This has such a lovely, unique ambience. It is quite cozy, vibrant, and full of character. It does…read moreget crowded, and the service can be on the slower side, but the atmosphere more than makes up for it. In the summer, the live music is a real highlight. Watching locals dance and enjoying the community vibe is such a fun, memorable experience. Food-wise, the green curry bowl with shrimp was amazing. It was flavorful, fresh, and perfectly comforting. A great community spot with lots of charm!

We enjoyed a magical evening here with friends. The live music was excellent and perform listening…read moreand conversation. The ambience is definitely part of the charm--open skied, tree trunk and branches, walls and windows to shelter us from the wind. Treehouse indeed! Our sever was stellar--knowledgeable, funny, and totally on it. Credit to the kitchen, too, for cranking out piping hot food. This place is a well-oiled machine... with a big heart. The food: --Thai curry chicken was the big winner --cheese burger and fries were on point --chicken sandwich was great; fresh salad was wonderful --grilled salmon was overcooked. Bummer. We'll be back for more (but, I'll get a burger instead of overcooked salmon).

MAX does great job at everything he offers. We like the pizza and the fresh pasta, our favorite is…read morethe fresh ravioli. We also like the olive oil he brings over from his family in Italy. We prefer the basic one (least expebsive) sold in liter bottles because it has the best all around flavor in our opinion.

I always come in for their pan pizza. It tastes great and it's quick. Nothing too crazy for…read moretoppings but it always seems to hit the spot for a quick snack or even a meal

Wow! Stopped in for lunch and not only was the food amazing but so was the service. I had the wild…read moresockeye salmon burger and it was so fresh and flavorful. I upgraded to the onion rings and they are excellent and beer battered. My husband had the Cajun chicken sandwich which I sampled and it was perfect! Our friends both had different breakfast omelets and they raved about them being some of the best they have had. We will be back for sure!

Only restaurant on the island we saw that takes open table reservations, so we got their last…read moreoutdoor table. We skipped straight to entrees and enjoyed the salmon and steak specials, both just under $30. Loved that you can order wine in 6oz, 9oz, or half litre, but if they're going to have a steak special they need a Cabernet or a claret by the glass, something more full-bodied than the Malbec. Salmon had an interesting horseradish-flavored sauce that made for a good balance with the fish. "Greens" turned out to be a salad: lettuce and sprouts with dressing, not cooked greens. My steak came out medium well not medium rare, but they replaced it, no problem. It was a busy Saturday night and every restaurant we've been to on this trip seems to be having problems finding staff. Mashed potatoes were fantastic. Just the right amount of cream and butter (a lot, according to my wife) and with a bit of skin to make the perfect texture. The portion was large but I could have kept eating these til I popped. We had no room for dessert (unless more mashed potatoes were an option). Outdoor seating was what most everyone opted for, although the indoor dining room seats looked very comfortable. Tables outside were appropriately distanced and the garden is well landscaped to provide a beautiful buffer from the street. Wish our catmint would grow as well! Hats off to the gardener.

Nice location next to the marina, lots of tables…read more I was very happy with the chowder, the butter chicken is a good order, fish and chips was popular, and the fried oyster appetizer was great but came on some limp arugula that brought it down a notch. People in our party of six were less impressed with the main dish mussels and beef dip. Overall the food was better than I expected given the captive summer tourist market in prime location. Presentation, setup, cleanliness was mid. There was also live music but it got weird when competing live music started at the next door restaurant so even though both performers seemed good, we couldn't enjoy either! These places need to collaborate. Otherwise you might want a table further from other restaurants or closer to the performer. Service on the slow side but that is the norm post-Covid in tourist places where staff is hard to find. I would go back but choose my outside table carefully.

We have been coming to oyster catcher for over 20 years and we're very saddened by our most recent…read morevisit this year. Service was very poor with a unhappy, abrasive waiter, very slow to get food into place orders. My wife and I love oysters. We bought six each paid $54, these are the smallest oysters I've ever seen about the size of a small clam and did not have much taste. Beware. Prices have climb considerably while service and quality has suffered. Final insult was that there was a broken toothpick wedged in the bottle of my beer glass that I found while finishing the drink.

We get takeout all the time and have never been disappointed. Their seafood pasta is great, the…read moreservice when I come in is quick and professional. Great location with wonderful ambiance.

Really enjoyed our meal but found very pricey. I ordered the Scallops dinner ($42) and received six…read moresmall scallops, very few vegetables with the meal. Came with kind of a cheesy rice. Would prefer the rice to be like rice, not mixed into together in a sauce. Excellent service. My wife had the scallops (2) on pork belly.

This roadside fish shack is the Real Deal!…read more THE ROSES: Outstanding English style (battered) fish and chips. The batter-to-fish ratio is perfect, and they're not too greasy. They also do a very good job with the fried prawns and oysters as well. The venue is run-down, but clean, and has a very rustic waterfront air to it. THE THORNS: Not a lot of dining space. This isn't a problem if you visit on an 'off-peak' time, but on a hot summer day dining in a cramped space might be unappealing. THE VERDICT: Don't judge a book by its cover. This dumpy little roadside seafood shack punches well above its weight with its fish and chips. Recommend!

The Gluten Free Cod fish and chips is delicious! GF batter is light and crispy and really enhances…read morethe fish. Best cole slaw I've had in forever, bits of kale in it! And the view can't be beat. Love this place!!!

We couldn't get enough of this place during our brief time on Saltspring Island. We stayed at the…read morehotel directly across from Thrifty Foods, and though most things were closed for the holidays- Thrifty was an open shining healthy beacon. I stocked up on organic trail mixes, kombucha, blueberries, stevia, matcha, and much more during my excited visits here. This place has everything that you could dream of - when it comes to health related goods and products. Their staff are laid back and they let you peruse everything without bothering you - so definitely feel free to take your time in here. I'm a firm believer that a quality grocery store can truly help shape the culture of a small town. Saltspring is blessed to have such a phenomenal resource like Thrifty Foods. Though there are plenty of lovely local farms on this magical island - it's nice to have a haven where you stock up on produce, essential oils, and other bulk items. Trust.

When I imagine the lady or gentleman who dictates the prices of groceries at this SSI stop, I…read morepicture an evil genius in a dark and shadowed room cackling "THE POWER!". ... there are only a few spots to snag groceries on the island and mmmaaannn can you tell. If you're spending a few nights or over from the mainland - expect sticker shock to hit you like a freight train. And our American friends? Bring someone with you to speak soothingly while you shop... It's expensive. Ridiculously expensive. But beyond that, it's your pretty standard grocery store. The pros: 1. To balance the exorbitant grocery costs, they have some seriously stunning deals on produce. $1 for a quart of strawberries?! 0.98/lb for oranges?! Hot damn. The money you save will buy your $2.99 SINGLE AVOCADO. 2. They have really good, fresh baked gluten free bread. 3. They carry Krema Honeylicious. Bonus points every time. And goat's milk yogurt which can be tricky to track. 4. Everyone who works there is SUPER cheerful. Actually most people on SSI are super cheerful. Must be something in the air... It's one of two. So you're just going to have to deal with it. But hey, look at the positives and stuff your gullet with strawberries.