Surrey, Canada: Unparalleled diversity puts this city’s dining scene on the map.
“In this Vancouver suburb, hyperlocal regional cuisine is a delicious draw for the hungry traveler. The city is home to one of the largest Indian populations in Canada, interwoven with immigrants from Africa, other parts of Asia, and beyond, and that diversity is reflected in the city’s rich food culture. At restaurant after restaurant, you’ll find traditional meals made with love by the people who have come to call Canada home.” ~ Bianca Bujan
Surrey, BC – Where nature, cultural attractions, and international cuisine collide
“If you find yourself in Vancouver, Surrey is an excellent home base for exploring the city while retreating to a quieter place to stay. The coastal town, about 30 minutes from the city, is a worthy side trip or destination on its own.” ~ Ryn Pfeuffer
Food & Wine Magazine names Surrey as one of the world’s best emerging food cities
“Surrey, B.C. foodies say they’ve long been singing the praises of the city’s culinary scene and are glad to finally see it gain international recognition.
Food & Wine Magazine, an American publication targeting gourmands, has named Surrey as one of seven “next great food cities” in its May 2023 issue.
B.C.’s fastest-growing city, located just east of Vancouver, was given the title alongside other big cities, including Venice, Marseille and Kanazawa in Japan. Surrey was the only Canadian city to make the list.” ~ Lien Yeung
Watch the broadcast piece here | Read the entire article here.
A Tale of Two Cities
“Food has always been part of Surrey’s identity, but when the pandemic hit, many restauranteurs closed their doors and put their dreams on hold. But, when venues reopened, the city had a plan to reignite those dreams. In July 2021, the Spice Trail was launched, a consortium of eateries, independent restaurants, winemakers, breweries, and distillers collaborating to offer visitors a unique food experience. The Trail has brought me to Surrey, but it’s not long before I learn that one trail leads to another and some unexpected delights..” ~ Jane Finn
World Culinary Trip in Surrey, British Columbia
“Roughly 75 restaurants spice things up in the city of Surrey, British Columbia, just across the U.S. border from Blaine, Washington. These establishments are stops along the “Spice Trail,” a self-guided journey into the cuisines of countries where spices and traditional ingredients are crucial. In this multicultural city, you can sample the foods from every part of India, and then move on to Afghanistan, Ghana, Korea, Japan, Colombia, Mexico, the Caribbean and more.” ~ Allen Cox
Adventure-seeking for new flavours on the Spice Trail
“Since its inception less than a year ago, the Surrey Spice Trail has more than doubled to include 75 locations to taste delicious and perhaps new-to-you flavours of B.C.’s second largest city. More than 45 restaurants, cafes, tour companies and retail stores, reflective of Surrey’s multicultural community, have joined the trail.” ~ Colleen Seto
“You might think you know this place, but let me show you something new. My friends … welcome to Surrey, BC!” ~ Jas Johal (sponsored content)
Stanley Park and the Surrey Spice Trail in British Columbia
Canadian journalist Brandy Yanchyk travelled to British Columbia where she explored the culinary scene on Surrey’s Spice Trail. Brandy made butter chicken poutine at the Dominion Bar + Kitchen and learned about South Indian cuisine at the Kerala Kitchen. Then Brandy went on a “Talking Trees Tour” in Vancouver’s famous Stanley Park with her Indigenous guide Candace Campo from Talaysay Tours.
“Relishing Surrey’s new spice route: B.C.’s second largest city adds a diverse culinary trail”
“K.G Banh Mi and its excellent soup are part of Surrey’s new Spice Trail, a collection of restaurants that share a love of spice, spice blends and all manner of flavourful seeds, roots, fruits and barks. Launched in the summer, the self-guided food trail is a natural fit for the city, on pace to surpass Vancouver as British Columbia’s largest, where immigrants, primarily from India, the Philippines and China, make up 43 per cent of Surrey’s total population. ”
~ Chris Johns
“Taking Flight along the new B.C. Bird Trail”
“The B.C. Bird Trail is a relatively new partnership between Destination British Columbia, Birds Canada, Indigenous Tourism B.C., creative consulting agency The Number, and several regional destinations to target people who watch birds. It offers a series of self-guided itineraries linking natural areas, tourism amenities, and how-to info for regions such as central Vancouver Island, Richmond Delta, or Fraser Valley. Each trail lists birds likely to be seen by season, a map showing bird-rich natural areas, and nearby facilities to make visiting easy for out-of-town travellers.” ~ Carol Patterson
“A Spicy Obsession For Food: The self-guided tour highlights the flavours and international influences that inspire this diverse culinary trail.”
“The Surrey Spice Trail is a gateway to tender Afghani dumplings and Nepalese momos, brothy Mexican birria tacos, Jamaican oxtail stew with dumpling spinners, Korean barbecue and more. The list leans towards North and South Indian restaurants, hardly surprising since Surrey is home to about 60 per cent of the total South Asian population in Metro Vancouver and nearly half the South Asian population in BC. ” ~ Linda Barnard
“Video Blog: Lindork Does Life – Where to Eat in Surrey, BC”
“Did you know there are over 700 restaurants in Surrey BC, located in the lower mainland just outside of Vancouver? the culinary scene here is so diverse. In fact, Surrey has the largest Indian population in Canada. If you’re visiting, you should follow the Surrey Spice Trail, a collection of locally-owned restaurants serving up a ton of flavour.” ~ Linda Hoang
“On the Spice Trail in Surrey, British Columbia”
“Surrey, British Columbia has hundreds of South Asian and multicultural restaurants, but knowing which ones to choose just got easier thanks to the Surrey Spice Trail a new initative by Discover Surrey. The tourism organization has created a self-guided food tour to help locals and visitors experience some of the best cusines the city has to offer, whether it’s in high end establishments or unpretentious, hole-in-the-wall restaurants..” ~ Kim Pemberton
Read the entire article here. (flip to pages 42-43)
“Savouring Surrey’s New Spice Trail”
“We’re standing in the parking lot of a Surrey strip mall just like countless others in B.C.’s second biggest city and I’m not, truth be told, entirely sure where we are.
But Discover Surrey’s new Culinary Spice Trail has led us here, and the aroma of ginger and turmeric and chilies lingers in the air, so I know something delicious is in store.” ~ Joanne Sasvari
“2 Days in Surrey: A Foodie Getaway From Vancouver”
“Food lovers tend to turn to big cities when they are looking for a culinary escape. Big-name chefs often open shops in Metropolitan cities like Vancouver, so it makes sense that they are travellers’ top picks. But if you are looking for diverse and authentic cuisine, big cities are not necessarily the best places to go!” ~ Cat & Kev
“Every spot you need to visit on your summer trip to British Columbia”
“Spanning 6 neighbourhoods the Spice Trail truly speaks to Surrey’s diversity. It has never been easier to taste your way around one of Metro Vancouver’s most vibrant communities, with a diverse offering of food and drink experiences. ” ~ Fred Lee
“Canada is reopening its border. Here’s what travellers need to know”
“Foodies can indulge in a new spice trail in Surrey, British Columbia, that highlights South Asian cuisine through more than 30 restaurants, cafés, and retail stores.” ~ Heather Greenwood Davis
“The Perfect BC Getaways to Get Rid of Digital Fatigue”
“Surrey has an incredible food scene which has been flavoured with its newest initiative, The Spice Trail. The self-guided Spice Trail is divided into six neighbourhoods and then broken down by dietary options and culinary style.”
“Curry, Sambal, Jerk, and Salsa Mark the Way Along Surrey’s Diverse Spice Trail”
“Surrey is among Canada’s most diverse cities, but many of its restaurants, which represent cuisines from India, Afghanistan, Malaysia, South Korea, Vietnam, Mexico, Colombia, Jamaica, and more, aren’t well known outside the community. The new Spice Trail, launched this month by Discover Surrey, the city’s destination marketing organization, aims to change that—by bringing the world to Surrey’s world cuisine.” ~ Carolyn B. Heller
“Take a tasty journey along the new ‘Spice Trail’ of restaurants in Surrey”
“It’s never been easier to taste your way around one of Metro Vancouver’s most vibrant communities. A new self-guided food tour has been created to help steer curious food lovers through Surrey’s six neighbourhoods, opening the door to deliciousness spanning numerous cuisines and flavours.” ~ Lindsay William-Ross
“Tasty Road Trips Start Here | Surrey’s New Spice Trail Aims to Put the City’s Diversity on the Global Culinary Map”
“The earthy scent of coconut, highlighted by the pungent aromas of turmeric, coriander and cumin, permeates the dining room of Kerala Kitchen in Surrey, a suburb of Metro Vancouver. Before even taking in its red and gold ambiance, it’s those tantalizing smells wafting from the kitchen that make it immediately obvious why Kerala is one of the highlights of the City of Surrey’s new dedicated Spice Trail.” ~ Sandra Thomas
Read the entire article here (page 18-19).
“Surrey Spice Trail: New initiative features 30+ restaurants and shops”
“We’ve all heard of the Richmond Dumpling Trail, and now there’s a similar initiative launching in Surrey that’s aiming to add a little bit of flavour to your dining routine. The new Surrey Spice Trail makes discovering South Asian and multicultural cuisine easier than ever before.” ~ Hanna McLean
‘Surrey Spice Trail’ showcases flavours of 30+ restaurants, stores and more
“More than 30 restaurants, cafes and retail stores are featured in a new “Surrey Spice Trail” launched by Discover Surrey.” ~ Tom Zillich
“5 Great Family Outings with Top Rated Social Distancing”
Lynn Mitges included the Museum of Surrey’s new social distanced experience in this article about activities that are safe for families in and around Vancouver. Read the entire article here.
“This ‘cheese trail’ between Vancouver and Harrison let’s you plan your route.”
Sandra Thomas’ story in the Vancouver Courier includes South Surrey’s Beast & Brine by Windsor Meats as a suggested stop on the ‘cheese trail’. Read more here.
“Your Ultimate B.C. Summer Bucket List: COVID 19-Edition”
Surrey activities are featured in a summer bucket list article that celebrates slowing down and rediscovering your own backyard as a family. Read more here.
“This Family Friendly Trail in Surrey Leads You to a Magical Fairyland”
604Now writer Meagan Gill shares the magical fairy forest that is Surrey’s Redwood Park. Read more here.