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Qualicum Beach Dining

Shady Restaurant - Oceanside Tourism
Shady Restaurant, Oceanside Tourism photo
Just as Qualicum Beach is pleasantly casual and easygoing, so too are the 15 restaurants in the area. Most eateries are clustered in the downtown core. Waterfront views, meanwhile, are available from a handful of relaxed pubs and dining rooms strung along the West Island Highway. All are locally owned and operated in keeping with the town's independent ethos.

Cafés

With the nearest Starbucks located in Parksville, caffeinated pick-me-ups are available at Elena's Bakery (109 Second Ave. West) along with fresh cinnamon buns and brownies. Bailey's In the Village (670 Primrose St. across from the library) and the Courtyard Café & Patio (673 Memorial) are also known for their java. Tea aficionados can choose from 300 varieties at Blue Quill Enterprises (702 Memorial). 

Award-Winning Grocery Store and Markets

Qualicum Foods - Jeff BatemanGather the makings of a beach-blanket picnic at Qualicum Foods (705 Memorial). This award-winning grocery store (yes, award-winning – QF has earned many national, regional and local merits) also doubles as a cozy hang-out for locals. Cafeteria-style meals are served in the second-floor A Step Above food court, where patrons relax in comfortable wicker chairs while surveying the shoppers below. 

Raw takeaway produce is available at the Qualicum Farmer's Market (Saturday mornings, May to Canadian Thanksgiving/mid-October) at the corner of First Ave. West and Fir Street. Seafood buffs take their coolers to Island Scallops (5552 West Island Highway) and pay wholesale prices for the same bi-valves routinely purchased by five-star Vancouver restaurants.  The Silly-Yak Bakery (172 Second Ave. West) specializes in tasty gluten-free breads, muffins and cookies. 

Popular area restaurants include:
  • Sushi-Mon Japanese Restaurant (133 Second Ave. West). Owned by a commercial fisherman and renowned for its use of locally caught seafood. A favourite among locals.
  • Giovanni's Ristorante (180 West Second Ave. West). The town's one white-tablecloth, fine dining establishment. Ask about the chef's three, four and five-course specials before ordering a la carte.
  • Lefty's Fresh Food (710 Memorial). Weekend brunch line-ups are the norm at a popular breakfast, lunch and dinner spot so named because its three original owners were left-handed.
  • Shady Rest Restaurant & Pub (3109 West Island Hwy). One of the area's first beachfront haunts, the “Shady” opened in 1924 and its oceanside patio remains a favorite with locals.
  • Cockney Pride (142 W. Second). An English-style “caff” known for its fish-and-chips;
  • Takrai Restaurant (221 Second Ave. W).  Located in the Chilham Village district and home to superior curries and Phad Thai.

Dining
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