Best Places to Eat in Tofino

Every year, my family and I make our way back to Tofino, and as self-declared food lovers, discovering the local food scene has become part of the tradition. From cozy coffee spots to fresh-off-the-boat seafood and sunset dinners, here’s our go-to list of the best places to eat in beautiful Tofino, BC.

It has become an annual tradition for our family each June to take a trip to Tofino to kick off summer. Unlike previous years, we really chilled out this time and planned little other than our meals. It turned out to be one of our best vacations ever.

You get so few opportunities to go for dinner on a typical vacation (there are only so many nights after all), which is why I now plan and book ahead to make sure that each meal is the best possible experience. As a family of foodies, it’s something we really enjoy and look forward to. If you happen to have the chance to go to Tofino, I hope this shortlist helps make your decision making easier. Because it sucks when everyone is hangry trying to make the call on where to dine, right?

Our Family Guides to Tofino

Tofino holds a special place in our hearts, and years of visiting with our boys has woven core memories into their childhood that will forever be cherished. While it isn’t the easiest place to get to (8 hours of driving plus a 2 ½-hour ferry ride from Kelowna), it’s 100% worth the effort. Tofino is meditation in a destination. While words can’t describe it, I have written a few blogs to share what we have learned and experienced over the years:

• Our Tofino Guide: How to get there, where to stay and play!
• Tofino Family Vacation 2020
• Tofino Family Vacation 2019

Where to Stay in Tofino

We have stayed at a lot of places in Tofino over the years, and by far, our favourite is Pacific Sands Resort. Slam dunk.

This place is so perfect that you don’t even need to leave the resort (of course, you’ll want to check out Tofino, but you could park yourself here for a week and be happy). The rustic luxury resort nestled on the edge of Cox Bay features suites and beach houses with stunning panoramic ocean views and a soft sandy beach.

How to Make a Reservation in Tofino

If you are coming to Tofino during the summer months, you really need to make dinner reservations. We have made the mistake of trying to wing it in the past, and it’s a crash and burn. The food scene is great, so make reservations far in advance to avoid FOMO. Most places use Tock for their reservation system.

Best Restaurants in Tofino

These are, at the time of writing this, our favourite restaurants in Tofino:

Jeju

This quaint Korean restaurant, tucked away in the heart of Tofino, blew us away the moment we stepped through the door. I can’t remember the last time I was as impressed at a restaurant. I ordered the ginger cocktail, and we almost tried everything on the menu: the kids loved it too! Try the Bulgolgi and splurge on the Galbi short ribs if that’s your kind of thing. The Mandu (dumplings) were also lovely.

Wolf in the Fog

Just top-notch. If you’re a fan of epic cocktails, this is your place. I love the creative presentation and unique twist to their drink menu (they had me at the rhubarb ribbon bow shown below).

The Great Room at Long Beach Lodge

I highly recommend making the time to visit for breakfast where you can take in the view of the surfers while enjoying delicious coffee and a meal. If they have the Mushroom Hash on the menu, it was a 10/10. If you’re looking for a nibble or a place to enjoy happy hour on a sunny day, look no further than their Sandbar restaurant located just off the beach: it’s a hidden gem.

Surfside Grill

Our buddy Jeff owns this take-out style restaurant located on the property of Pacific Sands, and we are big fans. The fish tacos and fish and chips rival the best we have 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 paper glass of wine cozied up to one of the many fire pits surrounded by colourful Adirondack chairs. It’s casual dining at its finest, where you’ll find many of the guests still in salty wetsuits fresh from surfing. Oh, and they have killer breakfast sandwiches!

Rhino Coffee House

This is our go-to coffee and snack stop. Great coffee, the best donuts (my pick: the maple bacon), and hearty breakfast sandwiches to fuel a full day of exploring. It’s casual, cozy, and right downtown; super easy to pop into with kids.

Basic Goodness Pizzeria

True Neopolitan-style pizza with a lovely back-story to the founder, we really loved our dining experience here. While I wish they had a few more wine options on the menu, the pizza was world-class.

Ombré

Tucked just off the main stretch, this Mediterranean-inspired spot has a relaxed, coastal feel that still feels a little elevated. The small plates were fresh and creative (the seafood was incredible), and we lucked out with happy hour, which made it even sweeter. The oversized fries and appies are awesome.

The Shed

Right in the heart of town, this cozy spot has something for everyone. Burgers, bowls, fries, local beer… it’s casual, fast, and kid-approved. My boys devoured the burgers: I didn’t love my salad so would stick to the burgers. They have the BEST soft serve ice cream around the side of the restaurant! Perfect after a beach day or a skate park session.

Tacofino

No list of places to eat in Tofino would be complete without Tacofino. Line ups for this famous food truck are LONG in the summer: just be prepared.

Wildside Grill

If you’re after that classic West Coast take-out shack vibe, this is your spot. Their fish tacos and panko-crusted cod burgers are legendary, and the portions are generous. You can grab lunch here and take it to the beach. Bonus: there’s picnic seating and a surf shop next door.

Shelter Restaurant

This one’s a little more “dinner out” but still totally relaxed. It’s set right along the inlet with cozy lighting and a local, seasonal menu. It’s a great place to order seafood pasta and local salmon with a good kids’ menu. Definitely one to reserve in advance!

If you are in the mood for fine dining, The Pointe Restaurant provides an elevated and sophisticated experience: I find it less kid-friendly for the record.

We also enjoyed our meal at Toki Doki, a Japanese food truck located right beside the Tofino Brewing Company (we rented bikes at Pacific Sands Tofino Bike Co and rode there). Roar is apparently worth checking out (in the Hotel Zed), as is Pluvio in Ucluelet but we simply haven’t dined at either place yet.

How to Get a Ride in Tofino

If you’re visiting Tofino, download the Coastal Rides app first. It’s essentially Uber for the Island. There are cab companies too, but this was the most convenient way to get around.