Hiking, biking, skiing, paddling, golfing…there is no shortage of ways to work up an appetite in Pemberton. Thankfully, “Pemby” punches above its weight class when it comes to its selection of great restaurants to fuel up before or after your day in the mountains. For a small town, the variety and quality of restaurants in Pemberton are impressive. But which ones are cant-miss spots? Behold our list of the best restaurants in Pemberton.
Mile One Eating House
No “Best Restaurants in Pemberton” list would be complete without Mile One Eating House. A casual setting located just off of Highway 99, Mile One is probably the most popular post-adventure restaurant for hungry hikers, bikers, and skiers. And for good reason. Mile One offers an outstanding menu of mouth-watering comfort food including burgers, sandwiches, mac ‘n’ cheeses, salads and side dishes.
You really can’t go wrong with anything on their menu, but some of our favourite sandwiches are the stump grinder burger and the kimchi reuben. When it comes to sides you’ve got to try the cornbread – NOT your average cornbread, it’s LOADED! – and the broccolini. And while all the mac ‘n’ cheeses are devilishly good, the “H.C.C” is out of this world, topped with red wine braised, grass finished Chilcotin beef, BC mushrooms, roasted garlic, arugula and grainy mustard. Yum.
To quench your thirst, Mile One offers a selection of local craft beers, sodas, and kombucha. Be sure to grab a spot on the patio and soak up the epic view of Mount Currie!
Hwy Cafe
A small town isn’t where you’d expect to find a top-tier vegan restaurant, but that’s exactly what you’ll find in the Hwy Cafe. 10 minutes from downtown Pemberton towards Mt. Currie, if you didn’t know the Hwy Cafe was there, you might miss it! Tucked next to a car wash just off the highway, the Hwy Cafe gives off an “upscale snackbar” vibe with all kinds of delicious plant-based offerings including burgers, sandwiches, bowls, breakfast, and treats.
They’re often cooking up new specials and exciting menu items, but if there’s one thing you gotta try it’s their flagship Hwy Burger. The homemade sweet potato and walnut patty topped with all kinds of fresh toppings creates one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. Meat burgers included. In the summer, or really anytime you feel like it, definitely try their coconut soft serve ice cream as well.
The Pony
“Fine dining in Pemberton’s rustic style.” That’s what you’ll find at The Pony Restaurant, located just before the roundabout on your way into town. The Pony prides itself on using local pemberton ingredients up and down their menu of apps, salads, sandwiches, noodles and pizza.
We discovered The Pony during Covid so we didn’t get to experience the high-end saloon interior vibe of the restaurant, but the interior looks like a great place to grab dinner and a couple of craft beers or cocktails.
In terms of what to eat, the Szechuan crispy chili ginger beef and general tsao noodle dishes we tried via take out were both delicious. We’ve also heard great reviews about the donair and the black and blue burger.
Fescues Restaurant
Located in the clubhouse of Big Sky Golf Club, Fescues Restaurant in Pemberton is worth a visit for golfers and non-golfers alike. It might seem strange to recommend a golf course restaurant on the best restaurants in Pemberton list, but Fescues is definitely deserving of this spot. The locals know that it’s one of the best places to go out to dinner in the area.
I highly recommend going during the spring-summer-fall seasons when you can sit out on the patio. The panoramic mountain views are truly breathtaking.
Their menu turns over seasonally, but there are delicious options at all times of the year. They also offer different specials every day of the week, so be sure to check those out.
Blackbird Bakery
Most of the places on this best restaurants list are great for post-adventure refuelling, but what about fueling up before you head out for the day? Look no further than Blackbird Bakery. Nestled next to the train tracks in town, Blackbird has a great selection of fresh baked goods including cinnamon buns, croissants, danishes, cookies, and breads. You’ll also find heartier options like breakfast sandwiches, savoury pies, sausage rolls, and paninis. Combined with a fresh latte, there’s no better place to start your day in Pemberton before you head out into the mountains.
Well there you have our list of the best restaurants in Pemberton! Once you try them, let us know your favorite in the comments below!
Looking to grab a bite in Whistler too? Check out our guide to the best restaurants in Whistler.