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Shelter Restaurant
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
37 reviews for Shelter Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"...been a huge fan of Yam Fries, though the crisp texture and..." In 3 reviews -
"Fun and cool, not too fancy, but very heart warming on..." In 3 reviews -
"Food is good and service is very attentive." In 3 reviews
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37 reviews in English
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Review from Stephanie M.
Vancouver, BC
5/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Yet another wonderful patio in Tofino that showcases the best things about the west coast: great seafood and the incredible natural beauty of the outdoors.
We tried this place because our B&B recommended it (plus it was only one block away from said B&B) and because it had a fantastic patio and a varied, reasonably priced menu. The atmosphere inside was funky and stylish yet casual as it feautured video of "retro" surfers from the 50s and 60s.
My mom and I both had the salmon surf bowl and were blown away by how good it was. The spice in the teriyaki sauce was beautifully balanced by the yogurt mixed in and the fish and veggies were perfectly cooked. I would love to go back just to have that dish again. The drinks were great, as well.
Our server and the staff were also very friendly and attentive but not overbearing. I really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere here and can see why it's a popular spot among locals. -
Review from Ann V.
4/27/2012
My husband and I first stopped by at the recommendation of our water taxi driver. We had just finished a long and challenging hike on Lone Cone Trail on Meares Island. We deserved a beer after that and since the Weigh West pub was closed for renovations, we decided to try out the Shelter.
We sat at the bar and were immediately presented with water glasses as well as a small carafe of water. Our bartender /waiter was excellent. A true professional. He gave us a taste of the different beers on tap so we could make an informed decision. I love to eat and drink the local offerings whenever we travel.
We ended up getting a local Tofino beer - Sessions Pale Ale. For food my husband ordered the Tofino Surf Bowl and I had a halibut burger. We also got yam fries as a starter. Everything was tasty and excellent - fresh and delightful.
The food and service was so good that we returned the next evening. Different bartender but still excellent and attentive. We relayed the story of our hike to him and instead of being bored by yet more Americans talking about themselves, he shared a bit of history with us. Apparently this island has had people living on it for over 5000 years...just not now (completely isolated and uninhabited today) .
This time I ordered the Tofino Surf Bowl with salmon (you can order it with chicken or tofu). What an amazing dish! I swear I could eat this every day. Fresh, local tasty food. Stir fried together in a yogurt / teriyaki sauce I ate wild salmon, bean sprouts, carrots, water chestnuts, broccoli, shredded cabbage, toasted sesame seeds served in a bowl on top of a steamed bowl of basmati rice. Heaven...
We had the luck to meet the chef himself. He stepped out of the kitchen to take a look around and see how everyone was doing. I am sure the success of this restaurant is due to his passion and commitment to excellence.
Although we were stuffed to the gills, our bartender enticed us with the dessert menu. When we saw 'chevre' cheesecake with blackberries we knew we had to try it. Being huge goat cheese fans we were curious how this would work in a cheesecake. I don't know how he did it but this was a most excellent cheesecake. Yes we could taste the goat cheese but it was still sweet enough to be the perfect end to this meal.
We were told that the desserts are all specially made each day from original recipes. If only we were in town long enough to try each and every one....
Can't wait for our next trip to Tofino so we can eat at the Shelter again. -
Review from Shannon R.
Vancouver, BC
3/1/2012
Was in Tofino last weekend and we ended up eating at Shelter twice while we were there. Such a great spot and they aren't trying too hard. I find a lot of the restaurants in Tofino are trying too hard to be trendy and they just end up being over-priced and I'm left dissatisfied. Shelter has great food and great service.
The Seafood Chowder is amazing so is their Salmon Burger which was a special when I was there. The chocolate truffles are little balls of heaven that melt in your mouth. Their wine selection was fantastic as well - try the Viognier.
I'm never disappointed with Shelter - it's a must when your in Tofino. -
Review from Kye G.
Vancouver, BC
2/29/2012
Great spot. Nice balance of trendy yet casual. A lot of places seem like they are trying way to hard in Tofino but this place was the perfect balance. Very modern decor and style but yet clearly staffed by surfers and they are ok with that. Great balance.
Had the Halibut Burger, Salmon Burger and Seafood Chowder. All were fantastic. Tuff Session Ale was also great.
Were there for the weekend and had both our meals out there. -
Review from Andee F.
West Vancouver, BC
2/15/2012
Oh yeah. Loved me some Shelter!
The decor is well-balanced - enough of the Tofino touch without being cliched. Music, menus, art - all provide subtle accents without being overpowering. The open kitchen is the focal point of the space, and deservedly so; I love watching chefs at work! The tables are very close together, but the night I was there enough was going on around us that I didn't notice any privacy erosion.
And the food.....it's been a few days now, but I'm still dreaming of the Pho. If I lived in Tofino, I would be chowing down on that soup many times a week. Also had the tuna tartare & loved it. For my entree I had a pasta dish that was rich & delicious.
Definitely looking forward to my next Shelter meal! -
Review from Lydia Chur E.
7/27/2011 3 photos
We had an early dinner on Thursday.
My daughter had chowder, which she enjoyed and also chocolate mousse. I had a lingcod burger with salad.
It was a good meal, but not particularly memorable.
Service was good. -
Review from David D.
Vancouver, BC
1/15/2012
Amazing. Great service, fresh interesting. best restaurant in Tofino, hands down. Well recommended.
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Review from Eileen S.
3/25/2012
My husband and i stopped in for lunch before a whale watching excursion and loved every bite. We had the Shelter salad with chicken and the special house smoked chicken thighs with cheese grits. There were so many things on the menu that sounded great. Clearly Shelter is about stellar ingredients, flavorful presentation- locally sourced comfort food done very right
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Review from Angus M.
Vancouver, BC
7/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Love the ambiance and music here, but recently I've found the food and service a little uneven.
On my latest couple visits, the calamari was so greasy it could have been deep-fried at a KFC. Didnt exactly pair with the wine. Blech!
And my Teriyaki Salmon Rice bowl - which is usually great if you get here after the kitchen is closed - arrived lukewarm ...with a wee hair in it.
Yumm.
I started to say something about the hair but the over-wrought server gave me a plastic smile and walked away. She was a bit overrun and had been in "plastic-smile mode" since first taking my order. I politely chased her down and she replaced the bowl.
But then she disappeared for 30 minutes. Which was too bad because I could have used a scotch to kill the sense of disgust.
Perhaps it was an off-night at Shelter. But still, it was 30 minutes to close and the Shelter was nearly empty. I guess the staff just wanted to leave. Me too.
I sure hope my recent experiences are not a pattern, cuz I want to keep liking this place. -
Review from Maya M.
North Vancouver, BC
3/14/2011
Our experience at Shelter on Friday night was so good we decided to go back again on Saturday! I have to say, the Saturday service was not nearly as good (quite disappointing as a matter of fact) but I am hoping that was a glitch in an otherwise excellent operation.
Our server on Friday was fantastic and friendly. We chose Shelter because coming from Vancouver and having easy access to fresh seafood at home, we were put off by the way overpriced menus of some of the other trending places around.
Shelter had an excellent menu with a wide variety of upscale pub-ish selections and prices and I went for the $6 glass of Lindeman's Shiraz on special so I can't really comment on the wine list. Friday's meals were delicious - calamari to start followed by the most delicious (and I am not exaggerating) Asian-influenced soba noodle beef salad I have had in a long time.
As I said, Saturday was slightly more disappointing with a server that kept missing our requests or not hearing them and I had to cancel our last round of drinks becuase we waited so long to get them we had finished eating already. The food was less of a home run but still quite good.
Final verdict - definitely try out Shelter, great place to watch a hockey game (with the sound on!) and good surf movies on the tv otherwise, good drink specials. As for the menu items, it was a bit hit and miss but I bet the employees can suggest what is best. -
Review from Stephen Y.
Richmond, BC
12/3/2010
I came here in early September while on my 3 day vacation in Tofino. It's one of the best places to eat here and it's price matches it. I highly recommend sitting on the deck if it's a nice day, makes the meal a little more special. You can watch the boats slowly meander through the water and the dim buzz of seaplanes landing add to the atmosphere. Reservations are highly recommended, if not almost necessary during peak season.
Ambiance (4/5) : A combination of dim lighting, ample amounts of leather and wood make this a modern but fitting restaurant in Tofino. The large post and beams supporting the place are from WW2 as noted by the greeter and further inquiry reveals they were from the Long Beach Airport. Washrooms as noted are very chic and LCDs are a nice surprise.
Food & drinks (4/5) : Obviously, you have to get seafood here and I ordered the oysters and yam fries to start. The fries were superb, crispy, not too dark, burnt and just the right about of salt. Chipotle mayo accompanied it. Oysters were quite fresh and simply dressed with lemon juice and shallots. My main was the Steamed dungeness crab caught locally. This was perfection! Prepared with garlic, butter and honey-lime vingerette, it was succulent and the flavours from the crab remained intact, not over-powered by anything else. A few glasses of Road13 "Chenin Blanc" was paired with my meal and it was slightly sweet and slightly tropical flavours. The aftertaste was a bit acidic which was refreshing on the palate.
Service (4/5) : Thoughtful is how I would start describing the service. My wife booked the reservations, stating it was my birthday and wanted a table on the deck with a good view and our wishes were granted. Our server informed us of the history of the place, some suggestions for appies, and was attentive yet allowed us room to take in the view, enjoy each other's company and the amazing food.
Great job Shelter! -
Review from Jordan v.
Port Moody, BC
1/16/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Top notch! They obviously put great care into what they cook at Shelter. A tiny bit more attention to detail would easily make them 5 stars.
We were served warm rosemary potato bread to begin. Very simple, but delicious. Too bad the cold butter pad wasn't a little softer to be spread on easily.
The chowder was balanced perfectly -- great seafood flavour, nicely cooked vegetables, smart choice of herbs, and just a tiny bit of truffle? It did need a little extra salt -- but there was some on the table.
The calamari was the best I've ever tasted! The coating was crisp and well seasoned, and the addition of red pepper and jalepeno added just enough interest that you didn't want to stop eating it. And it kept the perfect texture until the last bite!
The wife had a half crab and it as well was succulent. The roasted garlic butter was a nice addition, and the fresh salad had a light, slightly sweet lemon dressing that again, just tasted like extra care had been put into it.
The ambience is warm and cosy, albeit noisy with the all the conversations echoing off the hard surfaces.
Our server was an absolute pleasure -- attentive and friendly. We will definitely visit again! -
Review from Mike J.
10/24/2011
Love this place. We are from a surfer community in southern Cali, so we felt at home here. The tofino surfer bowl was awesome.
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Review from Michael S.
Vancouver, BC
6/10/2011
While in Tofino recently I had lunch at Shelter. Nice view and great outdoor patio. I ordered the LingCod Burger which was delicious & fresh. Although no sides came with, it was large and topped with an onion ring. Washed down with some of the local Tuff Session beer made a great lunch, and the staff were friendly & helpful.
Went back for the Canucks vs. Boston game 4 finals... Sad outcome for the game but the $3.00 Pilsner specials and yummy Seasonal Mushroom thin crust pizza sure helped! -
Review from David v.
Surrey, BC
9/5/2010
Very clean. Nice look. Were we on the deck, I think I would have had a better experience. The restaurant did have beautiful ambiance, though the upstairs seating area was very hot. The oversized overhead fans do nothing to help with that.
Limited options on the menu. I understand that most people would expect seafood options in a place like Tofino, but it was almost to the exclusion of all other types of food.
The service was, m'eh. I think they made assumptions about myself and my dining partner when we first walked in, put us up in the upstairs corner beside the coatrack and server's work station, figuring we were not "big spenders." That annoyed me a little, though I did not ask to be moved (my own fault).
The dessert menu was rather uninspiring.
The food was good, not great. Overall, I was not as impressed as I ought to have been. -
Review from Caro W.
Victoria, BC
5/30/2010
I read all the reviews below, and came in with high expectations. Maybe Shelter and I just didn't get along that day, but I didn't find anything to rant and rave about.
The service was very good and quick and Shelter offers a wide variety of seating!
The pacific lingcod burger was big and the fillet was tender. Ordered a set of yam fries, but there just wasn't enough! The salmon teriyaki street bowl was good, but left more to be desired. The pear and paprika martini was delicious.
The atmosphere was nice and it's definitely Tofino's "hot spot" (besides the beaches), but I felt it to be a tourist trap.
It's a cool classy place to go out if you're looking for that in Tofino!
Very cool bathrooms with surfing clip above the toilet paper roll...mesmorizing! -
Review from Sarah M.
Vancouver, BC
6/13/2011
JUST OK.
My boyfriend had the hamburger and I had the pizza.
JUST SO YOU KNOW!
The hamburger does NOT com with fries, not even salad.
The pizza it is for one person only. kinda small and nothing special.
Toilets are cool ad clean ;) service ok. The restaurant itself it is pretty.
They give yoU blankets if you are outdoors to keep you warm ;)
just ok. -
Review from Janice R.
Saskatoon, SK
5/16/2009
A great meal at a reasonable price. The staff were polite and worked together (if they saw an empty plate or glass they took it away or asked if you wanted a refill). We went during a hockey game so the crowd was all ages, lots of TV's for the sports fan! Great everything - if your in tofino, make a stop!
Don't leave without eating: Chocolate Trio Dessert
Don't leave without seeing: The Beer Wall -
Review from Liz K.
7/22/2010
I like Shelter, I like the waitstaff, but holy hell it is expensive. And obviously all the tourists go here.
I had the half crab and some clam chowder, both were delicious. I had some great beer, too, so really the food here is decent but man, I can't get over the price.
And hey, there are tvs in the bathrooms! -
Review from Joe L.
Vancouver, BC
6/28/2010 1 Check-in Here
Shelter is probably where all visitors to Tofino would go at some point during their stay. For that reason, it's a great place to people watch. Despite its being a tourist hot spot, it is not a trap. Food is good and service is very attentive. Each of my oysters are succulent and rich with the ocean brine flavour. My Thai seafood curry was loaded with plump and juicy mussels and clams.
They only allow 30% of the tables for reservation so make your reservation early or there will likely a wait on the weekend. We got there early on a Saturday night just before 6pm we only had to wait for about 20 minutes which did not last long when you had a glass of Guinness during the wait on the patio observing everyone coming in and going out.
If you like to be in the middle of everything, the dining room on the ground floor is the place to be but if you prefer a small quiet table, ask for a table upstairs in the mezzanine level. We had a small table upstairs by the window so we were able to enjoy a quiet dinner while watching everything that went on on the patio at the same time. -
Review from Bradley C.
Vancouver, BC
12/14/2009
Two local recommendations, so we gave Shelter a go for lunch during our weekend visit. Simply loved it. Our lunch was:
- Hand-peeled Shrimp and Cheese Bruschetta (daily special)
- Ling Cod Burger
Beautifully presented. Warmly served. Deliciously consumed. We're fans@ -
Review from Dave D.
3/14/2010
Walked in with no resevations. Saturday night, March before main tourist season. And still a 20 minute wait at 8pm.
If the locals eat here, I figured that was a good excuse to try this place.
Started with smoked salmon plate that came with three types of salmon. We each had our favorites but this was solid.
The main course came with a bit of delay but the ends absolutely justified the delay. The pork chop was "the best I ever had" meaning moist, well flavored, and HUGE. I had the Thai curry which was a choippaco with a Thai flair and almost as good as my fav Thai curry in Seattle with seafood as fresh as if they came off the water 10 minutes ago.
On a side note, check out the restrooms. TV's showing surf videos, clean. Just something you might see in a hip restaurtant in major city but not a small surfing town. -
Review from Jeff M.
Vancouver, BC
7/22/2011
It's alright. If i missed the Cactus club/milestones/joey's experience in Vancouver, I'd go here. Food is up to standards and is somewhat expensive, though, relative to Tofino in general, not by much. I wish stuff like the salad, had smaller portion sizes. There's a reason why it's at the edge of town.
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Review from Erik R.
4/23/2010 5 photos
Shelter restaurant is easily Tofino's crowning gastronomic achievement, and arguably the best restaurant we've had the pleasure of patronizing during our vacation. It's located towards the beginning of the town's main thoroughfare and will appeal to anyone who appreciates contemporary fine dining. The interior is aptly appointed with black leather, rich woods, a plethora of subtle touches which really make the restaurant stand out, such as the flat panel TVs in each of the individual european inspired restrooms, or the outside dining tables hewn from solid blocks of wood supporting whimsically curved iced tea tumblers.
Lunch started with a capable Syrah and the House Cut Potato Fries & Crisp Yam Fries . I've never been a huge fan of Yam Fries, though the crisp texture and chipotle mayo made a quick convert out of me. For lunch I managed, with the help of Shelter's great wait staff, to decide on the Locally Caught Halibut Burger over the chicken option who's name escapes me. It was good and paired nicely with the caesar salad which replaced what would have been fries (having already had those as an appetizer). For dessert I opted for a cookie, also good. The service was fantastic, genuine and sincere, the atmosphere was almost ski resort-ish without any of the pretension and a lot more insightful in terms of decor, and the patio's view of portions of the harbor and Sea Planes as they landed during lunch was nothing short of remarkable. -
Review from Sarah B.
7/13/2011
I love the shelter!!!! I went there 2 nights in a row:)
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Review from Larry M.
5/28/2011
Seems very popular but the service, although quite pleasant, was still in training and we had to make two alternate selections because they were out of wine that was featured on their very short wine list. The food was good but not spectacular or memorable.
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Review from Luc P.
Pointe-aux-Trembles, QC
8/17/2009
Very good location, food and service.
Fun and cool, not too fancy, but very heart warming on vacation.
They can heat up the terrasse... -
Review from T D.
6/21/2011
Good food, great service, and very good beer. Good prices for area, especially the fish burgers! Remember this is Tofino and things are expensive, I felt Shelter had a good menu, fair prices, and a nice laidback atmosphere. The patio is amazing on clear days. I'll go back again for sure.
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Review from brittney k.
New Westminster, BC
5/3/2011
The service was great, the prices were reasonable and the decor/atmosphere was nice... but the food didn't stand out. Not that it wasn't good but it was your typical Cactus Club/Earls/Milestones/etc kind of food. Nothing special or outstanding.
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Review from Jod L.
8/26/2008
Excellent meal, comfortable, warm, inviting atmosphere, no crazy prices, good drinks, good sevice-this place and "Rain Coast" are the best meals in town-you'll leave happy
Listed in: Vancouver Island
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Review from Bill E.
3/31/2010
I think, I know that this might be one of my favorite restaurants... The service is spot on, the drinks (have a "cabin fire") are wonderful and the food! The food was AWESOME! We only had a few dishes... the one that sticks in my mind was the Teriyaki bowl!! Holy shit that was good!!!!! Cool decor and warm ambience. Love it here.
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Review from Daniella E.
Vancouver, BC
4/18/2010
It's good. It's pricey. so if your not used to spending thirty bucks on your entree get the Salmon Teriyaki bowl for a great dinner at a moderate price. Well worth it! And the burgers under the casual dinning menu are fantastic. We walked into a full busy restaurant to watch the hockey game.. the staff and service was fantastic! Check this place it's one of the nicer places in Tofino.
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Review from Paul G.
Coquitlam, BC
1/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
nice place good service decent food bring money
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Review from Jan B.
8/6/2011
Best endamame I ever had, awesome salad, entree ok. Awesome view and service.
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Review from Maggie R.
5/19/2010
Great choice for seafood in Tofino. The steamed mussels with Pernod, saffron and leeks had just enough kick to them to be interesting but not too much to overwhelm the saffron. The halibut burger was delicious! The bar menu offers more affordable selections and the portions are generous.
Friendly service, too--especially given the size of our party and the busy night. -
Review from DAN S.
5/13/2011
Enjoyed a great lunch May 11, followed by a good dinner May 12. Service was terrific both times while the acclaimed chowder was inconsistent : Lunch great, dinner not so much. And, we would definitely go back...fun place, great surf videos!
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Review from Kim S.
Updated - 7/19/2010
Great spot. Ask to sit upstairs with a view. It adds to the fun. Food was good and service was great. Will definitely return!
1 Previous Review:
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7/13/2010
Excellent atmosphere and great food. Service was terrific. Definitely worth it.
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