Fine Dining

THE MASTHEAD

(250) 748-3714

Price Point $$$$

Located in the beautiful waterfront community of Cowichan Bay, The Masthead Restaurant is within a 15 minute drive from Lavender View. The Masthead offers fine dining with a view of Cowichan Bay on the fisherman’s wharf. Expect the best in the way of starters, entrees and fine desserts. They offer a good wine list along with an excellent selection of fine Scotches. 

MAHLE HOUSE

(250) 722-3621

Price Point $$$$$

Simply put, The Mahle House is the best of the best – period. While it is a bit of a drive (approx 50 mins) from Lavender View to their location in Cedar, it is very much worth the trip. The Mahle House has been a cornerstone of the mid island dining scene for 40 years. The goal of Mahle House is to offer a relaxed upscale dining experience in a beautiful setting with knowledgeable professional service. Their menu, wine list, and level of service are well suited for sophisticated diners seeking out a unique experience. They have a beautiful patio area in the front garden that is open in the summer months (weather dependent of course!) Menu specialities include Rack of Lamb, seasonal local seafood, & Duck. Locals often come for the addictive Porcupine Prawn appetizer.

ALPINA

(250) 856-0188

Price Point $$$$

The Alpina Restaurant is located within a 30 minute drive from Lavender View. The restaurant beautifully overlooks Finlayson Arm from the Villa Eyrie resort. The restaurant does an excellent job of their evening menu and service. This is a true fine dining experience with excellent service. The lunch menu offers selection of standard fare and the day time view of Finlayson Arm from the restaurant is spectacular!

MERRIDALE CIDERY

(250) 743-4293

Price Point $$+

I might be a bit biased, but I believe that Merridale makes the best cider on this side of the Atlantic! Merridale is located within a short 8 minute drive from Lavender View. The cidery is beautifully laid out in their apple orchard. The restaurant serves a tasty selection of casual fare in the way of burgers of all sorts, soups, pot pies and wood fired oven pizza. Enjoy a delicious meal with the perfect pairing of one of their ciders. They also make fantastic spirits in the way of their rhum, brandy and liquors. After your meal you can then purchase more of your favorite cider to take home with you.

UNSWORTH VINEYARDS

(250) 929-2292

Price Point $$$$

The Unsworth Vineyards and Restaurant is located within a short 10 minute drive from Lavender View. The commitment to casual elegance with a lack of pretension is shown in the focus on burgers, pasta, pizza and steaks, all executed to the highest level. The venue is nestled in a restored, early 1900s farmhouse, original to the property. In the winter time, sit by the fire and enjoy a curated 3-course menu from their Community Supported Restaurant Program. In the summertime, sit on the patio overlooking the vineyard.

THE LAKEHOUSE AT SHAWNIGAN 

(250) 929-2555

Price Point $$$

The Lakehouse does an excellent job of their evening meals. While their menu primarily offers a selection of pub fare, the main entrees easily rival some of the best in comparison to other restaurants. The Lakehouse is located right on Shawnigan Lake with a beautiful view of the lake. 

THE COBBLESTONE PUB

(250) 743-4243

Price Point $$+

As the name suggests, the Cobble Hill Pub puts out a good spread of pub fare. Hearty burgers, chicken wings, steak sandwiches, chicken caesar wraps and the like. There are plentiful beers on tap along with several ciders. 

THE COOK & BUTCHER

(250) 597-4353

Price Point $$$

The Cook & Butcher is located on the top floor of the Ocean Side Suites of Cowichan Bay (a hotel). The restaurant overlooks the marina and Cowichan Bay. Ask for a table by the window. The menu is standard fare with steaks, pasta dishes and common entrees. The Poke bowls are huge and delicious. The food is good and the experience is highlighted with the view of the bay. You will likely require a reservation to get a table.

MILL BAY SUSHI

(250) 929-7117

Price Point $$+

Probably the best sushi in town! And the only sushi in Mill Bay! Mill Bay Sushi does a very good job of putting out traditional Japanese dishes and a wide variety of sushi. Their “sushi pizza” really is delicious. The restaurant decor doesn’t attempt to be fancy or pretentious but rather what you would expect to find at a decent sushi restaurant. More often than not, they are extremely busy and for good reason. Mill Bay Sushi is also a good option for take-out.   

BRIDGEMANS BISTRO

(778) 356-3568

Price Point $$$

Bridgemans Bistro is beautifully situated at the Mill Bay Marina with a view of the boats and Brentwood Bay. The menu offers a fare of pastas, seafood dishes, steaks and the like. The food is very good and the view over the marina is wonderful. We strongly recommend that you reserve a table ahead of time. Bridgeman’s is very popular spot and fills up quickly. 

QUATTRO BAMBINI PIZZERIA

(250) 929-4655

Price Point $$$

Quattro Bambini does pizza in the way that pizza was meant to be done. Although there are several options for other ordinary pizza restaurants in the area, Quattro Bambini really does blow them out of the water. Expect to find authentic Italian Neapolitan pizza baked in a wood fired oven. Quattro Bambini Pizzeria is one of very few pizza restaurants in Canada that is able to maintain their certification of being able to serve true Italian Neapolitan Pizza. Although they do offer take-out, there is nothing better than having a piping hot pizza brough to your table minutes after it came out of the oven. Enjoy – it’s worth it. 

THE VINE

(250) 597-7373

Price Point $$$+

The Vine is located on the water in beautiful Cowichan Bay. The restaurant overlooks the marina and Cowichan Bay. The menu offers a good selection of standard fare in the way of pasta dishes, steaks, chicken dishes and the like. The Vine is a busy restaurant with many tables. Expect to wait a while for a table to clear unless you have a reservation.

SPICE CRAFT

(250) 929-0331

Price Point $$+

Spice Craft is THE place to go for the best in authentic Indian food. The restaurant offers a wide selection of mouth watering dishes. If you like Indian food, this place is outstanding. The owners are very community orientated and regularly do various things to support the community. Their location along the highway and interior décor doesn’t attempt to be fancy or pretentious – just excellent food. The vast majority of their business is take-out and they do a superb job of that. Highly recommended.

MOO’S PIZZA

(250) 929-2811

Price Point $$+

If there is ever a significant leap above the ordinary pizza, Moo’s Pizza is it! The pizzas that Moo’s produces are often unique, always hearty and always delicious. The owner is very in-tune with the local community and goes to great effort to improve things for the community as a whole. Not only this, but her pizza is amazing! Moo’s pizza is only set up for take-out or delivery.

THE GARAGE CAFÉ

(250) 748-6223

Price Point $+

This vegetarian café is located in a Historic building in Duncan and serves home made baked goods, salads, quiches, soups and chowders. They also make delicious coffee drinks and serve Saltspring Kombucha on tap.  They offer many take out options and ready to bake/cook from their freezer. Lunch times are very busy. You order and then they call your name when it’s ready.  Loads of seating throughout the main floor.  Stop in for just a coffee/tea or a full meal. A great place to eat if you are shopping and sightseeing in Historic Downtown Duncan.