Diners' Choice: Best Service restaurants in Vancouver Island

OpenTable

Updated 05 October 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best service in Vancouver Island? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Butchart Gardens - The Dining Room

4.9

4.9 (5361)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Northwest

Central Saanich

About the restaurant

Enjoy the stunning floral display gardens, plus the restaurant's historic surroundings and contemporary, fresh local foods. Located in the original Butchart family residence, you can experience spectacular views of the Private Garden, the Italian Garden and Tod Inlet. Indulge in Afternoon Tea in our Spring and Summer seasons, or our High Tea which offers more warm savories from October through the winter months. Dinner is served seasonally with a strong presence of local sustainable ingredients. Choose from our award winning showcase of Vancouver Island wines. Enjoy adding to your awareness and appreciation of local grapes and vintners. Please note that admission to The Butchart Gardens is required in order to access The Dining Room Restaurant. Our current admission rates are at www.butchartgardens.com

Top review

John

Dined 1 day ago

The server had well knowledge on the food & drinks in the menu

Atelier by Matt Jackson

4.8

4.8 (541)

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

Amy

Dined 1 day ago

We had a fantastic experience! The food was amazing, wine pairing recommendations were perfect, and Edgar our server provided outstanding service. We will absolutely be back

Horang

4.8

4.8 (92)

CAN$30 and under

Korean

Nanaimo

About the restaurant

Whether you’re joining us for a high-energy dinner in our stylish dining room or grabbing a quick gourmet bite from our on-site market, we promise an experience that is "Tastier than Yesterday."

We’ve set the table, chilled the Soju, and turned up the music. All that’s missing is you.

Top review

Matthew

Dined 3 days ago

The food was top notch, delicious and good value. Large portions and excellent service. Hard not to come back to the chicken every time!

Nori Japanese Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (84)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Japanese

Qualicum Beach

About the restaurant

Nori Japanese Restaurant is a contemporary Japanese dining destination inspired by the vibrant culinary culture of Vancouver Island. Built on quality, creativity, and genuine hospitality, Nori offers a dynamic and memorable dining experience in the heart of North Nanaimo.

Our menu features premium sushi and sashimi, aburi-style nigiri, signature specialty rolls, and comforting Japanese favourites including tempura, ramen, udon, gyu-don, and teriyaki. We focus on using fresh seafood, seasonal ingredients, and thoughtful preparation in every dish.

From omakase-inspired experiences and share plates to premium sake and creative cocktails, every detail at Nori is designed to create a unique and welcoming atmosphere.

Whether joining us for a casual dinner, lunch with friends, celebration, date night, business meeting, or special occasion, guests can expect warm service, lively energy, and an unforgettable dining experience.

Top review

Stefanie

Dined 4 days ago

Always outstanding quality of food and service, the lunch bento box is such a great price for the amount you get and it’s always 10/10

Roar

4.5

4.5 (836)

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

GregGold

Dined 1 day ago

We had excellent service from both Joe and the rest of the team! Food was outstanding and loved the Smokey taste of the live fire.

French Creek Pub

4.7

4.7 (158)

CAN$30 and under

Canadian

Parksville

About the restaurant

Welcome to French Creek Pub! We are located right at the French Creek Harbour/Marina perfectly situated on the oceanfront between Parksville and Qualicum!

Here you will enjoy the island's best Fish and Chips (cod and halibut), classic cheeseburgers, mini lobster rolls, mexi-tots, perogies and sausage and much much more!

Enjoy our PARTY BOAT CHALLENGE or come down and get a FREE Appetizer when you take a picture with our Big Bass Hat on when it's your BIRTHDAY!

Top review

CharlesGold

Dined 4 days ago

This is the place to go for Fish and Chips if your in Parksville area, great service and the best Fish and Chips in town.

The Beach Club Restaurant & Lounge

4.4

4.4 (323)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Seafood

Parksville

About the restaurant

Overlooking the shores of Parksville Bay, The Beach Club Restaurant & Lounge offers one of Vancouver Island’s most scenic oceanfront dining experiences. Home to Parksville’s premier beachfront patio, guests enjoy sweeping views of the Salish Sea, direct access to the waterfront boardwalk, and front-row seats to some of the area’s most spectacular sunsets.

Inspired by the flavours of the West Coast, our menus feature Ocean Wise seafood, premium steaks, fresh local ingredients, handcrafted cocktails, BC wines, and local craft beer. From relaxed breakfasts and casual lunches to sunset dinners by the water, our culinary team focuses on approachable coastal cuisine that celebrates both comfort and quality.

Whether you’re gathering with friends, celebrating a special occasion, or simply stopping in for a drink overlooking the beach, you’ll find genuine hospitality, unforgettable views, and a dining experience that captures the spirit of Vancouver Island.

Top review

Jacquie

Dined on 11 Sept 2026

There were 4 of us celebrating an anniversary at the Beach Club Restaurant (visitors to Parksville). It was one couple's first time there and one couple's third time there. All of us were very happy with our meals. Two had prime rib dip (Thursday special), one had cod and chips and one had salmon entree. The food was delicious, the service was outstanding and very fast, and the view of the ocean was fantastic. Consistently a great place to dine out while in Parksville. All-in-all a fantastic time there and a special anniversary memory for all of us.

The Great Room- Long Beach Lodge Resort

4.6

4.6 (219)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Northwest

Tofino

About the restaurant

Experience The Great Room at Long Beach Lodge Resort in Tofino, where world-class cuisine meets breathtaking coastal views. Every dish by Executive Chef Shaun Snelling blends East and West Coast influences, crafted with inspiration from the local environment and fresh, seasonal ingredients. Don’t miss our signature crab platter, a true highlight of the menu.

Pair your meal with a curated selection of BC and international wines, craft beers, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages. Designed to make every guest feel at home, The Great Room is the perfect spot to watch vibrant sunsets over Cox Bay or, in winter, relax by the fireplace while the Pacific Ocean’s waves crash outside.

Whether it’s a special night out or a memorable meal with friends and family, this is Tofino dining at its finest.

Top review

Tine

Dined 2 days ago

The food at The Great Room is always such a good experience and I can highly recommend it!

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The Arbutus Room at Brentwood Bay Resort and Spa

4.6

4.6 (453)

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 7 days per week. Open for happy hour & dinner Wednesday through Sunday.

Director of Food & Beverage: Adam Ames
Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, Sommelier: Adriano Cartuliares

Top review

Jeanne

Dined on 19 Sept 2026

The fall harvest table dinner was absolutely amazing!!!

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Montana's BBQ & Bar - Nanaimo

4.6

4.6 (305)

CAN$30 and under

Barbecue

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 at our restaurant.

Top review

Marika

Dined on 18 Aug 2026

Love the ultimate appetizer combo! We usually order it as take-out, so they don't have it listed this way in the restaurant. But we called in to pre-order the components of it, and it turned out they had 2 for 1 appies that night anyway, so it wound up being an even better deal. The atmosphere is always fun. I love drawing on the table cloth with crayons, while waiting for the food. The server even suggested some games we could play. Food arrived quickly and we were able to make our movie time afterwards.

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