Nestled amidst the towering peaks of British Columbia’s Coast Mountain, Whistler is renowned as one of North America’s premier outdoor destinations. Beyond the world class outdoor recreation available here, Whistler has grown into a gastronomer's dream destination.

The culinary scene in Whistler Canada is truly impressive. Given that there are more than 170 dining establishments to choose from, a variety of global flavours and bold spices await those looking to explore worldly cuisine deep in the mountains of this iconic ski town.

What Makes Whistler’s Culinary Scene so Impressive?

Given the town's relatively small live in population of about 16,000, the culinary scene here rivals a well sized city. After co-hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics, Whistler’s popularity catapulted into the mainstream and with that, a dramatic increase in international visitation.

International Influence and Cultural Diversity: Whistler’s culinary scene pays homage to its international visitors by including culinary traditions from around the world. Local restaurants strive to offer guests authentic cuisine from their home countries along with tasteful Canadian fusion options.

Creativity and Constant Innovation: The town’s chefs and restaurants regularly change menus, experiment with new ingredients and inspire unique dishes. Whistler’s highly trained chefs are not afraid to take risks and their creations offer food enthusiasts an ever changing culinary experience.

An Incredibly High Standard: Whistler has evolved into a luxury ski resort that caters to international visitors with deep pockets and high expectations. When serving guests who have experienced some of the best restaurants in major cities, Whistler remains ambitious in delivering exceptional dining experiences.

Local Sourcing and High Quality Ingredients: Many of Whistler’s top restaurants strive to source as many ingredients locally as possible. Although local BC produce is hard to come by in the winter given Canada’s colder climate, the majority of the meat and seafood are locally sourced. Greenhouses assists with produce in the colder months but in the summer, the majority of the produce is grown in British Columbia

Whistler’s Worldly Flavours

Whistler offers an extensive array of international cuisine at dozens of spots around town. From sushi and tapas to spicy Indian and hearty ramen, here are some of the best global flavours in this adventurous mountain playground.

Japanese

If there’s something Whistler’s done right, it’s sushi. Given its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the sushi quality here is some of the best in the world thanks to the high quality seafood sourced locally. The best sushi restaurant in Whistler is Nagomi followed closely by Sushi Village.

Both offer high quality sushi and authentic Japanese cuisine. Sushi Village has a reputation for a more fun vibe and welcomes larger groups. If the walls here could talk, they’d share some wild stories.

A local’s secret is Sushi-To-Go tucked away in the Whistler’s Visitor Centre. Although seating is almost non-existent, the exceptional seafood quality and portion size for the price is unrivalled. Ordering from here is a must, take it from a local.

Indian

After a cold day on the slopes, there’s nothing like a good spicy curry to warm you up. Luckily, Whistler’s Indian cuisine will knock your socks off with its bold and aromatic creations.

The Tandoori Grill is Whistler’s best Indian restaurant. Why? Not only are the dishes here authentic, the restaurant has an in-house tandoor oven to elevate the food's flavour.

The Indian Masala Bistro located a stone's throw from Whistler Gondola offers a more upscale dining experience with a specialty of pairing the perfect wine with your chosen dish. Finally, Whistler’s most affordable Indian restaurant is The Royal Taste of India. This family run business offers tasteful traditional cuisine at a very reasonable price. They also have a tandoor oven to add to the restaurant's authenticity.

Mexican and Latin America

Whistler’s Mexican offerings are few but they pack a spicy punch. The town’s two establishments, La Cantina and The Mexican Corner both offer vibrant and bold dishes. La Cantina offers a more casual experience with authentic street-style tacos and burritos. The Mexican Corner has been praised for its creative, historical take on traditional Mexican flare with an elevated dining experience.

European

European cuisine is extremely mixed and varied but Whistler does a good job of offering notable cuisine from a few European culinary powerhouses.

There is a sizable Italian presence in town. Il Caminetto is the town's most upscale Italian restaurant. Pasta Lupino is a small hole in the wall spot for warm and filling pastas. Pizzeria Antico is Whistler’s only Neapolitan Pizza restaurant specialising in authentic wood fire pizza.

Caramba Restaurant offers an excellent mix of fresh Mediterranean dishes. Wild Blue is a notable upscale seafood forward restaurant with dishes inspired from French and Italian cuisine. Crêpe Montagne is the town's only French crêperie with both sweet and savoury options.

Conclusion

Whistler may be known for its epic ski slopes and mountain adventures, but its vibrant culinary scene is just as impressive. The town’s eclectic mix of international flavours reflects the diverse population that both travels here and calls the valley home.

Whether you’re in the mood for some basic pub fare or want to take a culinary trip around the world, Whistler’s ever-changing restaurant scene will surprise and satisfy your international curiosity. Dig in!





Originally from Northern Ontario, Anthony now calls Whistler, Canada home. As an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for science and tourism writing, he chases excitement and communicates his experiences through his work. Anthony holds CASI 2 and CSIA 1 certifications. He has over eight years of teaching and coaching experience as a snowsports instructor and 20+ seasons of skiing and snowboarding under his belt.

When away from the office, Anthony spends much of his free time immersed in mountain culture. Skiing, snowboarding and mountain biking take up his free time, often complimented by sailing and the occasional backpacking adventure.