This is a short guide to restaurants in the Broughton Archipelago-Johnstone Strait region. Our primary selection criterion is proximity to a place you can tie up. After that, we select for food quality, depth of menu and atmosphere. There are other fine restaurants in the Port McNeill and Port Hardy areas. Once you head out into the islands, there are a handful of resorts. We have included all that accept drop-in guests.
Unfortunately, there are no wineries or breweries in this region.
Killer Whale Cafe (Telegraph Cove)
The café and pub are part of Telegraph Cove Resort. Boats under 25’ can moor close by. Larger vessels need to tie up at neighbouring Telegraph Cove Marina and RV Park. They have the most up-scale menu of the four Telegraph Cove restaurants, featuring… guess… right, seafood. Good wine selection, need to see menu. Fresh house made specialties include seafood linguini, fisherman’s platter, fish & chips and our favourite, cove seafood chowder. Or, enjoy a one of a kind salmon BBQ on the boardwalk. The Resort’s buildings showcase historical artifacts throughout and make a unique and beautiful location for dining. Comfortable, scenic, excellent service. Lunch under $15, dinner under $25
Nimmo Bay Resort (Port McNeill)
This is a must stop for boaters seeking culinary delights in a casual, opulent environment. The Resort offers a 4-course meal for boaters that begins with cocktails and appetizers on the floating fire dock. The remaining three courses are served either at an outdoor dining table or in the dining room. The accent is on fresh ingredients and careful preparation. Probably the best assortment of wines, beers and spirits in the Broughton region. You may anchor in the Bay or just outside in MacKenzie Sound. Four-course dinner with house alcohol $175/person. While there you might be tempted to enjoy the spa and massage, or take a helicopter adventure to mountain tops and glacial lakes. Best to make a reservation.
Northern Lights Restaurant (Port McNeill)
Located a short walk from harbour, the fare here is fairly typical — steaks, seafood, couple of pasta dishes and many finger foods. The seafood is fresh, portions are large and the prices are quite reasonable (entrees under $30). Service is generally well-paced and always friendly. Add that to a seaside setting and this place is worth visiting whether you are travelling by water or highway.
Cafe Guido (Port Hardy)
This is a first class café/bistro serving baked goods, sandwiches, paninis and specialty coffees and teas. You can tie up at the public wharf virtually steps away. The interior is spacious and there are intimate nooks perfect for a conversation or browsing a book you found in the Book Nook. The kitchen is willing to meet dietary preferences or restrictions and staff are pleasant and knowledgeable about the menu. Sandwich and beverage under $14.
Mo’s Restaurant (Port Hardy) 250-949-8303
If your taste runs to pizza, stop in at Mo’s, just steps away from the Guido Café and a short walk from the public wharf. If we can believe Facebook, Mo’s has the best pizza on Vancouver Island. We thought it was excellent: thick crusted, heavily laden. There are lots of other menu items and they delicious, puffy, house made bread. Dinner for under $20/person.
Quarterdeck Restaurant and Pub (Port Hardy)
Here is one where you look over your boat while you have a meal and an ale on a patio deck. Best known for homemade soups with fresh local ingredients (in season). For something novel try the Yorkies, Yorkshire pudding stuffed with beef and horseradish mayonnaise. Otherwise, it is conventional pub fare, large servings, a decent assortment of draft beers and short list of wines. Lunch under $15, dinner under $25.
Pierre’s Echo Point Lodge (Gilford Island)
A dining hall able to seat over 200 people in the Broughtons! Must be Pierre’s Echo Bay Lodge. The food is great, but it’s about convivial gatherings, strangers becoming friends over a beer and a steaming plate. Monday is Prime Rib night, Wednesday it’s fish and chips, but the Saturday night pig roast is what Pierre’s is famous for. Bring a side dish and cutlery, get ready to share and have a really good time. Chart 3515 – 50 46.78 126 29.00
