Campbell River isn’t often regarded as a foodie destination. Instead, this small Vancouver Island city is known for being perfectly located as the gateway to incredible whale-watching and mountain adventure. Blessed with spectacular ocean scenery to the east, and the jaw-dropping Strathcona Provincial Park to the west, it’s no surprise that Campbell River draws visitors year after year. After a long day of adventuring and exploring the region’s sights, the city also offers visitors and locals a great variety in restaurants and eateries. Much like all of the best food on Vancouver Island, there’s a focus on local fresh ingredients that provides rich and unique regional flavour, as well as relaxed and unpretentious experiences that make you feel right at home. From a fish and chips joint on the water to a 1940’s-style greasy spoon to Scandinavian inspired croissants, there’s options for everyone in Campbell River, whether you’re looking for a quick bite to fuel you up for a day of adventure or a filling dinner afterwards.
Looking to find the best places to eat in Campbell River? 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 Campbell River isn’t ranked in any particular order. If you think I’ve missed something, feel free to leave a comment below!
Session Taproom + Kitchen
Session Taproom + Kitchen is known for excelling at more than one thing. Whether you’re after some of Campbell River’s best cocktails, a delicious casual food menu featuring local ingredients, or looking to take a spin class (yes, that’s right!), Session has you covered. With a contemporary yet cozy space as well as friendly service and 12 rotating taps for craft beer and cider, this is one of my go-to Campbell River lunch and dinner joints. The pizza here is arguably some of the best in Campbell River, but if appies or salad bowls are more your vibe then they have that as well, along with rotating features and desserts. Bonus: the menu highlights all the local BC farms they source their food from.
Dockside Fish and Chips
Hopefully you don’t get seasick, because as the name suggests, this Campbell River fish & chips staple is right on the water. Like all the best fish and chips spots, Dockside is relaxed and friendly, and the fish is served in an oh-so-light batter that will leave you wanting more. But don’t forget to leave room for desert – Dockside Fish and Chips is also known as the home of some of the best donuts in Campbell River – you definitely have to try their maple bacon donut!
Beach Fire Brewing Company
Beach Fire Brewing is Campbell River’s one and only brewery, and for lovers of craft beer the award-winning brews served here should be enough to make it worth a visit. Housed in a former CBC TV studio (the one from which the famous Ripple Rock explosion was broadcast), this brewery has a menu packed with standard bar food that pairs great with beer or is just as delicious by itself. Whether you go for the ribs or the burger, one thing is clear: you don’t have to be drinking to enjoy the local ingredients and fresh flavours highlighted here.
Ideal Cafe
Ideal Cafe is one of the longest-running businesses in Campbell River – this classic greasy spoon has been serving customers since the early 40s. With it’s diner aesthetic and delicious food, it’s kept much of its old-fashioned charm without trying too hard. Campbell River locals know that this relaxed breakfast and lunch establishment is the real deal, and they keep the place busy. While the focus might be on the breakfast platters and burgers, don’t forget to try one of their delicious and creative milkshakes.
More Eatery
Husband and wife team Joe and Carmen started More Eatery in Campbell River in 2020, and their business has gone through a few different iterations through Covid including guided virtual dinner parties and themed dinner drop box deliveries. The new brick-and-mortar location has quickly become a community hub with a focus on breakfast and lunch, as well as a deli perfect for grab-and-go bites and a retail area selling all kinds of artisanal foodstuffs. The food is packed with flavour from fresh and exciting high-quality ingredients. Presentation and flavour are equally on point, and frankly more sophisticated than you would expect from somewhere with the laid-back and unpretentious atmosphere.
Freyja – The Croissant Story
Freyja is a croissant shop in Campbell River’s downtown specializing in high-quality handmade Scandinavian-influenced croissants and some other pastries. Offerings here range from the most simple timeless butter croissant to a variety of more luxurious pastries using a variety of fresh and surprising fillings like chocolate-based ganaches and seasonally changing fruits. Partnering with an existing croissant shop in Budapest with the same name, recent Hungarian immigrants Emese and Géza Tóth-Harasztos have brought the brand to Campbell River, and offer a calibre of croissant that’s impossible to find anywhere else on Vancouver Island. Croissants here are perfectly flake on the outside and delightfully soft and fluffy on the inside, unlike the dense and heavy croissants most Canadians are used to.
