station and walk to the market.
2. Look at what is open, and have lunch there.
3. Walk the boardwalk along the Fraser River.
4. Go up Columbia Street for coffee and a pastry.
5. Take the SkyTrain home, or stay for dinner in Uptown.

What should you check before you go?

Opening hours at River Market differ by counter, and some close early in the week. Special events such as Christmas markets can change the layout. If you want the farmers market, confirm its date first.

How do you keep track of a half day in New Westminster?

A half day here spreads across a market, a boardwalk and a main street, which is exactly when the details slip away. In the Mosey app you rate each dish on its own, so the lunch from River Market and the pastry from Columbia Street do not share one vague score. Save the cafés you spotted on the way into a list, share it with whoever you came with, and follow friends who also eat their way around Metro Vancouver. Rate your lunch in the app before the SkyTrain pulls out.

More guides to read next:

• Holiday dining in Vancouver: the Christmas Market, festive menus and booking tips
• Shipyards Night Market guide: Friday evening food trucks in Lower Lonsdale
• Fraser Street food guide: Filipino, Vietnamese and neighbourhood eats in East Vancouver

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