23 Best Restaurants in British Columbia, Canada

Boom + Batten

$$$ | Vic West Fodor's choice

Located along the Songhees Westsong Walkway, adjacent to the new Victoria International Marina, the views match the food at this waterfront restaurant. Its bakery-café offers sweet and savory treats for walkers and coffee aficionados, and the restaurant menu is a combination of charcuterie boards and terrines for sharing, wood-fired-oven pizzas, raw options like scallop with pickled beet citrus vinaigrette, marinated octopus and ceviches, as well as pastas and imaginative takes on classics such as duck Bolognese. The entire space is bold and modern with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Inner Harbour from an outer harbor vantage—provided there isn't a multimillion-dollar yacht in the sightline. Late night munchies? This is the spot. Picnicking? Then order a Boom Box (for delivery or pick up) filled with culinary delights.

Agrius

$$ | Downtown

Half the space is a cozy café with soup, sandwiches, and amazing pastries from Fol Epi, one of the city's best bakeries; the other half is a tiny restaurant and bar. Either way, food is focused on organic locavorism and both are great to satiate hunger pangs.

Basalt Wine & Salumeria

$$$
This trendy spot has an impressive wine list, fun happy hour, and outstanding outdoor patio (which they keep open in the winter with heated lamps). Popular dishes include the Cornish game hen with collard greens, roasted sockeye salmon, and the glazed pork belly with caramelized onion and yam hash. They also serve lunch every day in winter and brunch on weekends.
13--154 Village Green, Whistler, British Columbia, V0N 1B4, Canada
604-962–9011
Known For
  • cheese fondue in the fall and winter
  • in-house made charcuterie
  • locally sourced menu
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No lunch in the summer

Recommended Fodor's Video

Christine's on Blackcomb

$$$
On-mountain dining is surprisingly accessible to those without skis. On Blackcomb Mountain, there's Christine's, offering classic dishes such as crab risotto or fish curry. Once only accessible to skiers, now you can get here via the gondola from Whistler. Because of this, most patrons tend to be decked out in full snow gear.
Blackcomb Mountain, British Columbia, V0N 1B4, Canada
604-938–7437
Known For
  • located at the eye of Blackcomb Mountain’s skiing
  • open in the summer
  • seafood-forward menu
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No dinner; closed spring and fall

Cilantro Cafe

$

On a sunny day, there's no better place to grab a coffee and house-baked cookie or a light lunch than at the newish log cabin next to the bridge at the Emerald Lake Lodge entry houses. The patio with its bright yellow umbrella tables has stunning views of the lake, and the interior is equally stunning with sweeping cathedral ceilings, wood accents, and a grand river-stone fireplace. The menu has options like burgers, classic poutine, pizza, and wild game chili. Ingredients are local and the wild game is sourced from their own ranch in the foothills close to Calgary.

Craft Beer Market

$$$ | Downtown

The lofty windows of this power station–turned–brewpub open onto one of Victoria's best waterfront patios, overlooking the kayaking and ferry action on the gorge. The casual, locally sourced menu runs from high-end pub snacks such as chickpea fritters, mussels with chorizo, short-rib tacos with dark ale, and crispy duck confit to flatbread pizzas and good old fish-and-chips. There are plenty of gluten-free options, too. Choose from the adults-only brewpub with several TVs tuned to sports, or the all-ages restaurant—both have water-view patios. And try the beer—the Dark Ale, Pale Ale, India Pale Ale, and other signature creations are brewed the old-fashioned way. There are 110 brews on tap. You can even see the vats from the pub. Reservations are accepted in the restaurant section only.

Elements

$$$

Locals consistently rank Elements, which is found in Summit Lodge, as having the best tapas in the area. It's a hip eatery with everyone from animated thirtysomethings to jet-setting families with young children. The draw here is the open-concept kitchen that produces locally inspired small plates that are perfect for sharing. Steamed Salt Spring Island mussels with lemongrass, Kaffir lime, and coconut green curry are yummy, as are the deconstructed ahi tuna tacos and roast duck breast with maple roasted root vegetables. Pair your small plates with fine Canadian wines. The restaurant is open for breakfast, too, when several variations of eggs Benedict are the stars.

4359 Main St., British Columbia, V0N 1B4, Canada
604-932–5569
Known For
  • gluten-free and vegan menu items
  • fancy food at affordable prices
  • extensive Canadian wine list
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Sun.–Tues. in shoulder seasons

Farmhouse Coffee Shop

$ | Downtown
You might be tempted to dismiss the Farmhouse, with its busy patio and prime Bastion Square location, as a bit of a tourist trap. True, it's popular, but the service is quick and friendly, and the baked goods, wraps, paninis, and pastas are excellent. A water-view and people-watching table right in the action of Bastion Square is irresistible on a summer day.

Glowbal

$$$$

The two-level, bustling eatery never seems to lose its energetic vibe in the seasonal fare it presents or in the patron it attracts. Whether it's a seat at the bar beside the open kitchen, a gathering by the fire, a cozy meal in a booth, or joining the throng on the heated outdoor patio, this place rocks. It's no wonder, given happy hour starts at 2:30. The broad (and sometimes pricey) menu includes a mouthwatering and hearty seafood bouillabaisse, a delicious lobster paella, pasta, and poultry. Beef items run the gamut from a prime Tomahawk (C$149) or a 280-ounce prime rib eye double entrecôte (C$120) to a C$16 burger. The wine and cocktail list is just as diverse. For people watching, head to the mezzanine that overlooks all the action. Glowbal is in the TELUS Garden building, one of Vancouver's greenest buildings. Look up. The glass-ribbed canopy resembles a whale.

Home Block at CedarCreek Estate Winery

$$$$

With amazing views overlooking Okanagan Lake, Home Block, the restaurant located inside Cedar Creek Estate Winery, serves a locally inspired menu alongside limited-edition wines. The menu is always changing, but past favorites include crispy artichokes with mushrooms or sockeye salmon with charred asparagus. In the summer, snag a seat on the amazing outdoor terrace.

Kootenay Park Lodge Dining Room

$

The menu here isn't huge, but there's enough variety that there's something to appeal to everybody's palate. Simple, house-cooked meals made from locally sourced ingredients are served by friendly staff. The ambiance of the 1923 log-constructed lodge is noteworthy, with its open-beam ceiling and soaring river-rock center fireplace. The covered porch offers an outdoor dining option, with stunning views of the nearby forest and mountains. Menu items include signature dishes like the KPL burger, loaded with sautéed mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and crispy bacon, thick-cut smoked grilled pork chops with maple BBQ glaze, and flatbreads. The vegetarian options are notable, especially the lentil apple walnut loaf. There is also a limited menu of BC wines, craft beers, and ciders.

Vermilion Crossing, Kootenay National Park, British Columbia, Canada
250-434--9648
Known For
  • in-house baking, including hamburger buns
  • historical setting
  • down-home cooking
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed mid-Sept.--Mid-May. No lunch

Moon Water Lodge

$$
Step into this log-frame house near the Malahat summit, about 30 minutes north of Victoria, and you'll discover stunningly beautiful, birds-eye views over Finlayson Arm and the Gulf Islands. Open all day, the restaurant is all about local, hormone-free and organic fare alongside comfort-food favorites as well as house-made take-away treats,. Breakfast offers traditional favorites such as eggs benny; lunch selections list casual fare such as burgers, homemade soups and imaginative salads like Roast Beet Quinoa; dinner brings more contemporary meat and seafood dishes: Tuscan style pork chops, apple smoked back ribs, and a mixed seafood linguini. Many items are less that C$15, especially on the Fit & Fab health-conscious menu. The scenery is especially striking from the large outdoor deck, perched 600 feet over Saanich Inlet. If you're tempted to linger, consider staying over in one of the very comfortable rooms.

Mount Burgess Dining Room

$$$$

Part of the Canadian Rocky Mountains Resorts collection, the dining room at Emerald Lake Lodge is famed for its Rocky Mountain cuisine, with roots that go back to the hearty meals prepared by the mountain guides and the fine dining served in the early CPR rail cars. The seasonal menu features selections like free-range elk striploin served with foraged mushroom terrine or seared Skuna Bay salmon for dinner, or breakfast options like a wild boar chorizo breakfast burger; the resort sources its game meat from its own ranch near Calgary. There's an excellent selection of British Columbia and international wines, a good cocktail selection, popular beers and spirits from around the world, and the scotch-lover won't be disappointed with the single-malts. Seating options included window-side with impressive views of the lake, on the porch, or next to the massive stone fireplace.

1 Emerald Lake Rd., Field, British Columbia, Canada
800-663--6336
Known For
  • game meat raised on their own ranch
  • excellent selection of BC and international wines
  • impressive blend of modern dining with elegant, historic surroundings
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No lunch

Q at The Empress

$$$$ | Downtown
Candlelight dances beneath a carved mahogany ceiling at the Fairmont Empress hotel's flagship restaurant, where one of the two gracious rooms has expansive harbor views. The classically influenced Pacific Northwest menu changes seasonally but might feature such appetizers as Angus beef tartare or caramelized scallops and pork. Mains, featuring sustainably sourced meat and seafood, might include roasted Haida Gwaii halibut or butter-poached venison tenderloin. Simply grilled proteins with a choice of sides and sauces are also an option. The service is discreet and attentive and there are more than 800 labels on the wine list. If the weather is fine, the summer-only Veranda serves lunch, cocktails, and early-evening snacks, as well as the best sunset views over the harbor.

RauDZ Regional Table

$$$
Rod Butters, one of BC's best-known chefs, created this contemporary eatery to deliver a culinarily interesting yet casual dining experience. The restaurant's interior is simple, with an open kitchen, a 21-foot communal table, and exposed brick and beams revealing the historic building's architectural roots. The kitchen emphasizes seasonal, locally sourced fare and is not afraid to offer cheeseburgers (topped with artisanal cheddar or blue) alongside more innovative dishes. Look for the carrot-poached lingcod or the braised bison brisket with Okanagan kimchi. If you're into desserts, the "liquid" variety are worth your consideration; a favorite is peach cobbler (bourbon, peaches and cream, and cinnamon). P.S.: The name is pronounced "Rod's."
1560 Water St., British Columbia, V1Y 1J7, Canada
250-868–8805
Known For
  • historic building
  • innovative dishes
  • communal vibe
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations not accepted

Riverside Dining Room

$$$$

In a forest on the edge of the Kicking Horse River, Cathedral Mountain Lodge is a romantic setting for dinner. In a small dining room with lots of windows and wood accents, guests can order gourmet dishes made with fresh local ingredients from a menu that's updated a few times a week and includes items like Alberta grass-fed ribeye, Arctic char with Okanagan tomato salsa, or wild mushroom tagliatelle. There is an extensive carefully curated wine menu with several Canadian and international options. Dinner reservations are required; phone to reserve or do so through OpenTable.

1 Yoho Valley Rd., Field, British Columbia, Canada
250-343--6442
Known For
  • mountain and river views from window-side tables and outdoor terrace
  • local seasonal ingredients
  • constantly changing menu

Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub

$$ | Vic West

Victoria's longest list of handcrafted beers is just one reason to trek over the Johnson Street Bridge or hop a Harbour Ferry to this Vic West waterfront pub. Canada's oldest licensed brewpub, and a popular hangout, Spinnakers relies almost exclusively on locally sourced ingredients for its top-notch casual fare. Opt for the pubby adults-only taproom, with its covered waterfront deck, double-sided fireplace, and wood-beamed ceilings, or dine in the all-ages waterfront restaurant. Either way you can enjoy a great selection of sharing plates alongside high-end pub grub such as mussels steamed in ale, or brick-oven pizzas (try the house-smoked wild salmon or the mushroom and beer). You can also stop by for breakfast, served from 8 am to 2 pm daily, or grab some house-made picnic fixings and malt vinegars at the take-away deli and bakery.

Stanley's Bar and Grill

$$

In a 1911 manor house, this bar and grill with a large patio is very family-friendly, with a menu of burgers, fish, soups, and salads, as well as sharing plates and vegetarian options. The location right in Stanley Park is great, especially mid-bike ride. It overlooks the Rose Garden and is steps from Malkin Bowl, where outdoor theater and concerts are held in summer.

The Arbutus Room

$$$$ | Brentwood Bay

Locally sourced, west coast cuisine is paired with wines from neighboring vineyards at this lovely ocean-view restaurant in the Brentwood Bay Resort. Start with beet and asparagus salad, then opt for halibut with a touch of ginger or one of the beef, lamb, poultry, and vegetarian dishes. The resort's well-known sushi bar is a destination unto itself offering Dynamite Rolls (tempura prawn based) and a Westcoast Roll (tuna and salmon with avocado) among others. Liquid desserts, as in a Mocha Expresso Martini, are hot favorites among traditional choices of pies, mousses, and sorbets. A big fireplace, two-story-high windows, and a wonderful array of Canadian art warm the interior; outside, a heated patio takes in views of Saanich Inlet. A more casual marina-view pub offers burgers, pizzas, and craft beers at lunch and dinner.

The Fickle Fig

$

Everything here is farm-to-table or items come from local bakeries and orchards. Sandwiches are piled high with flavor, pizzas come directly from the brick oven, and shelves are stacked with produce such as jams, jellies, canned fruit, and veggies. The farm of this outfit is in North Saanich at 1780 Mills Road where meals are a bit more leisurely in a very bright bistro. As you might expect, we're talking pasture raised, non-gmo ingredients from start to finish.

The Patio

$$$

On a lovely terrace looking out over the vineyards at Nk'Mip Cellars, this restaurant offers shady respite from the desert heat. The menu includes salads, cheese plates, and other light meals, and dishes sometimes feature Indigenous influences, such as wild salmon or bison steak. Like many winery dining rooms, this one is outdoors and closes when the weather turns. Although it's primarily a place for lunch, it serves dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings in July and August.

1400 Rancher Creek Rd., British Columbia, V0H 1V0, Canada
250-495–2985
Known For
  • outdoor dining
  • summer dinners
  • Indigenous influences
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Oct.–Apr. No dinner May–June or Sept.; no dinner Sun.–Thurs. in July and Aug.

The Teahouse in Stanley Park

$$$$

The former officers' mess at Ferguson Point in Stanley Park is a prime location for water views by day, and for watching sunsets at dusk. The Pacific Northwest menu is not especially innovative, but its broad appeal will please those looking for local fish, rack of lamb, steaks, and a host of other options, including gluten-free pasta. Various tasting boards—charcuterie, cheese, seafood, and vegetarian options—make for good grazing in the afternoon. In summer you can dine on the patio.

Thunderbird Cafe

$$

Located inside the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, this cozy café serves contemporary food with a First Nations twist—think venison chili, bannock tacos, fish chowder, or smoked salmon panini. You don't need to purchase admission to the museum to access the eatery (but we do recommend checking it out!). It's also located next to the gift shop, so after your meal you can take a stroll through the store.