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The Paddling Food Critic

Dave_Barrie

Paddler
Joined
Jan 23, 2005
Messages
1,002
Location
Victoria
I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread where everyone could give reviews of your favourite places to eat while out paddling. Getting away from it all and campfire cooking is what's it's all about....but every once in a while it's nice to let someone else do the cooking for you.

So let us know about some of your favourite places to eat (good or bad) and if you recommend anything particular on the menu.
 
Name: Tree House Cafe

Location: Fulford Harbour, Saltspring Island - right beside the ferry dock

Landing: Paddle around, or under, the ferry loading ramp and a little further into the bay you'll find a nice small beach to land on.

We stopped in here on Saturday during a two night stay on Portland Island. I had the Tree House Cheeseburger and Darren had the Cranberry Chicken burger. They were both out of this world and I'm already wanting to hop on the ferry for another one. The side Caesar salad was just as good with lots of garlic....so make sure everyone in your group has one :p

Rating: I'd give the burgers two paddles up and a 9 out of 10 - I'll be back for sure.
 
Great topic!

Sharkey's Bar in Ladner makes awesome gourmet burgers. Steve and I stopped there one night while out on a paddle and were treated to a couple of excellent burgers with all the trimmings. There's a government dock about 50 metres away from their front door.

*****
 
Genoa Bay Cafe @ The Genoa Bay Marina..... a bit pricey but really top notch...and they have a nice ramp and public facilities to make yourself "respectable" again after a day on the water. Open year round. Good beer! :big_thumb
 
Silva Bay pub and restaurant. You can get permission to park your kayak at the Silva Bay Shipyard and from there its a short walk to the pub. Excellent calamari and ofcourse great beer.. We took a six pack to the guys at the ship yard on our way out, really a nice group of guys.
 
:lol: :lol: :lol: Great topic!

The Dinghy Dock Pub by Nanaimo is always fun and a great place for an easy day paddle with friends! http://www.dinghydockpub.com/

ALSO the pub at Poet's Cove on South Pender is a great get away! http://www.poetscove.com/dining.html
Doable as a day trip from Portland or as part of a Pender exploration. Don't let the fancy digs keep you away (Right R&M?)!

In Desolation Sound the Laughing Oyster welcomes the bedraggled kayaker!! "Kayakers are also a major part of the traffic in Okeover, if not the largest part! Don't worry about what state of appearance you're in - kayakers returning from their journey through Desolation Sound are always welcome! The Laughing Oyster is the start and finish to many kayak trips, and we hope to carry on this tradition for years to come." http://www.laughingoyster.ca/

On Galiano the Hummingbird Pub Shuttle Bus cannot be missed!!!!!! This bus ride to a little restaurant was the MOST enjoyable, exciting and frightening expereince I have ever had: the driver actually sang and danced while driving the bus down scary narrow roads. "Hummingbird Pub - This Galiano icon has been around for many years, its trademark red bus transporting people from the marina for pub-style fare of fish and chips, burgers and more. Karaoke night and sometimes live music, pool table. 3 kilometers from the Village and ferry terminal. Open daily. The pub's shuttle bus runs from the Victoria Day long weekend to the end of September with pick-ups and drop-offs at the pub, Marina junction and Montague Park gate."

Can ya tell I like doing this kind of thing? I will have to think of some more of the places I have stopped for something greasy while paddling. :mrgreen:
 
Transfer Beach Grill in Ladysmith -- great Greek food, on 19, and a walk from the water, but worth it. These folks used to have a concession down on the beach, but went upscale a couple years ago. http://www.transferbeachgrill.com/sitemap.php

Swale Rock Cafe -- just up the hill a block or two from where the Lady Rose/Frances Barkley depart from the dock, Port Alberni. Good fish and chips, casual atmosphere: http://www.swalerock.com/

Crow and Gate Pub: English pub atmosphere; darn good food, and ales, etc. The oysters were superb, as was the Stilson Ploughman (cheese plate). Near Yellow Point, Cedar, etc., south of Nanaimo: http://www.crowandgate.com/ Not at all convenient to the water. Very nice setting.
 
The Crow and Gate is one of our favorite pubs, try their oyster platter, damned delicious! Definitly not convenient to the water though.
 
After a couple days of paddling Vancouver island, Muddy waters pub in Nanaimo is a great place to stop. It's walking distance from departure bay and, they have great food, especially during that two ferry wait to get home.
 
Fish on Fifth in Sidney is a great place. Right off Beacon Ave and Fifth. A bit to far to walk your kayak, but nice at the end of the day when your headed home and don't want to cook!
 
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