Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Vancouver Island

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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!

Atelier by Matt Jackson

4.7

4.7 (402)

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

Shelly

Dined 5 days ago

Staff are amazing - personable, helpful. The music was a bit loud and not all tables had chairs. Drinks were delish!

Sawmill Taphouse

4.7

4.7 (154)

CAN$30 and under

Canadian

Chemainus

About the restaurant

WELCOME TO SAWMILL TAPHOUSE AND GRILL

WHAT’S ALL THE BUZZ ABOUT?
Pacific Northwest craft beers, forno oven pizzas. Authentic farm-to-table tapas and appetizers in an incredible atmosphere.
JOIN US!

Top review

ErinVIP

Dined on Jun 7, 2025

The Sawmill is great for a family meal! They have a fun kids menu and crayons and word search for the kiddos. We had pizza and a delicious Beet salad. Also the pulled pork poutine which I would never order but was good to share.

Carve Kitchen & Meatery

4.7

4.7 (213)

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

Mutsawashe

Dined 4 days ago

We had an amazing time celebrating my mums birthday. The food was amazing and so was the service. I highly recommend.

The Beach Club Resort Restaurant & Lounge

4.6

4.6 (238)

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

Adam

Dined on Jun 9, 2025

Was amazing good pro level quality from chef Will def recommend and visit again !

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Timber Room Grill at Crown Isle

4.5

4.5 (180)

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

Gary

Dined on Jun 11, 2025

We have been visiting Courtenay for years. The food at Timber Room has improved considerably. We now live in Courtenay and anticipate becoming regulars.

Roar

4.5

4.5 (746)

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

RebeccaVIP

Dined on Jun 16, 2025

My husband and I came here for the second time and luckily had Emily as our server again. Her service is amazing, she is so attentive and paid attention to my intolerances throughout. The food and wine was incredibly good and fresh. There was attention to detail in the presentation and the flavours popped in every dish. We will always come back here on our annual trips to Tofino, it’s a gem.

Montana's BBQ & Bar - Nanaimo

4.4

4.4 (248)

CAN$30 and under

Unspecified

Nanaimo

About the restaurant

Montana's BBQ & BAR is a Canadian comfort food BBQ restaurant and sports bar. Enjoy in-house smoked pork ribs, beef brisket, grilled steaks and juicy burgers which are paired perfectly with catching the game. Montana's Nanaimo celebrates fun-to-eat, finger-licking smoked and barbecued comfort food that breaks the 'proper' rules. Located near Lakeview Park & Regional General Hospital in the Northern end of Nanaimo, we are a short turn off of Island Highway North. Experience the fun, casual and unpretentious vibe, where you can laugh heartily, enjoy classic BBQ cooking, cheer on the game and enjoy your friends and family. We can't wait to serve you.

Top review

Linda

Dined on Jun 16, 2025

We really enjoyed our meal it was excellant as usual.

Bayside Restaurant and Lounge

4.4

4.4 (1113)

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

GregVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Good food, as usual. Mixed drinks were on point, very good. All 6 of us enjoyed our food. One suggestion for management is to have bread for the table and include soup or salad with an entree. Other than that, it’s a great place to eat and we always enjoy it.

Mattone Italian Kitchen

4.4

4.4 (92)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Italian

Oyster River

About the restaurant

Join us at our brand new location, Mattone Italian Kitchen at Salmon Point Resort! Our brand new restaurant space is set against the stunning landscapes of British Columbia. Enjoy modern Italian cuisine in our casual counter-service waterfront location. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Top review

Jane

Dined 4 days ago

Food was good, hot and plentiful. Prices are very good.

The Arbutus Room at Brentwood Bay Resort and Spa

4.1

4.1 (359)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

Central Saanich

About the restaurant

*Guests 16+* 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, lunch & dinner 7 days a week.

Head Chef: Aaron Turner
Chef De Cuisine: Kelley Storey
Director of Food & Beverage: Adam Ames
Assistant Director/Sommelier of Food & Beverage: Adriano Cartuliares

Top review

Jacki

Dined 4 days ago

Always enjoy brunch here, beautiful backdrop, great eggs Benny,….and our young waiter was excellent!! He provided us such great service!

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