Ucluelet, British Columbia, nestled on the west coast of Vancouver Island, offers a unique culinary experience with its blend of local seafood, Pacific Northwest cuisine, and a relaxed coastal atmosphere. Explore the vibrant food scene of Ucluelet and savour every bite on your culinary journey, starting with these local favourites:
Unforgettable Dining Experiences Await on Vancouver Island’s West Coast
Jiggers Fish & Chips
Indulge in the best fish and chips in town at Jiggers Fish & Chips in Ucluelet—savour large pieces of juicy, flaky cod freshly battered and served with delicious homemade tartar sauce. For a change, try the prawn and chips or the famous poutine. This delectable food truck offers a variety of options to satisfy any seafood craving.
Eagle’s Nest Pub
Nestled with a stunning view of Ucluelet Harbour, The “Nest” Full-Service Pub offers seating for over 100 guests, including a delightful patio area. This cozy pub invites diners to indulge in freshly prepared soups, crisp salads, and what many consider the best burgers on the West Coast. Hand-cut fries and scratch-made soups complement the meals, making it an ideal place to relax and unwind after a day of adventure. Whether seeking a hearty meal or a spot to enjoy the sunset, The “Nest” provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Yayu Cafe
Plant-based and packed full of flavour, Yayu Cafe is an entirely vegan cafe and restaurant set in Ucluelet, BC. Inspired by the healing powers of food, Yayu Cafe offers specialty coffees and teas infused with exotic spices, natural ingredients, and elixirs. Or tantalize your tastebuds with energizing and uplifting smoothies and mouthwatering nourishment bowls.
Foggy Bean
A visit to Ucluelet’s Foggy Bean Coffee House is essential for the coffee enthusiast. This family-owned and operated café roasts premium-quality coffee beans, providing patrons with aromatic and delightful specialty coffee at the source. Additionally, you can take home a bag of their signature brewed beans to savour the experience whenever you please.
Currents Restaurant
For a dining experience that combines high-quality cuisine with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, look no further than Currents Restaurant at the Black Rock Oceanfront Resort. Whether you visit for breakfast or dinner, you’ll be treated to an array of beautifully presented seasonal dishes alongside signature specialties. As you dine, soak in the stunning spectacle of the sun rising or setting, painting the coastal waters with a mesmerizing palette of colours. It’s an experience that tantalizes the taste buds and captivates the soul.
Pluvio Restaurant
Renowned for its excellence (ranked 4th Best New Restaurant in Canada 2019), this dining destination promises a distinctive and enjoyable experience, drawing inspiration from the scenic Ucluelet coastline. Its intimate setting and open kitchen foster personalized and refined service while menus spotlight the finest local ingredients. Diners can choose a three-course dinner or the Chef’s tasting menu, enhanced by inventive cocktails and an impressive wine collection.
Heartwood Kitchen
Indulge in a breakfast or brunch experience like no other at Heartwood Kitchen Food Outfitter. This charming eatery offers a range of eggs Benedict with unique and inventive twists, alongside signature delights such as prawn dumplings and poutine smashbrowns. With each mouthwatering bite, you’ll find yourself coming back for more!
Frankies Resto-Bar
At Frankie’s, they believe in keeping things simple, inviting guests to pull up a chair and instantly feel at home. Emphasizing delicious meals that friends and family will adore, the restaurant offers stunning harbour views and a seasonal outdoor patio. Known for boasting the best-rotating beer tap on the entire Peninsula and serving award-winning BC wines, Frankie’s has earned its reputation as Ucluelet’s favourite local dining spot.
Cedar Grill
The Cedar Grill is a beloved neighbourhood gem that blends American and Italian flavours into delectable dishes. Whether you’re craving mouthwatering pizzas, New York Strip Loin, homemade soups and sandwiches, or their renowned Cedar Scrambles, this eatery has something for everyone. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the Cedar Grill offers a comforting taste reminiscent of home-cooked meals from Grandma’s kitchen. It’s a cozy spot where every bite is a nostalgic delight.
Ukee Dogs Taqueria
Ukee Dogs prides itself on delivering the ultimate culinary experience with the best hot dogs and tacos you’ll find on the West Coast. Step into their vintage diner setting, where the charm of yesteryears meets the vibrancy of today. Enjoy the best hot dogs and tacos in town, complemented by wickedly good burritos, great music and outdoor seating. It’s all high fives and good vibes at Ukee Dogs.
The Break
The Break Cafe & Bistro specializes in pastries, coffee, and brunch, guaranteeing exceptional quality and service. This cozy cafe offers delicious homemade meals in a relaxed dine-in or takeaway setting. They prioritize using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, crafting nutritious dishes with care and passion. Whether breakfast, lunch or a quick dinner from their frozen grocery section, they’ve got you covered.
West Coast Salty Buns Food Truck
A BBQ Mexican food truck born from a passion for slow-cooked, smoked meats and fresh flavours. Their 18-foot smoker, fueled by local dry alder, infuses meats with rich taste over 14 hours. They prioritize quality; sourcing wild seafood, Vancouver Island produce, and BC free-range meats. Signature bites include steamed bun tacos known as bacos, burritos, bowls, and vegan options.
Ukee Poke
Heading towards Tofino from Ucluelet and looking for some good grub along the way? Stop by Ukee Poke! A two-in-one surf and build-your-own poke bowl shop that focuses on seasonal flavours and getting you out onto the water. With outdoor seating available, you can shop custom boards, ask all your questions to local surfers and enjoy a delicious bowl of fresh local ingredients all in one place.
This spring, we invite you to experience the breathtaking beauty of our home. Ucluelet is more than just a picturesque backdrop for your adventures; it’s a vibrant community pulsating with the heartbeat of passionate locals who call this place home. From artists and artisans to fishermen and foragers, each resident contributes to the rich tapestry of life that defines Ucluelet.
Spring Activities
Lace up your hiking boots and wander along winding trails that lead to hidden waterfalls and panoramic viewpoints, or paddle silently through pristine waters as you explore the tranquil beauty of Barkley Sound. Whether you’re travelling with friends, family, or just the two of you, there’s something for everyone. The Ucluelet Aquarium, Canada’s first collect and release aquarium, reopens for the season on March 1st. Looking for something to up your heartbeat? Rent a bike from Ukee Bikes and ride the town in style, or get on the water with Relic Surf Shop or Paddle West Kayaking.
Grab a Bite & a Brew
As you meander through the quaint streets of town, you’ll find yourself drawn to charming boutiques and cozy cafes, where the scent of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the salty tang of the sea. Strike up a conversation with a friendly local, and you’ll uncover hidden gems and insider tips that only those who call Ucluelet home can share.
Discover west coast dining experiences in Ucluelet.
Upcoming Events
Each year, as the storms power dwindles and the sun stays high for longer, Ucluelet comes alive with the vibrant energy of the Pacific Rim Whale Festival, a celebration of the return of Pacific Gray Whales to the west coast of Vancouver Island. Against the backdrop of Ucluelet’s rugged coastline, locals and visitors alike gather to honor the annual migration of gray whales and marvel at their breathtaking displays. From captivating educational workshops and exhilarating whale-watching excursions to lively community events and art exhibitions, the festival offers a kaleidoscope of experiences that deepen our connection to the ocean and its inhabitants. It’s a time of joyous revelry and profound appreciation for the natural wonders that define Ucluelet’s identity, reminding us of the enduring bond between humankind and the sea.
Discover Springtime events in Ucluelet.
Stay With Us
To fully capture the spirit of Ucluelet, you’ll want to stay a few nights, a week, or longer. From classic cabins, luxury resorts, eco-yurts steps from the ocean, and family-friendly campgrounds, check out available accommodations in Ucluelet.
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As the sun dips below the horizon, casting hues of pink and gold across the sky, take a moment to pause and reflect on the wonders you’ve witnessed during your time in Ucluelet. Whether you’ve come to reconnect with nature, indulge in culinary delights, or simply escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Ucluelet welcomes you with open arms and invites you to embark on a journey of discovery unlike any other.
Ucluelet Aquarium
Kayaking off Vancouver Island
Ucluelet Brewing
Wild Pacific Trail
Credit: George Fifield
Pluvio Restaurant and Rooms. Credit: Jordyn Giesbrecht
Today, we want to kick off a celebration of women who have helped transform Ucluelet into the unique community it is today by showcasing the phenomenal and ground-breaking work done at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, the first of many stories to come.
Black Rock Oceanfront Resort is setting a new standard for sustainability with a Refillable and Zero Waste model that will minimize the resort’s ecological footprint, take a load off the landfill, reduce plastic waste, and support local entrepreneurs. Black Rock is one of the first resort’s in Canada to adopt such a model and has partnered with two forward-thinking and female-run small businesses in Ucluelet, The Den and Mint Cleaning, to make this dream a reality!
Located on a dramatic headland above the Pacific Ocean’s crashing waves, the Resort is surrounded by the Wild Pacific Trail and the rugged rocky coast of West Vancouver Island. Our stunning Ucluelet resort is minutes from Vancouver Island’s amazing beaches, forests, restaurants, and attractions, and the Long Beach Unit of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve which includes Barkley Sound. Only 40 km from the village of Tofino.
“The Zero-Waste dream started with a conversation. It reflects how we feel about the natural environment and our desire to protect the rainforest and ocean,” says Adele Larkin, General Manager of Black Rock Oceanfront Resort. “It’s better for community, environment, visitors, and staff.”
Black Rock guests are now enjoying 100% refillable bathroom products supplied by The Den, including Oneka shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotions, Cascades paper products, and Tru Earth laundry strips. Den co-owners Kristen O’Keefe and Diane Rudge call the partnership a win-win-win that supports the community, sustainability, and small business.
“We believe supporting local businesses is essential for the success of the community we live in. When everyone is striving in their individual pursuits, the greater community here feels that momentum,” O’Keefe says.
At the same time, Mint Cleaning, a cleaning service products company founded by two Ucluelet moms, provides:
- All-natural carpet deodorizer.
- Essential oil-based air freshener.
- All-purpose cleaner.
- Other earth-friendly biodegradable cleaning products.
It’s healthier for staff and visitors, knowing that all products have been selected with their well-being top of mind.
Forage is the newly opened in-house gift shop in partnership with The Den, Foggy Bean Coffee Company, Ocean Pet Supplies, and other boutique Ucluelet businesses. It’s the perfect place for Black Rock guests to find a sustainable piece of the West Coast to take home.
“As a tourism destination, we all recognize that the reason people come here is because they enjoy pristine natural spaces,” Larkin says. “This understanding is at the heart of all the decisions we make for our businesses, guests, staff, and the environment.”
For more information, please visit www.blackrockresort.com.
These local businesses and artisans offer online shopping for a little piece of Ucluelet at home.
