Whistler's Best Lunch

Ready for Pacific Northwest cuisine with a French twist? Try the Brie and carrot soup or the fried free-range egg sandwich with aged cheddar and bacon on toasted granola bread. For breakfast, the cinnamon pecan buns or buttermilk pancakes with Quebec maple syrup can't be beat. Take advantage of the takeout counter and grab a picnic lunch for your day of mountain biking or skiing. Casual.

Grazers are in for a treat here! Not only is Elements stylish and trendy, with a cascading water wall, warm golden woods and copper accents, it also has a fantastic array of internationally-inspired tapas. Order a hip cocktail and then choose from inventive options like grilled chorizo with honey-onion relish, panko-crusted goat cheese with orange infused honey, green curry mussels, handheld Caesar salad bites, mini pulled pork brioche, and lettuce cups stuffed with hoisin pork, prawns, spicy tofu, tuna sashimi or duck confit. Groups will enjoy sharing platters of assorted cheeses, charcuterie or vegetables. Surprisingly, Elements is also fabulous for breakfast, when they serve everything from yogurt-granola Parfaits and baked egg frittatas to stuffed French toast and six different varieties of eggs Benedict.

GLC is one of those places with a split personality. By day, it's a busy and popular stop for hungry skiers who are in a rush to get back on the mountain. (It is, after all, situated right atop the Whistler gondola station.) Favored foods include poutine, the interestingly-named "sex cheese," nachos, burgers and the like. Once night settles, however, the place takes on an all together different ambience, becoming a happening nightspot. After about 11pm, some of the best DJs from the Pacific Northwest spin reggae and ambient house music, and the sound system is impressive to say the least. It's the place to get your party on!

A casual, family restaurant with warm country atmosphere and historic West Coast décor. Featuring an open kitchen concept, it has an energetic and interactive environment. A great eclectic menu selection offers soups & sandwiches, a salad garden, daily specials, pastas, pizza, seafood, vegetarian options...the variety is endless.

Before all the fancy hotels and upscale restaurants, there was Dusty's, an unassuming little place in what is now known as Creekside. The original building has been demolished, but luckily the food didn't change and the regulars kept coming back. One of those places where people stop in for a barbecue beef sandwich and end up staying for a few hours, drinking beer with the locals. Dusty's "Backside" (out back) is open for breakfast and to-go lunches.

When this popular Vancouver chain opened its Whistler edition, it did so to much well-deserved fanfare. Serving a variety of tasty pasta dishes, burgers, steaks and ribs, Milestones stays packed throughout the day. Of course, Milestone's is famous for Sunday brunch, and the chef never fails to disappoint with such delights as poached eggs on grilled focaccia, the breakfast burrito (Sante Fe-style) and, of course, out-of-this-world omelets. And this just in: brunch always goes down better with a bloody Mary or mimosa.

A longtime Whistler institution, Citta's (pronounced "Cheetahs") is a much favored local hangout. The setting is casual and fun, and there's a great patio where you can wile away the day people watching. The food is satisfying and affordable, with enough variety to please just about everyone. Thin crust pizzas are great, and there is a nice selection of share-able appetizers. Other options, such as burgers and regional specialties like maple garlic pork ribs, are perfect for satiating that appetite you built up during a day of skiing or snowboarding.

After a chilly day on the slopes, there's nothing better than tucking into a warm and spicy serving of slow-cooked curry. Tandoori Grill is Whistler's go-to restaurant for Indian food and after a few bites you'll be warmed up in no time. Start with onion bhaji, pakoras or vegetable samosas while you look over the menu. Selecting a main course may prove difficult; yogurt and spice marinated tandoori meats are always moist, flavorful and tender, but rich and satisfying tikka masala and korma options are equally tempting. Chicken and vegetarian dishes shine here. There are both spicy hot and mellow options.

Splitz is known for doing something extraordinarily well: Burgers. But not just the humble beef burger (though they do that as well). Here, you have a choice of chicken, salmon, sausage, lentil, veggie and a few others. So, start off by choosing a burger, and then select a few from a list of about twenty toppings. Accompanied by a heap of fries – or even poutine, if you're so inclined – and you have a meal fit for a... very hungry winter sports enthusiast!

Boasting terrific views of the surrounding mountains no matter what the season, this attractive bar and grill is always packed with hordes of pretty people, who adore the place for its fine entrees and the bartenders' tasty-yet-potent cocktails. Enjoy everything from fresh fish, seafood and rack of lamb to burgers, buffalo wings and pork chops. After dinner, head over to the bar area, find a seat, and sample a few of their nine draughts. If it's cold out, a little hot cider is sure to warm your bones; meanwhile, in the summer, Monk's opens its patio area, which is a great place to sip a house martini and take in the majestic view.