🍦 Vancouver Ice Cream Festival Is LIVE

Gooooodmorning there!

Welcome to the June 20th edition of Noms Mag weekly rundown!

It is Ice Cream Fest launch day, SO we’re super excited to finally have everyone be able to try these new cold creations the vendors have worked hard on!

But of course, that means the team has been pulled away from regular reporting. So do expect a lighter amount of reporting this week.

Here’s what’s in today’s weekly rundown:

• 🍵 Viral Toronto matcha cafe is coming

• 🪦 Longtime bagel shop closing a location

• 👀 A packed weekend of events

Let’s dive into this week’s rundown!

🍦ICE CREAM FEST IS HERE

The Vancouver Ice Cream Festival is officially BACK from June 20 - Aug 4, for its third year!

Yup, that means you can beat the summer heat with over 60+ unique and limited-time ice cream and frozen desserts crafted by some of the top food spots in the city.

Some items we’re eyeing!

1. Whisk Matcha x Level V Bakery’s Matcha Matsuri Set

2. Nana’s Green Tea’s Yuzu X Black Tea Parfait

3. Mister’s Ube Ice Cream Donut

4. Broye Cafe’s Labubu Fantasy

5. Daan Go’s Durian Ice Cream Sandwich

This year, we’re also partnering up with Translink and Evo Car Share. That means you’ll be rewarded for taking the bus/skytrain or Evo to the festival!

Doesn’t that sound sweeeet?!

Plus, thanks to the folks at Tourism Burnaby and Tourism Richmond, we’ve partnered up with them to further feature and support our Burnaby and Richmond vendors.

🌟NEW & COMING SOON FOOD SPOTS

1.🍵 Toronto’s viral Matcha Matcha expanding west - Popular matcha cafe set sights on Vancouver, location TBD.

2.🍜 New Ramen Spot in Downtown - Nin Nin Ramen by Horin set to open with playful, family-friendly vibes.

3.🍛 Kavita to Spice Up Mount Pleasant - A new Indian dining experience inspired by tradition and global influences, opening in September.

4.🦞 UCHU set to spice up Chinatown - Suyo's sister Peruvian cevicheria debuts this fall with coastal flavours.

5.🥦 Kitsilano gets fresh - Fresh St. Market to open a new location in late 2025, expanding on the West Side.

👉 Check out 10 more new restaurants that have opened here.

🪦CLOSED & CLOSING SOON FOOD SPOTS

1.😢 Solly's Bagels bids farewell to West Broadway - Iconic spot closes June 22, citing rising rent and taxes after 30 years.

2.🕰 Retro burger diner closes in Steveston - 50’s Burgers quietly shuts down Richmond location after less than a year; past staff dishes out on reddit

3.🧋 Taiwanese bubble tea chain exits Vancouver - Kung Fu Tea closes its only B.C. location after six years.

4.🍞 Richmond bakery shuts its doors - Wheat Garden Bakery closes after 18 years, adding to Richmond's list of closures.

5.🥡 Longtime Sichuan spot closing after 20 years - S&W Pepper House at Crystal Mall closing June 20th.

6.🔔 Iconic Banh Mi shop closure after 37 years - Ba Le Deli & Bakery's original location shuts due to redevelopment.

👉 Or check out 10 more restaurants that have closed recently here.

💰 DEALS THAT MATTER

1.🧋Sweet7 Richmond BOGO deal - Buy one, get one free on popular drinks; exclusive to Richmond location on UberEats until June 26.

2.🍦 McDonald’s Summer Deals - $1 small fountain drink, iced coffee or vanilla cone returns; $2 small fruit splash beverage or sundae; in app offer only

3.🍲 Summer Hotpot Combo at Haidilao - Refreshing hotpot with broth, noodles, sides, and refillable drinks for $16.95; available Mon-Fri, 11AM-4PM at Brentwood only

4.🔥 Kokoro Happy Hour Offers Free Treats - Members enjoy free snacks during Happy Hour; times vary by location; specials include Karaage, Gyoza, Ice Cream, Takoyaki, and drinks!

5.🔥 Kohaku Happy Hour Freebies - Free treats during Members Only Happy Hour at Kohaku Tendon; available Downtown and Metrotown: Mon-Fri, 2-6PM, Brentwood: Mon-Fri, 2-9:30PM; daily specials include Karaage, Ice Cream, Takoyaki, and drinks!

🗓️ EVENTS TO KNOW ABOUT

👉THIS WEEKEND

1.🍦 Vancouver Ice Cream Festival 2025 (June 20 - Aug 4) - 30+ popular ice cream and dessert spots offering unique limited time items; around Metro Vancouver

2.🎉 [EVENT] Welk's 20th Anniversary Block Party (June 21) - Celebrate with sales, music, and freebies; @ Welk's General Store; all-day event; FREE.

3.☕️ [POP UP] Kagoshima Coffee & Craft Pop Up (June 21) - Exclusive pour-over coffee and rare crafts from Japan; @ ENISHI SPACE, 269 East 6th Ave, Vancouver BC; 10am-6pm; FREE

4.🎉 [EVENT] Mount Pleasant Block Party (June 22) - free family event with live music, vendors, and Cream Pony donuts; @ E 6th & Main, Vancouver; 12-5PM

5.🐉 [FESTIVAL] The 2025 Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival (June 21 - 22) - North America’s biggest dragon boat race with local music and food; @ Concord Pacific Place, Vancouver; FREE!

6.🇬🇷 [FESTIVAL] Greek Day on Broadway (June 22, 2025) - Vancouver's largest Greek festival with food, market vendors, entertainment; @ West Broadway, Vancouver; 11am to 9pm; FREE

7.🛍️ [POP UP] Made in the 604 Pop-Up Market (June 22, 2025) - local shopping event with 50+ small businesses and artisans; @ Heritage Hall Vancouver; 11am to 5pm; FREE

8.🍽️ [POP UP] Orasa Cafe Pop-Up (June 22) - Soft launch of summer menu with delicious treats; @ Aiyaohno Cafe, 425 Carrall Street; 10:30 am - 4:00 pm

👉NEXT WEEK+

9.🍁 [FESTIVAL] Canadian Cultural Festival (June 28, 2025) - enjoy Canadian culture through food, performances, and workshops; @ Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, Burnaby, BC; 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM; TICKETED

10.🎬 [EVENT] Summer Movie Nights (Thursdays, July 3 - August 14) - Free iconic outdoor movie series; @ šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza); starts at 5 PM; FREE

11.🎬 [EVENT] Summer Movie Nights (Thursdays, July 3 - August 14) - Free iconic outdoor movie series; @ šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza); starts at 5 PM; FREE

12.🎆 [FESTIVAL] Honda Celebration of Light (July 19, 23, 26) - spectacular fireworks festival with top pyrotechnic teams; @ Vancouver, Canada; TICKETED

👉ONGOING

🌙 [EVENT] Shipyards Night Market (May 16 - Sept 12) - culinary delights, artisan vendors, live music and beer garden; @ Shipbuilder's Square, North Vancouver; Every Friday 3pm - 10pm; FREE

🎉 [FESTIVAL] Richmond Night Market (Apr 25 - Oct 13) - over 600 food options, shopping, and entertainment, plus a zipline; @ 8351 River Road, Richmond; 7pm - 12am Fri/Sat, 7pm - 11pm Sun; TICKETED

🗓️ Check out more events happening in Metro Vancouver here.

That's all for now! Stay magical and have a delicious weekend :)

-Jason