While Sooke might be known for its fantastic hiking and beautiful ocean views, most visitors are unsure of which are the best restaurants in Sooke. Whether you’re just passing through on the way to port Renfrew or a long-time local, there a several great options for food in Sooke regardless of your budget or appetite. One thing shared by all the eateries I’ve listed here is the unpretentious community-oriented atmosphere that thrives throughout Sooke, as well as simple fresh ingredients sourced from as locally as possible.
Looking to find the best places to eat in Sooke? I’ve already done the work for you, having polled locals and visited the top recommendations for myself. As always, this list of places to eat in Sooke isn’t ranked in any particular order. If you think I’ve missed something, feel free to leave a comment below!
Wild Mountain
Wild Mountain is widely considered one of the best places to eat in southern Vancouver Island, though its lofty reputation can make getting a seat in its cozy dining room a bit of a challenge. Getting a reservation here is well worth it though. Co-founder Brooke Fader is the Community Leader for the local Slow Food group and a founding member of Slow Fish Canada and the Foundation for Biodiversity’s Canadian Chefs Alliance. Along with Chef Oliver Kienast and the rest of their team, the restaurant works with local fishers, suppliers, wine and cheese makers to create a constantly-changing menu that shifts with the harvests and prioritizes a philosophy of butchery, charcuterie, preservation, fermentation, and also raising, growing and foraging for ingredients.
Mom’s Cafe
The menu at a joint named ‘Mom’s Cafe’ is exactly what you’d expect: homestyle cooking including hearty breakfasts, delicious burgers, and delicious chowder. This Sooke fixture has been a local community hangout for over fifty years, changing hands more than a few times and has changed hands more than a few times, but some things stay the same. Expect classic diner fare and friendly faces at this community cornerstone, but the highlight here is the famous “mile-high” slices of pie made, like everything, with lots of love.
West Coast Grill
Delicious food and stunning oceanfront views are a winning formula, and Sooke’s West Coast Grill isn’t lacking in either. Located in Prestige Oceanfront Resort, this restaurant boasts a scenic outdoor terrace and fire pits, as well as a menu bursting with local ingredients and farm-to-table flavour. For lunch, try the delicious West Coast Chowder and Surf and Turf, or plan your visit later in the day and explore the wine menu full of BC favourites plus plenty of local beers on tap.
Cafe Vosino
When David Evans decided that after sixteen years it was time to hang up his hat as owner of beloved local hotspot the Stick in the Mud Cafe, an outpouring of grief from the local community resulted in the formation of a co-op to purchase the cafe. Now owned by long-time regulars and reopened under a new name, Cafe Vosino is still the place to be for the Sooke community. David still runs the roastery next door though, and continues to supply the cafe (and plenty of Sooke locals) with the most delicious coffee in the region. The food isn’t anything to scoff at either – make sure to try the Eggamajig – the delicious breakfast sandwich you didn’t know you needed.
Up Sooke Eatery
Up Sooke is a cozy eatery that exudes small town charm. This laid-back unpretentious breakfast and lunch joint caters to locals with hearty and delicious meals sold at a good price and with a smile. Don’t come here for anything fancy, but if you’re after one of the best breakfasts in Sooke, this is the place.
Route 14
This fun laid-back eatery right in the heart of Sooke is one of the best places to eat for families. The old wood beam ceiling and brick walls give it an unique and cozy vibe, and the food is casual pub-style with something for everyone from bison burgers to fish and chips. The only seafood used here is Ocean Wise approved and the eggs are free-range.
Stickleback Oceanfront Cider & Taphouse
In the SENĆOŦEN language, the word T’Sou-ke is the name of the Stickleback fish that lives in nearby estuaries. Over time the name was changed to Soke and then Sooke. Stickleback then seems like a fitting name for one of the best places fore fresh local seafood in the Sooke area. Located right on the waterfront in Cooper’s Cove, Stickleback Oceanfront Cider & Taphouse would honestly be worth mentioning just for the spectacular ocean views from the outdoor patio alone. Fortunately the classic West Coast-inspired fare on offer here is great as well, along with the selection of local beers and cocktails to wash the food down.
Sooke Breweries
Looking for local flavours? Sooke is home to three fantastic breweries serving up delicious beer in a variety of different atmospheres. Sooke’s breweries don’t really have food menus, but don’t be surprised to see food trucks parked outside (though not necessarily open year round) offering delicious casual food. If you’re a beer lover I’ve put together a list of Sooke’s must-visit breweries.
More Places to Eat Near Sooke
Sooke may be the last major town heading west along the Juan de Fuca Highway towards Port Renfrew, but the delicious local food doesn’t stop here. Check out the top places to eat not far west of Sooke that made my list of places to stop on a roadtrip to Port Renfrew.
