2023-05-05T09:46:03-04:00Nov 29, 2021|

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A taste of home for Indians in Vancouver

Moving to Canada is an exciting phase in the lives of newcomers, but as you settle into your new home, it’s natural to crave some of the things you love most from your homeland. What’s great about Canada is that it welcomes multiculturalism and encourages you to celebrate your heritage and traditions. 

Keeping in touch with your cultural roots is one way to ease your transition into Canada. You’ll have chances to connect with your community through new, but familiar experiences, take part in cultural celebrations, and enjoy a taste of home in your new surroundings. 

Vancouver is one of the most popular cities in Canada. It’s located off the Pacific coast and boasts warmer weather than anywhere else in the country. If you recently moved to Vancouver from India, you’ll find several neighbourhoods and areas in the city dedicated to Indian culture. We asked Indians living in Vancouver to list their favourite places for food, cultural events, faith, and day-to-day support, so that you can feel at home in your new city.

In this article:

Indian restaurants and vendors in Vancouver 

While there are many Indian restaurants and food vendors in Vancouver, these popular favourites come highly recommended:

  • Apna Chaat House, Surrey
  • Mumbai Local, Vancouver
  • Gully Canteen, Coquitlam
  • Tasty Indian Bistro, Vancouver & Surrey

For ordering food online, try Happy Singh Street Eats. They’re available on DoorDash. 

Indian grocery stores in Vancouver 

While stores like Walmart and Real Canadian Superstore carry Indian spices, snacks, and frozen foods, you’ll likely need to visit a specialty store to find all the ingredients you need for home-cooked Indian cuisine. Here are a few options in and around Vancouver: 

  • Big Bazaar, Surrey
  • Sabzi Mandi, multiple locations in BC
  • Fruiticana, multiple locations in BC

Indian shopping and cultural events in Vancouver

A good place to find community when you first arrive in Vancouver is online. Facebook groups like the Indian Cultural Association (ICA) Vancouver organize events and local meetups for Indian newcomers living in the city. University campuses like Simon Fraser and UBC also host Diwali celebrations and other festive events (COVID-19 protocols permitting), as do Hindu Temples. 

For a more casual taste of culture, there’s an area called Payal Business Centre. The neighbourhood, often known as “Little Punjab” offers a traditional mix of jewelry shops, clothing stores, and restaurants that serve Indian dishes. 

Places of worship across Vancouver 

Vancouver is sometimes referred to as the “city of neighbourhoods.” This is because its neighbourhoods tend to be geared specifically to certain ethnicities. In addition to Little Punjab, there’s also Little Italy, Chinatown, and Greektown, to name a few. 

Finding a place to worship typically isn’t tough. Depending on where in the city you live, you should be able to find a place of worship that reflects your faith. Below are a few:

Hindu 

  • Hindu Temple, Burnaby 
  • ISKCON Temple, Burnaby 

 Sikh 

  • Akali Singh Sikh Society, Vancouver 
  • Khalsa Diwan Society, Vancouver

Muslim 

  • MAC Vancouver Centre, Vancouver 
  • BC Muslim Association, Vancouver 

Christian 

  • Coastal Church, Vancouver 
  • Westside Evangelical Church, Vancouver 

Finding daily support in Vancouver 

While you search for cultural events and traditional foods to make you feel more at home in Canada, you may also need day-to-day support as you settle in. Getting acclimated to the job market, language, and other nuances will take some time, but there are places you can go to get the support you need to make your transition easier. 

IndiansInVancouver.ca is a platform where members of the Indian community can connect to network and attend cultural festivals.

This article offers general information only and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or its affiliates.