Every year my family and I visit Tofino, and as big foodies, we’ve made it our mission to explore the local food scene. Here is my guide to the best places to eat in beautiful Tofino, BC!
It has become an annual tradition for our family every June to take a trip to Tofino to kick off the summer. Unlike previous years, we really relaxed this time and planned a little more of our meals. It turned out to be one of our best vacations ever.
You get so few opportunities to go out to dinner on a typical vacation (there are only so many nights after all), so I now plan and make reservations in advance to make sure every meal is the best experience possible. As a family of foodies, it’s something we really enjoy and look forward to. If you have the chance to go to Tofino, I hope this short list will help make your decision easier. Because it sucks when everyone is hungry trying to call where to have dinner, right?
Our family guides in Tofino
Tofino holds a special place in our hearts and years of visiting with our boys have woven key childhood memories that will be cherished forever. While it’s not the easiest place to get to (8 hour drive plus 2 ½ hour ferry ride from Kelowna), it’s 100% worth the effort. Tofino is meditation in a destination. Although words cannot describe it, I have written a few blogs to share what we have learned and experienced over the years:
Where to stay in Tofino
We have stayed at many places in Tofino over the years, and by far, this is our favorite Pacific Sands Resort. Slam dunk.
This place is so perfect that you don’t even have to leave the resort (of course, you’ll want to check out Tofino, but you could park here for a week and be happy). The rustic luxury resort located on the edge of Cox Bay features suites and beach houses with stunning panoramic ocean views and a soft sandy beach.
What is the best unit at Pacific Sands?
This is a trick question: they are ALL the best. No joke, the view is fantastic. My favorite so far? Unit 24, which is a 3 story beachfront unit with 2 fireplaces, full kitchen, laundry and hot tub. They think of everything from waterproofs to a fully stocked kitchen. The only thing I wish we had brought was a set of small speakers to listen to music.
How to book in Tofino
If you are coming to Tofino during the summer months you really need to make a reservation. We’ve made the mistake of trying to wing it before, and it’s a crash and burn. The food scene is great, so make reservations well in advance to avoid FOMO. Most parts used The K for their reservation system.
The 7 best restaurants in Tofino
These are, as of this writing, our favorite restaurants in Tofino:
1. Jeju: Tucked away in the heart of Tofino, this quaint Korean restaurant blew us away the moment we walked through the door. I can’t remember the last time I was impressed in a restaurant. I ordered the ginger cocktail and we tried almost everything on the menu: the kids loved it too! Try the Bulgolgi and ditch the Galbi short ribs if that’s your thing. The Mandu (dumplings) were also great.
2. Wolf in the fog. Simply top notch. If you’re a fan of epic cocktails, this is the place for you. I love the creative presentation and unique twist on their drink menu (they had me on the rhubarb ribbon bow shown below), a claim to fame. Order the shrimp rolls served in homemade garlic buns with a hint of tarragon, and try the curried Thai cod if they have it on the menu.
3. The Great Room at Long Beach Lodge: I highly recommend taking the time to visit them for breakfast where you can enjoy the view of the surfers while enjoying great coffee and a meal. If they have Mushroom Hash on the menu, it was 10/10. If you’re looking for a bite to eat or a place to enjoy happy hour on a sunny day, look no further than the Sandbar restaurant located right off the beach: it’s a hidden gem.
4. The hangar: Think Cactus Club, but even more relaxed. We love coming here to sit outside on a sunny day where we can people watch and enjoy the great casual food menu. I love their Crispy Tofu. Grab an ice cream cone by the building on the way out if you have a sweet tooth.
5. Surfside: Our friend Jeff owns this takeout style restaurant located on the Pacific Sands property and we’re big fans. The fish tacos and fish and chips rival the best we’ve had, and the seafood is as fresh as it gets. The best part is that you can enjoy your meal with a cold beer or a paper glass of wine by one of the many fires surrounded by colorful Adirondack chairs. It’s casual dining at its best, where you’ll find many of the guests still in salty wetsuits fresh from the surf. Oh, and they have killer breakfast sandwiches!
6. Basic Goodness Pizzeria: Real neopolitan style pizza with a great story of the founder, we really enjoyed our dining experience here. While I wish they had a few more wine options on the menu, the pizza was world class.
7. Tacofino: No list of places to eat in Tofino would be complete without Tacofino. Lines for this famous food truck are LONG in the summer: just be prepared.
If you are in the mood for good food, The Pointe Restaurant provides an elevated and refined experience: I find it less kid-friendly.
We also enjoyed our meal at Talky Talky, a Japanese food truck located right next door Tofino Brewing Company (we rented bikes at Pacific Sands Tofino Bike Co and drove there). Roar obviously worth checking out (at Zed Hotel), as it is Pluvio in Uclulet, but we just haven’t dined at either place yet.
How to get around Tofino
If you’re visiting Tofino, download it Beach Rides app first. It’s basically the Uber for the island. There are also taxi companies, but this was the most convenient way to get around.
