A Local Food Tour Along Sunshine Coast

Come with me on a local food tour along BC’s Sunshine Coast! For my mom’s birthday we’re having a weekend summer beach cabin trip in Sechelt, while visiting nearby towns like Gibsons and Roberts Creek along the way. Since the Sunshine Coast is known for their fresh seafood, produce, and locally-brewed ciders, we had to taste test everything. From local brunch hotspots to Sechelt’s iconic farmer’s market, this food guide is exactly what you need to eat your way through the Sunshine Coast.

Birthday Weekend Staycation on the Sunshine Coast

This summer, I really wanted to stay local and explore more of the beautiful province we call home. So, it’s our first time visiting the Sunshine Coast, and even the drive there was Incredibly beautiful. We can’t believe we’ve never taken this ferry ride to Sechelt before. It honestly felt like we stumbled into a hidden corner of nature’s heaven. So peaceful, untouched, and filled with the kindest people. For the first time in a really, really long time, I felt truly truly relaxed. Like I could breathe, like a home away from home.

Throughout this whole trip, my family and I were talking and we all agreed that this might be one of the most relaxing vacations we have ever been on. Quiet mornings, reading our favorite books, paddle boarding on calm water, cooking all of our cravings from scratch, and just being together. It felt so simple yet so fulfilling. 

DRiving To The Sunshine Coast

Today, we’re driving from Vancouver to the Sunshine Coast. Altogether, the trip usually takes around three hours depending on traffic and ferry timing, but honestly it never feels long because the whole journey is so scenic from start to finish. To get to

From the city, it’s first a 30-minute drive to Horseshoe Bay, then you hop on the ferry to Langdale. The ferry ride takes about 40 minutes, but the views make it feel like part of the adventure. Once you’re off the boat, it’s another 30 minute drive along the coast before you reach Gibson, Sechelt, and Robert’s Creek.

Gibsons

Before heading off to Sechelt, we made a little stop in Gibsons, a small charming town nested alongside the Sunshine Coast. Gibson is known for its ocean views, cozy vibes, and incredibly fresh seafood. Also known as “the Gateway to the Sunshine Coast”, Gibsons is known for its sweeping ocean views, cozy small-town vibe, and some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever find

I’ve always lived in the city, but my dream is to one day retire in a small town with my own little restaurant. Spending time in Gibsons gave me a small glimpse of what that dream could look like. The pace is slower here, but in the best way possible. There were so many cute cafes, bakeries, and the most charming local cider houses tucked between trees.

Smitty’s Oyster House 

Smitty’s Oyster House has been on my bucket list for the longest time! Here at Smitty’s, they’re famous for their local seafood and hearty, comforting dishes. There’s plenty of outdoor seating, so we sat down and enjoyed the sunny day with some wine.

We started our meal with super fresh raw oysters at $4-4.50 each. Paired with a house-made spicy vinaigrette, these oysters were chef’s kiss. They were so fresh, slightly sweet, silky smooth, and just the tiniest taste of the ocean. Wow, I don’t know if it’s the view, the summer breeze, or just the magic of the moment, but I think these might be the best oysters I have ever had in my life.

We also ordered a few other dishes to share. Every single bite was bursting with flavors, bright and fresh, rich and comforting, yet still warm and heartfelt. It really felt like a home-cooked meal made with love.

• Chowda ($13) – the creamiest clam and potato chowder
• Seared Scallops ($24) – scallops, apricot miso glazed pork belly, and slaw.
• Fancy Fries ($8) – Rosemary and duck fat fries. Absolute MUST ORDER!
• Tuna Tartare ($24) – Ahi tuna, citrus avocado, pickled mango slaw, wasabi soy pearls, crispy wonton.

If you’re heading to the Sunshine Coast and love seafood, Smitty’s Oyster House is the perfect first stop. And even if you’re not an oyster person, Smitty’s might just change your mind. Smitty’s opens Thursday through Sunday, usually starting around 12PM, and by the time evening hits, there’s almost always a line. It’s only a few steps from Gibsons Marina, which makes it feel like the ocean is part of the dining room itself.

Beachcomber Coffee Company

We stopped for a coffee break at Beachcomber Coffee Company specializing in their own artisan roast as well as pastries and wraps. This charming little coffee shop has plenty of both indoor and outdoor seating where you can relax and enjoy your coffee. The store also sells tons of cute mugs, stickers, and other souvenirs and merch for the store.

Dom and my mom both grabbed an iced latte, while I opted instead for a chocolatey iced mocha. We also grabbed one of their signature apple fritters, which was so big we had to share. It was a satisfyingly indulgent treat for a day of exploring! If you’re wandering around Gibson, come grab a coffee and a pastry at Beachcomber Coffee, which is open daily from 7 AM to 5 PM!

Banditry Cider

We stopped by Banditry Cider, a family-run cidery surrounded by heritage apple and pear trees. It’s a super family friendly environment, with plenty of open grassy space and cute chickens and ducks. You can walk around the pond area to watch the ducks swim around. Places like this remind me of how beautiful slow living can be. It makes us so happy to be supporting somewhere local and homemade!

Of course, we had to try their cider flights, served with a little snack of popcorn. The ciders here were some of the best I’ve ever had in such a long time. Each of them were crisp, clean, and full of personality from their semi-dry apple to their seasonal ginger and blackberry blends. Every pour felt thoughtful and balanced.

If you’re near Gibson, make sure to drop by Thursdays to Sundays from 12 PM to 7 PM. Don’t miss their happy hour, where flights and falafels are 25% off during 12pm to 2pm from Thursday to Sunday.

Sechelt

Did you know that Sechelt actually means “land between two waters”? It gets its name because the town sits between the Sechelt Inlet and the Strait of Georgia, making it one of the few towns in Canada that’s entirely on a peninsula. Beyond the views, Sechelt is also a hub for incredible local produce and seafood, with farmers’ markets and ocean-to-table spots that make eating here feel extra special. 

This trip, we booked a seaside Airbnb cabin in Sechelt. The backyard opened right out onto the water, so we could literally step outside and be paddle boarding within minutes. It was such a peaceful, super private spot to wake up in and experience the nature around.

Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market

One of my all-time guilty pleasures is visiting farmers market. Sechelt’s Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market might just be one of my favorites ever. There’s something so special about watching the whole community come together. Even though it only happens once a week, it actually is the largest outdoor market in the Sunshine Coast.

The market has over 60 stalls, and every stall is filled with so much love. There’s everything here, like garden fresh produce, handmade crafts, warm baked goods, smoked meat, beautiful wild mushrooms, fresh flowers, and more. There’s even ready to eat meals made by incredibly talented local chefs.

We had to get a little bit of all the local ingredients to make the yummiest lunch at home, like my white wine clam pasta and peach burrata salad. If you’re visiting the Sunshine Coast, don’t forget to drop by on Saturdays from 9 AM to 2 PM!

EB’s Ice Cream Shop

Let’s be real, the best part of any running is the postrun snack, and today’s reward is homemade ice creams from EB’s Ice Cream Shop. Apparently, this place makes really, really fresh homemade ice cream. We ordered a $5 scoop each of Hokey Pokey, which is vanilla ice cream with honeycomb, and sweet ice tea and peach jam.

The ice cream here was definitely a 9/10! It was so good, we had to take two pints to go. The next day, I made a fruity summer float with the peach and ice tea flavor ice cream and some blood orange soda. It was the perfect reading treat! They’re open daily at 11 AM, so if you’re trying to beat the heat in Sechelt, EB’s is the place to go.

Basted Baker

On our last full day in Sechelt, we stopped by Basted Baker, a cozy downtown café that’s become a go-to spot for hearty brunch. The menu is stacked with comfort food dishes built around their signature house-made butter biscuits, plus fresh drinks and plenty of flavor-packed twists on classics.

We started with their one each of their pineapple and dragonfruit House Lemonade ($8), which was perfectly sour and refreshing for a warm morning. Then, we ordered 3 of their top items to share:

• Huevos Rancheros ($18) – Corn tortilla, black turtle beans, cilantro cashew pesto, cheddar, avocado, poached egg, pico de gallo, chipotle cream
• Pulled Pork Benny ($22) – house made butter biscuit, poached egg, hollandaise sauce, oven roasted hash browns.
• Based Baker Hash ($22) – hash browns, red peppers, roasted mushrooms, spinach, avocado, pickled cabbage, poached egg, hollandaise

Each dish was so tasty, packed with bright flavors and fresh local ingredients. I especially loved drizzling their house made spicy ketchup all over their oven roasted hash browns.

Between the bright drinks and hearty plates, brunch at Basted Baker felt like a great way to start our last day on the Sunshine Coast. The food here is a 7/10. Based Baker is open daily from 9 AM to 3 PM. It’s a super popular local spot, so the wait time may be a little longer during busy hours. If you’re ever stopping by Sechelt, come grab some brunch!

The Bricker Cider Company

We had to check out more local ciders while we’re here, so we chose the Bricker Cider Company. Located in West Sechelt, this family-run cidery is set on a small orchard with a cozy taproom and sunny patio. They specialize in 100% gluten-free ciders using wild fermentation with natural apple yeasts. They have their 4 core ciders, but also rotating limited seasonal batches with unique flavors like Peaches and Cream.

With so many options, it was hard to choose. We had the bartender choose up our flight for us, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. I highly highly recommend their earl grey cider!

If you’re looking for a relaxing activity in Sechelt from 12PM to 8 PM, visit Bricker’s and try out some cider. It’s a super relaxing spot that’s dog friendly, casual, and quiet. You can sip your ciders outside among the trees while grabbing food from their onsite kitchen, The Shed. There’s also a local black cat that loves to hang out here but we’ll have to come back to look for it next time!

Robert’s Creek

Before heading home, it wouldn’t be a proper Tiffy trip without diving into some local favorite foodie gems. Just a short drive away, we wandered over to Roberts Creek, a little artistic community known for its pier and its welcoming, free-spirited vibe.

Roberts Creek Pier is only about five minutes from the main strip of yummy local restaurants, but once you step out onto it, you feel like you’ve walked into the pages of a summer novel. The ocean breeze, the mountain views, the quietness, and the chance of spotting wildlife make it magical. We actually saw two sea lions and even an otter that afternoon. I could spend hours with a book, soaking in that stillness that feels so uniquely BC.

Gumboot Cafe

First up, we got to try Gumboot Cafe, a beloved staple in Robert’s Creek since 1993. This cozy spot is famous for their homestyle breakfast made with the same recipe for the past 30 years. They focus on organic, local ingredients and have tons of vegan and gluten-free options. If I can describe the food here, it’s like if your grandma made you breakfast on a slow, sunny Sunday morning. Homey, nostalgic, and made with so much love. 

We shared a Gumboot Hash ($17), their signature breakfast hash plate with tomatoes, avocados, mushrooms and eggs. We also ordered the Roberts Creek Pizza ($22), covered with kale, red onions, pepper, tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, and feta cheese. It’s served with a bowl of lentil curry soup that was amazing to dip our pizza and bread into.

Gumboot Cafe is only 5 minutes away from Robert’s Creek Pier, and open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM. It’s the perfect place for a meal before a casual walk around the pier.

Sharky’s Fish Locker

After our walk around the pier, we stopped by Sharky’s Fish Locker, a small but mighty fish and chip shack that locals absolutely swear by. This roadside shack with picnic tables sells and serves fresh and frozen seafood.

We ordered a Halibut and Fries ($26.50) and Coconut Shrimp ($23.50) to share. Everything is fried to golden perfection using locally caught fish. Super crispy, flaky, and fresh. It was everything you dream of when you think of the classic fish and chips. Although we shared between 4 people, the portions were so generous that we even had leftovers for the road.

This fish shack is a solid 8/10! They’re usually open daily from 11 AM to 7PM, but they’re closed on Tuesdays. Come by and try their super fresh seafood!

Shave ice Paradise

To end the day on a sweet note, we couldn’t leave without stopping for some homemade shaved ice at Shave Ice Paradise.  Located behind the Gumboot Restaurant’s parking lot, this little stall sells Hawaiian Shave Ice just like the ones we had at Waikiki Beach. All the fruit syrups here are also made from scratch, just like the ones in Hawaii.

We had to get their Pineapple Mango and Strawberry syrup on top of our shave ice. It was light, it was refreshing, and honestly, the perfect little treat to wrap this trip up. If you need to cool down any day from 12 PM to 5 PM, Shave Ice Paradise has exactly what you need.