Vancouver Island Restaurants
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Vancouver Island - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.
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21 Recommendations
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1. The Pointe
$$$$ | |With 180-degree views of the crashing surf, the Pointe is the top-notch Tofino dining experience. It's renowned for its refined west coast cuisine, which is superbly presented and excellently paired with options from the award-winning wine list—an impressive 11,000-bottle wine cellar is the latest jewel in this grande dame's crown. Ingredients from the water—including oysters, shrimp, salmon, and a variety of other seafood—and the land (whatever's in season, such as wild mushrooms and fresh herbs) are used in innovative but not too outlandish dishes. The service is meticulous. Insider tip: in winter months go for brunch instead of dinner to take in the breathtaking views of the Pacific from the floor-to-ceiling windows of the octagonal-shaped dining room. For something more casual, stop at the Inn's Driftwood Café for high-end snacks and small-plate dinners right on the beach.
500 Osprey La., Tofino, British Columbia, V0R 2Z0, Canada250-725–3106Known For
- Impeccable service
- Incredible views
- An unforgettable dining experience
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2. Bridgemans Bistro
$$$ | |This bright bistro sits over the water at the Mill Bay Marina and is a lovely spot for lunch or dinner, with breathtaking views from every table through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Part of the Bridgmans Family of Restaurants (other outposts are on Pender Island and in Port Renfrew), the vibe here is west-coast casual. Enjoy local fare straight from the boat or off the farm as you watch kayakers and paddleboarders glide by. If you're lucky, you may even see a whale.
740 Handy Rd., Mill Bay, British Columbia, V0R 2P1, Canada778-356–3568Known For
- Fresh halibut
- Seafood chowder
- Views
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. -
3. Farmhouse Eatery at Merridale
$$ | |Neighboring farms supply much of the fare at this bistro, tucked down a country lane at Merridale Ciderworks. The bistro, part of the gambrel-roofed cider house, showcases local art on whitewashed walls within, and orchard and forest views from the wide, covered veranda. You can match house-made ciders to the casual comfort food featuring local ingredients and bread freshly baked in the brick oven onsite. Locals flock here for live music on the covered patio.
1230 Merridale Rd., Cobble Hill, British Columbia, V0R 1L0, Canada250-743–4293Known For
- Brick-oven pizza
- Ingredients supplied by local farms
- Award-winning craft brandy flights
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4. Genoa Bay Café
$$$ | |A winding drive along the water past towering trees brings you to this waterfront eatery. Tucked on the dock at picturesque Genoa Bay, the small bistro offers a Pacific Northwest–inspired menu showcasing the bounty of Vancouver Island. Lunch is served on weekends on the scenic deck overlooking the bay.
9-5000 Genoa Bay Rd., Duncan, British Columbia, V9L 5Y8, Canada250-746–7621Known For
- Off the beaten path
- Charming location
- West-coast fry bread and Genoa Bay's famous calamari
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Tues. and Wed. during winter -
5. Heartwood Kitchen Food Outfitter
$$ | |Located in a historic yellow house, Heartwood serves hearty west coast fare and crowd-pleasing dishes, like chef Ian Riddick's UFC (Ukee fried chicken), buttermilk fried Humboldt squid with pickled bull kelp, and "hipster-style" eggs Benedict. Cooking classes are also offered. Don't miss the cheesy baked oysters.
1682 Peninsula Rd., Ucluelet, British Columbia, V0R 3A0, Canada250-726–2200Known For
- Ukee fried chicken
- Most popular brunch in town
- In the old Matterson House
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Max and Moritz Spicy Island Food Truck
$ | |This food truck at the Sturdies Bay Ferry Terminal offers a unique combination of German and Indonesian takeout and all-day breakfast.
Sturdies Bay Rd., Galiano Island, British Columbia, V0N 1P0, Canada250-539–5888Known For
- All-day breakfast
- Takeaway
- Quick bite while waiting for the ferry
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Nov.–Mar. -
7. Pizzeria Prima Strada
$$ | |The newest outpost of this popular Victoria neighborhood pizzeria offers fire-roasted pizza, house-made gelato, and local craft beers and wine.
14–1400 Cowichan Bay Rd., Cobble Hill, British Columbia, V0R 1L3, Canada250-929–4655Known For
- Traditional calzone
- Seasonal flavors of gelato and sorbetto
- Take-out available
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. -
8. Rock Salt Restaurant & Café
$$$ | |You can watch the ferry coming across the harbor from the sea-view windows of this Fulford Harbour eatery. Wholesome goodies run the gamut from slow-baked ribs to seafood curries to much-loved yam quesadillas. The made-from-scratch breakfasts are worth getting up early for, and the take-out counter offers provisions for your onward journey.
2921 Fulford Ganges Rd., British Columbia, V8K 1Y6, Canada250-653–4833Known For
- Sea views
- Hearty breakfasts
- Great for take-away
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9. Saturna Lighthouse Pub
$$ | |This is a great place to grab a bite while waiting for the ferry at Lyall Harbour. Menus are seasonal and offer local, organic ingredients, such as island-grown lamb burger and organic free-range chicken wings. Local craft beer, from Lighthouse Brewery in Victoria, is on tap. If you're not racing to catch the ferry, stay to take in the spectacular sunset from one of two oceanside patios.
100 East Point Rd., Saturna Island, British Columbia, V0N 2Y0, Canada250-539–5725Known For
- Pub grub
- Great views
- Fish-and-chips
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Nov.–Dec. -
10. Shelter
$$$ | |This big, bustling spot on the edge of town draws both locals and visitors for burgers, chowder, and fish-and-chips for lunch, and dinners of shucked oysters, pan-seared salmon, and grilled rib eyes. Chef Matty Kane's handmade fettuccini with freshly caught mussels and side-striped prawns has been on the menu from the start and is his personal fave. Choose from the upbeat pub vibe in the lofty wood-beamed first-floor lounge, or opt for a more serene dining experience, with sea views, in the upper-floor restaurant. The restaurant's newer laid-back sister property, Shed, is just down the road in the center of town.
601 Campbell St., Tofino, British Columbia, V0R 2Z0, Canada250-725–3353Known For
- The freshest seafood
- The tuna stack
- Two different dining spaces
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11. Shirley Delicious
$ | |Heading to the beach? Fuel up with a breakfast burrito, a chai latte, or an organic chocolate brownie at this welcoming café 18 km (11 miles) west of Sooke. Virtually everything, from the quiche and corn fritters to the organic bread and wholesome treats (many gluten-free and vegan) are made from scratch at this cute little A-frame in the woods. The great food and effusively friendly owners make this a favorite stop for locals, surfers, and road-trippers alike.
2794 Sheringham Point Rd., Sooke, British Columbia, V9Z 1G4, Canada778-528–2888Known For
- Favorite with locals
- Made-from-scratch ingredients
- Good for breakfast
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. No dinner -
12. Sobo
$$ | |The name, short for "sophisticated bohemian," sums up the style here: a classically trained chef serving casual fare influenced by international street food. The offbeat concept started in a purple truck before finding a permanent home in this light-filled café and bistro. The truck's long gone, but the food is still eclectic. The killer fish tacos are legendary as is the smoked-fish chowder. There's a great kids' menu and a bakery counter for take-out treats. Pick up a signed copy of chef Lisa Ahier's award-winning cookbook while you're there.
311 Neill St., Tofino, British Columbia, V0R 2Z0, Canada250-725–2341Known For
- Fresh seafood
- Fish tacos
- International street food influence
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed. No dinner -
13. Sturdies Bay Bakery and Cafe
$ | |Stop into this cheerful local favorite near the ferry terminal for freshly made pastries and sandwiches. The bread is highly praised, and you can often find roasted organic chicken or other cooked food for taking lunch to the beach.
44 Madrona Dr., Galiano Island, British Columbia, V0N 1P0, Canada250-539–2004Known For
- Great for picnics
- Comfort food
- Fresh baked goods
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner -
14. Sunny Mayne Bakery Café
$ | |Join the locals for homemade soups, sandwiches, and baked treats at this tiny Miner’s Bay spot; it’s open for breakfast and lunch daily.
472 Village Bay Rd., Mayne Island, British Columbia, V0N 2J0, Canada250-539–2323Known For
- Baked goods
- Breakfast
- Daily pizza
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner -
15. Tacofino
$ | |Heading to the beach? Follow the surfers to this orange catering truck at Outside Break, a cluster of driftwood- and cedar-sided shops just south of town. Dubbed “slow food fast,” the quick, cheap, and wholesome eats here include burritos, gringas (flour tortillas stuffed with meat or beans), and Baja-style fish tacos. Everything, including the salsa, is made from scratch. This is the original; there are now outposts in Vancouver and Victoria. Open until 6 pm.
1184 Pacific Rim Hwy., Tofino, British Columbia, V0R 2Z0, Canada250-726–8288Known For
- Fresh, healthy ingredients
- Mexican-inspired beach food
- Original food truck location
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner -
16. The Common Loaf Bake Shop
$ | |This red-turreted village-center building has been a bakery and local hangout since the late 1970s. Everything from the panini and muffins to the breakfast pizza is made fresh in-house. Grab a latte and a Tofino Bar—a popular chocolate treat with a west coast spin—and climb the winding stairs to the turret room for distant harbor views. Payment is strictly cash-only.
180 1st St., Tofino, British Columbia, V0R 2Z0, Canada250-725–3915Known For
- Cinnamon buns
- Breakfast pizza
- Popular with locals
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. -
17. The Masthead Restaurant
$$$$ | |You know a chef cares about local food when his menu lists how far each ingredient has traveled to reach your plate. At this historic seaside roadhouse in Cowichan Bay, the mussels and clams come from within 5 miles of the restaurant, and the poached Dungeness crab is from the bay outside the door. Many other ingredients—bison, wild salmon, duck breast—are sourced from within 200 miles. The 1863 wood-paneled room offers sea views throughout, but waterside deck tables are favored by the loyal clientele. The long wine list has a good selection of Cowichan Valley labels. There is live jazz on Saturday nights.
1701 Cowichan Bay Rd., Cowichan Bay, British Columbia, V0R 1N0, Canada250-748–3714Known For
- Fresh seafood
- Extensive bar
- Sea views
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays -
18. The Stand
$ | North Pender Island |You can refuel before catching the ferry at the Stand, a rustic take-out shack at the Otter Bay ferry terminal. The burgers—whether beef, salmon, halibut, or veggie—are enormous, messy, and delicious.
1371 MacKinnon Rd., Pender Island, British Columbia, V0N 2M1, Canada250-629–3292Known For
- Outdoor seating
- Good for kids
- Huge burgers
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Fri. No dinner -
19. The Tree House Café
$$$ | |Gulf Island charm flourishes at this Ganges outdoor café, where handmade wooden booths are gathered under a spreading plum tree so you can sit and hear live music playing every summer night. Visitors and locals flock here for big wholesome breakfasts (think French toast with real maple syrup) and made-from-scratch burgers, wraps, and quesadillas. It's all yummy, but favorites include the lamb burger, the Thai green curry, and the butternut squash stew. On summer evenings, grab a table early as this is the place to be.
106 Purvis La., British Columbia, V8K 2S5, Canada250-537–5379Known For
- Live music in summer
- Hip outdoor café
- Big breakfasts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted -
20. True Grain Bakery
$ | |This popular old-world bakery is known for its organic handcrafted baked goods and breads. Everything is baked from scratch on site using BC farmed and milled organic flour. The ancient and heritage grains are freshly milled on natural stone.
1735 Cowichan Bay Rd., Cowichan Bay, British Columbia, V0R 1N0, Canada250-746–7664Known For
- European-style baked goods
- Local favorite
- Copenhagen Swirl signature pastry
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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