Street Food City is back in downtown Vancouver for 2026, and we finally made it out to see what this winter street food festival actually looks like in person.
Held in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery, Street Food City is Vancouver’s original street food festival, bringing a curated lineup of local food trucks together in one central, walkable spot. It’s free to enter, easy to browse, and perfect if you want to sample a few different cuisines without committing to just one restaurant.
Luckily for us, Vancouver weather actually cooperated this year. No sideways rain, no freezing wind — just surprisingly decent winter weather that made wandering around with food in hand way more enjoyable.
What Street Food City 2026 Was Like
This year’s setup felt simple but well thought out. There were:
- 11 food trucks in total
- A mix of standing tables and seated tables
- A DJ playing music throughout the day
- A steady crowd without it feeling overwhelmingly packed
It had that casual, pop-up food festival energy — busy, but not chaotic. You could grab food, find a spot to stand or sit, and actually enjoy what you ordered without rushing.
If this event sounds familiar, that’s because we previously covered Street Food City, sharing what to expect, the concept behind the event, and why it was shaping up to be one of Vancouver’s must-visit food festivals.
The Mad Greek Food Truck
One of the first trucks that caught our attention was The Mad Greek, mostly because of the long line. Whenever a food truck consistently has people lining up, it’s usually for a reason.
We asked what their most popular item was, and without hesitation they told us the gyro pita wrap ($16).
The wrap itself was massive — generously filled to the point where ingredients were literally spilling out. The pita was chewy and sturdy enough to hold everything together, and the fries inside tasted like Cavendish-style fries (the same kind Costco uses), which personally, we’re always happy to see.
Beyond the gyro wrap, The Mad Greek also offers:
- Chicken platters and souvlaki platters
- Options to add extra protein for an additional cost
- Appetizers like Greek fries and Greek salad
- A kids meal option
If you’re looking for something filling and shareable, this truck definitely delivers on portion size.
Il Saltimbocca — Wood-Fired Sandwiches From a Truck
Il Saltimbocca was the truck that genuinely surprised us. Mainly because… there’s a wood-fired oven inside the truck. We didn’t even know that was possible.
We were recommended the Sergio Tacchino sandwich ($14.50), made with fresh mozzarella, roasted turkey, tomato, arugula, and basil mayo.
The bun stood out immediately — chewy, almost like a flatbread — and the wood-fired oven gave the sandwich a subtle smokiness that you don’t usually get from food trucks. It felt thoughtfully made and a bit underrated compared to some of the longer-line trucks nearby.
If you’re into Italian flavours and warm, comforting sandwiches, this one’s worth checking out.
Other Trucks That Caught Our Eye
Even though we only tried two spots this time, a few other vendors definitely stood out:
Shameless Buns was serving:
- Abodo Fries ($16.75)
- The Little Sausage burger ($11.25)
Slavic Rolls was offering soft serve ice cream — and while it was a little cold for that when we visited, on a slightly warmer day this would’ve been very tempting.
Kampong, serving authentic Malaysian cuisine, easily had the longest line of the entire festival. We didn’t manage to try it this year, but it’s already at the top of our list for next time.
Seating Tip
If you’re struggling to find a table during peak hours, try heading to the other side of the Vancouver Art Gallery. There are stairs where people were sitting with their food, and it actually gets more sunlight on that side — which is a nice bonus during Vancouver’s colder winter days.
Final Thoughts
Street Food City 2026 felt like a solid winter food event — not overly flashy, but well-organized, approachable, and genuinely fun to walk through. Having multiple cuisines in one spot makes it great for groups, especially when everyone wants something different.
We’ll definitely be back next year to try the trucks we missed. And if you’re into local food events, food trucks, and casual eats around Vancouver, this is one worth putting on your calendar.
For more coverage on Vancouver food events, new openings, and street food, follow along on our blog — and check out our Instagram, where we’ll be sharing photos and highlights from Street Food City 2026 soon.
