12 Best Restaurants in Vancouver Island, British Columbia

1909 Kitchen

$$$

Named for the year Tofino's first post office opened, this spot can be found at the Tofino Resort + Marina, where chef Paul Moran, winner of Top Chef Canada 2019, is working his magic. The avid forager uses locally sourced ingredients on his signature sourdough crust to create artisanal pizzas in an impressive 1000-degree wood-fired Mugnaini oven. Resort guests can take part in the "cook your catch" program, where fish or shellfish caught that morning is specially prepared that evening by the kitchen's team.

Drumroaster Coffee Co.

$

This family-owned and -operated coffee roastery and café, just off the Trans-Canada Highway, is popular with locals. Their coffee is also served in many cafés around Vancouver Island.

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.
Canadian Breakfast Quick Bite $ Lunch
Sturdies Bay Rd., Galiano Island, British Columbia, V0N 1P0, Canada
250-539–5888
Known For
  • all-day breakfast
  • takeaway
  • quick bite while waiting for the ferry
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Nov.–Mar.

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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.

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.
Café Breakfast Lunch $ Family Brunch
2794 Sheringham Point Rd., Sooke, British Columbia, V9Z 1G4, Canada
778-528–2888
Known For
  • favorite with locals
  • made-from-scratch ingredients
  • good for breakfast
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. No dinner

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.

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.
Bakery Breakfast Lunch Quick Bite $
472 Village Bay Rd., Mayne Island, British Columbia, V0N 2J0, Canada
250-539–2323
Known For
  • baked goods
  • breakfast
  • daily pizza
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner

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.
Bakery Breakfast Lunch $ Quick Bite
180 1st St., Tofino, British Columbia, V0R 2Z0, Canada
250-725–3915
Known For
  • cinnamon buns
  • breakfast pizza
  • popular with locals
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.

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.
Burger Breakfast Lunch Quick Bite $
1371 MacKinnon Rd., Pender Island, British Columbia, V0N 2M1, Canada
250-629–3292
Known For
  • outdoor seating
  • good for kids
  • huge burgers
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Fri. No dinner

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.

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.

Wildside Grill

$$

Just steps away from the popular Tacofino truck is another take-out shack, Wildside Grill, where a commercial fisherman and a chef have joined forces to keep Tofitians and visitors supplied with straight-from-the-dock, panko-crusted fish-and-chips, plus juicy fish and beef burgers. Gather a beach picnic, or enjoy a meal under the shade of Wildside's driftwood gazebo. Advance orders are taken by phone. Open until 9 pm.