Olde School Coffee
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Fodor's choice
A local favorite, stop by this former schoolhouse for a steaming latte, iced mocha, handmade sandwich, or a snack.
11 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.
Drumroaster Coffee Co.
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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
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This food truck at the Sturdies Bay Ferry Terminal offers a unique combination of German and Indonesian takeout and all-day breakfast.
Recommended Fodor's Video
Salt Spring Coffee
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The Ganges location of this popular local organic coffee, which is sold all around Vancouver Island and Vancouver, is the flagship café and roastery where it all began in 1996. Stop by for an organic brew and tasty treat. A bag of their fair trade coffee also makes a thoughtful gift to bring home.
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.
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.
Sunny Mayne Bakery Café
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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.
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.
The Common Loaf Bake Shop
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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.
The Stand
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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.
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.
