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Vancouver Island Restaurants

Lighthouse Neighborhood Pub - Vancouver Island
Lighthouse Neighborhood Pub
by canuckmike
Reviews and photos of Vancouver Island restaurants posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Vancouver Island dining.
Local Time 7:54 pm Friday, July 25, 2008
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• Vancouver Island Hotels
Popular Restaurants | Miscellaneous Restaurants Tips | All Tips (21)
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Empress Hotel: High tea at the Empress Hotel
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  • It may be a little excessive and a little expensive (They do say that BC stands for "Bring Cash!) but when visiting Victoria you should indulge in one of Victoria's grandest traditions - Afternoon Tea at Empress.
    For over 95 years, the majestic lobby of this landmark hotel has played host to England's most beloved ritual - the taking of Afternoon Tea.
    Award-winning Pastry Chef enusurean authentic and memorable experience - from Tea through to freshly baked raison scones served with Devon-style double Jersey cream and strawberry preserves. Served in the relaxing atmosphere of their elegant Tea Lobby, overlooking Victoria's sparkling Inner Harbor in the stately Harbourside Room or under the hand-painted ceiling of the Library, Afternoon Tea is an absolute 'must do' for all who visit Victoria.

    TEA!!!!!!!!

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  • Theme: Other
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: more expensive than average
  • Address: 721 Government Street, Victoria, BC
  • Phone: (250) 384-8111
  • Directions: Opposite the harbour and the Captain James Cook statue.
  • Website: www.fairmont.com/empress

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    GOLDEN DRAGON RESTAURANT: CHINESE BUFFET IN PORT ALBERNI
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  • Within walking distance from our motel (Somass Motel), the GOLDEN DRAGON RESTAURANT , was a great choice as we were both in the mood for Chinese food. The all-you-can-eat buffet was well presented with lots of fresh stir-fried meat dishes, the usual egg rolls, fried rice, etc. as well as a soup & salad bar, all for $10.95 per person. Open 7 Days a Week.

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  • Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum
  • Price: less than US$10    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Address: 5023 Johnston Rd. Port Alberni
  • Phone: 1-250-724-4032

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    Killer Whale Café, Telegraph Cove: Where is everybody?
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  • Hot chocolate in the Killer Whale Cafe - Vancouver Island
    Hot chocolate in the Killer
    Whale Cafe
    by toonsarah
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    We had dinner here on both of the evenings of our stay in Telegraph Cove (it’s either that or cook in your cabin, and I always prefer to eat out on holiday), and also had lunch on one of the days. The meals were all excellent – plenty of seafood of course, given the location, but other choices too for non-fish eaters. We also came here for hot chocolate on a rainy afternoon, which was just what we needed!

    The building itself is interesting – a renovated saltery built over the water at the far end of the boardwalk. The wood is a warm yellow cedar, and the warm glow is increased by the copper tables (reminiscent of those found in many English pubs!) and some lovely stained glass windows and doors. Next door, and part of the same building, is the Old Saltery Pub. We headed here for a post-dinner drink on our first evening. Again, the décor is interesting (old photos of Telegraph Cove and a 3-ton engine that once generated power for the village) but the pub was totally lacking in atmosphere as we were the only customers – at about 8.30 in the evening. We did have one drink, in the hope that others would arrive, but instead the barmaid demonstrated how keen she was for us to leave by counting the takings and sighing loudly until we did so. On our second evening it was worse – the pub was closed! The website invites you to “Come in to share tales of the fish you caught and the even bigger ones that got away or tell everyone about the Orcas, dolphins, and eagles you've seen.” So presumably there is some life to the place sometimes!

    On our second morning we discovered another downside to this place – we wanted breakfast but found that it didn’t open until 10.00 AM so had to make do with muffins bought from the general store and eaten in our cabin.

    According to my diary I particularly enjoyed the salmon with teriyaki prawns I had on the first evening – but I don’t know if that’s still on the menu!

  • Theme: Pub/Brewery
  • Price: US$21-30    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Directions: Telegraph Cove is 11 kilometres from Hwy. 19 via Beaver Cove Road – 4 hours drive from Nanaimo
  • Website: http://www.telegraphcoveresort.com/telegraphcovedining.html

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    Rainforest Cafe, Tofino: Cool venue, great food
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  • I’d read good reviews of this place, reputed to be one of the best in town, so we tried to go on our first evening in town, only to find them fully booked. We were lucky to be able to book for the next evening instead, and were very glad we did. The cuisine I guess would be described as fusion or Pacific Rim, and everything we ate was absolutely delicious. The ambiance is fairly laid-back and casual, and it lacks the great views of some of the other restaurants in Tofino (like the Schooner) but don’t let that put you off – this is really good food!

    I ate prawns served with a Thai dipping sauce, linguine with red snapper and mussels, and a passion fruit mousse – all delicious.

  • Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
  • Price: US$31-40    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: more expensive than average
  • Address: 101-120 Fourth Street, Tofino BC V0R 2Z0
  • Phone: 250 725 2215

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    The Schooner on Second: Stylish and scrumptious!
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  • We ate here on our first evening in Tofino. It’s a large, older building on Campbell Street, the main road through town, and is up a slight incline, giving it wonderful views of the water beyond the town.

    I’ve put a full review on my Tofino page, but should mention here that the food was fantastic, though it doesn’t come cheap! Our bill, with wine, came to $110 (Canadian) – judging by a website I think you’d pay more like $130 now, but it would be worth it!

    Hard to choose between my tandoori halibut and Chris’s dessert of a trio of chocolate truffles served on a platter specially created for the restaurant by a local artist - although the latter definitely took the prize for presentation!

  • Theme: Eclectic/International
  • Price: US$41 and up    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: most expensive
  • Address: 331 Campbell Street, Tofino, V0R 2Z0
  • Phone: 250 725 3444
  • Directions: On the corner of Campbell Street and Second, hence the name!
  • Website: http://www.schoonerrestaurant.com/

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    Lighthouse on the Water, Nanaimo: Great harbourside setting
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  • Lighthouse Bistro's leaflet - Vancouver Island
    Lighthouse Bistro's
    leaflet
    by toonsarah
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    This restaurant’s biggest selling point is the lovely setting, although the food was pretty good too. It’s on the waterfront in Nanaimo, the town where we landed in our ferry from mainland BC and spent our first night on the island. The building juts out into the harbour so there are views all round, and is arranged over two floors, one the restaurant and one a welcoming pub (with snacks available as a lighter alternative to a full meal in the restaurant). There’s also a deck overlooking the water, although we found the evening a little chilly for outside dining. We were pleased though to get a table by a window and to watch the boats come and go as we ate a lovely meal. I had some excellent Cajun oysters, which judging by the website are unfortunately no longer offered. We followed our meal with a drink in the pub – great tequila sunrises.

    Mains currently run from $13 - $25 (Canadian) which I think are reasonable prices for this quality of food and great location.

  • Theme: Seafood
  • Price: US$21-30    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Address: 50 Anchor Way, Nanaimo, V9R 7B5
  • Phone: 250 754 3212
  • Directions: Right on the harbour and very hard to miss!
  • Website: http://lighthousebistro.ca/

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    Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge: Great views and great seafood
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  • Main lobby, Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge (bar on the left) - Vancouver Island
    Main lobby, Tsa-Kwa-Luten
    Lodge (bar on the left)
    by toonsarah,
    1 more photos
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    As well as being one of the nicest places to stay, Tsa-Kwa-Luten also gave us one of our tastiest meals. The restaurant at the lodge has lovely picture windows overlooking the water, with views of Vancouver Island beyond, and the food is of a quality to match the views! As you’d expect in this setting, there’s a lot of fish and seafood, but there are also meat and vegetarian options if you prefer them. We shared a plate of crisply fried calamari to start with, and I followed this with great fishcakes served with a Thai dipping sauce. Prices weren’t low but were OK for the quality of the food and the style of the restaurant.

    In warm weather, or at lunch time, you could chose to eat outside on the deck, but although it was July when we visited it was too cool for us to want to do that. Next door to the restaurant, in the stunning main lobby of the lodge, is a bar with a full range of drinks and cocktails – a great place to end your day.

  • Theme: Seafood
  • Price: US$31-40    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: more expensive than average
  • Address: 1 Lighthouse Rd, Quathiaski Cove, V0P 1NO
  • Phone: 250 285 2042
  • Directions: You probably won’t come here to eat unless you’re staying here, but just in case, there are signs to direct you to the Lodge from the ferry landing in Quathiaski Cove (c. 15 minutes drive.
  • Website: http://capemudgeresort.bc.ca/dining.html

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    Spinnaker's: Another great pub in Victoria
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  • Spinnaker's Pub in Victoria - Vancouver Island
    Spinnaker's Pub in Victoria
    by Ann75
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    Spinnakers is first and foremost a micro-brewery, and you will be confronted by this when you walk in the door. The stainless steel tanks in the brew room are right there for everyone to see.

    Spinnakers was the first brew pub licensed in BC - going back to 1984. Not to be outdone by the beer and food, the view of Victoria's Harbour and the Olympic Mountains is superb, and the walking path which follows much of Victoria's shoreline passes right through Spinnaker's front yard.

    If you want the Westcoast experience, sit on the patio, sip a quality brew, and order some seafood. It doesn't get better than this...especially on a sunny summer day.

    The seafood on the menu is second-to-none. Any menu here is delicious and will leave you full and satisfied! The comprehensive selection of high quality beers on tap will serve every taste.

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  • Theme: Local
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Address: 308 Catherine St., Victoria BC V9A 3S8
  • Phone: (250) 386-2739
  • Directions: Take Wharf Street and turn west onto Johnson Street bridge by Market Square. Stay on Esquimalt Road until you see the old red brick train sheds, and then turn left onto Catherine Street.
  • Website: http://www.spinnakers.com/

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    GEORGE'S TAVERNA RESTAURANT: Best Greek Restaurant on Vancouver Island !!!
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  • My favourite Greek restaurant on the Island - Vancouver Island
    My favourite Greek
    restaurant on the Island
    by Lady_Mystique
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    I love Greek food!
    I love going to Greek restaurants to eat Greek food...and sometimes I am fortunate enough to catch a belly-dance (Middle-East) performance too!

    Of all the Greek restaurants I've tried in my time...and there have been many...I have found this one to be the most consistently good!

    The décor is very Greek, but since I've never been to Greece, this is only an educated guess. Anyway, I find it relaxing, the service excellent, and the food delicious!

    I've tried almost all the traditional Greek dishes (even though the restaurant also serves pizzas and Western style food) and have enjoyed every one!

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  • Theme: Other
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Address: 510 Esplanade, Ladysmith, B.C.
  • Phone: (250) 245-2292
  • Directions: At the edge of Ladysmith townsite, on Hwy #1, on the right side heading towards Victoria.

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    The George & Dragon Pub: Great Pub in Victoria
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  • The George & Dragon Pub - Vancouver Island
    The George & Dragon Pub
    by Ann75
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    George & Dragon is located in the heart of Fernwood, this neighborhood pub attracts a crowd almost every night. Good food, drinks and music, nice patio, killer music.

    There is nightly entertainment with no cover charge. All shows start at 8:30pm, Mondays: Improv comedy, Wednesdays: Acoustic open stage, Thursdays: Blues jam, Fridays & Saturdays: Various bands.

    Anything you try here is pretty good, never had a bad experience and enjoyed it very much. Cozy place, fun to be and entertaining!

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  • Theme: Other
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Address: 1302 Gladstone, Victoria
  • Phone: (250)388-4458
  • Directions: 1302 Gladstone at Fernwood

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    More Vancouver Island Tips
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