Looking for the best Whistler restaurants? You’ve come to the right place!
Whistler is a favorite weekend destination for many Vancouverites due to both its stunning beauty and close proximity. The 90-minute drive along the Sea to Sky highway is one of the most scenic drives in the Pacific Northwest, if not in the world. The highway borders the Pacific Ocean and you can often see the BC Ferries sailing from the mainland to Vancouver Island. You also drive past Shannon Falls, the third-largest waterfall in BC, which is visible from the highway.
Whistler was relatively unknown to the rest of the world until it became a host city for the 2010 Olympics. Whistler is comprised of two mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb. Known first and foremost for world-class skiing and snowboarding, the mountain is open during the summer months for downhill biking as well as hiking and sightseeing.
Whether you’re visiting for skiing, biking, or simply enjoying the scenery, Whistler has something to offer everyone. And that includes food. There are plenty of pubs with outdoor patios where riders enjoy après seated around fire pits. For this article, we aren’t talking about them, but rather the fine-dining that Whistler offers once the ski gear comes off.
Recommended food tours: Whistler’s Hidden Gems: 4-Course Dining Tour
Experience sensory bliss in Whistler, where breathtaking natural landscapes meet exquisite cuisine. Embark on a 4-course dinner tour, uncovering the locals’ favorite hidden gems and the best-kept culinary secrets of this stunning resort.
Begin your journey at the captivating Audain Art Museum, then savor delectable tapas at Elements, indulge in artisanal charcuterie at Stonesedge, and relish mouthwatering main courses at Wildwood. Conclude your gastronomic adventure with ice-wine truffles and scrumptious apple tarts at Caramba.
Visiting other destinations in Canada? Check out our other guides:
- 13 Best Things To Do On Salt Spring Island BC
- 10 Best Mont Tremblant Restaurants
- 7 Best Winnipeg Restaurants
- 12 Best Toronto Brunches
- Canadian Food Guide: The 16 Best Examples of Canadian Cuisine
- 15 Must-Try Vancouver Restaurants
- 5 Must-Try Pizza Places In Mont-Tremblant
- The Six Best Steakhouses In Vancouver, BC, Canada
The 7 Must-Try Whistler Restaurants
Araxi Restaurant & Oyster Bar
4222 Village Square #110, Whistler, BC // 1-604-932-4540
Ask anyone who has wined and dined their way around Whistler and they will tell you that Araxi is THE place to eat. Everything including their location, service, ambiance and, of course, their food, is impeccable.
When I last visited Araxi they were offering a $49 prix fixe menu. I started with the Québec Foie Gras Parfait and it was divine. Served warm along with their house-baked brioche, my only complaint is that there wasn’t more. My partner had the Carpaccio and we were both enamored with its stunning presentation. It was almost too pretty to eat.
For my main dish, I had the Prawn Risotto and it was extremely decadent. The buttery garlic prawns were the ideal complement to the risotto’s rich and creamy texture.
Araxi is known to be booked up months in advance, especially in the high seasons, so be sure to make reservations well in advance of your Whistler trip. This is one restaurant you don’t want to miss.
Christine’s
4545 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC // 1-604-938-7437
If dining with sweeping, panoramic views from 6,102 feet up is on your bucket list, may we suggest Christine’s? Located at the top of the Blackcomb Gondola in the Rendezvous Restaurant on Blackcomb Mountain, they are open for lunch in both summer and winter. If you’re visiting Whistler during the shoulder season, you are sadly out of luck.
While it is located at the top of the mountain, you don’t have to be a skier to dine here. You are able to ride the gondola whether you’re riding the slopes or not. However, I would suggest that you dress for the weather if you’re visiting in winter, as you will be traversing the snow to access the restaurant.
Aside from its stunning views, Christine’s offers a seafood-forward menu and an excellent wine list to accompany your meal. If you don’t like seafood, they do offer a variety of other dishes, including a Peking Duck Salad. My dish of choice is their Orecchiette pasta dish with 18-hour red wine braised short ribs. It’s the ideal lunch to warm you up when you’re riding the slopes.
Hy’s Steakhouse
4308 Main St, Whistler, BC // 1-604-905-5555
When dining at Hy’s Steakhouse, you simply must start with their Cheese toast for two. It’s been a crowd favorite since 1955 and with your first bite, you’ll know why. Following that, I highly recommend ordering their Caesar Salad. A Hy’s tradition, they make their famous Caesar salad at your table. Your server comes over with a cart and all the ingredients to make your salad, and its dressing, right in front of you.
One of the few restaurants that offer Escargot, this is my appetizer of choice when dining at Hy’s Steakhouse. For my main dish, my partner and I shared the 32 oz. bone-in rib eye and it was arguably one of the best steaks I have ever eaten. Cooked to perfection, the crust was flavorful and perfectly complemented the tender, juicy steak. For our sides, we enjoyed mashed potatoes with brown butter pecan carrots and the crispy Brussels sprouts. Everything was delicious.
If steak isn’t what you’re in the mood for, not to worry, Hy’s does offer a wide variety of other dishes. I am curious about the Prosciutto Wrapped Sablefish so if you go and order it, please do let me know how it is. I’ve also never ordered dessert because I’ve never had any room to do so.
Il Caminetto
4242 Village Stroll, Whistler, BC // 1-604-932-4442
Il Caminetto blends Italian and local flavors with an artful flair. Culinary Director James Walt was previously the Executive Chef at the Canadian Embassy in Rome, Italy. An impressive achievement to be sure, it shapes the way he cooks today.
Known for creating Italian dishes with local, seasonal ingredients, their chef works with local farmers and producers to offer the freshest dishes. I suggest starting with the Carpaccio. It is artfully presented and decadent.
A huge fan of Italian pasta, I love the Tagliatelle Bolognese made with Brant Lake Wagyu beef. Alberta-raised, grain-fed and hormone-free, it is delectable. Their pasta noodles are house-made daily and always cooked al dente. Should you have room for dessert, you can’t go wrong with their Tiramisu.
Bearfoot Bistro
4121 Village Green, Whistler, BC // 1-604-932-3433
If you are looking for a unique and unforgettable evening of celebrating, the Barefoot Bistro is where it’s at. Not just a restaurant, they also have a sub-zero Ketel One Ice Room vodka bar, a Champagne Lounge, and a rather impressive wine cellar.
A table in the kitchen can be reserved for your group to enjoy front-row service from the Chef. Another option they offer is dining in their wine cellar among 15,000 bottles of wine. For a fun and unique experience, you can also reserve a Champagne sabering with your choice of bubbly. I have had the pleasure of experiencing a Champagne sabering ceremony and it is just as much fun as it sounds.
In the Bearfoot Bistro restaurant, Executive Chef Melissa Craig will take you on a culinary journey with her seasonal offerings. Local ingredients are given an International twist and elegantly plated. No matter where you choose to dine, it is guaranteed to be a dinner that will not soon be forgotten.
Quattro
4319 Main St, Whistler, BC // 1-604-905-4844
Quattro is an authentic Italian fine-dining restaurant located inside The Pinnacle hotel. The entranceway, with its painted walls and ceilings, instantly transports you to Italy. It also boasts one of Whistler’s best-hidden patios so if you’re visiting in the summer, request a table outside surrounded by greenery and flowers.
At Quattro, they aim to make you feel as though you have joined their family for dinner. Here, you’ll find fine dining in a casual and fun environment. Their menu consists mainly of Italian dishes, so much so that the description under Spaghetti Quattro states ‘Italians only.’
Since their menus change with the seasons, they always offer local ingredients with each of their dishes. Some items, such as their Bistecca Alla Fiorentina, remain constant. If you have yet to try this cut of dry-aged porterhouse steak, I highly recommend it.
Joe Fortes
4417 Sundial Pl, Whistler, BC // 1-604-932-5858
The newest addition to the dining scene in Whistler is also one of Vancouver’s best restaurants. A fan favorite for over 35 years, this iconic Seafood and Chop House just opened its second location in the spring of 2022.
Whistler is well-known for après, so in lieu of a Happy Hour, Joe Fortes offers an Après Hour from 4-6 pm daily. During this time, I suggest ordering their Seafood Tower and a glass of wine for $1 an ounce.
For dinner, I always start with their oysters on the half shell. My personal favorite is Kusshi, a premium West Coast oyster from Baynes Bay on Vancouver Island. For the main dish, my go-to is the Miso Marinated Sablefish with sesame quinoa. Its mild, buttery flavor is slightly sweet and it has an amazingly succulent texture. A proud partner of Ocean Wise, Joe Fortes is committed to sustainable seafood that helps support healthy oceans.
And there you have it, the seven best restaurants in Whistler. It is worth mentioning that one of Whistler’s top dining locations, Bar Oso, is currently closed. It is slated to reopen in late 2022. While we didn’t include it here, should Bar Oso be open when you visit Whistler, definitely check them out. They are a Spanish-style tapas bar and consistently rated as top-notch. I haven’t had the opportunity to dine there yet, but once they reopen, I definitely will as I am sure they deserve a spot on this list.
Which of these restaurants in Whistler will you try first? Let us know in the comments section below!
Kathryn Anderson is a travel and wellness expert who runs the award-winning travel blog Coffee and Mascara as well as contributes to a variety of publications as a Freelance Journalist. This former Fitness Instructor shares expert advice on how to infuse balance into travelling so people can enjoy fun and fulfilling vacations without derailing their healthy lifestyle goals. She sits on the Board of Directors for the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association as the Social Media Chair. Follow her adventures on Instagram.