Located off the coast of British Columbia in Canada, Vancouver Island is a haven for nature lovers, with lush rainforests, snow-capped mountains, and pristine coastline.
But it’s not just a paradise for outdoor activities; it’s also a fantastic destination for foodies! Boasting some of Canada’s freshest seafood, a commitment to locally sourced farm-to-table ingredients, and a beautiful wine region, the Vancouver island’s delicious food is one of the best reasons to visit.
And, to give you a better idea of why, here are the top 10 foods to try on Vancouver Island.
10 Foods to Try on Vancouver Island
Dungeness Crab
If Vancouver Island is known for one type of food above all else, it’s the exceptional variety of fresh and delectable seafood. However, the island’s true standout is the Dungeness Crab, which has long been considered one of the region’s top delicacies.
The island’s coastal waters are teeming with these delicious crustaceans, so they’re always caught locally and are served as fresh as you can get them.
Dungeness Crabs have a delicate, sweet meat, which is best enjoyed steamed or boiled, to showcase their natural flavour. Although they’re also delicious in crab cakes, which you will find on restaurant menus all across the island.
Smoked Fish
With its abundance of seafood, it’s no surprise that fish also makes the list of Vancouver Island’s best foods. In particular, you’ll find some of Canada’s best smoked fish here!
The indigenous people of the region have a long history of smoking fish as a preservation method. This traditional practice has been passed down through generations and has contributed to the popularity of smoking fish on Vancouver Island today.
Local smokehouses take advantage of fresh catches in the region, especially wild Chinook salmon and Sockeye salmon.
For some of the best smoked salmon on the island, visit the Dockside Smoked Fish Store in Tofino, where the salmon is caught locally by First Nations fishermen.
Nanaimo Bars
Vancouver Island is the birthplace of one of Canada’s most famous desserts, the Nanaimo Bar. So, naturally, this is the best place to try this sweet treat.
Named after Nanaimo – the city where it first appeared – this no-bake dessert consists of 3 delicious layers: a coconut crumb base on the bottom, a custard filling in the middle, and a glossy chocolate coating on top. The result is a delightful mix of flavours and textures, making this one of Canada’s most popular treats.
You will find Nanaimo bars sold in cafés, bakeries, and corner stores across Vancouver Island, and even on the island’s local ferries.
And, if you’re visiting Nanaimo, one of the best ways to try these bars is by taking a self-guided tour along the Nanaimo Bar Trail.
This adventure takes you across the city with multiple stops to taste a variety of delicious variations of this iconic dessert. This is a great way to explore the city, support local businesses and satisfy your sweet tooth all in one. To start the journey, you can pick up a trail brochure at any of the Visitor Centres or participating locations in Nanaimo.
Comox Brie
Comox Brie is a creamy and flavorful cheese produced by the Natural Pastures Cheese Company in the town of Courtenay, in Vancouver Island’s Comox Valley.
The Natural Pastures Cheese Company is a family-owned business, and all their cheeses are hand-made using locally farmed cow’s milk, under the supervision of a Master Cheesemaker from Switzerland.
This Brie-style cheese is known for its rich, buttery texture and mild, earthy flavor. It has a bloomy rind, which adds a thin edible outer layer, while the interior is soft and spreadable when fully ripened. It’s so good that it’s even won gold at the World Championship Cheese Contest!
Although you can also find Comox Brie on the mainland, it’s not as easy to come by, so it’s definitely worth trying (and stocking up on) while visiting Vancouver Island.
Click here to see a wine and cheese tour in the Cowichan Valley.
High Tea
High tea is a British tradition that dates back to 1840 and quickly evolved into a popular social event held in Tea Rooms and Tea Gardens across Britain and its colonies. And in the city of Victoria on Vancouver Island, this tradition lives on today!
Typically, it includes a selection of finely brewed teas, accompanied by a tiered display of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and a variety of delicate pastries and desserts.
High tea is one of the most popular activities to do in Victoria, as it’s an elegant experience that reflects the city’s strong British influence and historic charm.
Although there are many tea rooms across the city that offer a traditional tea service, none are as iconic as the Fairmont Empress, which has been serving afternoon tea for more than 110 years!
The Fairmont Empress high tea is a wonderful experience that features unique seasonal tea blends, locally sourced ingredients, house-made baked goods, and an optional glass of champagne, in a beautiful setting overlooking Victoria’s inner harbour.
Seafood Chowder
Seafood chowder is a popular dish in all of Canada’s coastal regions. And Vancouver Island is no exception.
With an abundance of Pacific Ocean seafood available, including salmon, halibut, clams, and prawns, you can easily find many variations of this local’s favourite on the island.
The most common type is clam chowder, but you will also find mixed seafood West Coast-inspired chowder, which typically includes a medley of fresh seafood, such as clams, prawns, and fish, as well as potatoes, vegetables, and herbs.
This is a creamy, hearty, and flavourful stew which captures the essence of the region’s rich seafood culture and is a must-try when visiting Vancouver Island.
Fish and Chips
Like many coastal areas, fish and chips is one of the most popular foods to eat on Vancouver Island. And, due to the abundance of fresh fish caught daily off the island, combined with the region’s English heritage, you will find some of Canada’s best fish and chips here!
For some of the island’s tastiest fish and chips, try Red Fish Blue Fish in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, or Wildside Grill in Tofino.
And, if you’ll be spending some time in Victoria, for a truly Vancouver Island experience, head down to Fisherman’s Wharf one evening. Amidst the working fishing boats and colourful houseboats, there are several excellent seafood vendors. In particular, Barb’s Fish and Chips is an iconic local eatery which has been serving fresh fish and chips for 40 years!
Cowichan Valley Wine
Although technically not a food, Cowichan Valley wine nonetheless makes the list, as it’s one of the highlights of Vancouver Island’s gastronomy scene.
The Cowichan Valley is one of Canada’s top wine producing regions, and taking a winery tour here is one of the best activities to do on Vancouver Island.
The climate in the valley is similar to that of northern France and Germany, with Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Riesling grapes doing particularly well here. The grapes are also used to make sparkling wine, which is one of the valley’s specialties.
Enrico Winery, Blue Grouse Estate Winery, and Unsworth Vineyard are some of the most notable wineries in the region which are worth visiting. Click here to book a wine tasting tour in Cowichan Valley.
And, on top of producing excellent wines, the Cowichan region is also home to several craft breweries, cideries and distilleries, organic farms, and artisanal bakeries and producers. So, there are plenty of other local delicacies to sample here, in addition to the fantastic wines!
Pacific Oysters
The final seafood item to make the list is pacific oysters. These popular and nutritious shellfish are abundant in the waters around the Vancouver Island.
Although originally imported to BC in the 1900s, pacific oysters now grow wild around the island’s coastline, as well as being sustainably farmed in the area.
This delicacy has a fresh, sweet, and slightly briny flavour, and are packed full of vitamins and minerals, making them not only tasty, but also very healthy.
The best place for pacific oysters is the Comox Valley, which is Canada’s oyster growing capital. But you will find them on restaurant menus everywhere across the island. And, as they tend to grow in shallow waters, they’re also relatively easy to harvest recreationally. So, you could even try finding some yourself!
Although, keep in mind that oysters are seasonal, and pacific oysters reach their peak between October and May each year.
Ice Cream
Last but not least, when visiting a coastal region, there’s no better snack than ice cream. And Vancouver Island does not disappoint!
There are fantastic ice cream shops across the island, with everything from artisanal gelato to ice cream sandwiches, organic soft serve, and popsicles and bars.
Some of the island’s standout ice cream parlours are Burnt Honey Dessert Company and Cold Front Gelato in Nanaimo, Udder Guys and Drifters Creamery in the Cowichan Valley, and Parachute Ice Cream in Victoria.
Best Way to Explore Vancouver Island’s Food Scene
One way to truly experience the best of Vancouver Island’s gastronomy is by taking a food tour. In addition to Nanaimo’s self-guided Nanaimo Bar Trail, there are several other food and wine tours available in both Victoria and the Cowichan Valley.
Throughout the year there are also several food festivals held on Vancouver Island, which are a great way to sample local produce, seafood, and wines. So, it’s worth checking if there are any of interest during the time you’ll be visiting the island.
Some of the best festivals to keep in mind are Parksville Uncorked in February, for gourmet foods and wines near Nanaimo; Food & Wine Festival in Tofino, and the BC Shellfish Festival in the Comox Valley, both held in June; and the Cowichan Wine and Culinary Festival in September.
Vancouver Island FAQs
What is Vancouver Island known for?
Vancouver Island is best known for its stunning natural beauty, including rugged coastlines, pristine beaches, old-growth temperate rainforests, and snowy mountains. It’s also famous for the iconic West Coast Trail hike – a 75-kilometre journey along the island’s rugged west coast, which is considered one of the best hikes in the world!
And some of Vancouver Island’s most notable vacation destinations are Tofino, which is the surfing capital of Canada; Victoria, the vibrant capital city of BC; and the Cowichan Valley for its vineyards, farms, and local produce.
What are the best things to do on Vancouver Island?
There’s something for everyone on Vancouver Island, with historic cities to explore, stunning landscapes, an array of outdoor activities, fascinating marine and wildlife, and a burgeoning food and wine scene.
In addition to exploring the island’s cities and coastline, some of the top things to do on Vancouver Island are hiking, fishing, sea kayaking, surfing, spelunking, whale watching, winery tours, snow sports, wildlife spotting, and storm watching.
What is Vancouver Island’s signature food?
Arguably, Vancouver Island’s signature food is seafood, with some of Canada’s best salmon, oysters, crab, and other shellfish all caught in the island’s waters.
However, the food that the island is most famous for is the Nanaimo bar! This sweet treat is one of Canada’s best-known desserts and originates from the city of Nanaimo.
What are some traditional indigenous foods on Vancouver Island?
The indigenous populations on Vancouver Island have traditionally made use of the land and sea to source their food. Typical indigenous foods include salmon, clams, crab, and a variety of other seafood, which is prepared using traditional methods like smoking and cedar planking. Additionally, local berries, roots, greens, and wild game are also an integral component of local indigenous cuisine.
Is Vancouver Island a good destination for foodies?
Yes, Vancouver Island is an excellent destination for foodies! With its emphasis on fresh, local ingredients, diverse seafood, and artisanal foods, you can indulge in delicious farm-to-table experiences, freshly caught fish and shellfish, and unique local specialties across the island. Plus, the island has a prominent wine region, and a growing craft beer, cider, and distillery scene.
When is the best time to visit Vancouver Island?
The best time to visit Vancouver Island is typically during the summer months, from June to September, when the weather is at its warmest and driest. However, although a little cooler, September and October can also be great times to visit, as this is when you can witness the salmon run!
Winter can be quite cold and wet on Vancouver Island, as the temperatures on much of the island aren’t usually low enough for snow. However, the exception to this is the island’s series of mountain ranges, which do have some excellent skiing and snowboarding, and can be great places to visit in winter.
Final Thoughts: Foods to try on Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is not only a great place to explore some of Canada’s most pristine natural landscapes, but it’s also a fantastic destination for foodies!
With an abundance of fresh seafood, locally grown produce, excellent wines, and decadent sweet treats, there’s something to suit every traveller’s taste.
And hopefully this list of the best foods to try on Vancouver Island has helped inspire you to explore some of the region’s culinary delights on your next trip.
For more similar content check out my recommendations below:
- Traditional food in Nova Scotia
- How to spend one day in Halifax
- How to visit Niagara Falls without a tour
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As a lover of chocolate desserts, Brie, and seafood, clearly Vancouver is a place I need to go back to. I also want to try high tea with all the finger sandwiches and scones paired with clotted cream and jam.