While you will still find a spot in one of the cosy, casual Whistler bars to sip on a craft beer and dive into a plate of comfort food, the foodie scene in Whistler reaches well beyond the boundaries of that outdated stereotype. It is truly diverse. From upmarket European style wine bars to on-mountain restaurants and world-class Whistler fine dining, food loving travellers will be ‘wowed’ by Whistler.
Beautiful blues of a clear day bounce off the powder on Whistler Mountain. Image © Skye Gilkeson
The Best Coffee in Whistler
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Mount Currie Coffee Company | Multiple Locations
Aussies listen up! If you are in Whistler and you are missing your Aussie-style (strong) brew, walk don’t run to Mount Currie Coffee Company. Conveniently located in Whistler’s main street and offering a menu of organic, sustainable “thoughtful food”, you might as well settle in for a snack while you are there, or grab a green smoothie to go.
Lift Coffee Company | 4293 Mountain Square #223, Whistler
Located next to the Blackcomb gondola, Lift Coffee Company is a great place to pick up your pre-ski caffeine hit or grab a table out on the heated patio after coming off the mountain.
Camp Lifestyle & Coffee Co. | 1066 Millar Creek Road, Whistler
Located in Function Junction, Camp Lifestyle & Coffee Co. is a lifestyle concept store specialising in sustainable products for the modern camper. The hipster hangout has a truly local feel, edgy design and great coffee to boot.
Healthy Cafes in Whistler
The Green Moustache | Multiple Locations
The Green Moustache makes everything on their healthy menu from scratch, without adding any nasties. A local family-run business the food at The Green Moustache is guided by the motto; “Creative, fun, simple, clean + organic” and accessible for everyone (reflected in their very reasonable prices).
Raven’s Nest | Creekside Gondola, Whistler Mountain
A fully vegetarian, plant-based menu, Raven’s Nest was created by Whistler Blackcomb Executive Chef, Wolfgang Sterr, a vegetarian, and fellow Whistler Blackcomb employee and vegan, Kristine Leise and it is the first on slope vegetarian restaurant in North America. There are allergy friendly and also vegan options on the menu.
Stonesedge | 4122 Village Green, Whistler
Stonesedge served up one of the best brunches we’ve ever had, and we dig brunch. Cosy up in a leather banquet or one of their beautiful wooden tables and order one of their amazing Farmers or Woodman’s Bowls. It will set you up for a day of exploring the mountains.
The must-try Farmer’s Bowl at Stonesedge, Whistler Village. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Whistler Bars
Bar Oso | The Cellar | 150 – 4222 Village Square, Whistler
While there are still many casual Whistler bars in the village and on the mountain, for somewhere more classy, pull up a stool at Bar Oso. Oso, means bear in Spanish and is a nod to both the local area and the small plates, tapas menu on offer. The Cellar is located on the lower level and offers a beautiful warm and intimate setting for a fancier sit-down dinner wrapped in their wine wall.
Balsalt Wine + Salumeria | 13 – 4154 Village Green, Whistler
You will drool when you sit down and peruse the menu at Basalt Wine + Salumeria. The wine bar and restaurant offers European style meat and cheese boards, perfect for après, beautiful brunch and dinner menus and an extensive wine list curated by an in-house sommelier.
HandleBar Cafe and Après | 4557 Blackcomb Way, Whistler
Handlebar is all about good vibes and great beer. An unpretentious hole-in-the-wall feel, Handlebar celebrates local, small batch BC beer with simple, comfort-food menu options to accompany them. You’ll want to hang out for the whole afternoon.
Longhorn Saloon and Grill | 4280 Mountain Square, Whistler
Longhorn Saloon and Grill is really conveniently located near the chairlifts, making is a great après option. Settle in for the afternoon on the patio and watch the buzz on the mountain over a craft beer and a simple steak, burger or other American-style dish.
Delicious fresh oysters with horseradish at Bearfoot Bistro in Whistler Village. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Beacon Pub & Eatery | 4154 Village Stroll, Whistler
We were starving when we found the Beacon on a stroll through the Village. A cosy pub and eatery, it was exactly what we were looking for. It was warm with lots of craft beer and honest, comfort food menu options.
Cinnamon Bear Bar & Grill | Hilton Whistler, 4050 Whistler Way
Despite its location inside the Hilton Hotel, the Cinnamon Bear Bar and Grill isn’t just a popular tourist spot. We’re told locals take Thursdays off because Wednesday nights are pumping here. You must try their Caesar cocktail (a Canadian Bloody Mary), they are very moreish.
Garibaldi Lift Co. | 4165 Springs Lane, Whistler
The afternoon we walked into Garibaldi Lift Co. with a friend the place was heaving. Of all the Whistler bars, the Garibaldi Life company is one of the most iconic. Located at the base of the Whistler Village Gondola, it should come as no surprise. No doubt, the fun, high-energy vibe you feel here probably has a good deal to do with it too. Despite the crowds, drinks were served quickly and with a smile and we ended up snagging a spot by the fire to catch up and do a little people watching.
Coast Mountain Brewing |1212 Alpha Lake Rd #2, Whistler
Less than ten minutes drive from the Village is the Coast Mountain Brewing Tasting Room. Another great place to try to some local ales. If you don’t have a car, don’t worry. They stock their pours in bars and restaurants around Whistler village too.
Après hour in Whistler Village. As the mountain clears, the bars fill up. Image © Skye Gilkeson
Whistler Fine Dining
Rim Rock Cafe | 2117 Whistler Rd, Whistler
Rim Rock Cafe is a culinary institution in Whistler. Opening its doors more than three decades ago, the team at Rim Rock offer quality food and service with passion. The classic menu is built around fresh local fish and game. Expect dishes like Lobster Bisque, Venison, Duck “Two Ways” with wine pairings from around the world.
Araxi Restaurant & Oyster Bar | 110 – 4222 Village Square, Whistler
Planning a date during your visit to the Village? Araxi is the pick. Following a farm-to-table food philosophy, Araxi showcases Pacific Northwest ingredients in a fine dining setting with all the trimmings. Enjoy a drink at the Oyster Bar or book a table for a romantic sit-down meal, later in the evening.
Christine’s on Blackcomb | Blackcomb Mountain
Mountain-top fine dining with panoramic views back down the valley from Blackcomb is what the newly revamped Christine’s has in store for diners. Chef Steve Ramey has cleverly crafted the menu to highlight sustainable local ingredients, all of which are brought up the mountain. This is an impressive spot for a long lunch. Make a reservation before you get to the village as it’s a popular spot.
Aura Restaurant | 2131 Lake Placid Road, Whistler
“Fresh, casual, local” is the Aura dining ethos. Located lakeside at Nita Lake Lodge, Aura uses sustainable, seasonal ingredients from the region to serve up an honest, paddock to plate style menu.
Bearfoot Bistro | 4121 Village Green, Whistler
One of our favourite Whistler finds, Bearfoot Bistro offers an experiential dining experience. Sit at the bar and savour some freshly shucked oysters and a delicious cocktail, book a table in the fine dining restaurant, test out your saber skills with a bottle of bubbles in the Champagne Cave or rug up for a vodka tasting in the Ketel One Ice Bar.
A huge thank you to my friend Gus for his insider tips to make this an authentic local guide.
Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.
She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.
As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.
Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.
Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.
Read more about Skye’s story here.