Where And How To Dine Indigenous In B.C.

This winter, Indigenous Tourism BC has solved our dining woes by putting together a list of local Indigenous restaurants to support, that have COVID-19 safe dining or take-out options that lift up locally sourced, high-quality ingredients, and Indigenous culinary traditions. Find out top five below, and leave a comment with more suggestions for Indigenous dining! —Vita Daily

Lelem’ means home or place to come together in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm, the language of the Kwantlen people. Come together on the Fraser River banks in the historic village of Fort Langley, at Lelem’ Cafe. Order and customize your own fried bannock taco, topped out with smoked salmon, smoked shredded beef, chorizo sausage or mexi-tofu. Purchase a gift card with a new online ordering service.

The celebrated and recently renovated Salmon’ n’ Bannock Bistro is the only Authentic Indigenous restaurant located in the Traditional Coast Salish Territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil Waututh First Nations—present-day Vancouver. Saskatoon berries and soapberries, stinging nettle and sea asparagus; organic and free-range game meats, wild fish, and seafood harvested off the British Columbia coast available for online order, with pickup or delivery by Uber Eats. Eat-in reservations are highly recommended, especially with reduced seating, to respect social distance.

The Squamish Lil’ wat Cultural Centre in Whistler hosts Thunderbird Cafe’s casual and tasty modern Indigenous cuisine. This is a place of cultural sharing where you can participate in interactive workshops and tours hosted by members of both Squamish Nation and Lil’ wat Nation. Ask the Cafe Cultural Ambassadors questions about local culture and your food as you enjoy people-pleasing menu items like cedar plank sockeye salmon salad or venison chili with traditional bannock.

Trend meets tradition at Mr. Bannock—the first Indigenous food truck in Vancouver. The yummy and affordable menu includes award-winning bannock tacos and a creative Indigenous twist on chicken and waffles—juniper dry-rubbed chicken on waffle bannock. Order by noon on Wednesday for Friday night pick up in North Vancouver from 4 PM to 6:30 PM. The infamous food truck now offers delivery by Door Dash on Friday, from 4 PM to 630 PM. Contactless payments or e-transfers only. New online shopping service featuring weekly specials, gift cards, and Mr. Bannock’s own classic bannock mix–just add water!

Nax’id Pub is located at Kwa’lilas Hotel, the premier Indigenous destination hotel in Port Hardy, B.C. Open daily from 11:30 AM to 10 PM, with breakfast served daily from 7 AM until 10 AM. Safely tucked away on the northern tip of Vancouver Island, Nax’id’ Pub’s brand new winter menu offers delicious hand-made dishes inspired by local ingredients and Indigenous flavours. The pub hosts trivia nights and DIY events and practices safe social distance measures. Savour their house-smoked wild k’ utala (salmon), crispy cod, and Port Hardy prawn tacos.

indigenousbc.com