Culinary Adventure

Salt Spring Island is a foodie’s paradise.  There are more then three-dozen restaurants, coffee shops and pubs to choose from, which together serve a wide variety of food in every budget category.  Most restaurants cater to children, vegetarians and people with food allergies.  Many use local and organic ingredients and almost all of them have a great view.

Historically Salt Spring is a farming community and our agricultural roots remain evident today in the astounding number and variety of island food producers thriving on the island.

There are two artisan cheese farms both with farm shops.  You can sample farmstead cheeses made from the milk of a small herd of purebred island jersey cows or nationally famous goat and sheep cheese.

If you are craving rustic bread there are three bakeries in the main village as well as a French pastry shop.  In addition several islanders operate artisan bakeries in their home studios.  Go introduce yourself to Heather Campbell, known locally as ‘the bread lady’ and sample some of her crusty fragrant wood fired artisan loafs.  She is especially well known for her flavorful foccacia seasoned with local garlic and fresh herbs.  For desserts visit Heather’s neighbour Tony, a carpenter who bakes tarts and pies made with organic flour and fruit from his garden.

Whatever you are looking for, islanders are likely making it.  Just some of the things you might want to sample include locally made pasta, gelato, jams, and jellies, nettle chai, lavender cookies, hand crafted herbal teas, and smoked fish.  Once you have munched your way through these offerings you can wash it all down with a bottle of wine from one of the three wineries or a pale ale from the Gulf Island Brewery.

The fall is the best time to experience Salt Spring’s farming and culinary prowess.  The island is home to the largest variety of heritage apple trees in the world and celebrates this fact with the Apple Festival every fall.   Every September islanders display their prize-winning livestock and produce in our classic Fall Fair.  This quaint country fair will bring you back to a simpler time.

Many local food producers and farmers sell their products at roadside farm stands where customers pay in the ‘honor box’.  Many allow you to visit their home studios. If you are tight for time you can buy most local items at the Saturday Market.  Local grocery stores and Natureworks health food store also sell a wide selection of locally produced food.