July 2011

When on a family ski holiday one of the biggest expenses is eating out, and whilst choosing a self-catered property provides you with the flexibility of heading to the supermarket and eating in, it's always nice to try some of the local restaurants in resort.

This might bring a bead of sweat to the forehead of some parents who may panic at the thought of finding somewhere where their children can relax and be themselves, that the bill for a family of four for a simple dinner will be over £100, or that they don’t want to have their food served on a tray and have to unwrap it before eating. So to help you ahead of your holiday to Whistler, we’ve pulled together some of the recommended family restaurants which all come in at under $50 all in for four hungry skiers! If you have a favourite, we’d love to hear from you. Just comment at the bottom of the blog.

Pasta Lupino You can't go wrong with an Italian restaurant and certainly not with Pasta Lupino. A firm favourite amongst the Whistler locals, there is always a good atmosphere here. The mac & cheese is one of their top selling dishes and they're more than happy to put together half portions for children. During the day, for lunch and an early dinner prices range from $4.25 for kids to $7 - $13 for adults. It's worth noting though that prices increase after 5.30pm for a more formal dinner experience.

Splitz Grill If you want to get a table at Splitz Grill you’ll need to get in there quickly. This is an extremely popular burger restaurant, but don’t worry you’ll not be getting your average fast food burgers and all the food is freshly prepared in front of you. On the adult menu there are made to order burgers with home-made sauces and a great vegetarian option, all at a reasonable $7-$11. For the kids there are combo meal deals for $7.50 which include  a burger or a hot dog or chicken fingers served with fries and a drink.  It’s a great place to go straight from the slopes, as it’ll be packed post 6pm!

Creekbread

The locals are often asked where to head for the best pizza in Whistler and more often than not the answer is Creekbread. This isn't your average pizza restaurant, all the pizzas are made with organic dough and ethical ingredients and apparently a bit of hippy-love (!). Kids are made to feel at home, with a large table available for them to play with dough whilst waiting for their food. Prices start at $14 for a 12” pizza or $19 for a 16” to share.

Wildwood If you're looking for a tasty breakfast or a wide selection for lunch, then head to Wildwood. This casual restaurant has the largest kids menu in the whole of Whistler and always goes down well. For a good hearty breakfast, prices range between $8-$11 for adults and dinners between $14-$30, ask for their dinner specials though as there is often a great bargain to be had. The kids can dine for between $4-$10.

Samurai Sushi For the more adventurous kids, how about giving sushi a go? A very healthy and nutritious option, Samurai Sushi is a popular option for adults and kids. There are two restaurants in Whistler, one in Nester's and one in Creekside but it's worth getting in there early at both restaurants as there can be a wait when it comes to dinner time. Unlike in the UK, sushi in Whistler is great value, prices for kids are $3.75 to $5.75 and adults pay $8 to $13.

Old Spaghetti Factory One of the most popular family restaurants in Whistler is the Old Spaghetti Factory. Kids options here include pasta with a soup or salad. Service is quick but if the small ones are impatitient there is free bread whilst you wait and a choice of free activitities include books, toys and colouring in! The kids' menu ranges from $5.25 to $7.

Here are a few other favourites:

  • Alpine Café in Alpine
  • Southside Diner in Creekside
  • Dup's Burritos for Mexican
  • Boston Pizza in Creekside
  • Carumba
  • Portobello
  • Fuji Market
  • Mongolie Grill