A Complete Fall Foodie Guide to Whistler

If you find yourself wondering, “What are the best restaurants in Whistler,” This was written for you.

Whistler certainly has a dining scene that any foodie would drool over. What’s even greater for a foodie is that we are coming into fall… Why you ask?

Well, fall in Whistler is a quiet time, the sun goes down, the snow’s not here yet and there’s a fair amount of rain. No snow and more might not sound appealing to some, what may appeal to you is that most restaurants offer what they call a ‘dead season deal’ usually a set menu at a highly discounted set price.

You experience all the great food and fine dining service at a discounted price, what a win! These deals start to pop up as early as the beginning of September and go through to mid-November, so keep an eye out.

We’ve put together what we think are the best restaurants in Whistler that you need to try this fall

A Foodie Guide to Whistler: 10 Must Eats

Araxi Restaurant & Oyster Bar

Dine surrounded by wines, sherry, and champagne at Araxi (seasonal deals apply!)

Why? Araxi is one of Whistler’s best fine dining spots, they offer an exceptional menu which is heavily based on a farm to table dining experience. The innovative dishes offer the freshest locally sourced ingredients and you can certainly taste it.

Araxi is well known for their oysters and seafood selection, however, the entire menu is flawless – with a little something for everyone and desserts that have won awards! Being one of the top restaurants in Whistler, you are in for an evening of fantastic service, tasty food and top-notch atmosphere.

The wine selection would be overwhelming if they didn’t have experts who knew the wines like the back of their hand or an award-winning sommelier. Oh, and did we mention the cocktail list? From classics to shorts and sours to new creations – be sure to try one!

Must Order: BC Oysters, Yarrow Meadows Duck Breast & White Chocolate Creme Brulee
Where: Along the village stroll – 110-4222 Village Square

2. Red Door Bistro

Why? Red Door Bistro is a hidden gem when it comes to Whistlers fine dining scene. Nestled away in Creekside this small 40 person dining restaurant is well known to locals and if you’re not a local – you probably won’t know about it.

The style of food is West Coast meets French cuisine and the menu is every foodie’s dream. The atmosphere is cosy and intimate, always buzzing with happy guests, cheerful servers and satisfied bellies.

With great food and service comes popularity… Red Door Bistro can be reserved months in advance, so if you are wanting to experience this dining gem, avoid disappointment and make sure you book a table.

Must Order: Calamari West Coast Bouillabaisse, Veal Porterhouse & Peanut Butter Bombe
Where: Whistler Creekside – 2129 Lake Placid Road

3. Basalt Wine & Salumeria

Why? Basalt is our go-to when it comes to a patio, friends and an exceptional charcuterie board, what’s even better is you can create your own charcuterie – select your cheeses, cured meats and olives and you are all set.

The dinner menu is one not to be skipped on either, they offer a unique seasonal menu that lists its perfect wine pairing selection to compliment your dish. Basalt is predominantly a wine bar and has an impressive selection of wines from BC and the rest of the world, they also do pretty well with their cocktails. In our opinion, one of the best restaurants in Whistler Village.

Must Order: Cheese & Charcuterie Board
Where: On the village stroll – 13-4154 Village Green

4. Pizza Antico

Why? For some of the best pizza in town head to Pizza Antico, you won’t believe that you’re not in Italy. These wood-fired pizzas take it back to basics with their Neapolitan style and a perfect balance of toppings (now we know when it comes to pizza – less is most definitely more).

The setting is open, rustic and they have a small outdoor patio to soak up some rays in the summer months.

The service is always friendly, the vibe relaxed and they also have a great craft beer menu to choose from – because we all know pizza and pints go hand in hand. If you’ve got the room, make sure you try some of the items of their Antipasti section too.

Must Order: Arancini, Capricciosa Pizza, Funghi Pizza
Where: The corner of Main Street – 101-4369 Main Street

5. Elements Tapas

Why? This spot is a must-try when you’re in town, whether it be for breakfast, brunch or dinner… Elements is easily the best brunch spot in town sporting decadent stuffed french toast to delicious mixes of eggs benedict.

If you don’t make it for brunch, don’t fret their evening tapas menu is also a huge hit, the menu is creative and flavourful, the food is fresh and locally sourced and the plates made especially for sharing.

The dishes change season to season ensuring the best produce for that time of year. The wine list is worldly and complements the food on offer. Be warned, if you’re like us – it’s easy to get over-excited and order ALL of the things and leave with a satisfying food coma.

Must Order: Steamed West Coast Mussels, Slow Cooked Pork Belly & Porcini Gnocchi (Chocolate Nemesis if you have the room)
Where: Inside the Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel – 4359 Main Street

6. Mexican Corner

Why? Hola Senors and Senoritas!. Is there anybody out there who doesn’t like Mexican food? Mexican Corner is not only one of the best Mexican casual dining restaurants in Whistler but it’s been recognised as one of the best in the province.

Be treated like familia with a genuine Mexican dining experience in a lively and comforting space, with the gentle hum of Latin music in the background. Whilst all the common Mexican dishes are cooked to perfection and a must-try be sure to step out of your mexi-comfort zone – try some of the less known mexi-dishes.

Must Order: Hoja Santa Pork Ribs, Gringa Quesadilla Queso Fundid & any of the Tacos
Where: On the main stroll, upstairs – 4274 Mountain Square

7. Rim Rock Cafe

No better location for date night.

Why? One of the best kept local secrets in Whistler Creekside. Rim Rock ticks all the boxes when it comes to fine dining… out-of-this-world service, fresh and inspiring dishes – insanely good seafood, elegant atmosphere, a rustic setting and an incredible wine list.

Rim Rock has been providing Whistler locals with quality food and consistent service for years and has remained a favourite to most. It’s also consistently one of the best restaurants in Whistler. Make sure you book a table in advance as they regularly book out weeks ahead of time.

Must Order: Seared Scallops, Surf & Turf & Lobster Mashed Potatoes
Where: Whistler Creekside – 2117 Whistler Road

8. 21 Steps

Why? 21 Steps is never disappointing and there’s a variety of dining experiences you can choose from… Want a three-course meal? Sure. Want to just share some plates? Easy, there are enough small plates to eat tapas-style. Just want some dessert and cocktails?

This is your place! The service is always great, the ambience a hit and you’ve got the option to sit in the more secluded attic space or the lounge and overlook the village stroll. You can make reservations at 21 Steps and they also accept walk-ins.

Must Order: Garlic Chilli Prawns, Steamed Mussels in Thai Curry & Australian Lamb Chop
Where: Main Village Stroll – 10-4433 Sundial Place, upstairs

9. Pasta Lupino

Why? What’s better than food…food made with love – and everything is made with love at Pasta Lupino, in a way that every Italian Nonna would approve of. All pasta and sauces are made daily fresh in house and bursting with flavour. It’s a perfect location for those who consistently feel de-carbohydrated.

The service is fantastic, pricing is on point and the vibe is cosy and intimate (as it’s a small restaurant – only ten tables) but don’t let that fool you, this place is always busy. We recommend you get in early to ensure you get a table, as they don’t take bookings.

If you miss out on a table they also do takeaway and have a fridge full of their fresh pasta and sauce for you to make at home.

Must Order: Chicken Parmigiana with Rose sauce on spinach noodles & Tiramisu
Where: Tucked away underneath the stairs on Main Street #121

10. Nagomi Sushi

Why? Arguably one of the best sushi restaurants in Whistler, this upper-class sushi restaurant located in the upper village is a must-visit. It’s an authentic dining experience with an open plan kitchen so you can see all the chefs at work. Everyone at Nagomi is happy to be there and it shows.

We can’t fault anything on the menu – sushi rolls to die for, fresh nigiri and unique dessert options all go hand in hand with attentive service and great drink options. We recommend that you book a table, as Nagomi is always bustling and also do yourself a favour and grab a Strawberry Sake Margarita.

Must Order: Tempura Calamari, Kani Blossoms & the Rainbow Roll
Where: Upper Village inside the La Chamois Hotel – 4557 Blackcomb Way

Don’t Forget the Drinks, Destinations for Wine, Beer and Cocktails

Do you really think we would give you a foodie list and not mention our favourite bars? Of course not, check out our top 5 picks for the best bevs in town, including some of the best happy hour deals.

The Raven Room

Small plates and fine cocktails all evening long.

This spot is the new kid on the block in Whistler and it’s been opened by long term Whistler locals who have been in the hospitality industry for years – so they know what’s up!

Their cocktail list is innovative and fresh, they can make all the classics and pretty much anything you desire (if you ask nicely). Sit at the bar and watch your cocktail be handcrafted, or sit on the sun-drenched patio overlooking the mountain.

Must-Try: Empress Sour
Where: Inside Pan Pacific Whistler Village – 4299 Blackcomb Way

2. Earls Kitchen & Bar

Earls is a timeless favourite in town, a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. The ambience is always great and the drinks list from cocktails, to wine, to beer has something for all. They run some awesome drinks specials with daily happy hours and our absolute favourite days have to be Margarita Monday where all margaritas are $6 and half-priced wine on Tuesday where all bottles of wine are 50% off.

Must-Try: Avocado Margarita
Where: 4295 Blackcomb Way

3. Bar Oso

If you’re after some master mixed cocktails then Bar Oso is a must. The cocktail list is unique and inspiring, with the bartenders clearly proud and passionate about the drinks in which they are crafting. If you can’t decide on a drink for you, chat with the bartenders and they’ll happily make you your own speciality cocktail based on what you like. Being a Spanish influenced bar the sangria is also a local favourite, they also have many fantastic wines and a whole section of the menu for gin and tonics.

Must-Try: Old fashioned & Peach Sangria
Where: Along the village stroll – 150 – 4222 Village Square

4. Brickworks

We think Brickworks is one of the best-relaxed drinking spots in town. They often have rotating taps showcasing local beers, a great wine list and an even better gin list. If you like gin then brickworks should be your go-to! They also do a mean happy hour where you can score a sleeve of beer for $4.50. We give Brickworks bonus points for a buzzy vibe on the regular, live acoustic music and great events.

Must-Try: ALL of the gins!
Where: Inside the Delta Hotel – 20 – 4308 Main Street

5. Handlebar

For all you beer lovers out there, Handlebar is the place for you. These guys always rotate their taps giving you fresh new beer choices, with a strong focus on BC craft beer and cider. Handlebar is a popular bar for the locals…the atmosphere is fun yet chilled out and the service is always on point. Handlebar also has a great happy hour.

Must Try: BC beers!
Where: Upper Village inside the La Chamois Hotel – 4557 Blackcomb Way

Have It All at Cornucopia, 2019

Cornucopia is Whistler’s famous fall food and wine festival, where you honestly can have it all and celebrate all things food, beer, wine, spirits and more.

This year’s event will run from November 7 to November 17. It is eleven days packed with events that would make a foodie shed tears of happiness and joy. Think chef table dinners, tasting events, drink seminars, intimate wine dinners, gin parties… there are literally hundreds of events to choose from, all dotted around Whistler Village.

For a full schedule of events and tickets click here. If you’re in Whistler for Cornucopia, you’d be foolish to not head to one of these magnificently tasty events.

So there you have it, our complete fall foodie guide to all things delicious in Whistler. From the best restaurants in Whistler, to the best bar – you’ll know everywhere to go, this fall. Happy munching.