7 Best Restaurants in Vancouver Island, British Columbia

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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.

Pizzeria Prima Strada

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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, BC, V0R 1L3, Canada
250-929–4655
Known For
  • Traditional calzone
  • Seasonal flavors of gelato and sorbetto
  • Take-out available
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon. and Tues.

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Shirley Delicious

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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, BC, V9Z 1G4, Canada
778-528–2888
Known For
  • Favorite with locals
  • Made-from-scratch ingredients
  • Good for breakfast
Restaurant Details
Closed Tues. No dinner

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Sturdies Bay Bakery and Cafe

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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.

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Tacofino

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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, BC, V0R 2Z0, Canada
250-726–8288
Known For
  • Fresh, healthy ingredients
  • Mexican-inspired beach food
  • Original food truck location
Restaurant Details
No dinner

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The Tree House Café

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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., BC, V8K 2S5, Canada
250-537–5379
Known For
  • Live music in summer
  • Hip outdoor café
  • Big breakfasts
Restaurant Details
Reservations not accepted

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True Grain Bakery

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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, BC, V0R 1N0, Canada
250-746–7664
Known For
  • European-style baked goods
  • Local favorite
  • Copenhagen Swirl signature pastry
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon. and Tues.

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Wildside Grill

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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.