11 Best Restaurants in Vancouver Island, British Columbia

We've compiled the best of the best in Vancouver Island - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island

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