4 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.

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.

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, Canada
250-725–2341
Known For
  • fresh seafood
  • fish tacos
  • international street food influence
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed. No dinner

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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.