This Oceanside Restaurant On Vancouver Island Has Stunning Views & You Can Dine Next To Seals

Dinner with a side of sparkling ocean views. 🌊

Morgan Leet at Shelter Restaurant in Tofino. Right: Patio of Shelter Restaurant on Vancouver Island.

Morgan Leet at Shelter Restaurant in Tofino. Right: Patio of Shelter Restaurant on Vancouver Island.

Editor

The views expressed in this Opinion article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.

Finding a good place to eat on vacation can be a mission, but luckily I stumbled upon one of the best restaurants I've been to on Vancouver Island, after taking BC Ferries from Vancouver for a vacation.

The ocean views alone from this Tofino restaurant will make you want to stay forever — and their truffle fries will do the same.

Shelter Restaurant is nestled within the small town itself, making it the perfect spot to go after a day exploring the area. We happened upon it after a long day at the beach, which left us craving a hearty meal.

Morgan Leet at Shelter. Morgan Leet at Shelter. Morgan Leet | Narcity

The restaurant has a massive patio that lets you sit right next to the ocean and enjoy views of the towering mountains all around.

View from Shelter Restaurant patio.View from Shelter Restaurant patio.Morgan Leet | Narcity

At one point during the meal, a little seal popped its head up out of the water to say hello. Sadly, he disappeared eventually, and the rest of my evening was spent scanning the water for signs of my new friend.

Shelter Restaurant patio.Shelter Restaurant patio.Morgan Leet | Narcity

The atmosphere and views were clear and obvious selling points for this place, but the food was also impressive.

My group ordered the crispy brussel sprouts and some tasty grilled focaccia to start, and my mouth is still watering just thinking about that bread.

I also ordered the crispy tofu bowl, and managed to steal a few bites of my friend's chicken burger — both of which were delicious.

Honestly, I was already stuffed after the sizeable appetizers, but nothing could stop me from finishing my plate (and my friends' leftovers too!).

After dinner we walked up the wharf in town, which is a perfect spot to catch the sunset. Sitting and watching the sun dip behind the mountains made for the most idyllic end to the night.

Morgan Leet in Tofino.Morgan Leet in Tofino.Morgan Leet | Narcity

Tofino is a go-to summer destination in B.C., so if you're planning a trip there soon, now you know where to go for dinner!

Shelter Restaurant

Price: 💸💸

Cuisine: Seasonal bistro fare

Address: 634 Campbell St, Tofino, BC

Why You Need To Go: This spot's location is what really makes it unique. You'll get an unbelievable view of the sparkling ocean beside the towering mountains here — and maybe even catch a glimpse of a seal or two if you're lucky.

Shelter website

  • Editor

    Morgan Leet (she/her) is an Editor for Narcity Media Group. After graduating from Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication, she jumped into fulfilling her dream as a journalist, merging her passion for travelling with writing. She got her start working in the print media world on Canada’s East Coast, then joined Narcity with a move to B.C., leading the launch of West Coast coverage. Her focus now is managing a large group of freelance writers, bringing human-forward and opinion content to the site.

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