Amidst the breathtaking Salish Sea on the Saanich Peninsula lies Sidney BC, a town of over 11,600 residents. It enjoys both the stunning views of the ocean blue and the picturesque scenery of the Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges.
Sidney boasts an abundance of tourist spots, including the famous Sidney-by-the-Sea and a 3 km stretch of magnificent waterfront accessible to everyone.
Another noteworthy feature—and one that shouldn’t be forgotten—of this resort town is its culinary scene. With tourists arriving year-round, there are a LOT of restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and bakeries to choose from.
With that said, here are ten of the best Sidney restaurants you should visit for a bite and what to order at each spot!
1. Bevan Bistro
A hidden jewel, Bevan Bistro offers a modern and classy breakfast and lunch you can enjoy while appreciating the cross-harbor views outside. They specialize in serving freshly prepared dishes made from sustainable, locally-sourced ingredients.
Many first-time visitors were instantly converted into returning patrons the moment they took a bite of Bevan’s offerings. With the owner personally serving you, you know they’re the real deal!
There is a lot of delicious food to choose from, but what caught most people’s attention are their yam fries, west coast poutine, seafood benny, and BLT sandwich. Bevan’s keen attention to detail makes their food delectably irresistible and a restaurant you gotta hit up when in Sidney!
For instance, the fries are cooked to crisp perfection, while the poutine is masterfully made with the perfect ratio of squeakiness and creaminess. On the other hand, the West Coast poutine features a fantastic lineup of poached eggs sitting atop fresh crab cakes, made incredibly impressive with potatoes and hollandaise.
Oh, and a pro tip! The spicy mayo is great with fries! (Thank us later!)
What to order: Yam Fries, West Coast Poutine, Seafood Benny, BLT Sandwich
Address: 2376 Bevan Ave, Sidney, BC V8L 4Z9, Canada
2. The Five & Dime Diner
Located on Sidney’s main street, The Five & Dime Diner is another must-go foodie haven you should try while strolling around, be it early in the morning or noon when the sun is high up.
Locals familiar with the place would know that it used to be another crowd-favorite restaurant called Floyd’s. So, they knew that the new ownership would never disappoint—and they’re right!
Inside this cute little diner is a 50’s-themed interior with decorations featuring a retro funk vibe. One of the highlights is definitely their eye-catching blue sofas, which make you sit like royalty as you enjoy their savory treats over hearty conversations with family or friends.
The Five & Dime menu is vast but particular. And we’re biased towards their breakfast tacos, pulled pork burritos, and uniquely named burgers and bennies. The burrito is a special wrap pulling the savory pork into a delicious embrace, while the breakfast tacos are to die for!
Then here comes their burger named “Everything But The Kitchen Sink,” and tacos named after the beautiful Betty White (bless her soul!) — interestingly flavorful with every bite!
What to order: Everything But The Kitchen Sink Burger, Betty White, Pulled Pork Burrito, Breakfast Tacos
Address: 2305 Beacon Ave, Sidney, BC V8L 1W9, Canada
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3. Mary’s Bleue Moon Cafe
Next is a Sidney staple, established in 1939 and has been consistently serving nothing but exceptional food, warm service, and good memories for over 80 years. Yes, they’re that great!
Mary’s is a pretty blue cottage eatery close to the aviation museum and the airport at Canora Road. But what makes this restaurant particularly special are their continuously improving menu, memorabilia-filled walls, and impeccable service.
The homestyle cooking takes you on a trip down memory lane through a menu that evokes a sense of familiarity and history. You can choose from an extensive selection of breakfast and lunch specials, ranging from soups and salads to sandwiches and wraps.
There are a lot of dishes to love at Mary’s Bleue Moon Cafe, but their coconut lime curry, beet salad, and fish and chips definitely hit home! They’re masterfully crafted to perfection with satiating all palates in mind.
Dare we say they have one of the best fish and chips in town!
What to order: Coconut Lime Curry, Baby Beet & Goat Cheese Salad, Fish and Chips
Address: 9535 Canora Rd, Sidney, BC V8L 1P3, Canada
4. The Surly Mermaid
The Surly Mermaid is another must-visit restaurant in Sidney, particularly if you’re looking for an ideal family-friendly place to dine at during lunch or dinner. Whether you’re lounging on the heated patio or dining inside, you’ll surely have a great time!
The Surly Mermaid is always busy. So be sure to place a reservation if you’re planning to go. While waiting, you can walk by the beach, and the staff will simply text you when a table is ready—talk about convenience, no?
Everything from their menu is stellar, thanks to a creative touch enhancing the natural flavours and aroma of fresh ingredients. But you must not miss out on their nachos, calamari, and burgers!
The machos and calamari are the stars of the appies! For their burgers, their lamb burger and peanut butter burger are definitely worth it. You wouldn’t find this kind of goodness anywhere!
Pro tip: order a couple of drinks before happy hour closes at 5.
What to order: Loaded Nachos, Calamari, Lamb Burger, Peanut Butter Burger
Address: 9851 Seaport Pl #1b, Sidney, BC BC V8L 4X3, Canada
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5. The Pier Bistro
A small lovely restaurant at the end of Beacon Avenue pier, The Pier Bistro offers delicious food and amazing views of the Gulf Islands on the horizon and Mount Baker in the distance. They’re perfect for devouring light bites before going to the port!
Their expertly prepared menu showcases delectable choices, ranging from burgers and fries to soups and salads. Additionally, you’ll be welcomed by warm smiles from the friendly staff! You must definitely drop by The Pier Bistro for the best seaside dining experience.
Don’t forget to try their crab cakes and clam chowder. These bestsellers have made thousands of visitors fall head over heels for how flavorsome they are.
The chowder houses an ideal blend of condiments, not too salty and not too bland, just the perfect mix. The oyster burger is another item you should indulge in—an outburst of flavours the moment it touches your tongue!
What to order: Oyster Burger, Crab Cakes, Clam Chowder
Address: 2550 Beacon Ave, Sidney, BC, Canada
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6. Thai Corner Restaurant
The second you enter their doors, you’ll instantly be transported into Thailand! Thai Corner Restaurant features food that will open your mind to the greatness and awesomeness of authentic Thai cuisine.
They have a star-studded lunch buffet with all your favourite Thai fare, including Pad Thai, Tom Yum, and curries! While buffets are known for being average-tasting, you’ll be surprised at how actually good their food selections are!
But if you’re not a fan of buffets, their ala carte menu is just as phenomenal! While at it, order a mas-samun curry, chicken pad thai, wonton soup, and spring rolls.
Though they did some tweaking to adjust the spiciness levels and accommodate the Canadian palate, the spiciness is always on point! With amazing food and friendly service, we’re absolutely sure you’ll come back for more!
What to order: Lunch Buffet, Mas-Samun Curry, Wonton Soup, Spring Rolls
Address: 2359 Beacon Ave, Sidney, BC, Canada
7. Fresh Tandoori Flavour Indian Restaurant
Nothing beats an Indian restaurant owned by a native, and that’s precisely why Tandoori Flavour stands out! In wanting to spread the beautiful culture of Northern India, Ranjit, the owner, decided to open a restaurant that uses traditional Indian spaces to let Canadians take a glimpse of his home country.
You can clearly see how passionate the restaurant is and how eager they are to satisfy your Indian food cravings. For instance, the buffet is not as big as other places offering the same, but you will get the tastiest variety of Indian cuisine!
We highly recommend their butter chicken, garlic basil naan, and mango lassi! These three may have been typical dishes in Indian restaurants, but Fresh Tandoori’s version is mind-blowing!
The chicken is flavuorsome and tender, while the naan is out of this world. The mango lassi…oh, the mango lassi…arguably one of the best you’ll have!
What to order: Butter Chicken, Garlic Basil Naan, Mango Lassi
Address: 2395 Beacon Ave, Sidney, BC, Canada
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8. Fish on Fifth
Fish on Fifth is your next destination for gluten-free and vegan options without sacrificing any of the original taste! With a menu catering to various diet regimens, what’s not to love about a quaint spot as you enjoy soulful food while being mesmerized by the fabulous scenery?
Their extensive menu features a spectacular roster of burgers, wraps, appetizers, salads, and more. Wherever you are seated, be it inside or outside their patio, the warm and lively atmosphere will make any meal worth your while.
Fish on Fifth creates no shortage of notable dishes, but their yam fries, cod meal, the possibly impossible burger, and halibut and fries are dishes you wouldn’t forget for a long time! After indulging in these blissful choices, order a soft vanilla serve for a sweet and creamy finish!
What to order: Yam Fries, Cod Meal, Halibut, The Possibly Impossible Burger, Soft Serve
Address: 9812 Fifth St, Sidney, BC, Canada
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9. Homestead Cafe
Top-notch food served in generous proportions at reasonable prices alongside outstanding service and a homey vibe? Sounds heavenly, right? But that’s how we can summarize Homestead Cafe in one sentence!
Homestead Cafe has been consistently serving Sidney locals and tourists for years. Yet, their quality of service and food has never declined! They’re one of the can’t-miss places for breakfast and lunch, whether you’ve just landed or going for a ferry ride.
Diners choose Homestead Cafe for various flavorful reasons! But four of these are their eggs benedict and hotcakes for breakfast, chicken strips and homesteader burger for lunch.
Just a bit of a warning, but don’t go there when you’re on a strict diet! You’re in for some savory treat!
What to order: Eggs Benedict, Fluffy Hotcakes, Homesteader Burger, Crispy Chicken Strips
Address: 10025 Galaran Rd, Sidney, BC, Canada
10. Scotty’s Dog Shack
If you’re craving some crazily delicious hotdogs, head on over to Scotty’s Dog Shack ASAP. They offer several options for hot dogs, milkshakes, ice creams, and drinks!
All items are prepared from scratch, so you can ensure they are top-tier and skillfully made with care. Plus, they have some of the friendliest and most enthusiastic owners and staff! You will be all smiles from start to finish.
The hot dogs are made in front of you, so you will see every ingredient that goes in them. You get to appreciate every layer of goodness while waiting for your order.
All hot dog selections are amazing, but come and enjoy a classic hotdog or a frankfurter–the softest buns hugging the juiciest dogs, enhanced to the next level of deliciousness by their in-house sauce!
Cap off your visit with their milkshake, and prepare to be swept off your feet!
What to order: House Dog, Frankfurter, Milkshake
Address: 2380 Beacon Ave W, Sidney, BC, Canada
That sums up our cheat sheet of the best restaurants in Sidney! We hope you’ll visit them soon. If you’re planning to go somewhere else, Victoria maybe? Here’s a list of the best restaurants in Victoria!