10 Cheap Places to Eat in Whistler

When you’re in British Columbia, Whistler village is a great place to visit. However, it is notoriously expensive so you’ll likely want to find cheap places to eat in Whistler. Not long ago, Whistler’s peak season was winter and the rest of the year was quiet, therefore more affordable. Now Whistler receives 1.65 million visitors in the summer surpassing the 1.35 million winter visitors.

Whether you’re looking for happy hour or a great spot for delicious food at an affordable price, I’ve got the top restaurants where you can save a few bucks.

Read on for 10 Cheap Places to Eat in Whistler:

1. Southside Diner

An OG Whistler diner, Southside Diner has good food at affordable prices. Whistler locals recommend it as a go-to spot for hearty breakfasts (and a decent breakfast cocktail) but they also have good burgers and sandwiches. Pull up a bar stool at the tradition diner counter and have a chat with the friendly staff. They are longtime locals who’ll have a great story to share while you enjoy your Southside Slam (buttermilk blueberry pancakes, smoked bacon, breakfast sausage, eggs and homefries). Southside Diner has a convenient location in Creekside Village so if you’re skiing Whistler Mountain, you can head straight up after you get your fill.

2. El Furniture Warehouse

If cheap eats is your goal, El Furniture Warehouse has you covered. One of the best things about this spot is its drink specials on Tuesdays and “power hour” happy hour every day from 2-5 pm. In addition to some of the cheapest burgers in town, this lively spot offers comfort food like panfried perogies and poutine with maple glazed bacon and Québec cheese curds. The food menu is surprisingly substantial, too. It has everything from Poke Bowls to Street Tacos, Sandwiches to Tortillas. The outdoor patio is busy in both summer and winter, and is a great place for people watching.

3. La Cantina

This authentic Mexican taco spot, La Cantina, is popular amongst locals and visitors alike. The tacos (which start around $4 each), burritos, soups and salads are all delicious. If you have dietary restrictions, you can also choose from an abundance of gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and dairy-free options. And if you’re wishing you were on a beach in Mexico, be sure to check out the margaritas and Pacifico beer. La Cantina has two locations of this casual restaurant: Whistler Marketplace (next to IGA) and Nester’s Plaza, just a couple minutes north of Whistler village. The latter is quieter than the village location and is typically only frequented by locals so you’re more likely to eat sooner if you go there.

4. Portobello Deli at Fairmont Chateau Whistler

The made-to-order sandwiches at Portobello are legendary amongst Whistler locals for being such great value. If you meet a ski instructor or lifty they’ll likely tell you what kind of sandwich they get to keep them going all day long. Located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, Porto is also a favorite place for breakfast. The Dirty Bowl and Not-So-Dirty Bowl are super filling and delicious. Insider tip: grab some Maple Bacon Donuts – the whole family will thank you. While being one of Whistler’s best coffee shops sets it apart, its the friendly staff that really make this place special. Insider tip: use Portobello’s online ordering system to jump the queue and have your breakfast and coffee ready to grab while you head to the lift line.

5. Peaked Pie

Located on Main Street, Peaked Pies is the perfect spot if you’re craving authentic handmade Australian pies. They have savoury pies, sweet pies, breakfast pies, Australian style coffees and desserts. A local favorite is the Chunky Pepper Steak pie. Or for something really different, go for The Hopper Pie made from ground kangaroo meat. (You read that right.) For dessert, a tradition Lamington (an Australian cake made from squares of sponge cake coated in chocolate sauce and coconut) is a must. And if you’re looking for a proper flat white coffee, this is a popular spot for it.

6. Dubh Linn Gate

An authentic Irish pub, Dubh Linn Gate is one of the best places to go for a pint of Guiness, pub fare, and live music. If you’re looking for Irish comfort food try the Bangers and Mash with mushy peas, the Fish and Chips, or the Cottage Pie. They also have over 20 single malt scotches to choose from including Highlands, Island Malts, Blended Whiskey and Lowland & Speyside, and 20 different whiskies. From 5-7 pm Sunday to Friday, Dubh Linn Gate hosts “After Apres” Happy Hour which features BC Craft Beers, Highballs and glasses of house wine at special prices.

7. Sushi Village

Whistler locals love the great food at Sushi Village as much as the incredible vibe. The fresh seafood is worth writing home about. The Mango Caterpillar Roll is my favourite but unique rolls like the Hot Volcano Roll are also delicious. Pitchers of Strawberry Sake Margarita are legendary and must be tried as well. Be sure to get to there early as reservations are only available for groups of 6-10.

8. Splitz Grill

A casual eatery, Splitz Grill has made-to-order beef, chicken and veggie burgers with an abundance of toppings including fresh ingredients like alfalfa sprouts, pineapple, and peppers. It’s a great way to get your veggies while enjoying a filling burger. This casual spot my be known for burgers but it also has poutine, chicken fingers, hot dogs, ice cream and milkshakes. And to make it’s affordable food even more approachable, there’s a special menu daily from 2-5 pm offering food and drinks at $6.

9. Samurai Sushi

Located in Nesters Plaza, Samurai Sushi is the most affordable sushi in Whistler. The real deals can be found with a Teriyaki Chicken Donburi bowl or one of the sushi combos but all the classic sushi rolls are available at an affordable price.The restaurant is pretty minimalistic and can fill up quickly. You order at the counter and help yourself to green tea and water but it’s a great place to grab good food fast.

10. Gone Eatery

Located through the book store, Gone Eatery is a hidden gem. They open daily at 7:30 am and have tons of great food for breakfast or lunch. They also have the best grilled cheese sandwich I’ve ever had (might be because they grill the cheese on the inside AND the outside – yum!). Having it with tomato soup is so satisfying on a cold day. And if you eat Paleo, they have a great Paleo breakfast bowl. Also, look for the gigantic raspberry chocolate chip cookies. They have been a favourite of mine for over a decade.

Cheap Places to Eat in Whistler Bonus:

11. Zog’s Dogs

Located in Sundial Crescent at the foot of the Sushi Village steps, Zog’s Dogs is the perfect place for a quick bite. This little spot is a local favourite for it’s late night burgers, poutine and hot dogs (they even have vegan options) but also it’s great prices. Most menu items are around $10 or under making this one of the best cheap places to eat in Whistler. And the food is consistently really good! There is always a line up day and night. It might not be a proper restaurant per se but where else on the village stroll can you get a bite at 2 am? *Edit: Zog’s currently closes at 7pm due to staffing shortages.

Best Whistler Restaurants

You may not only want cheap places to eat in Whistler. If you’re interested in celebrating special occasions, then you’ll want to check out restaurants like Rimrock Café, Red Door Bistro, and Bearfoot Bistro among others. Read my blog post with all of Best Whistler Restaurants HERE.

How to Get to Whistler

Private vehicles may seem like the simplest way to get to Whistler. But if you don’t have a car or want to rent one, or more importantly if you don’t have appropriate winter tires or experience driving in snow, there are other options. These include shuttle bus, float plane, and a holiday train experience. All of the details you need including recommended operators can be found HERE.

Cheap Places to Eat in Whistler

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