Where to Eat in Lake Cowichan: The Best Restaurants and Bars

January 26, 2018 Sachiko Swiger

Lake Cowichan (Nitinaht: ʕaʔk̓ʷaq c̓uubaʕsaʔtx̣), (pop. 2,974), is a town located on the east end of Cowichan Lake and, by highway, is 27 kilometres (17 mi) west of Duncan, British Columbia. The town of Lake Cowichan was incorporated in 1944. The Cowichan River flows through the middle of the town. Cowichan Lake is British Columbia's second-most pristine lake and Cowichan River is designated as a Heritage River.
Things to do in Lake Cowichan

1. Cow Cafe

51 North Shore Rd, Lake Cowichan, British Columbia V0R 2G0, Canada Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Outdoor Seating Canadian, Fusion Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner HK$63 - HK$212 +1 250-749-4933
Excellent
38%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
8%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 61 reviews

Cow Cafe

Our menu is packed with classic dishes we create from scratch. Daily specials incorporate seasonal, local ingredients. From delicious appetizers to tasty salads, inspired entrees to decadent desserts, your meal will be one of a kind.

Reviewed By mme-arcati - Courtenay, Canada

It has been a while since we ventured back to Cowichan Bay for a meal because over the years they have been very hit-and-miss. However, that has now all changed. The Cow Café was a delightful discovery with fabulous presentation and delicious food to suit several price ranges. Our party of 5 ranged in age from 53 to 87, a vegetarian, a fish fancier, a serious carnivore and a couple of omnivores looking for something nice to eat, and all our expectations were more than well met. The menu includes soups, sandwiches and fries, but well made and presented: there were also pasta and a la carte fish and steak dishes being serves around us and comments overheard were as satisfied as our own. The scene outside the windows is spectacular and on rainy days large-screen tvs could fill in. The serving staff were very casual and efficient and they were comfortable with us taking time over our coffees as we caught up on family news.

2. Shaker Mill Restaurant

72 Cowichan Lake, Lake Cowichan, British Columbia V0R 2G0, Canada Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Takeout, Reservations, Wheelchair Accessible Canadian, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner +1 250-749-6350
Excellent
41%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
6%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 44 reviews

Shaker Mill Restaurant

Reviewed By FoodLoverYumYummm

We just moved to Lake Cowichan recently, and were we very excited to see the Shaker Mill within walking distance from our new house. We walked there for dinner and were greeted promptly by the very friendly server. Whenever I try a new place, I usually order the burger and fries (in my opinion, if a restaurant can't make a decent burger & fries, nothing else is worth trying) and I was not disappointed! The fries were delicious, and the side of gravy was one of the most flavourful gravies I've ever had from a restaurant! I tried the Cowboy burger, which comes with BBQ sauce, sauteed onions and bacon, and it was so good. My husband ordered the Curry chicken poutine, and it was just as good.
We are SO excited to come back and try all the other offerings on the extensive menu. The breakfast options sound delicious, and there are many interesting sounding burgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads, etc. to try!

3. Lake Cowichan Country Grocer

83 Lake Cowichan Rd, Lake Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada Takeout, Wheelchair Accessible Canadian Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner +1 250-749-6335
Excellent
62%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 38 reviews

Lake Cowichan Country Grocer

Country Grocer is a modern, extremely clean and well stocked grocery store, but what it also features is a cozy fireside restaurant and outdoor patio.The food is fresh. quick and wholesome, with well-priced daily specials. This is a counter service restaurant, but the atmosphere is relaxed with comfy furniture.

Reviewed By Burnaby_Folk - Burnaby, Canada

This grocer is adequate if you forget to stop in Duncan on the way in. Some meats had an expiration date of the day before or the day we were there.

4. Jake's At The Lake

109 South Shore Road, Lake Cowichan, British Columbia V0R 2G0, Canada Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Takeout American, Bar, Pub, Canadian Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Late Night +1 250-932-2221
Excellent
35%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
5%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 182 reviews

Jake's At The Lake

Reviewed By Beersnbites - Vancouver, Canada

Jake’s At The Lake was a pleasant and welcome surprise. The location right on Lake Cowichan provides fantastic views in a pub-like setting.
The food is fresh and well-priced. My grain and couscous salad with Mediterranean-style salad vegetables, feta, and chicken bits was tasty and well seasoned, and at $15 for a full order, it could easily be shared between two people. My only criticism would be that it was a little heavy on the couscous and light on the other ingredients. My partner’s cod entrée with it’s miso marinade was delicious, nicely presented, and again came with really fresh ingredients! Our friends’ sandwiches looked equally appealing.
Being the designated driver, I opted for pop, and my glass was refilled without having to ask our server. The house white from a local winery that my partner had was more than decent, and a number of local craft beers were also on tap.
Friendly service, and one of the chefs even managed to greet and seat us upon arrival when the servers were busy with other customers. Nice! Decent prices, too. Not to be missed if you’re in Lake Cowichan.

5. J & V's Burgers & Pizza

162 South Shore Road | Lake Cowichan, Lake Cowichan, British Columbia V0R 2G0, Canada Takeout, Seating, Delivery, Outdoor Seating American, Canadian, Pizza Lunch, Dinner +1 250-749-7411
Excellent
71%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
8%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 46 reviews

J & V's Burgers & Pizza

Reviewed By fsdukejr - Federal Way, Washington

Order at the counter and sit at a booth. Home made ice cream milk shakes, no powdered mix, at least 25 flavors. We both had the chipotle burger and it was spicy big and delicious. Decorations range from a juke box to old time radios on a shelf above the front windows. Lots of flavors of poutine. We were driving through town and almost missed it but we turned around and went back. We were pleasantly surprised. Friendly service makes you feel at home. This is a gem. too bad we are from far away an may never get to try the rest of the menu.

6. Riverside Inn

56 North Shore, Lake Cowichan, British Columbia V0R 2G0, Canada Accepts Visa, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Free Off-Street Parking, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Takeout, Reservations American, Bar, Pub, Canadian Late Night, Drinks, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch HK$55 - HK$118 +1 250-749-6373
Excellent
45%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
23%
Terrible
13%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 30 reviews

Riverside Inn

The Riverside Inn is a full service Pub and Liquor Store. Licensed for family dining from 11-8pm. Regular hours of operation in the Pub 11am - 11pm Sunday through Thursday, 11am -1am Friday and Saturday. Liquor Store hours are 9am -11pm everyday. The pub has live music Friday nights and Club Nights on Saturdays. Happy Hours everyday 3 - 6pm and Daily specials including Wing nights on Wednesday's and Fridays and Fish N Chips on Thursdays. Friendly staff, new owner and management. Great food. Come check us out!

Reviewed By Steve W

The wife and I went for dinner Monday night. We sat at the table for 15 minutes watching 1 waitress waiting on a large crowd. When she finally came to the table was informed our meal would take some time due to the table of 12. Seeing it was 15 minutes just for the waitress to bring menus we opted to leave. If this is the future with poor service then I guess I'll not come back.

7. Lakeside Sushi

78 Cowichan Lake Road | #2, Lake Cowichan, British Columbia V0R 2G0, Canada Seating, Wheelchair Accessible Japanese, Sushi, Asian Lunch, Dinner +1 250-932-9012
Excellent
68%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
6%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 15 reviews

Lakeside Sushi

Reviewed By BubbleGumGirl1093 - Edmonton

The quality and price of the sushi was great! Unfortunately the staff member just sat at a table texting on her phone the whole time. We had to ask for more water, and move out dirty dishes to another table as she did not clear them from our table. I won't bring my family back, but I may order take out the next time we are in town.

8. Farm Table Inn

6755 Cowichan Lake Road, Lake Cowichan, British Columbia V0R 2G0, Canada Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Buffet, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Free Off-Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi Contemporary, Canadian, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options Dinner, Brunch, Drinks, Breakfast, Lunch HK$149 - HK$275 +1 250-932-3205
Excellent
98%
Good
1%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 54 reviews

Farm Table Inn

The Farm Table Inn is a charming Bed & Breakfast, Restaurant and Farm, only 15 minutes from Duncan in the Cowichan Valley. The Farm is on the Pacific Marine Circle Route and many hiking trails, including the Trans Canada Trail, exist near the Farm. They are also minutes from Cowichan River Provincial Park. The B & B is open 7 days a week and includes a gourmet breakfast. The restaurant is open Wednesday nights for either a Prime Rib Buffet or Paint Nite. Regular dinner hours are Thursday to Saturday nights and they are open Sundays for a Brunch Buffet at 11am. Reservations are recommended. As they want you to "savour the experience" of the local food, drink and cozy ambiance, please do allow a minimum of two hours for your dining experience.

Reviewed By yostie - Toronto, Canada

We had a delicious meal at Farm Table in with four friends. The meal was fabulous and beautifully presented.
The service was excellent - we highly recommend Farm Table!

9. Carmanah Pizza

39 King George St N, Lake Cowichan, British Columbia V0R 2G0, Canada Pizza Lunch, Dinner HK$31 - HK$181 +1 250-932-7776
Excellent
67%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
22%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 9 reviews

Carmanah Pizza

Carmanah Pizza is a quaint little pizza shop that specializes in pizza. We use fresh ingredients and make or dough fresh daily. We take pride in what we do and cherish community spirit and our food reflects that. We also offer a wide range of desserts, fresh seasonal salads and offer real fruit smoothies in the summer to energize and refresh people for a day of play in the sun. Come by and check us out

Reviewed By Sandie Y - Mill Bay, Canada

It's always good to know that another eatery is opening up in a small town, but this is a real disappointment.
Very dry, dense pizza crust, toppings minimum, and very little flavour, and expensive for what you get, i.e. $24 for mid size take out pizza.
It is fairly new, so hopefully, it will improve.

10. Scarlett's Second Hand Boutique & Espresso Bar

40 Southshore Road, Lake Cowichan, British Columbia V0R 2G0, Canada
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 5 reviews

Scarlett's Second Hand Boutique & Espresso Bar

Reviewed By Kelly E

Scarlett's is a must go while in Lake Cowichan. They are the only place in town with a true espresso machine and make a variety of hot and cold choices. Love that she brings in locally made fresh baked goods to accompany my americano! The best part is it's not just a coffee shop, there is vintage housewares, refurnished furniture and everything from greeting cards, jewellery, art, skin care products and more. Everything is locally crafted and made.

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