Dining

Café Cuisine

Affiliated with the neighboring Community Farm Store in the Duncan Garage (a restored auto shop across from the train tracks downtown), Corfield Café (330 Duncan Street) is a friendly meeting place known for its vegan menu, baked goods and organic coffee. Contemporary and traditional First Nations cuisine is served from June to September at the Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre's Riverwalk Café (200 Cowichan Way) Try the Thuqi' Cakes (made with salmon, potatoes, and spring onions), the venison chili or a Cowichan First Nation variation on high tea known as Me'hwulp.

Restaurants Outside Town

The Masthead Restaurant (1705 Cowichan Bay Road) is an elegant five-star restaurant tucked away in an 1863 building overlooking Cowichan Bay. Chef Matt Horn's menu earns consistent raves from locals, who recommend the affordable, three-course Table d'Hote special as a fine way to sample his artistry.

Wonderfully situated by the marina and blessed with an oceanfront patio, the Genoa Bay Café (5100 Genoa Bay Road) is a casually upscale spot is known for its clam chowder (served with hot cornbread), fresh seafood, slow-roasted ribs and award-winning chocolate pecan pie. Grapevine On the Bay (6701 Beaumont Avenue, Maple Bay) features panoramic ocean views and a Belgian bistro menu highlighted by seafood pie, mussels, steak and pan-fried oysters. "Hooked for life" is the slogan at the Rock Cod Café (1759 Cowichan Bay Road), and indeed visitors travel far and wide for repeat encounters with this local hangout's fabled fish and chips.

Check with the Duncan-Cowichan Visitor Centre for even more dining options in Duncan and the surrounding region.

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