Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Vancouver Island

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Vancouver Island? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Butchart Gardens - The Dining Room

4.8

4.8 (4715)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Northwest

Central Saanich

About the restaurant

Enjoy the stunning floral display gardens, plus the restaurant's historic surroundings and contemporary, fresh local foods. Located in the original Butchart family residence, you can experience spectacular views of the Private Garden, the Italian Garden and Tod Inlet. Indulge in Afternoon Tea in our Spring and Summer seasons, or our High Tea which offers more warm savories from October through the winter months. Dinner is served seasonally with a strong presence of local sustainable ingredients. Choose from our award winning showcase of Vancouver Island wines. Enjoy adding to your awareness and appreciation of local grapes and vintners. Please note that admission to The Butchart Gardens is required in order to access The Dining Room Restaurant. Our current admission rates are at www.butchartgardens.com

Top review

Caitlin

Dined on Jan 7, 2025

Beautiful and decadent. It does feel on the pricey side but if you're already paying to see the gardens you may as well splurge on the food too. They focus on a small menu of options, and service was lovely

The Arbutus Room at Brentwood Bay Resort and Spa

4.5

4.5 (309)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

Central Saanich

About the restaurant

Victoria's premier oceanfront dining destination, exclusively for guests aged 16 and older, situated at the stunning Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa, just 20 minutes from downtown Victoria. Immerse yourself in the warmth of our crackling fireplace or unwind on our heated seaside patios. Experience a fresh take on Pacific Rim cuisine, crafted from seasonally inspired ingredients sourced from the ocean and cultivated locally on Vancouver Island. Delight in a tempting array of flavors, colors, and textures, perfectly complemented by the finest wines from British Columbia and around the world.

Open daily for breakfast & dinner 7 days a week.

Head Chef: Matt Cusano
Director of Food & Beverage: Adam Ames
Assistant Director/Sommelier of Food & Beverage: Adriano Cartuliares

Top review

Dianne

Dined today

Service wonderful and amazing Sommelier! Food portions large and very tasty. Beautiful dining room

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Experience

3 Course Dine Around 2025

Meraki

4.8

4.8 (20)

CAN$30 and under

Modern European

Campbell River

About the restaurant

Internationally inspired plant based food served in the most wonderful set up. Located in the new Pier 1 building in downtown Campbell River.

Top review

Kyle

Dined on Dec 22, 2024

Great Atmosphere! Lovely Food & cocktail menu. Service was amazing and prices are valued well. Thanks! we will be back

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Experience

Bouquet at table

The Beach Club Resort Restaurant & Lounge

4.5

4.5 (217)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Seafood

Parksville

About the restaurant

Our restaurant sets the stage with bragging rights to Parksville’s best beachfront patio with direct boardwalk access and spectacular ocean views. For breakfast, lunch and dinner, our new menu is so versatile it accommodates all occasions from special celebrations to casual comfort. And with direct proximity to the Pacific Ocean, many menu items feature Ocean Wise seafood (as it should).

Top review

Amie

Dined on Dec 28, 2024

We did their seasonal dome tent experience and it was lovely, which is also why it was quiet. Inside the restaurant is louder. The dome was lovely, the food amazing, the staff were lovely, will do it again.

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Experience

Lunch Dome Dining (11am-2:45pm Daily)

Experience

Dinner Dome Dining - Dome 1 (5pm or 7:30pm)

Experience

Dinner Dome Dining - Dome 2 (5:15pm or 7:45pm)

Carve Kitchen & Meatery

4.6

4.6 (142)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

Campbell River

About the restaurant

Welcome to Carve Kitchen + Meatery, a premium casual dining experience in a bright and inviting space. Specializing in exceptional steaks, our menu goes beyond with everything from succulent chicken dishes to enticing vegan offerings. We’re committed to sourcing ingredients locally wherever possible and cultivate some of our produce in an onsite garden.

At Carve, we create a sophisticated yet approachable atmosphere where culinary innovation meets impeccable service. Our modern take on the classic North American steakhouse was designed to be enjoyed by locals and guests alike.

Top review

Corinne

Dined 6 days ago

The restaurant was lovely and the service outstanding but I was very disappointed in the food. We had the set menu and I was underwhelmed by my meal. My Cesar salad was fine, if a bit over seasoned but the bouillabaisse, which looked amazing, was super bland. I struggled to pick up any flavor in the broth, I found the muscles to be muddy tasting and the prawn to be slightly over cooked. We had one choice for dessert, the sticky toffee pudding. It was a nice, light date cake, but not anything special. I have to say my favorite part of my meal was probably the Hot Toddy Truffle at the end. That was AMAZING.

Atelier by Matt Jackson

4.8

4.8 (334)

CAN$51 and over

French

Sidney

About the restaurant

Atelier by Matt Jackson | Elevated Dining In Sidney.

Marrying approachable elegance with hand-crafted cocktails, a global wine list, and an evocative dining experience, Atelier features French-inspired cuisine informed by the fresh and hyper-local ingredients of the Saanich Peninsula and surrounding areas.

We are fortunate on Vancouver Island to have some of the most incredible organic and local producers in the country and access to some of the world’s best fish and seafood. At Atelier, we draw inspiration from our local producers, fisherman, and farmers to serve you the freshest ingredients.

Top review

Valerie

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

Went there for happy hour and ate pretty much everything on the menu - the food was all delicious, the cocktails were outstanding, and the service was friendly and welcoming. Will definitely be back!

Roar

4.7

4.7 (721)

CAN$30 and under

Canadian

Tofino

About the restaurant

ROAR is a restaurant rooted in rebellion. We honour the rebellious history of Tofino and we proudly rebel against the status quo. It’s the waves crashing and raging flames. It’s the roar of a rebellious nature.

This isn’t like any other restaurant. We cook with live fire, and all of our food and beverage is inspired by the local people, makers and ingredients of Tofino.

Just as you would gather with friends around the campfire, we invite you to get comfy here while we share the stories behind every one of our menu items as the fire roars in the background.

VIEW MENUS

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 3 days ago

It was good experience. The food was good. My husband and I enjoyed our anniversary date.

Bayside Restaurant and Lounge

4.5

4.5 (1043)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Canadian

Parksville

About the restaurant

Experience West Coast luxury, at the Bayside Restaurant and Lounge. We are proud to be one of Parksville’s premier dining experiences, showcasing the best of local ingredients, sophisticated flavours and graceful service. We are winners of OpenTable's Diners' Choice for 2024 and welcome you to enjoy the fresh flavours of the area created by Chef Justin Feng and his culinary team.

Top review

Robin

Dined 5 days ago

Never disappoints. 2 of shared 3 appetizers (coconut prawns, pulled pork quesadillas and a small caesar salad) which left room for yummy dessert. Good service, good food and a good view.

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Popular dish

Seafood Chowder

Popular dish

Chocolate Cake Indulgence

Popular dish

Mushroom Ravioli

Timber Room Grill at Crown Isle

4.4

4.4 (161)

CAN$30 and under

Grill

Courtenay

About the restaurant

The Timber Room Bar & Grill offers a deliciously wonderful “gastro-pub” menu in a newly renovated space. From steaks to salmon, teriyaki bowls to tacos, burgers and ribs, our menu has been designed to please all! Family-friendly and open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (dependent on season, please see current hours below). The ambiance is playful and social – full of logging memorabilia, live sports on the multiple screens, great music playing in the background, and a cozy fireplace section. When the weather warms up, the Comox Valley’s largest and most scenic patio overlooking the 18th green welcomes golfers, hotel guests, and local patrons alike. Come for a beverage, stay for a meal.

Top review

Doug

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent prime rib...consistently good quality. Service was attentive and efficient.

Match Eatery & Public House - Courtenay

4.6

4.6 (282)

CAN$30 and under

Contemporary Canadian

Courtenay

About the restaurant

MATCH Eatery & Public House has combined the welcoming and social traditions of a neighbourhood pub with the high-energy of a lively sports bar. The big game, the family celebrations, or social gatherings with friends... our casual and upbeat atmosphere is ideal for any occasion. Whatever your great night out looks like, we'll match it with our creative comfort food, cold libations and exciting entertainment.

Top review

Patrick

Dined 7 days ago

Thank you, Match! It was an excellent dinner experience!

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