It’s somewhat saddening to see the summer season wind down, but several Vancouver restaurants have been working hard to provide the perfect picnic kits to help us squeeze as much sun into our Labour Day weekend as possible.
Although many of the restaurants on our list are now offering full dine-in services, pre-packaged meal kits are a great way to avoid the crowds while still supporting the local producers and purveyors who, despite facing numerous setbacks over the last few months, allow the province's food and drink community to continue thriving.
Whether you’re planning a date night for two or a feast for the whole family, there is a picnic package available to fit your every al fresco need.
The Dirty Apron
The Dirty Apron has been providing picnic packages for years and they’ve accumulated several awards for their efforts along the way. The Dirty Apron offers guests the opportunity to curate their own baskets; however, if you’d rather leave the decisions up to the professionals, the picnic for two and gourmet picnic packages are the way to go.
Both options include two sandwiches, two salads, two cookies, two beverages, and the option to add locally-made chocolate, jerky, wine, and beer, while the gourmet picnic includes an additional charcuterie spread, local cheese, house made dips, crackers, fruit, and snacks.
Tacomio
Tacomio is currently offering two picnic-friendly taco kits: the Family Taco Feast and the Baha Surf taco kit. The Family Taco Feast offers a plethora of choices between chicken, beef, pork, and plant-based tacos, along with Mexican-style rice, pinto beans, house made salsas, pickled vegetables, corn chips, and more.
The Baja Surf taco kit comes with either four or six beer-battered wild Pacific cod, hand made flour tortillas, shaved red cabbage, pico de gallo, chipotle mayo, Cabo Loco salad, frituras, and pineapple sesame vinaigrette.
Nuba
If the picnic you’re planning requires catering to a number of guests, Nuba’s signature meal kits are the perfect solution. Available with options such as chicken shawarma with Mjadra, veggie stew, and falafel, Nuba’s three meal kit options feed up to 12 and come with an array of the Middle Eastern eatery’s most popular pairings.
Need to serve more than 12 people? No problem. Nuba has also curated a meal kit called The Works. With 20 full meals, including three vegan dinners and two meat dinners, Nuba’s meal kits will ensure your guests stay satisfied all night long.
The Teahouse
While most of the restaurants on our list are offering picnic kits to go, The Teahouse’s Picnic in the Park service allows guests to enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing the traditional restaurant experience.
From noon to 10 p.m., The Teahouse’s full-service outdoor picnic menu features an array of the restaurant’s most popular dishes, from seasonal salads to sharing plates and casual entrees. The spacious lawn provides plenty of room for guests, along with scenic views of the surrounding landscape.
The Lazy Gourmet
The Lazy Gourmet’s Lunch in the Park kit features a selection of gourmet grilled ciabatta sandwiches, such as roast beef with horseradish mayo, caramelized onions, and applewood cider; smoked turkey with grilled onions and pesto mayo; and grilled vegetables with pistachio goat cheese.
Also included are an Italian potato salad, fruit kabob, lemon square, and sparkling water. The Lazy Gourmet also offers guests the option to add alcoholic beverages, from locally-produced wine to a variety of craft beers.
Chancho Tortillaria
Another Vancouver offering authentic Mexican pre-packaged meal kits is Chancho Tortillaria. Chancho’s Backyard kits are available with either pork shoulder, pork belly, a combination of the two, or vegetarian.
Each kit includes freshly-made native corn tortillas, housemade chips and guacamole, black beans and salsa, either carnitas or vegetables, and a choice of margaritas or micheladas.
Dachi
The team at Dachi are putting together an incredible rotating assortment of locally-sourced goods from suppliers like Two Rivers Meats, Les Amis du Fromage, Cropthorn Farm, Tall Shadow Bakery, and many more.
Available in a snack pack, variety box, and the Pandora’s Picnic box, Dachi has seemingly thought of everything to ensure your picnic experience is both unique and unforgettable.
Juke Fried Chicken
One of Vancouver’s premier comfort food destinations is giving guests a chance to satisfy their cravings from the comfort of their own backyards. Juke Fried Chicken’s Juke Box includes a quarter rack of pork ribs, two pieces of chicken, and a choice of one side from options such as cornbread, chicken fritters, fried pickles, and more.
