BC's markets and restaurants benefit from same-day delivery of Okanagan Valley fruit, Salt Spring Island lamb, Fraser Valley produce, Pacific seafood and wines produced all over south-central BC. The Vancouver Island region is home to many specialty farms, a cidery and a growing number of wineries. Most farms make direct sales to visitors and some offer tours, cooking classes, meals and/or family-friendly activities. Restaurants emphasize fresh, local ingredients, such as wild salmon, orchard fruit, artisan cheeses and BC wines.
The Vancouver Coast and Mountains region has more restaurants, ethnic food markets and gourmet grocers than other parts of BC. The Fraser Valley, one of Canada's most productive agricultural zones, is located here, providing this region's dining establishments with easy access to fresh, local produce nearly all year round. Farm circle tours are popular in the Fraser Valley, with most wine touring focused on the Langley area. Richmond is associated with Asian food, White Rock with its seaside "Restaurant Row." The Sunshine Coast offers a quirky mix of dining options in idyllic natural surroundings.
The Thompson Okanagan is BC's Horn of Plenty. It's the province's top wine and orchard-fruit producing region. It is also home to many small farms that specialize in growing lavender, ginseng and honey. You can count on being delighted when eating out, whether you're sitting down to a gourmet meal at a world-class winery or biting into a juicy peach at a roadside stand.