Edible Vancouver Island Summer 2022

S P O N S O R E D C O N T E N T

Patio Season in Parksville Qualicum Beach Summer on Vancouver Island could be summed up with many words, but perhaps the most appt phrase is “patio season”! Enjoy the company of friends while basking in the sunshine, enjoying the fresh coastal breeze and of course, indulging in delicious local food and drinks. With an abundance of restaurant patios, Parksville QualicumBeach is the perfect place to put on your summer bucket list for a weekend away.

Start your weekend off right with coffee on Saturday morning from French Press Coffee Roasters. Open at 8:00am, their location on Primrose Street is in the heart of downtown Qualicum Beach, which makes it the perfect location from which to start your day. Choose between one of their award winning coffee options and a delicious baked good and take a seat on the patio as you watch the rest of the town slowly wake up and begin their weekend adventures. Fueled by caffeine, take the opportunity while you’re downtown to do some shopping. Before you know it, your stomach will be grumbling for lunch, and just a five-minute drive from French Press Coffee Roasters you’ll find a dreamy patio at Shore Restaurant. True to the name, it’s located right on the shore, overlooking a vast expanse of beach and ocean. During the particularly warm summer days, the ocean breeze will be a welcome relief as you enjoy their popular fish and chips and cool off with a crushed fruit smoothie. For dinner, don’t pass up the opportunity to dine on the patio at Qualicum Beach Café. A sister restaurant to the popular Water St. Café in Vancouver, Qualicum Beach Café offers a west coast-inspired menu with a sprinkle of Italian influence. Their lovely patio will make you want to sit back and stay awhile as you enjoy memorable conversations over a delicious meal. The view is also well worth lingering over as you take in the evening sun glistening over the ocean. Finish your day by heading back into the downtown area where you began your day and find Fern & Cedar Brewing Company to indulge in a small-batch, locally crafted beer. While the inside of their location is beautiful (it features a wall filled with red-cedar firewood and a menu bordered by lush greenery), it’s their open patio in the summer that is the perfect place to wind down your busy day. They are open to 11:00pm on Saturdays, so kick back and enjoy a brew while the sun sets and the stars rise above. Then, after a good night’s sleep and a lazy Sunday morning, hop in your car and make the scenic drive to the seasonal “calfe” at Little Qualicum Cheeseworks in Parksville. Enjoy a

hot, fresh latte complemented by a tasty baked treat while you study their self-guided tour map. When you’re ready to leave your picnic table behind, explore the grounds and take the opportunity to learn about their milking process, say hello to the goats and sheep, and, of course, take a peek into the cheese plant! For lunch, drive a little further south to the Fairwinds Marina in Nanoose Bay, where you’ll find Seascape Dining. You won’t be able to tear your eyes away from the view their patio affords over the picture-perfect marina, so order an appetizer and dessert to extend your visit. They also offer many plant-based and gluten-friendly options on their menu, so it’s a place where everyone can find a new favourite meal. Once you’ve managed to tear yourself away from the sunshine warmedpatioof SeascapeDining, enjoy anafternoonexploring Parksville’s shops and beaches before making your way to The Bayside Oceanfront Resort for dinner. This resort offers delightful patio dining with an expansive ocean and mountain view, making it the perfect background for gathering with friends or an intimate dinner for two. Enjoy your dinner around one of their outdoor fire pits for an even more unique evening experience. Finally, finish off your weekend of patio discoveries by driving just ten minutes away to the Black Goose Inn. This unique restaurant is located inside an old home built in 1921, with fireplacesineveryroomtostaycozyduringthewinter.Butduring the summer, their patio beckons, surrounded by lush trees that open up to the evening sky and providing a perfectly framed view of the ocean beyond. Complement your patio experience with a British dessert or ale as you consider all the other patio options you’ll return to visit in Parksville Qualicum Beach.

These are just a few of the multitude of beautiful patio options available during the summer in Parksville Qualicum Beach. For a more expansive list, visit www.visitparksvillequalicumbeach.com/blog/top patios-parksville-qualicum-beach

26 SUMMER 2022 EDIBLE VANCOUVER ISLAND