I Ate My Way Through Whistler: The Ultimate Foodie Experiences

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Don’t think that the fun and adventures of Whistler, British Columbia, melt with the snow at the end of winter. North America’s largest and best ski resort, Whistler is a playground all-year round for the outdoor enthusiasts in all of us. In fact, Whistler turns up the heat come summer, with spectacular hiking, unrivaled mountain biking trails, music festivals to dance your heart out to, and water sports to carry you over from one season to another.

Whistler is ripe with fantastic activities to keep you busy – and full. Its food scene is incredibly satisfying, with restaurants focusing on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients that highlight the wonderful bounty gifted upon British Columbia by Mother Nature. One of the best restaurants in Canada has carved itself out a spot in this Disney World-esque town where you’ll find smiles are in abundance and happiness blossoms all around you. Not only is the culinary world here one that will impress even the most well traveled of taste buds, but the wineries in British Columbia are world-class and produce award-winning wines that can be found on restaurant menus around town.

And so of course, with restaurant options a plenty, I ate my way through Whistler, from the small coffee shops all the way through to the best restaurant in town.

Lift Coffee

10805723_833741710000567_9084367053213385768_nPhoto Credit: Lift

This is a place that knows its coffee. My go-to cup is a caramel latte, and Lift brewed a cup that was dangerously sweet but powerfully strong. The staff was friendly, the café had a kick-back vibe, and the locals were lining up to get a cup each morning. There is also a great selection of baked treats to get your day started. And the best part? It’s located just beside the Peak 2 Peak gondola as well as the gondola at the base of Whistler Village.

Mogul’s Coffee

As much as I loved Lift, I wanted to expand my coffee horizons, so I headed to another favorite spot among locals for a cup of Joe. My latte from here was nicely brewed and flavored to perfection with just the right amount of caramel for my sweet-tooth self. But don’t just go here for the coffee – there is a terrific offering of pastries, and the cinnamon buns seemed to be a favorite by many coming in and out of the door, but be warned: The muffins look just as delicious, so perhaps plan to make a visit or two.

Southside Diner

I love a good diner, and the Southside Diner is a landmark in Whistler. It’s in Creekside, not too far from the Creekside Gondola, which means you can pack your tummy full with a hearty breakfast before heading up on the gondola to hit the slopes. Breakfast is hot and tasty, and the portions here are plentiful. Not an early bird? Head to the diner for dinner, and be sure to order poutine, Canada’s national dish.

Alta Bistro


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Photo Credit: Alta Bistro

Cozy looks sophisticated and stylish at Alta Bistro, a 65-seat restaurant located in Whistler Village. You’ll be greeted by friendly hosts and an incredibly inviting bar that is unlike any in Whistler. Here you can pop in for a more upscale drink and pay homage to the art of the cocktail world. The bartender, Ted, whips up some delicious and creative spirits – some are twists on classics, others are original ideas rooted in the surrounds of Mother Nature, like the Oregon Bay Sour – nice and light with a subtly sour taste that goes down as easy as a Frank Sinatra song. I’m not normally a die-hard oyster person, but the Little Wing oysters here served with a spicy dressing totally won me over. The mains selection is small as is the deserts, but the portions are hearty and fresh. Go for the halibut, a regal piece of fish served with a creamy squid-ink risotto.

Sidecut at Hilton Whistler

Calling all carnivores: This is the restaurant for you. The interior of Sidecut feels slightly outdated and a bit hotel-restaurant drab, but don’t let that throw off your tastebuds; the menu here is supreme. Come hungry, as Sidecut offers Canadian Prime beef, aged at 40 days, and cooked on a 1800-degree infrared grill. There are at least five different cuts on offer, and the staff will happily help you choose the piece of meat that best suits what you’re after.  For a starter, make sure you order the steak sushi; each bite is a reward for making one of the best culinary decisions of your life. If you’re an oyster person, go for the oysters served with a beef tartar perched on top; it’s different, but the combination goes together like ying and yang.

Araxi

araxi 2Image: Araxi

It doesn’t get better than Araxi than in Whistler, an absolute gem of a restaurant that has been making a name for itself in the culinary world since it opened 34 years ago. Not only will renowned farm-to-table chef James Walt dance his way into your heart with superb dishes using only sustainable, local ingredients, but sommelier Samantha Rahn is two beats ahead of the rest of the world when it comes to wine. Rahn will guide you on a spectacular journey of reds and whites and all the stars in between to pair brilliantly with your meal, highlighting the finest grapes and bottles that come from BC itself. The food here is beyond exquisite, but the menu does change depending on the season and what’s available. When I ate here, I had a butternut squash soup that had a natural and beautiful creaminess to it and was contrasted by a hint of curry peppered in for some good acidity. The real champion of the night for me was the venison, a lean and tender piece of meat with a peppered crust for an extra kick and paired with a fantastic red that wasn’t too tannic or overpowering. Expect a stellar staff, a stellar meal, and a dining experience unlike anything else in the whole of Canada.

Category: Canada, Whistler

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