Tofino’s cocktail scene might be small, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking.
This beloved Vancouver Island surfing town is known for its food, and for good reason: dining here is fresh, inventive, and fun. The drinks at these establishments, however, are equally worthy of praise. Here are five places in Tofino to grab an expertly-crafted cocktail.
On the Rocks Bar
For a dramatic (and delicious) introduction to Tofino’s cocktail scene, head to On the Rocks Bar. Located at the iconic Wickaninnish Inn—a Relais & Chateaux property on Chesterman Beach—On the Rocks the intimate adjoining lounge of the hotel’s onsite restaurant The Pointe. With heart-shattering views of the rolling Pacific Waves enchanting even the grumpiest of travellers, On the Rocks will lull its guests into a happy reverie with the classics done right. Pull up a chair and sip on a perfectly chilled martini, old fashioned, or negroni.
Wolf in the Fog
Long credited with helping put Tofino restaurants on the Canadian culinary map, Wolf in the Fog is famous for its seaweed salad and its potato-crusted oysters—but also for its Cedar Sour. The cocktail is so popular, in fact, that when the restaurant tried to take it off the bar menu, customers demanded its return. Made with cedar-infused rye, lemon, thyme, and egg white, it’s a whisky sour, Pacific Northwest-style.
Jeju
Korean restaurant Jeju has a small menu of proprietary cocktails (consider the Ginger Snaps, made with Korean liquor leegangju alongside soda, fermented ginger, and lemon), but the real draw here is its imported bottle list. Want to try leegangju—made from pear and ginger—on its own? How about testing out solsongju, a Korean pine rice wine? Or the Korean plum liquor won mae? Jeju has it all and then some.
Ombré
Ombré’s Mediterranean-inspired dishes (don’t miss the savoury madeleine with foie gras or the roasted carrots) are perfectly paired with its cocktail list of classics with a twist. Try the Monaco—the restaurant’s take on a martini—with L’Arbre Gin, Cocchi Americano infused with homegrown oregano, and a garnish of olive and cipollini. Or the Cinque Terre, crafted with peach-infused Aperol, lemon, Prosecco, orange-rosemary syrup, and soda: an elevated Aperol spritz if there ever was one.
Shelter
Shelter’s location at Tofino Resort + Marina makes it an excellent place for whale spotting, with a cozy mid-century modern vibe and floor-to-ceiling windows that jut out over the water. There’s a dedicated Caesar menu, with four varieties to choose from—including peppercorn and cucumber. There’s also a selection of other house-made concoctions like the Seaside Smash, made with Sheringham gin from the Victoria area along with Chambord, rosemary, and lemon. It’s relaxed and refreshing—just like any trip to Tofino should be.
—by Sara Harowitz
