16 Best Restaurants in Whistler, British Columbia

Well-chosen antiques and original artwork create a vibrantly chic atmosphere for what has always been one of Whistler's top fine-dining restaurants. Local farmers grow produce exclusively for Araxi's chef, who also makes good use of regional cheeses, game, and fish. The food is fresh and innovative, best described as Pacific Northwest cuisine. Seafood is a specialty, so while you can certainly order a superbly prepared beef tenderloin, it's dishes like alder-smoked Arctic char or handmade pasta with wild prawns, scallops, and mussels that steal the show. The two-tier seafood tower is a must-try for seafoodies who love to graze and share. Wine aficionados take note: the wine list is 43 pages long. A heated patio is open in summer, and the lounge is a popular afternoon and après-ski spot, especially for its oyster bar.

Locals consistently rank Elements, which is found in Summit Lodge, as having the best tapas in the area. It's a hip eatery with everyone from animated thirtysomethings to jet-setting families with young children. The draw here is the open-concept kitchen that produces locally inspired small plates that are perfect for sharing. Steamed Salt Spring Island mussels with lemongrass, Kaffir lime, and coconut green curry are yummy, as are the deconstructed ahi tuna tacos and roast duck breast with maple roasted root vegetables. Pair your small plates with fine Canadian wines. The restaurant is open for breakfast, too, when several variations of eggs Benedict are the stars.

If beef's your passion, then you don't get much better than Hy's, a hard-core steak house that's famous for the quality of its Alberta Prime fillets, porterhouses, and New York strips. Beef Wellington comes in a handmade flaky crust, and there are steak and lobster combos. This menu will appeal to everyone, even vegetarians. The place is dark, moody, and just right for a candlelit dinner, a secret rendezvous, or a more formal affair. Service is impeccable and discreet.

"The Brass," as it's known, has one of the area's best patios, situated in the square where people-watching is as entertaining as the street performers and free concerts. Get well-priced bistro fare, from burgers to steaks. It opens for breakfast with an assortment of egg dishes and keeps going until the après-ski crowd finally departs. As popular as this place is, tables turn over quickly so getting a seat doesn't take long.

This bustling little bakery is popular with tourists and locals alike. They serve delicious coffee, as well as plenty of sweet and savory goodies, from three-cheese sandwiches and vegan blackberry coconut scones to gourmet banana and chocolate brownies and more. The perfect spot for breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack. There's a second location on Millar Creek Road.

Vancouverites in search of fine Italian fare flock to the Pinnacle Hotel for warming après-ski meals. The dining room exudes a whimsical Venetian style with ornamental ironwork, picturesque tiles, and hand-painted chandeliers. For a splurge try L'Abbuffata, a five-course Roman feast that comes on family-size platters meant for sharing. Other popular dishes include spaghetti pescatore (with prawns, scallops, and clams), pistachio-crusted sea bass, pressed Cornish game hen, and a plate of five pastas for two to share for a reasonable fixed price. The cellar is filled with 900 wine varieties and an impressive grappa selection.

About 3 km (2 miles) south of the village, this restaurant is a perennial favorite as much for its cozy, unpretentious dining room as for its great seafood. Although seafood takes precedence on the menu—try the raw oysters with champagne—Alberta beef and local game will satisfy carnivores. If you want a booth or a coveted table near the fireplace, dine on the early side or make a reservation. Otherwise, be prepared to wait.

Although it's atop Whistler Mountain, you're likely to see as many non-skiers as skiers in the crowd dining here. That's because Steeps Grill & Wine Bar is located inside the enormous Roundhouse Lodge at the top of Whistler Village Gondola, and lots of the visitors are simply sightseers. While other mountain dining outlets tend to cater to the grab-and-go crowd, this venue is a stay-a-while, full-service dining affair offering lots of west coast favorites like smoked salmon chowder and sockeye salmon and succotash.

Located right in the heart of the Village, this deli has a great assortment of sandwiches, wraps and pre-made charcuterie boxes. The boxes are at the heart of what they do: they have an OG Box, with a selection of meats, cheeses, fruit, and vegetables, as well as a Brunch Box. Added bonus: they can accommodate any dietary restriction. Can't eat gluten, nuts, dairy, or meat? They've got you covered.

Located inside the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre, The Raven Room is not your average hotel eatery: it’s privately owned by four renowned Whistler restaurateurs. The menu consists of both small plates (tapas) and larger mains and is sure to satisfy everyone, from carnivores to vegans. The burrata with pistachios, honey, and grilled ciabatta is a must. They also have a very innovative cocktail menu that uses fresh, local ingredients. And a cute tucked away patio, too.

Located inside the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, this cozy café serves contemporary food with a First Nations twist—think venison chili, bannock tacos, fish chowder, or smoked salmon panini. You don't need to purchase admission to the museum to access the eatery (but we do recommend checking it out!). It's also located next to the gift shop, so after your meal you can take a stroll through the store.

A trip to Wild Blue is a real treat. The fine-dining restaurant's speciality is sustainable seafood dishes, alongside an extensive wine and cocktail list. Appetizer options include oysters, caviar and chilled seafood towers. As for the entree menu, look for the sablefish with turnip, radish, sesame crisp and roasted fish bone sauce or the halibut T-bone with porcini spice, morel mushrooms, and onion brodo.