Guides
Savour the Sunshine Coast: A Dining Guide to BC's Coastal Gems
The Sunshine Coast feels like a tucked-away corner of British Columbia that locals would rather keep to themselves. But once you arrive, you’re part of the rhythm: ferry rides, forest walks, and feasts. This gastronomic guide takes you on a journey through 11 of the best spots that capture the region’s charm, one plate at a time.
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From the mainland, one can only get to the Sunshine Coast by air or by ferry—and whether you’re a resident of nearby Vancouver visiting for a day trip or an international traveller seeing the coast for the first time, there’s something about that plane or ferry ride that makes you feel like you’re in another world. It’s a world of easygoing locals, ancient forests and lively waterways in every direction. Exploring works up an appetite, and this region delivers when it comes to restaurants: there’s upscale date-worthy dining, cute cafes, laidback bars and more. Read on for 11 restaurants that will satisfy your Sunshine Coast hunger, moving from south to north: first Gibsons, then Sechelt, Madeira Park and Egmont.
SMITTY'S OYSTER HOUSE
This oceanside restaurant Smitty's Oyster House is famous on and off of the coast. It’s an ex-marine repair shop, and maintains rustic charm as well as a menu that’s bursting with the treasures of the sea (think crab cakes, mussels, tuna tartare, prawns, steelhead trout, sablefish and of course, lots and lots of oysters). Get oysters pan-fried with spicy remoulade to share—don’t be shellfish. 643 School Rd., Gibsons
THE PINK HOUSE BISTRO
No wayfinding issues here: The Pink House Bistro looks exactly as you’d expect. This art-filled, adorable restaurant encourages family-style dining with dishes like hummus, fried haloumi, fried chicken and Jerusalem fries (they’re topped with Jerusalem salt and charred lime and served with harissa mayo). 280 Gower Point Rd., Gibsons
THE STATION TAPAS AND WINE BAR
It’s always exciting when a new restaurant opens, but The Station Tapas & Wine Bar’s loft ceilings and exposed brick give it a very New York vibe—it’s a fun departure from other eateries on the Coast. The menu includes saffron tomato Cornish Hen, endive with cured anchovy and caviar with black pepper vodka cream. It’s a date-night no-brainer. 259 Gower Point Rd., Gibsons
SUNDAY CIDER AND SEA MONKEY COFFEE
This is a two-in-one destination that feels like a secret forest hideaway. Just off the main Sunshine Coast Highway, Sunday Cider is a brave little cidery that serves delicious small-batch apple cider, and a neighbouring tiny trailer is home to Sea Monkey Coffee, a vegan café on wheels. Get an iced black sesame latte from Sea Monkey and a bottle of bubbly Sunday Sesh for later. 1632 Sunshine Coast Hwy., Gibsons,
THE BAKERY
Good luck not getting overwhelmed at The Bakery’s display case piled high with fresh muffins, cookies, pastries, cakes and sandwiches. The giant wood-carved bird hanging from the ceiling is a little daunting, too. But you really can’t go wrong when choosing between a raspberry rhubarb crumble bar and Turtle cheesecake. 5500 Wharf Ave., Sechelt
OCEAN CLUB AND BISTRO
Look no further for the best dining room view in Sechelt. Ocean Club Bistro’s wall-to-wall windows make you feel like you’re dining in a glass box surrounded by the panoramic ocean, with nothing but the occasional trail jogger or dogwalker blocking the postcard-worthy horizon. The mussels in coconut curry, served with toasty rosemary focaccia bread, is a winner here. 5665 Teredo St., Sechelt
MAMA'S JAPANESE KITCHEN
The Madeira Park dining scene is small but mighty, and Mama’s Japanese Kitchen is a great place to dine-in or get takeout to bring back to whatever cozy cabin you’re staying in. This Japanese restaurant has all the classics (California roll, spicy tuna roll, teriyaki, udon) as well as one-of-a-kind inventions (like the Madeira roll, made with beet tempura, salmon, mango, avocado and carrot). 12808 Madeira Park Rd., Madeira Park
AQUI ES MEXICO
Forget the West Coast colour palette of muted blues, greens and greys—this Mexican restaurant is splashed with murals that embrace every colour of the rainbow, and bright cut-out banners that match the bold flavours on the menu. Aqui es Mexico is known for awesome fish tacos, huge burritos and kickass margaritas. 12808 Madeira Park Rd. ,Madeira Park
LA TRATTORIA ITALIANA
Tucked inside Ruby Lake Resort, a family-owned accommodation that offers cottages, cabins and safari tents, is La Trattoria Italiana, a restaurant with a beautiful patio and plenty of pasta. Carb load for your Skookumchuk hike with spaghetti Bolognese or penne arrabbiata. 15426 Sunshine Coast Hwy., Madeira Park
SKOOKUMCHUCK BAKERY AND CAFÉ
Speaking of Skookumchuck—it’s simple and polite to get a sticky-sweet cinnamon bun if you’re planning on navigating the narrows. Scientists say it’s actually impossible to walk by Skookumchuck Bakery and resist the smell of fresh pastries and hearty sandwiches. 6694 Doriston Hwy, Egmont
INLETS
Tucked at the very top of the Sechelt Inlet is—well, Inlets, a restaurant that feels rustic and elevated all at once. It’s part of the luxurious West Coast Wilderness Lodge and has a menu fit for three square meals of fine dining. For example, one could have smoked salmon eggs benedict for breakfast, Burrata on sourdough toast with smoked prosciutto for lunch and miso butter cod with kombu broth and bok choy for dinner. A triple threat. 6649 Maple Rd, Egmont
Alyssa Hirose
Contributor
Alyssa Hirose (she/her) is a writer, editor and illustrator based in Vancouver, BC. Her work focuses on food, travel, interior design, arts and culture, and her stories have been featured in Vancouver magazine, Western Living, BCLiving, BCBusiness, Nuvo and Avenue Calgary. She’s a regular contributor to Hootsuite’s blog for social media managers, and a regular goofball on her own social media and in real life.
