Traveling with family and this was very close to our hotel. However, we can't recommend. The fish…read moreand chips had small portions for the price. My father had the habachi shrimp which came with 6 of them, and a mountains of rice and lots of onions. Everything was quite expensive for how "okay" it tasted. Service was decent, was served fast and politely. The fries and the view were great however. Won't be going back.

We've walked by this restaurant a few times and admired the outdoor patio, so we decided to give it…read morea try for lunch. Our hostess/server was so sweet and welcoming, and we were seated at a table of our choice on the patio with a gorgeous view of the water. The white sangria was delicious and my husband enjoyed his beer. He had the chicken pannini and fries and was pleased with it, though not overly ecstatic. On the other hand, I had the fried oyster burger and a cup of seafood chowder, and I was over-the-moon happy. Best oyster burger ever! The oysters were meaty and not overly battered - absolute perfection! The chowder was really good, too, but the oyster burger and the service were the stars of the show.

We weren't expecting this place to be as nice as it was. We thought it was similar to the…read morerestaurant beside it. We came for lunch so I ordered the chicken burger and my wife got the battered halibut burger. The halibut was flaky and moist and just the right amount of batter. My chicken burger was good but i liked the halibut more. The service was excellent, the staff super friendly and thr place was spacious. They have an enclosed glass area so you get the sun and view.

Food was pretty good! I got the halibut burger which was very tasty, definitely would recommend…read more Service was normal, no complaints. Ambiance is pretty average here but I also went on a poor day where no outside seating was open. I'd imagine on a nice day this would be a great spot! Maybe it was just me but I had heard lots of complaints about the food here and I'm not sure why? It was good! Wouldn't travel to eat here but if you're in the area I'd definitely give it a try!

Excellent eats and great service. Interesting specials, and a cozy vibe. No notes. Friendly and…read moreattentive staff.

Duncan's best-kept secret just set the gold standard. From the moment we walked into the Old…read moreFirehouse, it felt like we were stepping into a vibe that hits that rare, perfect note: elevated but unpretentious, energetic but intimate. Huge shoutout to Owner-turned-Mixology-Mastermind Jeff, who absolutely crushed it behind the bar -- every cocktail and mocktail was a handcrafted work of art that could hold court in any top-tier city. We're talking serious flavour fireworks here. And April -- what can we say? Her service made us feel like VIPs who owned the joint. She read the room, anticipated every move, and wrapped the whole evening in the kind of hospitality you can't teach: pure instinct, heart, and grace. The food? Next level. Every bite was a flex of flavor and presentation. The kitchen is clearly playing in its own league, balancing creativity with pure culinary muscle. Combine that with an ambience that feels like cozy meets cool, and you've got an absolute home run. If you haven't experienced Firehouse Grill yet, fix that immediately.

Fried Brussels Sprouts - Fried to perfection. Brussels sprouts are ubiquitous these days, known for…read moretheir hearty health benefits and delicious taste, but this restaurant truly did them right. They were perfectly fried with a crunchy exterior, all heightened by a lovely drizzle of honey. 5/5 Fried Chicken Sandwich - This sandwich was a monstrosity! If I were Sasquatch, I'd still be full after eating this. They practically put two fillets into one sandwich. The breading was flavorful, and the chicken was incredibly juicy and tender. I definitely appreciated the generous portion size. 4/5 Ahi Tuna - Deliciously fresh and simple. The tuna was lightly seared and served sashimi-style with a perfect rare interior. Being so close to the ocean makes you appreciate how fresh seafood can taste, and they deliver that here. It's lightly dressed with soy sauce and citrus to bring out the natural flavor of the fish. 5/5 Service & Atmosphere - The service was great, and we were seated quickly. Our waiter knew the daily specials by heart; he was quick yet succinct in explaining what the restaurant specializes in. I really enjoyed this place!

Not good for big parties. We had 6 adults and 1 child and had to sit in separate booths, but at…read moreleast the booths were next to each other. We were also warned that the kitchen gets "overwhelmed" with big groups, which we appreciated their honesty. Our table decided to order a variety of items and to share. My mom would've loved the schnitzel but when I asked if they could put the spaetzle and sauce on the side, the waiter told me "no, the chef won't do that because it would be visually unappealing." We ordered it anyway and it tasted good but my mom couldn't try it. I think it would've been fine if the spaetzel and sauce were on the side (would've been my preference too) so it would also keep the schnitzel crunchy. But anyway, we also ordered the seared tuna, which was too garlicky for our liking, the shrimp boil, which was very good, and the fried chicken, which was just ok. My sister sitting in the next booth also ordered the brussel sprouts and that was easily the star of the show! This restaurant allows kids but I'm not sure if I would really consider it to be "kid friendly" since they did not offer a kids menu. All-in-all, food was good, service was honest, and we would probably come back.

Cute cottage cocktail bar on the island. First stop on our college girls reunion trip and it did…read morenot disappoint. The ambience is cozy with a little nautical flare. Bar seating & a handful of bar top tables located inside. Self serve water crafts and a whole menu of fun cocktails and light bites with locally sourced items. The So Long Summer was a refreshing drink. The owner chatted with us and gave us the run down of all items harvested today. Blueberries being one of them, score! Definitely a must pop in to start off an island vacation.

Great ambience and drinks. Really fun to sit at the bar and watch the bartender do her thing. Light…read moresnacks, not heavy food items, so beware. We stopped before dinner to grab drinks and hummus plate - it was perfect!

Fabulous business in Vancouver! I signed up for a cocktail making class and our instructor Aaron…read morewas amazing! I've always wanted to do something like this but have been a bit nervous to do so but he made the class fun, funny, and so easy! You have the chance to make 3 bespoke artisan cocktails during this 3 hour class, 2 of their signatures and then the 3rd Aaron let us pick! He made it so easy and explained each step well, also how to use the tools properly along with sharing some great tips on shaking, measuring and also the importance of balance in your cocktail. I enjoyed every minute as well as consuming the cocktails after... each so delicious made with their in house liquors. If I had room I would have bought several bottles with me to take home!

Aaron was absolutely fantastic. We came by and were so disappointed because there was a sign out…read moresaying they were closed for a private event. Aaron came out as we were looking for Plan B and let us know the event had just ended and they were open again. (5 loud cheers on the street for sure!) I tried both the Kyoto and Wet Work, enjoying them both. They would even work as a blend of one another. My dad accidentally ordered a chocolate martini instead of an espresso martini, and Aaron made it happen. (The entire table loved it! Take that poured over some ice cream and I'd be far too content!) My brother had the gin martini, and while not a fan of gin straight up, it had a nice smooth finish that I could appreciate.

Could not be happier that the Arbutus Lounge exists (and the distillery) in our town. This place…read morerivals the best quality cocktails I've had in major cities, and when you factor in the INCREDIBLY low price, it truly can't be beat. From the classic martini to the weird and wonderful Where the Wild Things Are, and everything in between, the drink list is unique and exciting with something for everyone. The mixologists are amazing, and they even have board games and snacks available. They also do a happy hour, but I can never get there in time so can't speak to it. By far the best kept secret in Nanaimo!

Just discovered this place! Awesome craft cocktails from a serious mixologist. Never even knew this…read moreplace was here, as it's kinda hiding out of sight on a bit of an industrial park road. Nice cozy eclectic atmosphere with herbs and flowers drying all around. The cocktail menu is lengthy and def has something for everyone. Each drink has a chart letting you know sweet, herbal, boozy, etc. Not very busy on a Friday night, I imagine people haven't discovered it just like we didn't! Check it out!

Copper Otter provided one of our best meals on Pender Island after a full day of exploring and…read morebefore catching the ferry. The restaurant felt upscale yet comfortable, with a welcoming mix of locals, visitors, and families. Service was friendly and attentive. We sat in a booth near the entrance with a clear view across the lively dining room. The drinks weren't especially memorable, but the food was delicious. My dining companion described the seafood linguine as one of the better meals of the trip, while my Smashburger lived up to its reputation. We were too full for dessert, but perhaps next time. Enjoy!

Awesome smash burger experience! Staff so helpful and knowledgeable. Best restaurant interior on…read morePender.

Loved the Zombie last time I was in, a bit pricey but ambiance was worth it. Hope to come back…read moreagain. Any happy hour specials??

Last stop on an Alaska cruise. Found this gem. The bartender ( co-owner?) was super friendly and…read moreattentive. Fun fun fun drinks. For 3$ add a dole whip swirl.....yes please!!!!!! From the tiki glasses to the clientele and inclusive vibe this was the icing on the cake for our vacay! 1000% will come again. Wish my town had a place like this!

I do not eat tomato soup and was told to try it WOW! It's more like a rich sauce. I also had the…read morekind of Blue sandwich and it was great. My husband had a different sandwich and both were AMAZING. We started with the warm mixed Mediterranean Olives, soooo tasty and NOT salty. The service was excellent and the restaurant was very chill. Loved this, we will be back. I wish I would have taken photos!

Worth a visit for sure…read more A talented couple bring their Ontario foodie experience to the island and create an awesome Bistro.