Diners' Choice: Neighbourhood gem restaurants in Vancouver Island

OpenTable

Updated 05 January 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighbourhood gems in Vancouver Island? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Atelier by Matt Jackson

4.8

4.8 (334)

CAN$51 and over

French

Sidney

About the restaurant

Atelier by Matt Jackson | Elevated Dining In Sidney.

Marrying approachable elegance with hand-crafted cocktails, a global wine list, and an evocative dining experience, Atelier features French-inspired cuisine informed by the fresh and hyper-local ingredients of the Saanich Peninsula and surrounding areas.

We are fortunate on Vancouver Island to have some of the most incredible organic and local producers in the country and access to some of the world’s best fish and seafood. At Atelier, we draw inspiration from our local producers, fisherman, and farmers to serve you the freshest ingredients.

Top review

Valerie

Dined 3 days ago

Went there for happy hour and ate pretty much everything on the menu - the food was all delicious, the cocktails were outstanding, and the service was friendly and welcoming. Will definitely be back!

Meraki

4.8

4.8 (20)

CAN$30 and under

Modern European

Campbell River

About the restaurant

Internationally inspired plant based food served in the most wonderful set up. Located in the new Pier 1 building in downtown Campbell River.

Top review

Kyle

Dined on 22 Dec 2024

Great Atmosphere! Lovely Food & cocktail menu. Service was amazing and prices are valued well. Thanks! we will be back

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Experience

Bouquet at table

The Arbutus Room at Brentwood Bay Resort and Spa

4.6

4.6 (306)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

Central Saanich

About the restaurant

Victoria's premier oceanfront dining destination, exclusively for guests aged 16 and older, situated at the stunning Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa, just 20 minutes from downtown Victoria. Immerse yourself in the warmth of our crackling fireplace or unwind on our heated seaside patios. Experience a fresh take on Pacific Rim cuisine, crafted from seasonally inspired ingredients sourced from the ocean and cultivated locally on Vancouver Island. Delight in a tempting array of flavors, colors, and textures, perfectly complemented by the finest wines from British Columbia and around the world.

Open daily for breakfast & dinner 7 days a week.

Head Chef: Matt Cusano
Director of Food & Beverage: Adam Ames
Assistant Director/Sommelier of Food & Beverage: Adriano Cartuliares

Top review

Sean

Dined 6 days ago

The New Year’s Day brunch was incredible. The staff were amazing and the ambiance was inviting!

Match Eatery & Public House - Courtenay

4.6

4.6 (281)

CAN$30 and under

Contemporary Canadian

Courtenay

About the restaurant

MATCH Eatery & Public House has combined the welcoming and social traditions of a neighbourhood pub with the high-energy of a lively sports bar. The big game, the family celebrations, or social gatherings with friends... our casual and upbeat atmosphere is ideal for any occasion. Whatever your great night out looks like, we'll match it with our creative comfort food, cold libations and exciting entertainment.

Top review

Julienne

Dined on 6 Dec 2024

superb experience. food was great! service was excellent

Bayside Restaurant and Lounge

4.6

4.6 (1042)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Canadian

Parksville

About the restaurant

Experience West Coast luxury, at the Bayside Restaurant and Lounge. We are proud to be one of Parksville’s premier dining experiences, showcasing the best of local ingredients, sophisticated flavours and graceful service. We are winners of OpenTable's Diners' Choice for 2024 and welcome you to enjoy the fresh flavours of the area created by Chef Justin Feng and his culinary team.

Top review

DaveVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Absolutely wonderful experience! Price was reasonable serice was impeccable…great table,, large portions..(bit cool by the window)..drinks were great.. thanks to Rhianoonon? Who was a lot of fun!! Will be back for sure!!!

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Popular dish

Seafood Chowder

Popular dish

Chocolate Cake Indulgence

Popular dish

Mushroom Ravioli

Roar

4.6

4.6 (720)

CAN$30 and under

Canadian

Tofino

About the restaurant

ROAR is a restaurant rooted in rebellion. We honour the rebellious history of Tofino and we proudly rebel against the status quo. It’s the waves crashing and raging flames. It’s the roar of a rebellious nature.

This isn’t like any other restaurant. We cook with live fire, and all of our food and beverage is inspired by the local people, makers and ingredients of Tofino.

Just as you would gather with friends around the campfire, we invite you to get comfy here while we share the stories behind every one of our menu items as the fire roars in the background.

VIEW MENUS

Top review

Barbara

Dined 4 days ago

Five star experience in a casual environment providing outstanding food and service. Highly recommend!!!

Timber Room Grill at Crown Isle

4.5

4.5 (158)

CAN$30 and under

Grill

Courtenay

About the restaurant

The Timber Room Bar & Grill offers a deliciously wonderful “gastro-pub” menu in a newly renovated space. From steaks to salmon, teriyaki bowls to tacos, burgers and ribs, our menu has been designed to please all! Family-friendly and open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (dependent on season, please see current hours below). The ambiance is playful and social – full of logging memorabilia, live sports on the multiple screens, great music playing in the background, and a cozy fireplace section. When the weather warms up, the Comox Valley’s largest and most scenic patio overlooking the 18th green welcomes golfers, hotel guests, and local patrons alike. Come for a beverage, stay for a meal.

Top review

Maureen

Dined 2 days ago

We always enjoy dining at the Timber Room. We bring our family and friends too!!

The Beach Club Resort Restaurant & Lounge

4.5

4.5 (217)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Seafood

Parksville

About the restaurant

Our restaurant sets the stage with bragging rights to Parksville’s best beachfront patio with direct boardwalk access and spectacular ocean views. For breakfast, lunch and dinner, our new menu is so versatile it accommodates all occasions from special celebrations to casual comfort. And with direct proximity to the Pacific Ocean, many menu items feature Ocean Wise seafood (as it should).

Top review

Amie

Dined on 28 Dec 2024

We did their seasonal dome tent experience and it was lovely, which is also why it was quiet. Inside the restaurant is louder. The dome was lovely, the food amazing, the staff were lovely, will do it again.

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Experience

Lunch Dome Dining (11am-2:45pm Daily)

Experience

Dinner Dome Dining - Dome 1 (5pm or 7:30pm)

Experience

Dinner Dome Dining - Dome 2 (5:15pm or 7:45pm)

Mattone Italian Kitchen

4.1

4.1 (31)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Italian

Campbell River

About the restaurant

Join us at our brand new location, Mattone Italian Kitchen at Salmon Point Resort! Our brand new restaurant space is set against the stunning landscapes of British Columbia. Enjoy modern Italian cuisine in our casual counter-service waterfront location. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Top review

Tim

Dined 4 days ago

Food is excellent ! menu is limited. Service is a catch for me. You order at the counter but food is brought to the table. Would rather table ordering as you tip at time of placing your order but have no idea if you’re going to get good service. Always have and the staff have been great, but….Have to start brining cash so I can tip at the table after I eat. I’m old school and BC Canada has a $17.30 minimum age so to me,tips are earned with exceptional service not by existing on planet earth. On another note, place can get very loud if busy to the point its hard to have a conversation, but an amazing view. Saying all this I really enjoy the food and staff and go pretty regularly.

Sawmill Taphouse

4.0

4 (137)

CAN$30 and under

Canadian

Chemainus

About the restaurant

WELCOME TO SAWMILL TAPHOUSE AND GRILL

WHAT’S ALL THE BUZZ ABOUT?
Pacific Northwest craft beers, forno oven pizzas. Authentic farm-to-table tapas and appetizers in an incredible atmosphere.
JOIN US!

Top review

Joy

Dined on 30 Dec 2024

We were seated promptly- booths are very roomy and comfortable-we enjoyed a fry bread starter, fish tacos and two different pizzas- the service was attentive. The bar menu is extensive with many choices for draft beer. I would recommend the Sawmill Tap!

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