As a premiere resort, there were many dining choices ranging from take-out to fine dining in Whistler. But expect food prices to be a bit expensive. Getting a condo and cooking your meals, especially if you have a big group, would save a lot of money. There was a big grocery store in the village but if you were flying in from Vancouver, try stocking up before heading to the resort as most items were generally more expensive in Whistler.
We had a full kitchen the last time we were here. This time around, we decided to sacrifice the kitchen and got a hotel room with only a mini-refrigerator instead but was a lot closer to the lifts. We were also with friends who drove up from Seattle and one who had a room with a full kitchen. We ate out at a few of their restaurants for lunch and dinner and here is our take on them:
Old Spaghetti Factory – This was definitely the best family friendly place in the village. Be prepared for long wait times during the weekend dinners since they don’t take reservations. The servings were big and prices were reasonable. There were plenty of options for the kids menu. All the entrees include soup/salad, spumoni ice cream, and tea/coffee (milk & soda pop for kids). Their overall service was great and the manager even made sure our party of fourteen was seated together with minimal wait time. It is located on the Crystal Lodge building. Address: 4154 Village Green Crystal Lodge Whistler, B.C. Check their website for menus.
Fat Tony’s Pizza – The thin crust pizzas sprinkled with sesame seeds were delicious. The slices were pretty big with generous toppings. Slices were $3.50 and they took US dollars. This was located in the building behind Zog’s Dogs. There are seating areas inside but it looked pretty cramp. Address: 4122 Village Green RR 4, Whistler
Zog’s Dogs – The sweet aroma of fried onions will beckon you on your way to the Whistler lifts. This little food stand offered everything from veggie burgers to fries and hotdogs with a variety of toppings. They were open late and accepted US dollars. There were only a few tables outside. You could see them grilling the hotdogs. It was a quick stop for those who would rather spend their time on the slopes and a favorite among kids.
China Bistro – We ended up at this Chinese restaurant for dinner because one of our friend’s parents (being typical Filipinos) was craving for Asian food and rice. It was pretty roomy and they were able to accommodate our party of fourteen. They had a varied menu. Even though the food tasted great, it was a bit pricey with little portions. Each family had to order about 4-5 dishes. The kids were a little disappointed in not getting fortune cookies at the end. Service was good and quick. It was located on the second story level on top Fat Tony’s Pizza. There was also a terrace outside and looked like a great spot to watch the Fire & Ice Show.
Marketplace IGA – This is Whistler’s largest grocery store. There was large bakery, soup variety, deli section, and plenty of hot items. It anchored a shopping center with McDonalds, KFC, Subway, a liquor store and a post office
Hot Buns Bakery – You have to come in just for the name itself. Crepes started at $4 and those with different nutella toppings were about $8. Yikes! There was a good selection of pastries. The seating inside was very limited but there were also some seats outside.