Dining in Whistler
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Whistler, British Columbia.
One of Canada’s favourite ski spots and year-round resorts, Whistler offers up a wealth of both summer and winter adventures to suit all visitors. Located just 125 km (78 mi) north of British Columbia’s cosmopolitan centre of Vancouver, Whistler joined with the city as host of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and garnered international recognition and world-class resort status.
Spending days hitting the slopes, exploring the village or attempting exhilarating extreme sports like ice sailing or downhill mountain biking is guaranteed to work up one’s appetite and Whistler—being a popular destination for international visitors—has a solid selection of dining options to refuel tourists for their next day of outdoor fun.
Whether it is sushi or hearty pub grub, Whistler’s restaurant options have something for everyone.
ETIQUETTE
Like the rest of Canada and the US, tipping is a customary practice and approximately 15 per cent of the bill is appropriate. Should the service be exceptional, tipping more is a great way to show appreciation and satisfaction with the meal as well as the service.
CAFES, BISTROS & BREAKFAST
Whether it is to start off the day off with a substantial meal to keep the cold at bay or après ski nibbles, Whistler’s many cafes and bistros can easily wipe out hunger pangs. Behind the Grind has standard go to snacks like quesadillas, omelettes and pizzas, as well as classics with a twist like the chai milkshake. Those needing a lunchtime break from the slopes or trails can check out Raven’s Nest, located at the top of the Creekside Gondola. The restaurant offers up filling fare such as sub sandwiches, hearty soups and a cappuccino bar to prepare tired skiers, snowboarders and mountain bikers for afternoon runs.
Kicking around since 1986, Ingrid’s Village Café is a staple on the Whistler café scene. Well-priced breakfasts, solid sandwiches and an ever-changing daily special make this eatery a favourite of locals and visitors alike. Those who stop by in the summer can also enjoy the sunshine on a cute outdoor patio.
BURGERS & BARBECUE
Nothing beats a fully loaded burger with crispy fries after a long day on mountain slopes. Splitz Grill is sure to impress burger lovers with every kind of burger imaginable. Choices such as buffalo and turkey, or salmon and lentils for vegetarians, are available, as well as more than 20 condiments to spice up every option. For something unusual, diners can try the Salt Spring Island Lamb burger with a Greek salad. All burgers are also available as wraps at the burger joint.
There are a couple of restaurants in town catering to cravings for all things barbecue. Dusty’s Bar and BBQ is a local favourite and offers both meat dishes as well as vegetarian options. Dedicated to creating the best barbecue there is, Dusty’s barbecue team travelled to the US for a nine-day tour of 30 restaurants in the southern states to discover the perfect barbecue. Dusty’s is conveniently located at the base of Whistler Creekside and includes a sunny patio.
REGIONAL
For local flavours, diners can try cuisine from the Pacific Northwest. The Aubergine Grille, located in Whistler’s Westin Resort and Spa, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and has a delightful menu with dishes reflecting the regional cuisine of British Colombia’s West Coast. The Pacific Seafood platter features prawns, salmon tartar, albacore tuna, and fresh oysters.
Araxi, a fine dining establishment in Whistler, offers guests a lovely atmosphere with freshly cut flowers and amazing mountain views. Featuring locally sourced ingredients, dishes include Vancouver Island octopus and squid, as well as smoked wild sockeye salmon terrine. The restaurant’s raw bar also has a variety of plates from both land and sea. An impressive oyster list features oysters from different areas off the West Coast, such as satori oysters from Denman Island and beach angels from Cortes Island. Seafood lovers will definitely want to make a stop at Araxi.
Other restaurants serving regional dishes include the Den Restaurant on the Lake, the Wildflower and Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre Café, which offers indigenous-inspired cuisine with dishes like venison chili, bannock and maple sugar pie.
INTERNATIONAL
Hosting visitors from all over the globe, Whistler also has a decent selection of restaurants offering international cuisine, including Chinese, German, Indian, Japanese, Mediterranean and much more. For a real treat, the French restaurant Crêpe Montagne, serves authentic crepes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The variety of savoury crepes offered on the dinner menu provides choices to suit all palates with meat, seafood and vegetarian fillings.
PUBS & SPORTS BAR
Nothing really says relaxing like a blazing fire, hearty food and a nice cold beer after spending the day experiencing Whistler’s outdoor activities and beautiful ambiance. Luckily, many of Whistler’s pubs and sports bars have that chilled out ski-bum vibe that makes one want to kick off their ski boots and rehash the day over a plate of wings and a pitcher of beer. The Whistler BrewHouse has lagers and ales brewed on site, a two-sided fireplace and several TVs broadcasting the latest sports events.
The Amsterdam Café Pub is a popular spot where friends can kick back and share pub snacks like the Canadian classic poutine, ribs and nachos, as well as beer and cocktails.
For a more upscale environment, the Westin’s FireRock Lounge has a modern, contemporary feel perfect for an après-ski drink. Customers can order up a couple of tapas plates for a large group or, for those who cannot wait for dinner, the lounge’s generous burgers and sandwiches are sure to curb serious hunger pangs.
Merlin’s, a famous hangout in Whistler, is a family environment until early evening. After 7pm, Merlin’s morphs into a hotspot complete with dancing on tables, live music, karaoke and raucous theme parties. Located at the Blackcomb Day Lodge at the base of the Wizard Chairlift on Blackcomb Mountain, Merlin’s is a great place to grab a meal and meet some locals.
Spending days hitting the slopes, exploring the village or attempting exhilarating extreme sports like ice sailing or downhill mountain biking is guaranteed to work up one’s appetite and Whistler—being a popular destination for international visitors—has a solid selection of dining options to refuel tourists for their next day of outdoor fun.
Whether it is sushi or hearty pub grub, Whistler’s restaurant options have something for everyone.
ETIQUETTE
Like the rest of Canada and the US, tipping is a customary practice and approximately 15 per cent of the bill is appropriate. Should the service be exceptional, tipping more is a great way to show appreciation and satisfaction with the meal as well as the service.
CAFES, BISTROS & BREAKFAST
Whether it is to start off the day off with a substantial meal to keep the cold at bay or après ski nibbles, Whistler’s many cafes and bistros can easily wipe out hunger pangs. Behind the Grind has standard go to snacks like quesadillas, omelettes and pizzas, as well as classics with a twist like the chai milkshake. Those needing a lunchtime break from the slopes or trails can check out Raven’s Nest, located at the top of the Creekside Gondola. The restaurant offers up filling fare such as sub sandwiches, hearty soups and a cappuccino bar to prepare tired skiers, snowboarders and mountain bikers for afternoon runs.
Kicking around since 1986, Ingrid’s Village Café is a staple on the Whistler café scene. Well-priced breakfasts, solid sandwiches and an ever-changing daily special make this eatery a favourite of locals and visitors alike. Those who stop by in the summer can also enjoy the sunshine on a cute outdoor patio.
BURGERS & BARBECUE
Nothing beats a fully loaded burger with crispy fries after a long day on mountain slopes. Splitz Grill is sure to impress burger lovers with every kind of burger imaginable. Choices such as buffalo and turkey, or salmon and lentils for vegetarians, are available, as well as more than 20 condiments to spice up every option. For something unusual, diners can try the Salt Spring Island Lamb burger with a Greek salad. All burgers are also available as wraps at the burger joint.
There are a couple of restaurants in town catering to cravings for all things barbecue. Dusty’s Bar and BBQ is a local favourite and offers both meat dishes as well as vegetarian options. Dedicated to creating the best barbecue there is, Dusty’s barbecue team travelled to the US for a nine-day tour of 30 restaurants in the southern states to discover the perfect barbecue. Dusty’s is conveniently located at the base of Whistler Creekside and includes a sunny patio.
REGIONAL
For local flavours, diners can try cuisine from the Pacific Northwest. The Aubergine Grille, located in Whistler’s Westin Resort and Spa, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and has a delightful menu with dishes reflecting the regional cuisine of British Colombia’s West Coast. The Pacific Seafood platter features prawns, salmon tartar, albacore tuna, and fresh oysters.
Araxi, a fine dining establishment in Whistler, offers guests a lovely atmosphere with freshly cut flowers and amazing mountain views. Featuring locally sourced ingredients, dishes include Vancouver Island octopus and squid, as well as smoked wild sockeye salmon terrine. The restaurant’s raw bar also has a variety of plates from both land and sea. An impressive oyster list features oysters from different areas off the West Coast, such as satori oysters from Denman Island and beach angels from Cortes Island. Seafood lovers will definitely want to make a stop at Araxi.
Other restaurants serving regional dishes include the Den Restaurant on the Lake, the Wildflower and Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre Café, which offers indigenous-inspired cuisine with dishes like venison chili, bannock and maple sugar pie.
INTERNATIONAL
Hosting visitors from all over the globe, Whistler also has a decent selection of restaurants offering international cuisine, including Chinese, German, Indian, Japanese, Mediterranean and much more. For a real treat, the French restaurant Crêpe Montagne, serves authentic crepes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The variety of savoury crepes offered on the dinner menu provides choices to suit all palates with meat, seafood and vegetarian fillings.
PUBS & SPORTS BAR
Nothing really says relaxing like a blazing fire, hearty food and a nice cold beer after spending the day experiencing Whistler’s outdoor activities and beautiful ambiance. Luckily, many of Whistler’s pubs and sports bars have that chilled out ski-bum vibe that makes one want to kick off their ski boots and rehash the day over a plate of wings and a pitcher of beer. The Whistler BrewHouse has lagers and ales brewed on site, a two-sided fireplace and several TVs broadcasting the latest sports events.
The Amsterdam Café Pub is a popular spot where friends can kick back and share pub snacks like the Canadian classic poutine, ribs and nachos, as well as beer and cocktails.
For a more upscale environment, the Westin’s FireRock Lounge has a modern, contemporary feel perfect for an après-ski drink. Customers can order up a couple of tapas plates for a large group or, for those who cannot wait for dinner, the lounge’s generous burgers and sandwiches are sure to curb serious hunger pangs.
Merlin’s, a famous hangout in Whistler, is a family environment until early evening. After 7pm, Merlin’s morphs into a hotspot complete with dancing on tables, live music, karaoke and raucous theme parties. Located at the Blackcomb Day Lodge at the base of the Wizard Chairlift on Blackcomb Mountain, Merlin’s is a great place to grab a meal and meet some locals.
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