The Comox Valley: A Culinary Retreat for Boaters

Savour the local flavours and warm hospitality of Comox, Courtenay and Cumberland on Vancouver Island.

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Words by Danielle Steiner

Submitted by bccoastalculinary.com and AHOYBC.COM

The best advice I can give when arriving in the picturesque Comox Valley Harbour is to stay awhile. Located approximately 90 minutes north of Nanaimo on the east coast of Vancouver Island, this beautiful region is home to a trifecta of towns, each offering great spots to grab a coffee, enjoy a meal, or relax with a local craft brew.

Comox, Courtenay and Cumberland are located conveniently close to each other, and each community has a unique Island persona — their focus on serving tasty local food makes them all worth a visit.

Comox

From the Comox Marina, I like lacing up my walking shoes and exploring the valley right from the harbour. Just a few minutes walk leads to a selection of cafés such as the Komox Espresso & Smoothie Bar, The Mill Coffee and Milano. The Tidal Café is a good option for a hearty breakfast and there’s a multitude of choices for lunch and dinner.

For example, Blackfin Pub offers breathtaking views over the harbour, The Spice Hut is a local favourite for its vast menu, and Toscano’s Mediterranean Grill provides an intimate atmosphere for a delicious Mediterranean dinner. Of course, don’t skip out on dessert. Benino Italian Café and Gelato is the ideal place to enjoy something light and sweet before returning to the marina.

To round out the day with a cold craft brew, Comox has a selection of places to kick back with a pint that’s within walking distance of the harbour. New Tradition Brewing Company is one of the first local hot spots to experience from the shore. Not far away is Church St. Taphouse, which has a large patio and a view of the mountains, or stroll a little further to Land & Sea Brewing Co., another great choice for local craft beer.

Courtenay

Exploring the culinary delights of Courtenay and the surrounding area is another great plan while docked or visiting Comox. I often take the 20-minute bike ride from the marina. If it’s a Saturday morning, I prioritize pedalling to the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market, which is one of the largest markets on the Island.

It’s open all year and is the perfect place to do some local provisioning—pick up baking, produce, and other locally made food and drink products. Be sure to go to www.cvfm.ca for any changes to its operating hours before visiting. I also enjoy checking out the various farms and market gardens along the backroads of the region.

Courtenay’s downtown is a whimsical area filled with shops, restaurants and cafés. Hot Chocolates is a must-visit for its artisan sweet offerings; The Mustard Lady offers an array of local treasures; and Butcher’s Block has all manner of local products.

For breakfast, I often enjoy Off Main or Early Bird Café—both are great options for their quirky atmospheres and delicious food. For lunch, the Atlas Café (a local favourite) is a good bet, or enjoy the in-house made noodles at Nikkei Ramen-ya.

Dinner options abound as well—it’s always hard to choose which local restaurant to try. I have savoured the Greek food at Yiamas Greek Taverna, and the Italian food at Il Falcone is worth repeating. Another favourite option is Locals Restaurant located on the riverside, which is well-known across the Island for its upscale atmosphere and impressive dishes.

If you’re looking for a refreshing beverage, Gladstone Brewing Company’s patio is a popular local haunt, while Ace Brewing Company, - located by the popular Courtenay Airpark - is known for its craft beer and relaxing atmosphere. The Beaufort Vineyard and Estate Winery or 40 Knots Winery also fill my time here.

To visit the Comox Valley wineries with ease, Ambassador Transportation offers unique wine tours. I recommend checking out Wayward Distillery while en route to Cumberland—they produce all of their spirits with 100 percent BC honey.

Cumberland 

Cumberland is the town farthest away from the Comox Marina, but I always make time to include it during my culinary valley explorations. It’s a good one-hour bike ride from the marina, but local car rentals are available. In my opinion, a trip to the Comox Valley isn’t complete without a visit to the Cumberland Village Bakery for one of their melt-in-your-mouth donuts.

This community has many delicious choices for dining out. Biblio Taco is the place to go if you have a hankering for the tastiest tacos in town, and Rider’s Pizza is my go-to for a delicious savoury pie. I also recommend the burgers at Cooks Restaurant. Finish the day at Cumberland Brewing Company, regardless of the weather—I love getting cozy under the outdoor heaters and relaxing with a flight of beer. 

Mount Washington

The final place to visit while you’re in the valley actually isn’t in Comox, Courtenay or Cumberland, but just slightly north on BC Highway 19. Mount Washington is difficult to get to without a vehicle, but Ambassador Transportation is a great option with its shuttle services from anywhere in the area.

This mountain resort offers incredible skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing during the winter and hiking and mountain biking during the summer, making it the perfect outdoor adventure destination. It’s also a great place to have a relaxing picnic and take in the scenic views over the Georgia Strait. 

Pulling into the harbour is just one of the top choices in the area to experience the Comox Valley. A great stopover or main destination, the region has a variety of marinas that all provide the perfect gateway to sample and enjoy everything that these Vancouver Island communities have to offer.

For more information visit www.bccoastalculinary.com and www.ahoybc.com