5 Best Restaurants in Vancouver Island, British Columbia

This bright bistro sits over the water at the Mill Bay Marina and is a lovely spot for lunch or dinner, with breathtaking views from every table through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Part of the Bridgmans Family of Restaurants (other outposts are on Pender Island and in Port Renfrew), the vibe here is west-coast casual. Enjoy local fare straight from the boat or off the farm as you watch kayakers and paddleboarders glide by. If you're lucky, you may even see a whale.

A winding drive along the water past towering trees brings you to this waterfront eatery. Tucked on the dock at picturesque Genoa Bay, the small bistro offers a Pacific Northwest–inspired menu showcasing the bounty of Vancouver Island. Lunch is served on weekends on the scenic deck overlooking the bay.

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.

This big, bustling spot on the edge of town draws both locals and visitors for burgers, chowder, and fish-and-chips for lunch, and dinners of shucked oysters, pan-seared salmon, and grilled rib eyes. Chef Matty Kane's handmade fettuccini with freshly caught mussels and side-striped prawns has been on the menu from the start and is his personal fave. Choose from the upbeat pub vibe in the lofty wood-beamed first-floor lounge, or opt for a more serene dining experience, with sea views, in the upper-floor restaurant. The restaurant's newer laid-back sister property, Shed, is just down the road in the center of town.

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.