Must Try Restaurants in Sooke, BC

male chef in restaurant kitchen - sooke restaurant blog

Sooke, British Columbia is an absolutely stunning place to visit on the West Coast of Canada. Just 45 minutes from the capital city of Victoria,  Sooke offers visitors some of the most incredible natural beauty on Vancouver Island from the pristine, windswept beaches to forested trails and unique natural phenomena. Not only is Sooke one of the best places for outdoor recreation, this funky Canadian coastal town is known for its great food scene as well! With some of the best eateries, bistros, coffee shops and food trucks on the Island, when you’re staying at an EMR Sooke property, you’ll have no trouble finding incredible Sooke restaurants! 

Coffee Shops

Little Vienna Bakery

6726 W Coast Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 1H5

This European bakery, located in the heart of Sooke is one of the best places for lunch! Dine in the sun on the garden patio where you can enjoy deli sandwiches, in-house made soups, preservative free baked goods and so much more! 

Stick in the Mud Coffee House

6715 Eustace Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 0H1

Just off Otter Point Road, Stick in the Mud is where the locals go for coffee and baked goods. This roastery and coffee house is passionate about making the very best cup of coffee every time whether you’re ordering drip coffee or an espresso drink. With a great assortment of teas and fresh goodies to nibble as well, this coffee house is a must when you’re in the area! 

Serious Coffee

104-6661 Sooke Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 0A1

Serious Coffee is a serious staple on Vancouver Island, with locations all over, this is one of the most popular places for locals and visitors to get a great cup of coffee and baked goods whether you’re taking it to-go or enjoying one of the comfy seats in the coffee shop!

Casual Eats

Pizzability

6703 West Coast Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 0S9

If you’re in the mood for great pizza, this is the place! Every pizza is made with hand-made pizza dough, sauce freshly made daily and high quality toppings like fresh veggies and real Italian meats. There’s no doubt that when you’re in Sooke, Pizzability is the place to get some of the best Italian style pizza!  

Mom’s Cafe

2036 Sheilds Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 0P6

If you’re looking for finger-licking-good Korean fried chicken, the toasty peaks of a lemon meringue pie or just a good old fashioned burger and fries, the menu at Mom’s Cafe is filled with hearty, homemade deliciousness that really does taste like Mom’s cooking.

Stickleback Oceanfront Cider and Taphouse

5449 Sooke Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 0C8

Located right on the edge of beautiful Cooper’s Cove in Sooke, this oceanside restaurant is the epitome of West Coast casual dining. With a great menu filled with soups, salads, burgers, seafood dishes, plenty of gluten free options plus a wide selection of beer and cider on tap and stunning views of the calm cove, Stickleback is a great option for casual dining in Sooke! 

17 Mile House Pub

5126 Sooke Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 0E2

This landmark pub in Sooke is a must! Steeped in history – including some hair-raising ghost stories – is a great place to grab a pint, enjoy some classic pub food and immerse yourself in the history of Sooke! 

Global Foods

Lazy Gecko

5-6631 Sooke Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 0A3

This fun Mexican restaurant is the perfect place to go if you’re looking for hearty take-out food! With tons of vegetarian options and some of the biggest burritos on Vancouver Island, the Lazy Gecko is the perfect spot to fuel up before hitting the trails! 

Hara Sushi 

6661 Sooke Rd #105, Sooke, BC V9Z 0A1

When it comes to Japanese restaurants in Sooke, Hara Sushi is one of the best! Located right in Sooke central, this highly rated, casual bistro serves up some of the best Japanese cuisine in the area. Whether you’re looking for your favourite sushi roll or want to try one of their signature offerings, the food from Hara is always delicious! 

Happy Village Restaurant

2038 Otter Point Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 1A5

This menu is filled with all the classic dishes we know and love made with high quality ingredients. When you’re looking for some delicious Chinese comfort food, Happy Village is a great option! 

Teriyaki House

6250 Sooke Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 0G7

This unassuming restaurant is one of the best places in Sooke to find crispy tempura and delicious stir fried dishes. With lots of seating and fast, friendly service, whether you’re taking your food to-go or dining in, Teriyaki house is sure to hit the spot! 

Finer Fare

West Coast Grill

6929 W Coast Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 0V1

With a stunning dining room that offers unparalleled views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and distant Olympic Mountains, West Coast Grill is the perfect restaurant in Sooke to celebrate a special evening. This upscale seafood restaurant offers guests a contemporary menu filled with fresh, local seafood, meat and produce that reflects the abundance of Vancouver Island. 

Copper Room 

1528 Whiffin Spit Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 0T4

This beloved resort restaurant nestled on the edge of the water on Whiffin Spit at Sooke Harbour House is one of the best restaurants in Sooke. In the upscale, rustic west coast dining room you can find fine dining service and elegant dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. 

Wild Mountain

1831 Maple Avenue South, Sooke, BC V9Z 0N9

If you’re in Sooke and want to find some food that is not only delicious but good for you and supports local farmers and producers, you’ll want to eat at Wild Mountain. This farm-to-table, organic restaurant is a part of the Slow Food Chefs Alliance and their menu is filled with dishes made from local, organic, seasonal ingredients from the flour in the pizza dough to the meat and veggies. 

Book your EMR Sooke Vacation Today!

Guide to Sooke, BC

aerial view of the sooke basin and Whiffin Spit

If you’re looking for a place to experience pristine West Coast wilderness on Southern Vancouver Island, you’ll want to book your stay in Sooke, British Columbia, Canada. Just forty-five minutes west of Victoria and the home of the T’sou-ke Nation, Sooke offers guests some of the most stunning views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains in Washington State, endless seascapes of the open Pacific Ocean, incredible outdoor recreation, cultural sights and some unmissable dining experiences! A holiday in the Sooke area is one of the best ways to experience the wild West Coast in all its glory! 

How to get to Sooke

From the Mainland: 

Tsawwassen (South of Vancouver) to Swartz Bay (North Saanich): If you’re taking the passenger and vehicle ferry from Tsawassen south of Vancouver, you’ll arrive in North Saanich near the seaside town of Sidney. From the ferry simply take Highway 17 to Highway 1 just north of Victoria and Highway 14 all the way to Sooke (map) – the drive takes just over an hour. 

Horseshoe Bay (North Vancouver) to Departure Bay (Nanaimo): When you arrive in Nanaimo, you can hop right onto Highway 1 which will take you through Nanaimo and the beautiful Cowichan Valley into Greater Victoria. From here, you’ll merge onto Highway 14 all the way into central Sooke (map). 

From Victoria International Airport (YYJ):

Victoria International Airport (YYJ), located just a few minutes south of Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal on the Saanich Peninsula offers car rentals where you can easily follow this map to get to central Sooke. 

From Victoria: 

If you’re staying in Victoria and want to visit Sooke for a day trip, getting there is easy! The trip takes approximately 45 minutes which means that you can visit a few times during your stay! 

On Two Wheels:

If you’re staying at a Victoria EMR property and want to do some biking on the west coast, a cycle out to Sooke is a great way to spend a sunny day and get some exercise! The Galloping Goose Regional Trail dedicated, multi-use trail that runs all the way from Victoria to Sooke and will take you through downtown Victoria, Langford and Metchosin all the way to Sooke central! Whether your starting point is right downtown Victoria or in Langford, you can find multiple access points to this trail all the way along! 

Outdoor Recreation in Sooke 

Sooke is known for its incredible natural beauty and so it’s no wonder that some of the very best outdoor recreation can be found in the area! Whether you’re looking for stunning beaches, endless forested hiking trails or epic ocean adventures, Sooke has it all! 

Beaches

Jordan River

Located halfway between Sooke and Port Renfrew. Jordan River is known for its stunning ocean views and epic surfing. While this tiny logging community might not offer much in the way of amenities, it is by far one of the most incredible, wild places to visit on the west coast. If you’re planning to surf here, be sure to research before you go! The waves are known to be unpredictable and locals are notoriously protective over this beloved surfing spot. 

French Beach

If you’re looking for a great family beach to visit during your stay in Sooke, French Beach is a great option! With a great playground, grassy areas with picnic tables, lots of flat trails near the pebbly beach and lots of driftwood to climb on, kids of all ages will love a day out at French Beach! 

Botanical Beach

Right near Port Renfrew and a part of the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, Botanical Beach is a stunning beach to spend a day exploring the rich tide pools and beachside trails. With incredible marine life to see and fascinating geological features, this is a perfect beach for marine science enthusiasts! 

China Beach

This stunning sandy beach, not far from central Sooke offers visitors a stunning place to spend a day in the sun. Enjoy relaxing on the sand, exploring the craggy rock formations and basking in the breathtaking view of the Olympic Peninsula in the distance!

Mystic Beach

Just north of China Beach, this beach is a mixture of sand and pebbles and has some of the most incredible forested trails to explore! Great for families, Mystic Beach has rocky outcrops and beach caves to explore, tons of smooth pebbles to skip and stunning views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountain Range! 

Hiking

Sooke Potholes Regional Park 

While this may be one of the best natural swimming spots to cool off in the summer heat, Sooke Potholes Regional Park is also a great place to spend the day hiking year-round! For an easy hike, follow the Riverside Trail along the Sooke River as it meanders through the trees and offers incredible views of the river as it rushes toward the Sooke Basin. 

East Sooke Regional Park

With 50 kilometers of trails through pristine West Coast wilderness you can ramble along rocky, windswept coastal trails to find hidden beaches or trek through dense forested trails, up hilltops and find breathtaking views of the ocean. 

West Coast Trail

This incredible, 75 kilometre trail that starts in Port Renfrew and terminates in remote Bamfield, offers a once-in-a-lifetime hiking experience with stunning views and challenging adventures! If you’re an avid hiker and looking for a real adventure, you’ll want to plan your attack of the rugged West Coast Trail. 

Juan de Fuca Trail

Similar in intensity to the West Coast Trail, the Juan de Fuca trail that starts near Jordan River and terminates in Port Renfrew offers hikers a rugged and challenging 47 kilometre trail and typically takes 12 hours to complete. 

Cycling

Galloping Goose Regional Trail

This extensive trail runs from Sooke all the way to downtown Victoria, is paved and fairly flat for most of the way. It’s an ideal way to cycle with the family or if you’re looking for a relaxed, well maintained cycling path to explore. 

Mountain Biking in Sooke

There are tons of  mountain biking opportunities in Sooke as well! You can find trails using this map and if you’re looking for bike rentals, check here!  

Kayaking

One of the best ways to explore the waters of the Sooke Basin and the shore of beautiful Whiffin Spit for an afternoon is in a kayak! Whether you’re ready to go kayaking solo or you want to book a tour, Sooke has tons of incredible options! Check out our favourites here! 

Charters & More 

Whale Watching

For a truly unique, west coast experience, book a whale watching tour! From April to October, you can find mink, grey, Orcas and sometimes Humpback whales as they migrate through the waters of the Strait. Even if you don’t get to see whales, there is so much marine life to see, you won’t be disappointed! Take a look at our favourite whale watching companies in Sooke, here! 

Fishing

If you’re an avid angler, you’re going to want to book a fishing charter during your stay in Sooke! While there are lots of places on the shore where you can cast a line, booking one of our favourite companies is going to guarantee that you have an incredible time and learn some new skills! 

Zip Lining

5128C Sooke Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 0E2

At AdrenaLINE, your zipline experience begins with an eight minute off-road adventure to an incredible location in the wilderness. When you arrive, you’ll find eight different zipline routes spanning across 100 acres of pristine coastal rainforest! Buckle up for the ride of your life!  

Arts and Culture

Sooke Region Museum

2070 Phillips Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 0Y3

This small museum focuses on highlighting the region’s history and culture from momentous events to daily life in one of the Province’s oldest, independent settlements. With exhibits of First Nations artefacts, historic photographs as well as the Triangle Island Lighthouse interpretive centre and Moss Cottage – visit for deeper appreciation of this area’s historical importance!

South Shore Gallery

2046 Otter Point Road, Sooke, BC V9Z 0P7

Located in the heart of Sooke, this gallery features a collection of original, local artwork from paintings, ceramics, glass and metal works to jewellery, wearables, and fibre art. Plus, you can find one-of-a-kind gifts and art cards! 

Food and Drink 

Sheringham Distillery

6731 West Coast Road #252, Sooke, BC V9Z 0S9

Since 2015, Sheringham has produced award-winning spirits with locally-sourced, high quality ingredients and impeccable distillation techniques. Plus, this lovely distillery prioritizes sustainability practices at every level of production. Pop into the tasting room to try some truly unique spirits that are sure to raise your spirits! 

Tugwell Creek Honey Farm & Meadery

8750 West Coast Road, Sooke, BC V9Z 1H2

Mead isn’t something you find every day but at Tugwell you can find many different types of the ancient potable made from fermented honey, yeast and water. With carefully tended beehives and lots of local wildflowers, Tugwell produces some of the best honey and subsequently, some of the best mead! If you are searching for a unique imbibing experience, Tugwell Farms is worth the trip! 

West Coast Grill

6929 W Coast Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 0V1

This beautiful, oceanfront restaurant, located right near the Sooke Harbour Marina offers elegant west coast dining with a stunning view. In warm weather, guests can enjoy fresh, elevated seafood dishes on the terrace and look out over the waves.   

Book your Vacation in Sooke with EMR Today!

Guide to Sooke BC

vancouver island, sooke bc, driftwood-1806853.jpg

If you’re looking for a place to experience pristine West Coast wilderness on Southern Vancouver Island British Columbia, you’ll want to book your stay in Sooke BC, Canada. Just forty-five minutes west of Victoria and the home of the T’sou-ke Nation, Sooke offers guests some of the most stunning views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains in Washington State, endless seascapes of the open Pacific Ocean, incredible outdoor recreation, cultural sights and some unmissable dining experiences! A holiday in the Sooke area is one of the best ways to experience the wild West Coast in all its glory! 

How to get to Sooke

From the Mainland: 

Tsawwassen (South of Vancouver) to Swartz Bay (North Saanich): If you’re taking the passenger and vehicle ferry from Tsawassen south of Vancouver, you’ll arrive in North Saanich near the seaside town of Sidney. From the ferry simply take Highway 17 to Highway 1 just north of Victoria and Highway 14 all the way to Sooke (map) – the drive takes just over an hour. 

Horseshoe Bay (North Vancouver) to Departure Bay (Nanaimo): When you arrive in Nanaimo, you can hop right onto Highway 1 which will take you through Nanaimo and the beautiful Cowichan Valley into Greater Victoria. From here, you’ll merge onto Highway 14 all the way into central Sooke (map). 

From Victoria International Airport (YYJ):

Victoria International Airport (YYJ), located just a few minutes south of Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal on the Saanich Peninsula offers car rentals where you can easily follow this map to get to central Sooke. 

From Victoria: 

If you’re staying in Victoria and want to visit Sooke for a day trip, getting there is easy! The trip takes approximately 45 minutes which means that you can visit a few times during your stay! 

On Two Wheels:

If you’re staying at a Victoria EMR property and want to do some biking on the west coast, a cycle out to Sooke is a great way to spend a sunny day and get some exercise! The Galloping Goose Regional Trail dedicated, multi-use trail that runs all the way from Victoria to Sooke and will take you through downtown Victoria, Langford and Metchosin all the way to Sooke central! Whether your starting point is right downtown Victoria or in Langford, you can find multiple access points to this trail all the way along! 

Outdoor Recreation in Sooke 

Sooke is known for its incredible natural beauty and so it’s no wonder that some of the very best outdoor recreation can be found in the area! Whether you’re looking for stunning beaches, endless forested hiking trails or epic ocean adventures, Sooke has it all! 

Beaches

Jordan River

Located halfway between Sooke and Port Renfrew. Jordan River is known for its stunning ocean views and epic surfing. While this tiny logging community might not offer much in the way of amenities, it is by far one of the most incredible, wild places to visit on the west coast. If you’re planning to surf here, be sure to research before you go! The waves are known to be unpredictable and locals are notoriously protective over this beloved surfing spot. 

French Beach

If you’re looking for a great family beach to visit during your stay in Sooke, French Beach is a great option! With a great playground, grassy areas with picnic tables, lots of flat trails near the pebbly beach and lots of driftwood to climb on, kids of all ages will love a day out at French Beach! 

Botanical Beach

Right near Port Renfrew and a part of the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, Botanical Beach is a stunning beach to spend a day exploring the rich tide pools and beachside trails. With incredible marine life to see and fascinating geological features, this is a perfect beach for marine science enthusiasts! 

China Beach

This stunning sandy beach, not far from central Sooke offers visitors a stunning place to spend a day in the sun. Enjoy relaxing on the sand, exploring the craggy rock formations and basking in the breathtaking view of the Olympic Peninsula in the distance!

Mystic Beach

Just north of China Beach, this beach is a mixture of sand and pebbles and has some of the most incredible forested trails to explore! Great for families, Mystic Beach has rocky outcrops and beach caves to explore, tons of smooth pebbles to skip and stunning views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountain Range! 

Hiking

Sooke Potholes Regional Park 

While this may be one of the best natural swimming spots to cool off in the summer heat, Sooke Potholes Regional Park is also a great place to spend the day hiking year-round! For an easy hike, follow the Riverside Trail along the Sooke River as it meanders through the trees and offers incredible views of the river as it rushes toward the Sooke Basin. 

East Sooke Regional Park

With 50 kilometers of trails through pristine West Coast wilderness you can ramble along rocky, windswept coastal trails to find hidden beaches or trek through dense forested trails, up hilltops and find breathtaking views of the ocean. 

West Coast Trail

This incredible, 75 kilometre trail that starts in Port Renfrew and terminates in remote Bamfield, offers a once-in-a-lifetime hiking experience with stunning views and challenging adventures! If you’re an avid hiker and looking for a real adventure, you’ll want to plan your attack of the rugged West Coast Trail. 

Juan de Fuca Trail

Similar in intensity to the West Coast Trail, the Juan de Fuca trail that starts near Jordan River and terminates in Port Renfrew offers hikers a rugged and challenging 47 kilometre trail and typically takes 12 hours to complete. 

Cycling

Galloping Goose Regional Trail

This extensive trail runs from Sooke all the way to downtown Victoria, is paved and fairly flat for most of the way. It’s an ideal way to cycle with the family or if you’re looking for a relaxed, well maintained cycling path to explore. 

Mountain Biking in Sooke

There are tons of  mountain biking opportunities in Sooke as well! You can find trails using this map and if you’re looking for bike rentals, check here!  

Kayaking

One of the best ways to explore the waters of the Sooke Basin and the shore of beautiful Whiffin Spit for an afternoon is in a kayak! Whether you’re ready to go kayaking solo or you want to book a tour, Sooke has tons of incredible options! Check out our favourites here! 

Charters & More 

Whale Watching

For a truly unique, west coast experience, book a whale watching tour! From April to October, you can find mink, grey, Orcas and sometimes Humpback whales as they migrate through the waters of the Strait. Even if you don’t get to see whales, there is so much marine life to see, you won’t be disappointed! Take a look at our favourite whale watching companies in Sooke, here! 

Fishing

If you’re an avid angler, you’re going to want to book a fishing charter during your stay in Sooke! While there are lots of places on the shore where you can cast a line, booking one of our favourite companies is going to guarantee that you have an incredible time and learn some new skills! 

Zip Lining

5128C Sooke Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 0E2

At AdrenaLINE, your zipline experience begins with an eight minute off-road adventure to an incredible location in the wilderness. When you arrive, you’ll find eight different zipline routes spanning across 100 acres of pristine coastal rainforest! Buckle up for the ride of your life!  

Arts and Culture

Sooke Region Museum

2070 Phillips Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 0Y3

This small museum focuses on highlighting the region’s history and culture from momentous events to daily life in one of the Province’s oldest, independent settlements. With exhibits of First Nations artefacts, historic photographs as well as the Triangle Island Lighthouse interpretive centre and Moss Cottage – visit for deeper appreciation of this area’s historical importance!

South Shore Gallery

2046 Otter Point Road, Sooke, BC V9Z 0P7

Located in the heart of Sooke, this gallery features a collection of original, local artwork from paintings, ceramics, glass and metal works to jewellery, wearables, and fibre art. Plus, you can find one-of-a-kind gifts and art cards! 

Food and Drink 

Sheringham Distillery

6731 West Coast Road #252, Sooke, BC V9Z 0S9

Since 2015, Sheringham has produced award-winning spirits with locally-sourced, high quality ingredients and impeccable distillation techniques. Plus, this lovely distillery prioritizes sustainability practices at every level of production. Pop into the tasting room to try some truly unique spirits that are sure to raise your spirits! 

Tugwell Creek Honey Farm & Meadery

8750 West Coast Road, Sooke, BC V9Z 1H2

Mead isn’t something you find every day but at Tugwell you can find many different types of the ancient potable made from fermented honey, yeast and water. With carefully tended beehives and lots of local wildflowers, Tugwell produces some of the best honey and subsequently, some of the best mead! If you are searching for a unique imbibing experience, Tugwell Farms is worth the trip! 

West Coast Grill

6929 W Coast Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 0V1

This beautiful, oceanfront restaurant, located right near the Sooke Harbour Marina offers elegant west coast dining with a stunning view. In warm weather, guests can enjoy fresh, elevated seafood dishes on the terrace and look out over the waves.   

Book your Vacation in Sooke with EMR Today!