What to eat in Vancouver on a rainy day: comfort food and indoor food trips

Vancouver's reputation for rain is well earned. From roughly October to March, grey skies and steady drizzle are the norm, and many visitors arrive expecting mountains and get clouds. Locals have a simple answer: eat well. Rainy days are perfect for noodle soups, dumplings, hot pot and long lunches indoors, and the city has plenty of each.

What do Vancouverites eat on rainy days?

Comfort food	Why it works on a wet day
Pho	A steaming bowl of beef broth, everywhere in the city
Ramen	Rich broth and noodles, especially in the West End
Hot pot	Cooking at the table, slow and warming
Congee	Rice porridge at Cantonese cafés, gentle and filling
Dim sum	Long, lazy lunches with tea
Korean stews	Soft tofu stew and pork bone soup, served bubbling
Indian curries	Punjabi Market and Surrey, with fresh breads
Chowder	Seafood chowder, a West Coast classic

Where can you eat indoors on a rainy day in Vancouver?

• Granville Island Public Market, a covered market where you can graze, browse and stay dry. The bus or a small ferry gets you close.
• Lonsdale Quay, a covered market by the SeaBus, so the trip is dry too.
• Richmond's malls, such as those near the Canada Line, with food courts and restaurants under one roof.
• Crystal Mall and Metrotown in Burnaby, connected to the SkyTrain.
• Chinatown bakeries and cafés, for a warm bun and milk tea.

A rainy-day food trip on SkyTrain and Canada Line can be almost entirely dry, since many malls and markets are next to stations.

How do you plan a rainy-day food trip?

1. Pick a theme: noodles, dumplings or a market crawl.
2. Stay near transit, so you are not walking far in the rain.
3. Go for a long lunch, such as dim sum, when restaurants are less rushed.
4. Add a museum or a covered attraction between meals.
5. End with something warm: hot chocolate, a London fog (Earl Grey with steamed milk and vanilla, said to have been popularized in Vancouver) or a bowl of soup.

What is a London fog drink?

A London fog is a tea latte made with Earl Grey tea, steamed milk and vanilla syrup. It is widely associated with Vancouver, where many people believe it was first served, and it is on the menu at most cafés in the city. On a rainy afternoon, it is the most Vancouver drink you can order.

Are patios open when it rains in Vancouver?

Some are. Many restaurants have covered, heated patios that stay usable through light rain, especially in Gastown, Yaletown and on Main Street. A covered patio on a drizzly evening can be surprisingly cozy. But in heavy rain and wind, most people move inside, so do not count on a patio between November and March.

Is it busier in restaurants on rainy days?

Often, yes, especially at lunch and on weekends, because people who might have picnicked or walked the seawall head indoors. Popular ramen and pho shops can have lines out the door in the rain. Booking ahead or going a little before peak times helps. Delivery and takeout also get busier on wet evenings, so expect longer waits.

What should you eat on a rainy day with kids?

Dim sum, food courts and noodle shops are easy wins: they are warm, fast and noisy enough that nobody minds a restless child. Granville Island's market is good too, with plenty to look at. A hot chocolate stop is mandatory.

What are the best comfort foods for a Vancouver winter?

The rainy months, roughly October to April, are when the city's comfort food comes into its own. A short list of what locals reach for:

Craving	Where it shows up
A big bowl of soup	Pho, ramen, Taiwanese beef noodle soup, wonton noodles
Something to share	Hot pot, Korean stews, dim sum
Warm and baked	Pies, bakery buns, a fresh croissant and a hot drink
Slow-cooked	Braises and stews on neighbourhood bistro menus
A warm drink	A London fog, hot chocolate, chai

Winter is also when many restaurants are easiest to book, outside December and the Dine Out Vancouver weeks. A rainy Tuesday is often the best night of the year to get into a place that is full all summer.

Is Vancouver worth visiting in the rainy season?

For food, absolutely. The rainy months are when Dine Out Vancouver runs, usually in late January and early February, when hundreds of restaurants offer set menus. Fall brings wild mushrooms and squash to menus, winter brings oyster season at its best, and restaurants are often easier to book outside the summer rush. Pack a good rain jacket and plan your days around long, warm meals.

How do you tip on a rainy day?

The same as any day: 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax amount at table service, optional at counters. If you order delivery in a downpour, many people tip the driver a little extra. BC menu prices do not include tax: 5 percent GST on food and 10 percent PST on alcohol.

Rainy days are a good time to try the places on your list. On Mosey you can keep a list of comfort-food spots, rate the places you ate at and the dishes you ordered, and see where people you follow went to escape the weather.

More guides to read next:

• Holiday dining in Vancouver: the Christmas Market, festive menus and booking tips
• Keeping a restaurant list in Vancouver: how to never forget a recommendation
• Restaurant rewards in Vancouver: how café and restaurant loyalty programs work

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