A curated guide to B.C. restaurants worth the detour
From Whistler's latest French-Canadian brasserie to a remote island seafood pavilion, 6 standouts worth the road trip.
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When planning a summer road trip through British Columbia, the restaurants you visit can be as memorable as the destination itself. Here are six standout spots worth the drive:
Whistler
Lorette Brasserie (Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel, 102B-4359 Main St.) serves French-Canadian cuisine in a 90-seat dining room. The menu features Onion Tarte Tatin with foie gras torchon and Oka cheese, Lobster Vol-au-Vent with sweetbreads and lobster cream, Beef Cheek Bourguignon with mushrooms and Pemberton carrots, and Suckling Pig Tourtière with confit duck and optional pan-seared foie gras.
Araxi (4222 Village Sq. #110) is the place for Pacific Northwest-inspired oysters and cocktails. Mekong—South East Asian Kitchen + Bar (2067 Lake Placid Rd. #204) leads with Executive Chef Boonyawee Khummuang's bold Southeast Asian flavours: Geng Gola Beef Tenderloin, Mapo Tofu of Mushrooms, Crispy Pork Jowl with Yellow Zucchini. Visit Wednesday for its Night Market menu, featuring street food-inspired charcoal-grilled skewers. Wild Blue Restaurant (4005 Whistler Way) has won numerous accolades—second in Canada's Best New Restaurant in Air Canada Magazine and ranked 33rd on Canada's 100 Best List for 2025.
Galiano Island
Lola (120 Manastee Rd.) is primarily reserved for retreats and special event programs at Bodega Ridge, but it occasionally offers can't-miss dinner series. Expect locally caught seafood and island produce, most from Bodega Ridge Farm, with a menu blending Tagalog and English featuring Southeast Asian-inspired family-style share plates. Currently, Lola is temporarily closed while seeking a new home, but it's worth watching for its reopening.
Squamish
Unique Slow Rise Bakery (36583 Darrell Bay Rd.) serves dim sum in an outdoor patio setting overlooking the falls. Enjoy siu mai and steamed buns with scenic views built into the experience.
These six represent a curated selection from a broader list of B.C. road-trip destinations, each offering something distinct: French-Canadian elegance, Asian hawker traditions, Pacific Northwest oyster culture, and intimate island dining.