Because drinking outside is better

1909 Kitchen

Life is better on the water

634 Campbell St., Tofino B.C.

Literally located right above the waters of Tofino Inlet on pilings beside a working marina, 1909 Kitchen is in prime spot for sunset-soaked cocktails and Top Chef Canada-winning Paul Moran’s fresh, locally inspired food. This is the real Tofino. Fishermen, sea lions and eagles all make an appearance as you watch the tides flow in and out from the majestic deck. Be sure to try the miso cedar black cod or wood-fired pizza.

The Hatch Waterfront Pub

The Only True Pub in Tofino

634 Campbell St., Tofino B.C.

For many years, this pub has served locals and visitors alike on Tofino’s waterfront. Two years ago, Tofino Resort + Marina updated The Hatch Waterfront Pub and it’s a slick new space with an insane selection of cold B.C. craft beers. The deck has propane heaters for when the temps drop, and umbrellas for when the sun is high. Good music, great service, and the damn tasty fish tacos. They also have a wood-fired pizza oven that pumps out the best pizza in Tofino.

Shed

New Kid on the Block

461 Campbell St., Tofino B.C.

If busy street-side patios are your jam, this is the spot to make your presence known. Located right on the main drag, Shed is a sweet new patio across from the Jeremy Koreski Gallery. They do burgers, bowls and salads well, and the vibe is a friendly-but-high-energy version of west coast hospitality. It’s where the cool kids go and they’re dog-friendly, which makes them rad people in our books.

 

The Sandbar Bistro

On the Beach, in your Dreams

1441 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, B.C.

Really, really wishing for a patio on a white sandy beach? The Sandbar Bistro at Long Beach Lodge Resort is your only option, and only on Thursday to Monday, from 2:00 PM to sunset, weather permitting. Limited hours aside, this is one of the most beautiful locations in Tofino to eat and drink outside, and worth making time for. The menu offering is short but delectable. Try the pulled pork tacos and the Tofino Brewing Blonde Ale. Watch surfers from your lounge chair, eat fresh seafood, and sit around a fire. It’s romantic and relatively chill spot to park your cocktail-sipping butt for a few hours.

Shelter Restaurant

A Tofino Culinary Institution

601 Campbell St, Tofino, B.C.

The legendary Shelter Restaurant has been around for a long, long time. Before 1909 Kitchen or Wolf in the Fog became bucket-list spots for Tofino and Vancouver Island foodies, Shelter was the place to go to experience locally-sourced, west coast-inspired fare. It still is. Shelter’s origin story aligns perfectly with the early stages of Tofino’s food boom, and is arguably the most welcoming and fun atmosphere of any spot in town. The patio is partly glassed-in and enclosed, which has the awesome advantage of being one of the best year-round patio locations. The open-air section has to endure a little bit of traffic from the main road and parking lot, but is still a lively, fun, awesome spot to sink pints and share stories of Tofino vacation memories.

The Schooner

Historically Significant + Tasty Cocktails

331 Campbell St, Tofino, B.C.

This storied building has been around for 70 years, long before Tofino was known for sunny patios and rainy-day surfing. It was also one of the early restaurants which became known for great food and drink. More recently, The Schooner is known for its flower-engulfed outdoor patio, second-floor ocean views, good traditional food like steaks and seafood, and a well-curated cocktail program. These bartenders know how to mix a drink.