There’s lots to love about February on Vancouver Island, British Columbia! The month usually marks a change in the weather from the rains and plummeting temperatures of winter to the mild breezes and sunnier skies of spring. When the new buds begin to form on bare trees and early spring flowers pop out of the soil, you know that Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! With the season of love and romance is upon you, you’ll want to log into Opentable and find the perfect romantic restaurants on Vancouver Island to take your special someone! Whether you’re looking for a fine dining restaurant, a cozy eatery or a romantic brunch spot, all over the Island, there are incredible restaurants where you can find great food and fabulous cocktails! With so many to choose from, it can be overwhelming to find the best romantic restaurant so we’ve done the heavy lifting for you! Here are our top ten restaurants near EMR rentals to ensure that your Valentine’s Day on Vancouver Island is magical!
Romantic Restaurants in Victoria
Il TerrazzoÂ
555 Johnson St, Victoria, BC | 250-361-0028
Tucked away in Waddington Alley right in the heart of old town you’ll find one of the most romantic restaurants in Victoria. For nearly 30 years, Il Terrazzo has been known for its incredible ambience, service and menus, and is the perfect place for an intimate dinner with your Valentine.
Tapa Bar
620 Trounce Alley, Victoria, BC | 250-383-0013Â
Another long-standing local favourite in downtown Victoria is Tapa Bar. Known for its extensive food menu filled with incredible, Mediterranean inspired tapas, a warm, intimate dining room, open kitchen and incredible cocktail and wine list, Tapa Bar is a fun and unique place to take your special someone on Valentine’s Day.
Q at The Empress
721 Government St, Victoria, BC | 250-384-8111
Located in the historic Inner Harbour hotel, Q at the Empress is one of the best places to go if you want to immerse yourself in some of Victoria’s grandest history. The dining room was thoroughly updated and seamlessly blends modern upscale interior design with the gilded elegance of the Victorian era giving diners a uniquely high-end dining experience. Whether you’re making reservations for their famous brunch or a romantic dinner overlooking the Inner Harbour, Q offers incredible, imaginative cocktails and a menu filled with approachable haute cuisine!
Brasserie L’ecole
1715 Government St, Victoria, BC
This long-standing restaurant has been serving upscale French country food with an emphasis on local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients for years. This cosy bistro is a great place for an intimate dinner, with delicious food and fantastic wine and cocktails. While they are one of the busiest places in Victoria, they don’t take reservations and work on a first-come, first-serve basis. While you wait, you can always take a seat at the bar and whet your appetite with a delicious cocktail!
Ferris Oyster Bar – Upstairs Seafood and Oyster Bar
536 A Yates St, Victoria, BC | 250-360-1824
If you’re looking for an incredible selection of seafood – especially oysters, you won’t find much better than Ferris’! With a perfect blend of upscale dishes, friendly service and a distinct laid-back ambience, Ferris’ is the perfect place to go when you want to have a relaxed evening, good food and great wine.
Il Covo Trattoria
106 Superior St, Victoria, BC | 250-380-0088
This fantastic Italian restaurant is one of the most popular places to go for any special occasion. Located right on the water near the Inner Harbour, this restaurant has a great Italianate ambience and serves the most mouth watering Italian cuisine on the Southern Island! If you’re looking for something a little special to celebrate, this is it!
Little Jumbo
Down the Hall, 506 Fort St #102, Victoria, BC | 778-433-5535
If you’re looking for a funky place to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Little Jumbo should be at the top of your list! Tucked away in Old Victoria, this cool speakeasy takes their cocktails seriously and offers a fantastic eclectic ambience, and an ever-changing menu filled with delicious dishes made with local, sustainable ingredients. Get ready to squeeze into this cozy space, make friends with the table next to you and enjoy some seriously incredible craft cocktails, incredible food and great music!
Vista 18 Restaurant + Lounge
740 Burdett Ave, Victoria, BC | 250-382-9258
Located on the 18th floor of the Chateau Victoria Hotel in the heart of downtown Victoria, Vista 18 offers guests great food and a stunning dining room with sweeping views of Victoria and the Inner Harbour. If you’re looking for an impressive place to spend an evening enjoying fantastic food and delicious cocktails, this is a great option!
Zambri’s
820 Yates St, Victoria, BC | 250-360-1171
Pair an incredible menu and top quality service, and it’s no wonder why Zambri’s has been a local favourite for many years! If you’re looking for honest, hearty and tasty Italian food in a beautiful dining room, you’ll want to book a table at Zambri’s.
Bodega
1210 Broad St, Victoria, BC | 778-406-1210
This European style wine bar is a cozy and romantic place to enjoy a special evening. With an incredible wine and good amount of yummy cocktails as well as delicious, Spanish style small plates, Bodega is a great place if you’re looking for a unique and charming spot to spend an evening with your special someone.
Finn’s Seafood Restaurant
1208 Wharf St, Victoria, BC | 250-360-1808
Right on the edge of the water in Old Victoria you’ll find Finn’s, a perfect place for fresh seafood, steaks, chops and more! With a large heritage dining room and fantastic patio overlooking the Inner and Upper Harbour and a menu filled with dishes for every taste, Finn’s is a great place to enjoy the view and sample some of the best surf and turf Victoria has to offer!
Glo Restaurant + Lounge
2940 Jutland Rd, Victoria, BC | 250-385-5643
Nestled on the edge of the Selkirk waterway just north of downtown Victoria is the hip restaurant, Glo. This trendy spot has a youthful, upscale vibe and offers some incredible views of Victoria’s waterways. With a kitchen dedicated to transforming local, seasonal ingredients into delicious Asian, American and global inspired fusion dishes, unique cocktails and an impressive wine list, Glo is a wonderful option when you’re looking for a spot to celebrate!
Romantic Restaurants in SidneyÂ
Sea Glass Waterfront Grill
2320 Harbour Rd, Sidney, BC V8L 2P6 | 778-351-3663
Sea Glass Waterfront Grill is a restaurant perched on the edge of the water at the upscale Van Isle Marina just north of Sidney town centre. With a menu that reflects the abundance of Vancouver Island, a carefully curated wine list and incredible ocean views, this is a restaurant made for special occasions.
Deep Cove ChaletÂ
11190 Chalet Rd, North Saanich, BC V8L 5M1 | 250-656-3541
Right around the corner from Brentwood Bay and Butchart Gardens, if you’re looking for elegant, upscale dining you’ll want to book a table at Deep Cove Chalet. Offering impeccable French inspired cuisine and a wine list created by a Sommelier, this restaurant caters to those looking for memorable fine dining in an intimate, beautiful oceanfront setting.
Romantic Restaurants in Cowichan Valley
Alpina at the Eyrie
600 Ebedora Ln, Malahat, BC V0R 2L0 | 250-856-0188
If you’re staying in the Cowichan Valley and want to take your special someone somewhere upscale and unique for Valentine’s Day, you’ll want to book a table at Alpina at the Villa Eyrie Resort. With food inspired by the cuisine of the Italian, Swiss, German and French alpine regions and informed by the incredible ingredients found in Canada’s Pacific Northwest, Alpina creates unique and inspired dishes that will thrill and surprise you. Plus, with unparalleled views of the Saanich Inlet, Southern Vancouver Island, the Olympic Mountain Range and majestic Mount Baker from almost every table in the dining room, an evening here is simply unforgettable.
Romantic Restaurants in NanaimoÂ
The Nest Bistro
77 Skinner St, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5G9 | 250-591-2721
If you’re looking for something really special while you’re staying in Nanaimo you’ll want to be sure to get a reservation at The Nest Bistro. Husband and wife team, Jen and Nic both have illustrious hospitality industry experience and have channelled all of their passion and expertise into opening one of the best restaurants north of Victoria. For superb service, romantic ambience and incredible food and wine, Nest is the place to go in Nanaimo.
SimonholtÂ
6582 Applecross Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9V 0A4 | 250-933-3338
Looking for a more casual and lively way to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Nanaimo? Simonholt has you covered! With a great menu filled with delicious, casual dishes made with local ingredients, this popular live music venue is a fun way to spend a date night!
Romantic Restaurants in Parksville and Qualicum Beach
Kalvas The Log House
180 Moilliet St, Parksville, BC V9P 2J9 | 250-248-6933
This gorgeous log cabin restaurant is the ideal way to experience true West Coast Canadian dining. With a gorgeous ambience, friendly staff and extensive menus featuring fresh seafood and expertly prepared meat dishes, this seafood and steakhouse is sure to impress.
Romantic Restaurants in Comox Valley
Avenue Bistro
2064 Comox Ave, Comox, BC V9M 1P8 | 250-890-9200
This upscale, casual bistro in the heart of the Comox Valley is the perfect place to take your Valentine! With perfectly prepared bistro classics made with locally sourced ingredients, fresh seafood and globally inspired flavours in a beautifully appointed dining room, Avenue Bistro is sure to make your night a special one.
