The Common Loaf Bake Shop (180 1st St., 250/725-3915, daily 8 a.m.–6 p.m.) is a longtime favorite with locals (delicious cinnamon rolls for $1.80); sit outside or upstairs, where you’ll have a magnificent view down Tofino’s main street and across the sound.

The Schooner Restaurant (331 Campbell St., 250/725-3444, daily 9 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5–9:30 p.m., $23–31) has been dishing up well-priced seafood for 50 years. Over time the menu has gotten more creative (think soy-marinated salmon baked on a cedar plank), but old favorites (grilled halibut) still appear. Expect to pay $7–12 for starters and $20–28 for a main.

In an unassuming building near the entrance to town, the Shelter Restaurant (601 Campbell St., 250/725-3353, daily from 5:30 p.m., $19–32) brings some big-city pizzazz to tiny Tofino. Inside you’ll find an open dining room with imaginative treats such as smoked salmon chowder and macadamia nut-crusted halibut.

South of Tofino, the Pointe Restaurant (Wickaninnish Inn, Osprey Lane, Chesterman Beach, 250/725-3100, daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, $25–42) is quite simply superb in every respect. Built on a rocky headland, the sweeping ocean views from anywhere within the circular dining room are as good as from any restaurant in Canada (ask for a window table when reserving). At breakfast, sparkling wine and orange juice encourage a holiday spirit, or get serious by ordering eggs Benedict with smoked salmon.

The lunch and dinner menus highlight seafood and island produce. A good way to start dinner is with the crab bisque or roasted oysters before moving on to the steamed halibut or roasted ling cod. Rounding out a world-class dining experience is the impeccable service and a wine list dominated by Pacific Northwest bottles.