Fox and Monocle/Instagram.
Surrounded by beautiful ocean views, the Saanich Peninsula is a destination that captivates not only with its stunning natural beauty but also with its thriving culinary scene, featuring different flavours that reflect the heart of its community. With access to fresh, locally sourced ingredients, the area is home to restaurants that elevate the farm-to-table dining.
From upscale dining experiences to breweries and cideries, this region promises a memorable culinary experience. Here is a list of restaurants and businesses in the Saanich Peninsula that we love and recommend.
A fine dining restaurant located in North Saanich. With stunning views of the Saanich Inlet and beautiful and classic old-world décor, the restaurant offers a truly European dining experience.
A renowned restaurant to many and a hidden gem to others, Deep Cove Chalet specializes in French cuisine. The menu frequently changes based on the season, focusing on fresh seafood, local meats, and produce from nearby farms. Some signature dishes include items like fresh local seafood, such as scallops, lobster, and fish, prepared with French culinary techniques; meat dishes, like duck or beef Wellington; and decadent desserts, including rich, traditional French desserts like crème brûlée and soufflé. The wine list is extensive, with a particular emphasis on French wines and some local selections, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Address: 11190 Chalet Rd.
The Arbutus Room offers an elevated dining experience that showcases West Coast cuisine in an elegant room with beautiful views of the Brentwood Bay marina and surrounding hills and forests. The culinary team emphasizes the use of local ingredients, crafting menus that reflect the abundance of Vancouver Island. The menu offers a variety of dishes like burrata, grilled squid, short rib arancini, rib eye, mussels and frites, and more. Live music accompanies dinner on Fridays and Saturdays.
Address: 849 Verdier Ave.
The Farmer’s Daughter is a lovely hidden gem in Sidney offering cheeses from all over the world, wine flights, small bites, sharing boards, and gooey grilled cheese sandwiches. They are passionate about high-quality, well-sourced farmhouse and artisan cheeses, offering over 150 varieties. Guests can shop to take home or stay for a glass of wine paired with food in a beautiful setting. Additionally, they provide curated cheese and meat platters, grazing boxes, and gift baskets suitable for various occasions.
Address: 2360 Beacon Ave.
A contemporary restaurant with an extensive menu including everything from fresh-made pastas to wood-fired filet mignon and classic escargots. Offering a variety of Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas with a focus on unique gourmet ingredients. The wine cellar at the bistro houses more than 750 bottles of fine wine, many from award-winning vineyards and internationally renowned producers. The atmosphere is casual, cozy, and lively, and the friendly service makes it a great spot for families, groups of friends, and pizza lovers. For guests with dietary restrictions, 900 Degrees Bistro offers many gluten-free options and is attentive to food allergies.
Address: 2360 Beacon Ave.
The Fickle Fig Farm Market evolved from a small 5-acre boutique farm into a permanent market that emphasizes seasonal, sustainable, local, and organic farm produce. The market features a bakery and bistro, providing freshly baked goods, gelato, and a variety of prepared foods. Find a selection of lunch choices, including sandwiches, soups, pizza, and salads. Aside from the dining options, visitors can find jams, preserved and pickled items, local eggs, cheese, and New York-style sourdough pizza dough at the shop, and an array of artisan craft goods, including soaps and wools from the Fickle Fig’s very own sheep.
In addition to the main market, The Fickle Fig operates a smaller outlet on Beacon Avenue in Sidney, offering a selection of pastries, bread, pies, sandwiches, and gelato. We recommend trying the almond croissants and the lemon poppy seed loaf with icing drizzle and almonds and the fresh rhubarb crumble slice.
The Fickle Fig Farm Market: 1780 Mills Rd.
The Fickle Fig Express: 2489 Beacon Ave.
The Fickle Fig at the Airport (Farm to Flight): Ground Side in the Victoria International Airport
Nestled in the heart of Canoe Cove Marina, Fox & Monocle has quickly become a renowned spot for those seeking both comfort and culinary excellence. By day, the bakery serves an array of freshly baked goods, yummy soups, and artisanal sandwiches. During the evening, the space transforms into a dining room, offering a refined dining experience that showcases European comfort food. The menu, ever-evolving with the seasons, emphasizes classic flavours crafted from locally sourced ingredients, reflecting a commitment to sustainable cooking and support for regional producers. EnRoute magazine honoured Fox & Monocle as the ninth best new restaurant in Canada in 2022.
Address: 2300 Canoe Cove Rd.
Small Gods Brewing Co. opened its doors in Sidney in 2022 and has quickly become a popular spot for craft beer lovers. The family-owned brewery draws inspiration from our town's rich bookstore culture, offering a unique literary-themed experience. Each beer tells its own story, with names reflecting their ingredients or origins. For instance, their flagship German pilsner, Neverending, pays homage to the classic tale, The Neverending Story.
The brewery is designed to be a welcoming space for everyone. It's not just about the beer; they also serve artisan sandwiches, salads, and charcuterie boards, making it the perfect spot to visit with friends and family. In addition to their regular hours, they host a variety of fun events.
Address: 9835 Third St.
A family-owned organic orchard and ciderhouse nestled on the Saanich Peninsula. The farm spans 10 acres and is home to over 1,300 apple trees, with more than 50 varieties of apples. Their commitment to organic farming and traditional cider-making techniques has resulted in award-winning ciders that reflect the uniqueness of the region.
Guests at Sea Cider can enjoy panoramic water views overlooking the orchard and Haro Strait. The tasting room offers flights of their handcrafted ciders, which can be paired with organic cheeses, local meats, spreads, and more. The venue also hosts various events throughout the year, including cooking classes, paint nights, and yoga retreats, providing a vibrant community space for locals to gather and celebrate.
Address: 2487 Mt. St. Michael Rd.
Scoop and Waffle is the newest addition to the peninsula's culinary scene. The shop recently opened its doors, offering an impressive selection of 28 ice cream flavours, custom ice cream cakes, mini donuts, and authentic Belgian waffles.
Address: 2423 Beacon Ave.
10 Acres at The Pier is a casual waterfront restaurant located in Sidney. The twice-weekly harvest from the 10 Acres farm is the foundation of the menu—season by season farm-to-table, as well as featuring Ocean Wise and sustainably caught local seafood and meats sourced from local farms.
Guests can enjoy freshly shucked oysters from the "Raw Bar" along with a variety of other seafood dishes, soups, sushi, pizza, and large plates.
Address: 2538 Beacon Ave.
