Summer on Vancouver Island is a special time of year for so many reasons. Paddleboard or kayak from one of the many beaches, get out into the water and search for marine life, spend a relaxing day on the beach, wander around downtown and browse the incredible local boutiques, visit heritage sites and learn more about Victoria’s history or spend the day hiking along the shoreline or through ancient forests in one of our many pristine parks – there is no end to the amount of activities that you can fill our sun-soaked days with. After a busy day, it is so nice to spend the warm summer evenings relaxing and what better way to relax than by watching the sunset over the water while you enjoy an incredible meal on a patio. There are lots of restaurant options here on the Lower Island, so we’ve made a handy list of the best ones to catch one of our stunning sunsets and taste some truly incredible cuisine.
Sooke & Metchosin
Sooke Harbour House Restaurant
1528 Whiffin Spit Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 0T4
Located in one of the top-rated hotels on Vancouver Island, the Sooke Harbour House Hotel is one-of-a-kind. The dining room has an up-scale rustic west-coast design that is both cozy and refined. Here you can find fine dining service and elegant dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients that really give you the unique qualities of the West Coast on a plate. Located right on the edge of the water in Sooke, it’s one of the best places on Vancouver Island to catch the sunset. With unobstructed views that look right out onto the open ocean, the sunsets here are breathtaking.
West Coast Grill
6929 W Coast Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 0V1
This beautiful, waterfront restaurant, located in the Prestige Oceanfront Resort is West Coast elegance at its finest. Here guests can enjoy incredibly fresh, elevated seafood dishes on the terrace that overlooks the Sooke Basin and the shores of East Sooke. Sitting on the terrace, you can sip wine, dine on delicious food and watch the sun go down.
Table Nineteen
643 Latoria Rd, Victoria, BC V9C 3A3
At Olympic View Golf Club, you’ll find Table Nineteen, the highly anticipated expansion of the five star restaurant brand from Whistler. This stunning new addition to the Sooke dining scene provides guests with high-end, modern interior design, friendly, professional service and dishes made with thoughtfully selected, local, ethical ingredients and fun house-made twists that are approachable and delicious. With a patio that overlooks the beautiful course, you won’t have oceanfront seating, but you can certainly bask in peace and quiet, enjoy an incredible meal and watch the sky change colour.
Victoria
Spinnakers
308 Catherine St, Victoria, BC V9A 3S8
Spinnakers is a long-time local favourite for good reason. This hardworking brewpub doesn’t just make some of the most amazing beer, it also serves up some of the best elevated pub classics in Victoria and is located right on the beautiful Songhees water way. While you’re staying downtown Victoria, if you’re looking for a laid back meal on a great patio to watch the sun go down, Spinnakers is a great option. From your front door, you can walk across the Johnson Street bridge right onto the Songhees walkway, a path that takes you along the water’s edge right to Spinnakers. It’s a gorgeous walk in the sun and stunning at night where you can see the Inner Harbour lit up across the water.
Lure
100 Harbour Rd, Victoria, BC V9A 0G1
Located right on the water, this lovely restaurant has one of the best patios in the city, hands down. With elegant, laid back decor, and incredible menu items, extensive cocktail, wine and beer lists, and one of the best water views, if you’re looking for a way to end the day in style, Lure is a great option, especially if you are a guest at an EMR rental downtown Victoria. Just a ten-minute walk across the Johnson Street bridge will take you to this incredible restaurant and the walk back, through the warm peaceful downtown evening is a great way to finish a summer day in Victoria.
AURA
680 Montreal St, Victoria, BC V8V 1Z8
On the edge of James Bay down a little pedestrian pathway right on the edge of the water you’ll find the upscale AURA restaurant. Specializing in small plates style dining, AURA focuses on sourcing “farm-direct” ingredients for their global-inspired dishes while offering unique cocktails, excellent wine lists and the best local beer. On this patio, you’ll have fun ordering plates to share, sipping cocktails and watching the sun set over the Inner Harbour.
Sidney
Seahorses Cafe
799 Verdier Ave, Central Saanich, BC V8M 1C5
For fun, casual food, panoramic views and incredibly friendly service, Seahorses Cafe should be your next stop near Sidney! Kick back on their waterfront patio and enjoy delicious comfort food like burgers, soups and salads, cafe classics and wraps.
Arbutus Room
849 Verdier Ave, Brentwood Bay, BC V8M 1C5
Located in the renowned Brentwood Bay Resort, this restaurant makes fine dining easy with their ever-changing menu. Using only the best local ingredients, the Arbutus Room provides guests with incredibly fresh and exciting dishes on their elegant waterfront patio. With the set menu, you simply choose your dishes, and sit back to sip your potable and watch the sailboats drift along the water.
Deep Cove Chalet
11190 Chalet Rd, North Saanich, BC V8L 5M1
For a special dining experience, you won’t find anything more elegant on the Peninsula than the highly celebrated Deep Cove Chalet. The French inspired cuisine made with high quality, fresh local ingredients is sure to impress even the most discerning of diners. With impeccable white linen clad tables on the patio that provide a stunning, front-row seat to the marvellous summer sunsets, this is the perfect place for a special evening.
