Vancouver food trucks: how to find them and what to expect

Vancouver's food trucks are mostly a downtown, weekday, lunchtime affair. Office workers line up in the rain, the menus range from tacos to grilled cheese to Japanese hot dogs, and the trucks move between a handful of familiar spots. Here is how to make the most of them.

Where can you find food trucks in Vancouver?

The biggest concentration is downtown, especially around the Vancouver Art Gallery and Robson Square, along with sites near office buildings where workers look for lunch. You will also find trucks at events, breweries, farmers markets and festivals across the city in summer.

Food trucks move, change hours and take days off. Before you make a special trip, check the truck's own social media for today's location.

When are Vancouver food trucks open?

Mostly on weekdays at lunchtime, roughly late morning to mid-afternoon downtown. Some trucks run evenings or weekends at events, breweries or markets, but the reliable time to find several in one place is a weekday lunch. In the colder, wetter months, fewer trucks are out and hours can be shorter.

How did Vancouver's food truck scene start?

For a long time, downtown street food mostly meant hot dogs and roasted chestnuts. One early star was a Japanese-style hot dog cart that started in 2005 and became a local institution. Around 2010 the city pushed to add variety to street vending, and new trucks with all kinds of cuisines followed. Today the scene is smaller and more settled than at its peak, but it is still a good way to eat lunch downtown.

What kinds of food can you get from Vancouver food trucks?

Variety is the point. Over a few blocks you might find:

• Tacos and burritos
• Japanese-style hot dogs
• Grilled cheese and sandwiches
• Fried chicken and rice bowls
• Indian, Thai and Filipino dishes
• Poutine and fries
• Coffee, donuts and sweets

Are food trucks cheap in Vancouver?

Not especially. A food truck lunch often costs about as much as a quick sit-down lunch, because trucks pay for permits, ingredients and staff like any other food business. You are paying for something distinctive and fast, not necessarily something cheap. If you want the lowest-cost lunch, a noodle shop or a bakery will often go further.

How do you pick a good food truck?

• Look at the line. A line of local office workers is a better sign than any sign on the truck.
• Order the thing on the side of the truck. Most trucks are built around one or two signature items.
• Check the menu is short. A focused menu from a tiny kitchen is usually a good one.
• Watch the cooking. Food cooked to order beats food sitting in a warmer.

Is there a food truck festival in Vancouver?

Downtown has hosted a winter food truck festival called Street Food City outside the Vancouver Art Gallery, timed to coincide with the Dine Out Vancouver Festival in January. Summer brings trucks to night markets, outdoor festivals and breweries. Dates change each year, so check event listings.

Do you tip at food trucks in Vancouver?

Tipping at a food truck is optional. Many people tap a small amount or leave a dollar or two, especially if the order was big. Food truck staff work hard in small spaces and bad weather, so a little goes a long way, but nobody expects a full restaurant tip at a window.

Can you eat at food trucks with dietary needs?

Often, yes, but ask. Many trucks list vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free items, and a small menu makes it easy to see what is in each dish. The catch is space: a tiny kitchen shares one grill and one fryer, so cross-contact is hard to avoid. If you have a serious allergy or celiac disease, tell the person at the window and ask how the item is cooked before you order.

How do you pay at a Vancouver food truck?

Almost every truck takes cards and tap payments, and many prefer them. Carrying a little cash is still handy for the odd truck or a busy moment when the card reader drops out.

What should you know about eating food truck lunch downtown?

• Arrive before noon to beat the office rush.
• Bring a rain plan. Seating is rare; the Art Gallery steps and nearby plazas are where people eat when it is dry.
• Pack napkins. Many of the best things from a truck are messy.

Mosey is built around rating dishes, and food trucks are where that matters most: the truck is the same every day, but the order you choose makes all the difference.

More guides to read next:

• Holiday dining in Vancouver: the Christmas Market, festive menus and booking tips
• Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free eating in Vancouver
• Where to eat in Richmond, BC: Food Street, dumplings and night markets

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