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Insider’s Guide: Comfort Food in Whistler

Updated November 27, 2020

There’s nothing like a hearty meal after a day of adventuring in the mountains. All it takes is a cozy atmosphere, a tasty dish and a good drink to take your day from good to great. So, we went on the hunt for the best Whistler comfort food. As it turns out, the list is exhaustive, with options from all over the globe. Here are just a few of the many soul-satisfying menu items Whistler has to offer.

Ramen at Ohyama Ramen

Get a taste of Tokyo with authentic flavours and Japanese-inspired decor at Ohyama Ramen. PHOTO NEIL FOSTER / SUBSTRATE STUDIOS

Location: Whistler Village Centre near the Whistler Conference Centre

Having visited Japan for a winter trip a few years ago, I discovered the joys of a tasty ramen — especially after the mountain. Whistler’s own Ohyama Ramen offers the perfect blend of ambiance and rich, authentic flavours. The interior is designed just like a Tokyo side street; with lamps, signage, building facades and even laundry strung along a faux balcony. The menu fits right in, with a selection of udon, ramen and donburi, as well as tasty appetizers like gyoza and chicken karaage.

The inside of Ohyama Ramen looks like the side streets of Tokyo. PHOTO NEIL FOSTER / SUBSTRATE STUDIOS

The ramen dishes have the classic multi-layered flavours that can only be developed with time and expertise. Each spoonful of the house-made broth is wholly satisfying, leaving you wanting more. The noodles are fresh and light. In Japan, it’s customary to make a slurping sound when you eat your noodles, which shows respect to the chef. So, feel free to slurp away!

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Poutine at Hunter Gather

Indulge in poutine with a twist, made from fresh, local ingredients at Hunter Gather Eatery and Taphouse. PHOTO NEIL FOSTER / SUBSTRATE STUDIOS

Location: Whistler Village North, on Main Street 

Poutine is synonymous with Canadian culture and is the perfect comfort food on a winter’s day (some would argue any day of the year). For those who may not be familiar with this delicacy, poutine originated in Quebec and the dish’s basic ingredients consist of fries, gravy and squeaky cheese curds. As with all iconic menu items, it has been reinterpreted and adapted many times over. 

With so many excellent poutine options in Whistler, it was difficult to feature just one. But, we love the poutine at Hunter Gather Eatery & Taphouse for their originality and creative spin on the classic dish. Their signature poutine features Pemberton smashed potatoes, caramelized onions, cheese curds, pickle gravy and a dollop of sour cream. You also have the option to add beef brisket or pulled pork (which I highly recommend). The garnish of pickles is unexpected, but delicious. 

Hunter Gather is the brainchild of long-time, local catering company, Whistler Cooks. The eatery focuses on seasonal, fresh, local ingredients. You place your order at the counter, similar to a butcher shop or deli. There’s plenty of space for groups to dine and it’s a casual, fun atmosphere to enjoy your poutine in. 

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Steak and Guinness Pie at Dubh Linn Gate

Enjoy a hearty meat pie and an abundance of Irish flare at Dubh Linn Gate Pub. PHOTO NEIL FOSTER / SUBSTRATE STUDIOS

Location: Whistler Village Centre in the Pan Pacific Mountainside hotel at the base of Whistler Mountain

The Irish have perfected the art of cozy pubs, so it’s only fitting that Whistler’s Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub makes this list for their signature skillet dish, Steak and Guinness Pie. The simple, yet delicious pot pie features a medley of mushrooms, celery, onions and certified Angus beef; all swimming in rich Guinness gravy and topped with flaky pie pastry. Pair the pie with a side of fries, a pint of Guinness and the merry twang of live music and you have yourself one comforting locale. 

The Dubh Linn Gate is a favourite with both Whistler locals and visitors. The pub is known for its vigorous après scene, iconic patio fire pit, and of course, its abundance of Irish flare. Though established in the 1990s, Dubh Linn Gate Pub is full of history; starting with its name, which translates to “Black Pool”. These dark waters at the heart of Dublin, Ireland are rumoured to have inspired Arthur Guinness to create the perfect pint in 1759. The pub itself is also as authentic as they come, and the entire interior was designed, crafted and shipped from Ireland to its home in the Pan Pacific Whistler.

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Belgian Waffles at the Crystal Hut 

Belgian waffles pair well with a ski day. Sample this sweet treat at the Crystal Hut on Whistler Blackcomb. PHOTO JUSTA JESKOVA

Location: At the top of the Crystal Chairlift on Blackcomb Mountain 

The legendary Belgian Waffles at Whistler Blackcomb’s Crystal Hut are a must-do Whistler comfort food (though, unfortunately not available for the 2020/21 winter season). Picture a waffle the size of your plate, topped with a heaped pile of mixed berries and chocolate. This decadent dessert is tasty at any point in the ski day and will give you the energy you need to get those extra turns in — and then some.  

Perched on Crystal Ridge at the top of Crystal Chair, this log cabin on Blackcomb Mountain boasts panoramic mountain views and a toasty sanctuary to take a break from the elements and grab a bite. The European-inspired hut also serves hearty, wood-oven baked specialties if you’re on the hunt for savoury options instead.

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Wood-Fired Pizza at Pizzeria Antico

Pizzeria Antico is a hidden gem, offering wood-fired pizzas, craft beers aplenty, and a dynamic atmosphere. PHOTO AMBER TURNAU / SUBSTRATE STUDIOS

Location: Whistler Village North on Main Street (right on the edge, close to Northlands Boulevard)

Fancy a slice? Pizza is another classic, comfort food option. The family-friendly Pizzeria Antico serves up a dynamic atmosphere and delicious array of authentic Italian cuisine for great value. Their signature dishes are Neapolitan-inspired pizzas cooked in a giant Forno wood-burning oven. In fact, on a busy day, they have been known to bake more than 400 pizzas.    

Watch the pizza masters flip and bake the dough from the open-concept kitchen and have a tasty craft beer from the rotating taps — they have a dozen or more to choose from. If pizza isn’t your thing, they have a selection of pastas, salads and appetizers, with meat and vegetarian options available.  

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If you’re undecided as to whether to go for pizza or poutine, this video could help (or maybe it won’t):

Fondue by The Chalet at Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Location: Upper Village, Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Clubhouse 

Molten cheese is the ultimate comfort food and The Chalet at Fairmont Chateau Whistler offers one of Whistler’s stand-out fondue experiences. During the winter months, they transform their golf clubhouse into a romantic and cozy winter fairy tale with a crackling fire, string lights and plenty of alpine-inspired cuisine to indulge in. 

The cheese fondue sauce is a fusion of Emmenthal, Gruyère, white wine and kirsh, which creates a distinct flavour to dip your baguette into. This is typically followed by fondue chinoise (hot broth), which offers a choice between AAA Alberta beef (turf), West Coast seafood (surf) or a combination of the two. Add additional flavours to your fondue such as winter truffle, foraged BC mushrooms, and roasted garlic and fine herbs. 

Cheesy goodness at The Chalet. PHOTO JULIE ZONEY / FAIRMONT CHATEAU WHISTLER

Be sure to leave room for a decadent chocolate fondue for dessert. You’ll have an indulgent platter of house-made caramellini, banana bread, strawberries, and meringues to dip into the rich, bubbling mixture of milk and dark chocolate. 

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Blog editor, Dee Raffo, visited The Chalet last winter with her 3-year-old, read all about her experience in the post: Eating with Your Kids in Whistler.

If we’ve made your mouth water then why not come and try some of these comfort foods in person? You can find a full dining listing on Whistler.com, along with the folks who can help you put all of these holiday “must-haves” together. 

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