Our Favourite Restaurants in Qualicum Beach
Qualicum Beach is one of our favourite spots to eat on Vancouver Island, a dreamy pleasantville hotspot in comparison to Nanaimo. Qualicum Beach has plenty to offer when it comes to fine dining and top notch casual dining experiences. With its relaxed atmosphere and stunning ocean views, it’s no wonder why this cosy coastal community is home to several exceptional restaurants. From fresh seafood caught off the shore to creative dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients, these eateries offer something for everyone. Here are some of the best restaurants in Qualicum Beach that deserve your money.
Header Image Source: The Shady Rest Facebook
De L’île Restaurant
Located next door to the incredibly aesthetic Pink Label salon, De L’île Restaurant is a bakery by day and fine dining restaurant by night with a menu that takes full advantage of local ingredients. If you’re popping by during the day, we recommend the pistachio chocolate croissants, mustard grilled cheese and fresh pretzels. With a 6 course tasting menu priced affordably at just $70 per person, try your best to get a dinner reservation as early as possible.
Address: 129 W 2nd Ave, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1S7
Phone: (778) 953-5034
Qualicum Beach Cafe
Qualicum Beach Cafe is the sister restaurant to Water St Cafe in Gastown, Vancouver. If you’ve ever been to Water St, expect a similar vibe: excellent service, classy and a wine list that would make any aficionado happy. You can enjoy West Coast cuisine with an Italian twist at Qualicum Beach Cafe.
If the weather permits (and you’re a little lucky), get a waterfront table on their outdoor patio for a more romantic experience. We suggest starting with the yuzu vinaigrette oysters before diving into something more unctuous like the mushroom gnocchi, spaghetti vongole, surf and surf or seafood tower.
Address: 2690 Island Highway W Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1G8
Phone: (250) 752-8146
Giovanni’s Ristorante & Lounge
Italian-Canadian fusion at its finest, Giovanni’s Ristorante is an ideal spot for a birthday dinner, anniversary or treat-yourself night out. Whether you’re a pasta lover or have a craving for pizza, Giovanni’s is sure to satisfy your tastebuds. We liked the mussels fra diavolo to start and split the linguini pescatore and Giovanni’s combo pizza as our main attraction.
Address: 180 W 2nd Ave, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 2T5
Phone: (250 752-6693
Social: Facebook
Bistro 694
Bistro 694 is a fine dining restaurant originally located in Kitsilano. With a globally-inspired vision, Bistro 694 recreates dishes using local ingredients. Simply put, it’s one of the best restaurants in Qualicum Beach and that’s saying a lot. Their pork tenderloin medallions are to die for and the kashmiri butter chicken is out of this world.
Address: 694 Memorial Ave, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1T7
Phone: (250) 752-0301
Social: Facebook
Black Bird Schnitzel Haus
Black Bird Schnitzel Haus is a German-Bavarian style restaurant with no clear challenger in Qualicum Beach, making them really stand out from the crowd. If you’re looking for authentic German dishes, this is the place for you. We recommend trying the homemade pretzels, spaetzle, garnelen and of course, the coveted jaeger schnitzel.
Address: 3298 Island Hwy W, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 2C6
Phone: (250) 752-8500
Social: Facebook
Final Approach Restaurant
Aptly named, Final Approach Restaurant is located at the Qualicum airport terminal with a menu consisting of brunch and dinner classics. With a relaxing atmosphere where you can watch planes land and take off, Final Approach is an experience you have to give a shot at least once. Try the Captain’s Burger, eggs benny and Mediterranean flatbread.
Address: 3-1000 Ravensbourne Ln, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1P9
Phone: (250) 752-8966
Shore Restaurant
Shore is a seasonal restaurant, closing down for the winter season and open when the birds are tweeting. Thanks to its stunning location, delicious cuisine, and welcoming staff, Shore is a highly sought-after restaurant in Qualicum Beach. You can’t go wrong with their world-class fish and chips!
Address: 2831 Island Hwy W, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 2C4
Phone: (250) 752-1249
Q Burger
One of 2 burger joints in town worth checking out, Q Burger is a family-friendly restaurant with a kid’s menu that slaps. The Q-Boom is a classic and the Hotzza Mozza was one of our favourites. For something truly different, order the Royal Q Burgerrito, which is exactly what it sounds like: a burger wrapped in a baked tortilla. If you’re lucky enough to not be driving, grab one of their Caesar’s; they’re among the best on the island.
Address: 109 W 2nd Ave, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1S7
Phone: (250) 898-3450
Bigfoot Burgers
Bigfoot Burgers is home to a smash burgers with simple, but punchy flavours. The Big Kahuna burger is excellent if you’re a fan of sweet and meaty burgers. For something spicy, we recommend the 5 Alarm, which has fried jalapenos and forest fire sauce.
Address: 3680 Alberni Hwy, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1V5
Phone: (250) 752-3663
Fern + Cedar Brewing Company
Fern + Cedar is one of my favourite Island breweries and their restaurant is no slouch either. Tell your server what kinds of beer you prefer and roll the dice on a flight of their choice. Their sichuan shrimp and lobster lettuce wraps are really something else and our favourite thing on the menu was their fried chicken sandwich served with buttermilk ranch.
Address: 680 Berwick Rd S #101, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1R2
Phone: (250) 594-0052
Sushi Hama
The spot to get sushi in Qualcium Beach, Sushi Hama is a cosy hole-in-the-wall restaurant with a big reputation. The owners are super friendly and can help you pinpoint the exact rolls that will satisfy. Aside from the high quality sushi rolls, nigiri and sashimi, you should also consider trying their udon.
Address: 221 W 2nd Ave, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 2S5
Phone: (250) 594-9961
Social: Facebook
Shady Rest
Shady Rest is 3 things in one: pub, restaurant and liquor store. While this doesn’t sound like a winning combination, it absolutely is. Their restaurant is casual, waterfront and seafood all across the menu. Enjoy their panoramic view of the water while eating clam chowder, sous vide octopus, fisherman’s pie or even one of their delicious pizzas. If you can’t decide on a main dish right away, we suggest grabbing an order of deep fried pickles to start.
Address: 3109 Island Hwy W, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 2C5
Phone: (250) 752-9111
Final Thoughts
Visiting Qualicum Beach is a great opportunity for food-lovers to explore the local delicacies. There are a wide variety of restaurants that offer delicious dishes, from traditional Canadian fare to exotic international cuisine.
With its beautiful beaches and charming streets, Qualicum Beach provides an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner with your special someone, or simply want to sample some of the amazing foods this town has to offer, there’s something here for everyone. So come explore the culinary delights of Qualicum Beach—you won’t regret it!
