Locals Restaurant in Courtenay

Best place to dine in the atmosphere with lighting inside the restaurant provide vintage dining experience. They provide free treat at the being and desert with chocolate truffle with cream . The price is a bit more than the local restaurants but it is worth with the value

This restaurants food and service is exceptional.

My husband and I decided to try the Date Night Dinner for Two for my birthday. It included a salad each, an entree and a shared dessert. We decided to order a starter, which wasnt included in the dinner package. We were very happy with our meal, actually it was OMG good. Our starter was scallops and pork belly, which was fabulous. Our caesar salad was delicious. For our entrees, my husband chose Braised Beef Cheeks and I got West Coast Seafood Pasta. Both our meals were amazingly tasty and beautifully presented. And then the finale - a fabulous Chocolate Bavaroise Cake with sour cherries and honey roasted almonds, for two. Our dinner could not have been more special. As we drove home, I told my husband I wanted to go back the next night (kiddingly), but we will definitely be back sooner rather than later. The staff were all great - attentive and everyone had a good sense of humour. We are looking forward to our next meal there. Parking: The parking in front of the restaurant was full, as was the lot beside the Spa hotel, and cars were lined up all along the street. My husband dropped me off and luckily, a spot had become available in front of the restaurant as he looked the second time.

Always very good.

Food outstanding. Meals took a bit with an empty restaurant. But WELL worth the wait.

Decent food, but expensive for what it was Not as good as it thinks it is, or wants to be Food

We went to this place to celebrate our 41st anniversary! And the service was appalling! We ordered drinks that took over 35 minutes to arrive and were told, by our waiter, that the bar tender was slow and overwhelmed! We also were told to order our meal at the same time as our drinks which is unusual to ask. Our waiter assured us that our food would arrive after our cocktails, but the appetizer showed up before our cocktails. Then the Manager is now involved and is saying things likeyou know good help is hard to find and that she was a military brat and then added: you dont look like people that would complain on purpose Really? What kind of service is this, so disappointed .. We ended explaining why our service and meal were lacking in every aspect - and they agreed! So for 28 dollar appetizers and 54 dollar pasta entrees, we have to argue and substantiate our complaints? If you have accepted and are swamped by large parties and you have new untrained staff or not enough staff, please do not transfer your problems to your customers. we just wanted a good meal and service and were prepared to pay. That didnt happen.

Went here for brunch today, the menu looked delicious and we were very excited to try it out. We got sat on the upper deck which was quiet and away from all the other tables - we thought that was a bit strange beings how slow it was, - but overall we didn t care. Our waitress was very lovely, she expressed she was new to this restaurant and getting familiar with how everything worked, having worked in the restaurant industry ourselves we were very understanding. We ordered a tea and a cocktail and they took probably 15-20 minutes to arrive; for breakfast, we shared two dishes - the cinnamon bun french toast and the chorizo hash - both dishes came out at the same time but we realized that the hash was not what we ordered we left it until our waitress came back and expressed to her that this was the crab hash bowl and not the chorizo hash, beings that I have a severe shellfish allergy this was a HUGE mistake and one that was taken way too lightly I was pretty disappointed by their response to this, if I had eaten it by accident the result would have been very bad. They took it away and brought us the correct dish. When it came time for the bill there was no compensation to this mistake, I was surprised by this but we didn t say anything as we didn t want to make it a huge deal. I m not sure if we will come back for how we felt this was handled. I do think the atmosphere is very lovely and the menu is filled with quite a few interesting options.

Unfortunately, the Carpaccio is off the menu....:(. Went for the steak sandwich & Caesar instead, which was a full-on win!!! Food : 5/5

The service and food do not match the prices.

Worse money for coming here to spend your time on the special occasion. The waitress didn t know what to recommend to someone who is new to the restaurant. The menu is limited. Nothing good to order. Paid a lot for getting a small portions and poor service . I never seen fine dining restaurant like this place. I had to go home and ate my leftover food. So disappointed .

10/10 Must vist.

A lovely place with friendly staff and super local food.

We drove from Qualicum Beach for lunch today as this is a dog friendly restaurant and restaurant has great reviews. When we got to the restaurant we were told they no longer allow dogs on their patio.

Sat out on the patio to celebrate my parents 64th wedding anniversary! It was wonderful!

We turned up on a weekday mid August (peak tourist season) at around 12:30 and saw many empty tables both on the patio and inside, in fact only about 25% of tables were occupied, but when we asked for a table for 2 were told it would be a 40 minute wait. When we asked were all the empty tables reserved she said no, we don t have enough kitchen staff to serve anymore guests and we d have to wait for other people to finish. WHAT? That s just crazy. How can you possibly run a restaurant like that? We live in the area but obviously we won t be going back.

We went there for a 89th birthday and while we loved the atmosphere and ambience, we were not impressed with the food. My grandmothers order was incorrect twice and she ended up cancelling the third correction because the rest of the family was done dinner. She asked for a glass of wine instead and I had to go to the bar to ask where that was after 10 minutes of waiting. Although the staff were kind and apologetic, this was very disappointing for such a special occasion. I had the bouillabaisse and I was very underwhelmed with the portion size, seafood quality and flavour profile. I was not given a tool to eat the small crab claw, which I had to ask for when my meal was done. I wished our experience was different because I love the concept of this restaurant; but for the $$$ spent the value was not there for us.

We were advised with excitement when we booked that there was a new menu. Unfortunately it would seem that the excitement was not embraced by the kitchen. The meals were delayed for well over an hour, one was forgotten, and when they did arrive they were less than impressive. In particular the seafood was poorly prepared/cooked and the food was generally quite bland! Whilst the staff were apologetic there was no attempt to compensate or appease us. Very disappointing!

Sadly, we waited an hour and a half for our food To arrive from time of ordering. We were aware the menu had changed And that we had come later in the evening. So a longer wait was expected and that was fine. The sad part is tgat when our food arrived finally it was very mediocre. Thai curry with no sauce or flavour. For a high-end restaurant charging $36 a plate for this meal, I was rather disappointed. Great great atmosphere, but I wouldn t say the food matches the price

Cozy and impeccable in the seasonal menu. Ingredients are all local and plating is wonderful

Had my birthday dinner at locals last night, just my husband and I. We understood that the service would be slower, with their menu changes. We had zero issue with the timing of the food, but we could not get any drinks, or get dishes cleared. Our server, Scott, walked past our table, at least 10 times without collecting our water glasses and empty cocktail glasses. We had empty glasses for the majority of the two hours. When we did order drinks, he forgot. The service did not meet expectations at all.

There is only one restaurant here, google maps makes you think there is two. Locals Restaurant is the same as Old House Restaurant. This is misleading. The price mentioned on google maps is not accurate. I will also post this on the other google maps point. Waited 80 minutes for service, food only arrived as I was thinking about leaving. Bread and butter is $6 for grocery store bread. This is not fine dining. For your meals, expect a small pretty meal that looks nice. They gave us the wrong bill, it was for someone who dined and dashed and it was 120 for that person alone, it was corrected after we said it was not our bill. Our final price was $160 for 3 people. This is for 3 dishes. You should expect more if you are getting drinks and appetizers.

It s the same place as Old House that has a separate Google page. This is misleading. Waited for over an hour. Food overpriced.

Sad food and eye popping prices. The meals were served ONE hour later after ordering. And definitely you need a second meal after spending $80 per person. 3 pieces of Walmart style bread and 1 tbsp of butter costs $6?! It s not pleasant at all.

Outstanding quality and taste. Everything was done to perfection. Friendly people. Not recommended if you are in a rush. Food

We experienced a three hour dining experience where there were many apologies for thier slow service. Patrons that arrived after we did were served long before we were and we had two children that were tired and hungry. It was a big disappointment overall and I won t return since the same experience last year as well. The food was just ok and not outstanding for the price. Wouldn t recommend unless you have all night to wait for a meal.

Excellent food and location but unfortunately mediocre service which wasn t very attentive. Later realized that items from another table had also been added to our bill.

Been in Alaska/Canada for 5 weeks, best meal weve had. Everything was first class. Dont miss this one

I was disappointed with my experience at this restaurant. Despite advertising as fine dining, the service was slow and inattentive. We were given our bill without being asked, which felt unpleasant and rushed. The Eggs Benedict was soggy, and the Hollandaise sauce tasted off. Not worth the visit.

Had a wonderful lunch, beautiful patio and covered patio. Have some high chairs for the little ones. Kid-friendliness: They have high chairs, friendly to kids. Don t know if they have a kids menu.

Love this local gem. Consistently amazing food and service! Will be returning!

My wife and I have had a few great meals here. The atmosphere is cozy, the service/staff are inviting and attentive and food is delicious.

The salad starter was good, and the non-alcoholic cocktails were ok, but the unbelievably overpriced main courses of chicken and beef pasta dishes disguised as soups (or was it soups disguised as pasta dishes...?) were completely unacceptable: dull flavour, not seasoned properly, and the meat had a rather rubbery consistency. Perhaps they should outsource their main courses to the same place that makes their bread, which was by far the hit of the evening. This was an expensive miss for us. Disappointing. Hard no.

This restaurant never disappoints as we have been here several times. The food and service is top notch and we will return regularly

Too expensive. Slow service.

Great food, bit tired service, tad pricey ! Music not in accordance with guests. Food

I went for a special occasion and the service ruined it. We were sat in a hidden corner. After 15 minutes of no service, I saw a busboy and complained. That finally got us a waiter. We ordered immediately and also asked for a straw. Did not see anyone for a long time. After another 15-20 minutes, I saw someone topping off water and asked for the straw again. After another about 15 minutes, I was on the verge of finding a third person and asking again. Finally, the second person remembered and brought it. The food took at least 50 minutes to come out after ordering. The food was good but at the prices they charge, it should be outstanding which it wasnt. It ended up taking 2 hours for entrees and dessert. There is no excuse for it to take more than 1 hr 15 minutes. We saw so many other tables arrive after us, get better service, and leave before us. This was our first and last visit.

The options are expensive, but the service was incredible and everything my spouse and I had on the menu were to die for. Definitely coming back for more special occasions

The plates looked like a piece of art! The taste was delicious. We selected the Oyster in appetizer and the lamb & Bison for main dishes. The portions were very hudge... i didnt know how we were able to finish. Great slection of wines, cavados & speciality coffee for dessert he ambiance and service were awsome. We also receoved rwo little extra from the house!!! We will reserve for another dinner for sure.

Very slow service.

Sadly our worst meal ever at Locals. Our special occasion was spoilt by luke warm food, waiting 90 minutes for our appetiser. and indifferent service. It seems our meals were forgotten and when they finally arrived they were cool and sad looking. Our next day contact with the management explained they were having staffing problems and seemed disinterested in our experience. Their problem became our problem and no longer will I drop $350 there again.

My wife and I always make a point of stopping at Locals when visiting Courtenay/Comox. Its a bit tricky to get to but well worth the effort. The property is situated next to the river, and has an English country inn feel to it, with lots of shrubs and flowers. Each table is separated by dividers, providing lots of privacy. Old wood beams give it a warm and relaxing ambiance. It is the menu and drink offerings that make Locals a must stop. I had a lamb burger and a salad with lots of local ingredients. Lots of good local craft beers, too. Great service, too (shout out to our server, Jessica!).

Absolutely fabulous dinner this evening! This is our third time over the years, and it just gets better and better. We gushed about the food to our friends, and finally were able to join us, and were not disappointed! Top notch menu, amazing servers, and generous proportions. We hope to be back soon!

The evening of April 26, Five of us had dinner at Locals. The overall experience was not good. The meals took approximately 40-minutes to arrive and when they did, three of them were not hot & had to be sent back. It took about 15+ minutes for the meals to arrive again. Two in our group had the same dish & did not like It at all. While we waited for our meals to arrive, we were not offered any bread, etc. The restaurant was fairly busy but very noisy. All five of us decided we would never go back to Locals. The cost of our meals were slightly on the high side at about $35 to $50 each plus desert, wine, etc. The costly experience was sadly lacking in value.

Such a nice night out. Food is consistently spectacular. Ambiance is lovely.

High prices for most menu items. Pizza crust was tough.

So good

Once again, great everything. Thanks to all the staff that made an early Mothers Day a wonderful experience.

Waited one hour and ten minutes on Mother s Day what a disappointment !!! Not happy

Every bite is heavenly perfection. Service is impeccable and the restaurant is beautiful. 10/10. I come to this place every time I visit the island!

Delicious, locally sourced food. I ve eaten here twice this week and both meals were excellent. A little on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for.

The place is beautiful, but the food is mediocre. Definitely not worth $30/plate. Service could of been better. Wont be back

Heard it was an amazing restaurant. But Courtney being in a little town, I thought the recommendation may be overblown. It s one of the best restaurants in BC! Food and service are amazing. Best scallops in all of vancouver. Small little gifts, through the meal. Amazing 5 star service, from this little fine restaurant - hidden gem.

A jewel on the Island Eat Scene!

This was high end eating. The food had a flair to it... Great atmosphere, fantastic service... Absolutely zero complaints. My burger was amazing... The bacon was so thicc. Well definitely be back.

Great place for brunch. Terrific service, and beautiful restaurant.

We came here thanks to our wonderful parents for our engagement dinner! Our waitress was amazing as well as all the food that came out! Can t wait to come back. If you are looking for a classy relaxing environment this is the place

This is our new favourite restaurant in the Comox Valley. There were four of us, and everything was delectable. We started with oysters and Caesar salad, and had the lamb, chicken and two different seafood dishes. It was all done to perfection, including the presentation. The Chef brought us out a waldorf salad sampler, which was also very tasty. Our server, Josephine was lovely and provided exceptional service. This is an incredible fine dining experience, but the portions are quite substantial. We will be back.

Great meal!

We were at Locals for the first time tonight. My meal was so filling & delicious! The prawns & scallops were perfect. The complimentary bites at the beginning & end of our meal were a special touch. I look forward to returning! Food

Great place to stop.

Great restaurant. Food and service were excellent. Vegetarian options: many Food : 5/5 |

Thank you to Management and Staff for your incredible hospitality, tasty dishes and service. You went above and beyond for what my requests were and I am extremely grateful for having you fine folks here in the Valley! Top notch experience!!!

Beautiful restaurant and amazing staff every time!

Christmas dinner for about 40 colleagues and spouses. GF options for the entire menu and a takeout dinner for one of our colleagues and his spouse, also a colleague. Who knew that beef cheeks could be so delicious... I did ;) Dietary restrictions: GF options for most meals.

Fair meal at a good price. Lovely room as well.

Had a fantastic lunch at Locals! Everyone loved their food and the service was top notch. Will definitely be back again.

Locals is my favorite restaurant in the Comox Valley and I have never been disappointed by them. The food is incredible and the atmosphere is perfect. Highly recommend.

Amazing food and relaxing atmosphere! My wife and I enjoyed the turkey, venison and chorizo baked oysters!

This was seriously some of the best food I ve eaten in my life. The venison was so good. My wife is vegetarian and had the Arabic I and it was also beyond delicious. Every bite of our appetizer, dinner and desert was succulent and beautiful. I cannot wait to go back.

We had wonderful lunch on Sunday 29th at Locals Restaurant!! We enjoyed our brunch so much !! Both our entrees were delicious Our server was amazing The Restaurant has a very nice atmosphere Very enjoyable afternoon Highly recommend this restaurant

A hidden gem for the freshest, most beautifully prepared, generously portioned farm to table dishes! We loved everything - bacon wrapped scallops and beef tenderloin, venison, homemade lavender ice cream and raspberry-strawberry rhubarb pie (Im not a dessert person, but cant stop thinking about this!). And dont miss out on the clam chowder! Very warm, friendly service as well. This made for a wonderful birthday dinner -we will be back!

We went for a lovely lunch for my sisters birthday and we were treated royally, from a warm greeting at the door, prompt, friendly service from a smiling server to scrumptious food. Between my companions and I, we were able to taste (and share) 5 different dishes (with left overs for home) and a shared dessert. I felt I had my moneys worth. Kudos to the chefs and kitchen staff for attention to details; every morsel and sauce was a pleasure to the taste buds. The menu definitely has something for everyones pleasure. The staff was invested in making our dining experience the best it could be. Its comforting to know that the legacy has been taken up by enthusiastic local talents who share in the vision of the previous owners, but who will also bring the restaurant into the future to maintain this little jewel, uniting producers and farmers for a true Locals farm-to-table experience. I look forward to a return visit.... I have lots more I want to taste on their menu. Congratulations to the new owners!! Vegetarian options: Theres something for everyone and the staff and kitchen are helpful to meet dietary needs with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

Best all around place to eat in the Valley, the slightly higher cost is worth the quality of food you receive. Great unique menus with interesting choices of food to choose from. Amazing presentation and staff.

We were staying at the Old House and were also recommended by a local to try this venue. The food, service and ambience was incredible. Yes, it is on the pricier side but it was worth every dollar. Each course was well thought through and whilst we enjoyed four courses in total we did not feel overwhelmed after dessert. Thank you for the hospitality! Parking: Plenty of parking available. Wheelchair accessibility: They have two dining spaces, one does have three stairs up to it so be sure to confirm with the venue prior to dining if this will be an issue.

Went here for my birthday dinner and it is now my go to for great food and amazing service. My fiance and I shared the appetizer promotion of Crab & Salmon cakes. These were fresh and delicious. He then had the daily special of mushroom tortellini and I had the Seafood Trio. Of course we had to taste each others dishes and we were both very happy with either dish. For dessert we shared the Creme Brule Trio. Todays flavors were Vanilla Bean, Chocolate Earl Grey, and Sesame Lime...all 3 were so creamy and just sweet enough to end this great meal.

Always a great time at Locals! Our server shared the feature dinner of a rack of lamb with a delicious Dijon sauce with scalloped potatoes and yams. It was incredible. Its why we keep coming back for a nice dinner with family.

I give this place full props for buying and supporting local farms and businesses that supply the ingredients. Great Ambience, Service and Location.. Extensive Wine Menu.. Wanted to start with something small and go from there to see what I liked or didn t like Came here because the searched mentioned brunch but came to find out that they only serve brunch on Saturday and Sunday . Started with the Fish Chowder and an order or Artisan Bread and Butter.. Yes - there was a TON of fish in that small cup but the soup literally tasted like someone threw some fish in a pan and added Half-n-Half and loads of sugar The soup was SWEET as in Ice Cream sweet didn t know that was normal and NO TASTE whatsoever NONE . Added a ton of salt and pepper to get some flavor . Also ordered Artisan Bread with Butter. The plate same with some kind of pumpkin bread and another variety, and a very small dash of butter which was just enough for one slice At this point, decided not to order anything else, paid the bill and left The likelihood of coming back here is very low

Food took an hour and 10 minutes to get. Pasta was good but was expecting larger portions for $45 plates. The birthday girl also ordered a chicken dish and there wasnt no taste to it.

I have eaten at this establishment for several decades and owners. Local is a refreshing reboot of this historic landmark. Food was good, selection extensive and thankfully as the name indicates, sourcing locally grown or produced ingredients. Staff and service was outstanding! Vegetarian options: Good array of veggie/vegan options Wheelchair accessibility: Ample parking close by the entrance and lots of ground floor, comfortable tables.

Everything was really great! May seem a little pricey but well worth it .

Great restaurant with great atmosphere, but food was lower than expectation

Beautiful restaurant and location. Seating was good because we called ahead for a reservation but they can get busy. We went for lunch and they had truly exceptional vegetarian food. It was delicious! The price is $$$. I think it was good value for what we had. Very nice restaurant and love that they support local businesses by sourcing quality ingredients/products on the island. Vegetarian options: Original, well thought out dishes that have a wonderful depth of flavor. Parking: Behind the hotel/spa

Have the Marthas Artichoke appetizer, then the Tornado you will not be disappointed! Strawberry pie for dessert per the photo will send you into culinary dreamland.

Excellent fine dining, very relaxed atmosphere and friendly professional staff. I had the pork chop and it was delicious and although the portion looks small, I certainly felt sated. Definitely recommend for a nice dinner out Food

This restaurant is a marvel. The dishes are generous, neat and tasty. The bouillabaisse and tournedos were excellent. In addition, the place is warm as are the staff. I highly recommend this restaurant !

Great atmosphere but prices are way too expensive for quality / taste of food.

Still one of the best places to eat in this part of Vancouver Island. The service continues to be excellent, the food very good and the wine and cocktail selection probably the best in the area.

I have never experienced a wider disparity between price point and quality at a restaurant. Fine dining prices with service and food befitting an Olive Garden. Nice building though.

Great indoor and out door dining best patio in the valley plus a covered deck option as well as the beautiful dining room Great friendly service casual fine dining Vegetarian options: Vegetarian plus vegan options Dietary restrictions: Server was very educated on the menu and the kitchen didnt mind customizing my meal to accommodate me Kid-friendliness: Great kids menu

Was up Island for a few days of work and play and had an amazing experience at this local favourite. Our server Katie was absolutely amazing. The perfect blend of attention and laisser faire...which is always my preference and she read perfectly into what we were needing. Vegetarian options: No shortage of options here Parking: Tons of parking available

Went for a birthday celebration for my daughter. Ordered an average ($150)bottle of red wine off their menu. When it was corked & served my glass was full of sediment and it smelled, looked and tasted off. We told our waiter that it was not acceptable. His manager came back with the bottle decanted and said it was fine. For us it was not. We know a good wine when we taste one. He was extremely rude, argumentative and refused to bring us another bottle and told us to order something else off the menu. Being that it was my daughters birthday and we were with others we chose to not leave (we would of in a heartbeat otherwise) but went to the liquor store and bought an actual nice bottle of red wine (Caymus) and paid the corkage fee to have the restaurant open it. The food was good, our server was good but the manager/atmosphere was unacceptable. We wont be back and have told others of this sub par service

Great food. Absolutely wonderful service and good ambience

Fantastic service, staff were attentive but not intrusive. Served my dinner within 15 minutes which was perfect as I was dining alone. Salmon risotto was outstanding, finished off with a tasty trio of crème brûlée. Overall, dinner was an expensive indulgence but well worth it.

I liked the food, liked the patio and definitely liked the smiles from the waiters.

Absolutely amazing food.

How can a restaurant survive when 5 people show up at 5:30 on a weekday, the patio is empty except for one couple and the host says they can t seat a group over 4 people on the patio? It was 26 C. Really? We spent >$250 at another restaurant that night. Family with us (locals) were perplexed but equally dismayed. Update: nice explanation from the owners. Maybe next time.

really really poor service. i have been here a couple of times and before hand i had always had good service, tho i ve repeatedly had hair in my drink. but the other day i went in and the server was quite rude and made our interactions minimal. i think she was judging my friends for being alternative or something because i ve never had poor service here before, she was extremely rude. commenting on how many drinks i had (which i m well aware of) giving my friend very dirty looks and not filling his water or asking if he wanted another drink ever. i had to track her down for anything after we ordered. she told us to quiet down because we were laughing. so i didn t tip because the service was horrible and she was straight up rude to us, then after seeing i didn t she said go find somewhere else to eat next time . i told what i believe to be the manager and he said don t come here if you can t afford to tip. which i can, but i m not tipping for horribly rude service.

It was lovely to sit outside and witness the local wildlife such as geese flying overhead and a playful baby bunny across the lawn. I was not overly impressed with my $44 chicken dinner. It was good, but not great. The desert on the other hand was excellent and reasonably priced, for a nice restaurant. I had the seasonal pie with lavender gelato and it was to die for. Overall lovely experience, but I likely won t return with the current dinner menu.

Food was decent , but cheap plastic tables outside? Had a awfully hard time booking for a 630 even tho I booked in the morning. Then learned there were ample tables available but they try to refuse 630 booking so they dont overwhelm the kitchen . We probably wont be back

Great food, service and atmosphere. Had the clams - wow. We sat on the patio with our dog. Kelly took great care fo us.

This is definitely a hidden gem. Amazing calming gardens beautifully landscaped, but this is just the beginning. The staff are beyond courteous and friendly, and the quality of the food is outstanding. I would highly recommend dining here for any occasion, it is that good!

Kid free date night with husband. Was looking to be spoiled by flavourful food, and Locals succeeded in doing that. Sat on the patio, shaded and comfortable. We shared Beaver Meadow Farms Beef Carpaccio ( my favorite, and could eat this as my meal, mmm capers). Hubby had Jumbo Prawns & Scallop Thai Curry and I enjoyed the Lois Lake Steelhead Salmon Risotto. Our waiter suggested the salmon risotto while I was looking at the mushroom risotto, and it was solid advice. Prior to our food, we enjoyed a petite savory bite from the chef and finished or with a lucious chocolate petite desert (also complimentary). Just the experience we needed!

I only feel the price is for fine dining, but the food and service is not fine dining at all. We came for dinner yesterday, order a appetizer (seafood shack), two entree(beef cheek and seafood pasta) and cheese pizza for kids. The restaurant is not that busy, tables were empty, but it s very very slow. The appetizer came at 19:21, and the entrees came at 19:52. And most unacceptable is the mussels in the pasta is very not fresh. I told my server that the mussels in the pasta are very bad, very not fresh. The sever just say Thank you for letting me know , and then he go, then nothing else happened. No explanation, no apologies, nothing.

Just moved to Courtenay & was looking for that special place to eat, a friend purchased a gift voucher for Locals & we have now found our favourite restaurant. We received a very warm welcome & were seated in the covered outside area so cool & a lovely garden to look at. We have eaten at many restaurants in our lifetime but we can honestly say this beat them all, the food looked fantastic, right sized portions & every mouthful was a flavour delight. They may be slightly more expensive than some of the other local places but do not be put off, it is worth every penny

We had a fabulous meal tonight at Locals. The food was truly outstanding and the service was great. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Vegetarian options: My dinner companion was vegan and we shared a vegan appetizer, her vegan Thai green curry was yummy and the vegan chocolate cake was decadent.

This is my favorite restaurant to visit whenever I m in Courtenay. The menu is fresh, local, and creative. And Kaya was the best server, so friendly and attentive, she made our night perfect! Vegetarian options: The vegetarian cake appetizer was delicious!

The only thing I can say is all around amazing.

Absolutely beautiful building and grounds, but not worth the price at all. Food was ok, overcooked in some elements and bland in others, definitely not attentive to the flavors and skill, which is not what I expect for the amount spent on a meal there. Would go back for scenic drinks along the river but thats about it.

Sat outside and the evening was perfect. Appy dish ..mussels in cream sauce. Curried shrimp and scallops. Prosutto wrapped salmon with risotto.

Amazing views, service and food. A great place to go while visiting Comox. Also there were no wasps on the patio... Pretty awesome outdoor dinner experience Food : 5/5

Friendly people, great atmosphere, food is nice.

Locals Restaurant offers exceptionally fresh seafood and very reasonable price. The mussels, in particular, are plump and tender, with a rich and flavorful broth. They are the best mussels I have ever tasted. All the seafood dishes are excellent, and the warm, cozy wooden decor adds to the overall ambiance.

Such delicious food, some of the best we had in Canada! However the service was particularly slow and the setting could do with modernising.

Pretty solid food. Get the mussels!

Appetizers and deserts are excellent. Entrees came super heated, over cooked and flavorless. Probably a mistake by someone.

Food was delicious. Unfortunately the worst service Ive ever had. I was very disappointed. First, our reservation was made 2 weeks in advance for the patio. When we arrived we were told it was too hot and would have to sit inside. There were people already sitting on the patio and more who arrived after us who were seated outside. Then our server was snippy and snide. When the bill came it was incorrectly split and we were blamed. I work in customer service and I understand how difficult it can be. I always go out of my way to be polite to servers and am prepared to cut a lot of slack for a kind/friendly server. Unfortunately, this time, our experience was really soured by the poor service. Would not go back.

Unfortunately we will never visit Locals again, nothing but a big disappointment. Made reservations two weeks prior to ensure a 65th birthday celebration was going to be perfect. Assured outdoor patio seating would be available for our party of five. We arrive at the restaurant only to find out our reservations had not been entered into the book nor would the male at the entry desk seat us outside. He claimed it was too hot for his staff so they are no longer seating outdoors on patio. We understood, it was a very warm evening. Imagine how we felt when we witnessed other people being seated outside the entire time we were at this establishment. The food was good, the service was very poor. Our waitress was rude, never brought a coffee as ordered, mixed up the bills, grumbled about having to split the bills, ( her exact words when asked for this service was oh goodie). Above all else she never came back and asked how the meals were. We will NEVER be back nor recommend Locals to anyone we know. Truly better places to spend your money in the valley.

Very cozy and elegant place, excellent flavor, regular price...

Great cocktails and plenty of vegetarian options for food. Highly recommend the Asian salad rolls and cornucopia salad. There are plenty of outdoor, indoor and patio seating options depending on the weather.

We came here for lunch and enjoyed a fresh, local, and tasty all vegetarian meal. I love their commitment to sustainability and local, seasonal products and appreciated being able to choose several vegetarian options. My partner and I shared an Asian salad roll and a market-fresh cornucopia salad. Indulged in a local white wine and my partner got a cocktail Vegetarian options: Several vegetarian options for appetizers and main including polenta and mushroom, veggie cakes, salad, and Asian rice rolls.

We went here on Aug 17th for a birthday meal for my wife & I. It was our first time and for sure we will return. Everything was superb. Beautiful building and grounds, excellent service which was classy but still down to earth. The food was some of the best restaurant food we have had. We received gratis sushi and chocolate treat after our meal. We are from Parksville but when we want to have a first class meal in future we will return. The prices were reasonable in this day and age. Thank you to all of the staff for a great experience!

We came here while on vacation with our dogs. They allow dogs on the patio and it was a beautiful space. They provided the dogs with water and gushed over how well behaved they were. The food was delicious. A perfect lunch date for me and my husband. Will certainly be back for our next vacation.

Phenomenal! The service the vibe the atmosphere! The food, the plating and presentation! Highly recommended!

5 star dining and the menu is Perfection enhanced! The chef really knows the special touches. Had the Local Blueberry Pie with gelato!! A hint of nutmeg in the pie was outstanding and the little and flaky crust was the best!! Service Outstanding!!

Locals is our all time first choice for eating out. We sat outside and the service was perfect. Our meals were so perfectly cooked I could of ordered it again to go. The price speaks for itself so if you want a stellar experience go dine here. 1000 stars +

Dropped in for lunch on a Friday, wrapping up a vacation in the region. We had been given the recommendation by a friend, or wed never have thought to try this place (as a rule, if its attached to a hotel, Im skeptical!). Very glad we did try Locals. First, its beside/behind a hotel, but Im pretty sure the restaurant predates the hotel, and it is no hotel restaurant. The building is a historic and quaint little spot beside the river, offering lots of interior and patio seating. (Like any place on VI, if its mid-to late- August, youll want to ask about the wasps before you opt to sit outside in the daytime.) We sat inside, which is a bit dark, but mighty interesting due to the age of the building (wood beams! stone! window ledges a mile deep!). Service was attentive but not overly so. We admired the wine list but opted for beer (one local beer, one non-alcoholic), both of which were great. From the menu, a vast array of choices briefly overwhelmed us. One cornucopia salad and one lamb burger later, we realized we could easily return. Food was prepared to perfection. No bland food-service-truck-freezer-packed meals here. From salad to burger bun to fresh ground lamb patty, it was all hand-made and quite delicious. Yes, my burger was a little more rare than Id be comfortable with in most settings, but I assumed it was deliberate and that the kitchen wouldnt serve me unsafe food (I was right). And it was all the more juicy and delicious for being on the rare side of cooked. All in all, a great option for a classy meal in Courtenay (almost Comox). Pricing, like most places in 2023, seems a bit high (an extra $12 to add one scallop and two prawns to the salad seems off!) but for what youre getting, the value is actually there. Service could be a little less, um, efficient, and maybe a touch more friendly, but these servers have been working in the profession for a while, so maybe theyve learned not to bother with too much extra. Well be back. And hey -- you should go there too.

Went in on a Saturday for lunch. Fairly unbusy both inside and out. After the people before us were welcomed warmly, we were told the kitchen was overwhelmed and they could not seat us! Wow! Never again. Word of mouth is powerful!

Top to bottom, they know exactly what they re doing here. Not even in the same realm as other restaurants we ve been to in the area ex: there is a certain Greek restaurant that got the same number of stars (!?!?!) and didn t even compare lol. I can t believe we had never been here until today, and I can t imagine going anywhere else next time we are in Courtenay.

Great dinner. Not Michelin star, but no complaints. The patio was lovely.

Food was a disappointment to what it was previous years

Spectator from beginning to end. This place was buried in google results but so glad I went deep to find it because the historic building is beautiful and the outside patio garden is lovely. The star of the show is the food. Salad rolls are creative and delicious. Pacific rim crepes yum. Great cocktails. Fantastic service. Highly recommend.

What a great place....food was very good and the staff were very friendly and accommodating. I would eat here again without hesitation

A bit noisy but otherwise .

My original review received a response with inaccurate accounts of the events that occurred but there are always two sides to every story. What review seekers would like to know is, is it expensive? yes, most places are these days. Food quality? most of the food was good, some orders had very dry salmon, its a tricky fish to cook. My advice is if you decide to go here, dont be shy to send your order back to the kitchen (especially at these prices).

Seated us 6 on my dads 75th birthday golf trip tourney wind up dinner and refused to serve us afterward because my brother accidentally bumped a plastic chair as he walked off the patio to answer his phone to talk to his wife. Waitress immediately follows up, comes and says you have to all leave. We were there on a Sunday night willing to spend north of a lot. Disgraceful place I hope the owner knows what his mgmt is up to. And his lost profits. Word travels fast. That s my dad and our happy smile upon entry. Spread love not hate. Update: It was apparent, was it? Why didn t the waitress clearly communicate that rather than giving me some long-winded story about someone who bumped a chair. I literally had no clue why she is telling me this and refusing to serve us. I was sober and looking at her shocked and dumbfounded. I obviously have to assume it s that we don t fit the mold as we were somewhat dressed down as we are on a golf trip from out of town, or perhaps bringing your own expensive bottles of wine for corkage is frowned upon, or perhaps laughing and being jolly and having fun isnt allowed. Needless to say, she lacked the ability to communicate. She didn t communicate that it was due to her suspicion that some one had too much to drink. She didn t say look we want to send out some fresh bread and waters to get you guys started before serving alcohol. PROBLEM SOLVED. I would have had no problem with that. Its called couth. All I ordered was a sleeve of lager or pilsner. I could have surely waited if that was CLEARLY the concern. Regardless, we re not teenagers that trip and stumble around after a drink. Perhaps you should advertise as quiet formal dining, even though your patio is casual atmosphere. That way you dont have to humiliate your patrons based on a judgement passed by your staff. And perhaps invest in some proper chairs, not cheap plastic flimsy chairs. And of course, we got up and left. We were not going to spend a dime never mind hundreds if not thousands in your restaurant after being HUMILIATED like that. And if anyone escalated the situation it was your manager s demeanor upon our departure. The whole job of a manager is to de-escalate and accommodate. He was confrontational and rude as many others have mentioned in their reviews. There were no threats made and no shouting. In fact, I was glad to be leaving and having found out before spending any money. It was my decision to leave, and I would do it over again. We are from out of town and have dined at many fine establishments. I dont need a lesson on decorum from your waitress and manager. Judging by some of the other reviews, good service perhaps isnt your forte. Take care.

Food is fine. Just not worth waiting 2 hours to eat.

Great food and atmosphere.

Our service was great. The atmosphere is very nice and cozy. We were disappointed in the food. I had the seafood pasta and it had zero flavour. Quite pricey for what we received.

The chef and kitchen staff must take pride in their work, as they never disappoint with the look and taste of the food. Compared to prices of meals elsewhere now, Locals is a reasonably priced restaurant for the quality of food, service and atmosphere. Food

Beautiful setting wonderful food! Definitely will make this restaurant my fave place to go

For the price and the amount of food you got not worth it.

Went for dinner last week for our 20th wedding anniversary and it will be the last time. Slow service, prices have gone up , and quality has dropped big time, my husbands mussels were rotten , my vegetables were burnt and all our server said was I will let the chef know definitely not worth the money we spent. What happened to this place? Where is all the delicious food? The excellent service? so sad to see a once sure thing fall to just well.. garbage.

Superb black pearl oysters from Quadra Island! Rack of lamb done perfectly.

Absolutely delicious. All three courses were fantastically made and presented. I love how many ingredients are locally sourced. Fantastic restaurant.

We had been to Locals a couple of times before, and it was much better, We waited an hour and 20 minutes for our food. The beef cheek was dry. The rack of lamb was small and kind of tough. Both plates had only a few table spoons of loose mashed potatoes and a very small portion of virtually raw vegetables. Paying $50 a plate, it was extremely overpriced

We celebrated my birthday at Locals. The food was delicious and the service excellent. It was a very enjoyable evening.

If you re looking for old school fine dining this is the place. The menu boasts dishes that no one takes the time and care to serve anymore-an absolute gem in a world of fast food and a lack of creativity! The ambiance is reminiscent of the best mountain lodges and the service, friendly and knowledgeable Prices were very reasonable for the care and quality represented Locals is a must visit for a special o assign or anytime

Food took 90 minutes to come out and was overcooked. Probably a staffing issue as there were no other problems. Unfortunate.

Locals is a definite MUST if you are visiting the Comox Valley. The food is beyond compare. Youd have a hard time finding a better restaurant anywhere on Vancouver Island or BC. It is a dining experience for all of your senses. As well, the service was impeccable. Our waitress, Kendra, was so in tune with our needs/wants and had a delightful personality. An entourage of equally pleasant staff supported her service. Thank you so much for making our dining experience truly that, an unforgettable culinary experience.

Amazingly fresh and flavourful! Enjoyed the Seafood Trio and finished with this Rhubarb Cheesecake. All meals were thoroughly enjoyed - plenty of sighs and smiles!

Had dinner last night. The food was phenomenal. Definitely a dining experience. Service was the best also. Had an accident with red wine on a white sweater. Our server, Kia, took it to the back and cleaned as much as she could and I got the rest at home. Not many servers would go out of thier way like that. Thankyou Kia

Celebrating our anniversary and have enjoyed a few meals at this restaurant in the past. Reservations are recommended. Menu selections were unique with the focus on in season and fresh. Service was a bit sporadic, but its a difficult time for this industry. Menu prices are at a premium so be prepared. Nice selection of wines to compliment your meal. Unlike other restaurants, there is no acknowledgment for special occasions.

Beautiful grounds, rustic building with history and great local food!

Service was excellent. Warm evening on the patio and entertained by the bunnies. The amuse-Boucher was a nice touch along with the tasty hazelnut chocolate at the end was a nice touch. For a $45-50 meal, was very surprised. Out of the four of us, only one was pleased with their meal. A bit underwhelming.

Lovely ambiance, exquisite food and excellent service. Overall an exceptional dining experience.

Excellent Food, Service and Ambiance! would recommend and will be back for sure!

Beautiful location, covered and uncovered terraces. Good menu, pleasant service.

Would 100% recommend. Will 100% go again. We ate there twice in a single day. The service was amazing both times, and the atmosphere was so peaceful and lovely. We had lunch there, it was amazing. We ordered the mussels and the prosciutto wrapped salmon wrap with a Ceasar salad. Then for dinner, we had some complimentary goat cheese tarts followed by the oysters and the pork belly and scallops; the scallops were cooked perfectly and the flavors were balanced so well. We then had the seafood trio and it was spectacular. The salmon was perfect, the prawn juicy, the scallops perfect and the tuna was delicious. The vegetables were also very good and balanced the seafood beautifully; the rice was seasoned so well. We finished with the creme brule trio and some complimentary dark chocolate truffles. My partner was working here but I flew here from Calgary just to try this restaurant with him and I have zero regrets. Vegetarian options: There were vegetarian and vegan options. Dietary restrictions: Vegan and vegetarian options Parking: Easily accessible and lots of parking Wheelchair accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Our entire experience right from making reservations on was fabulous. The food was top quality and our service was amazing. The atmosphere was quaint and homey. Would definitely recommend.

Locals never disappoints in both service and quality of their menu. Server was very friendly & the mains and desserts were top notch. Will be back again!

Very good food. Parking: Enough parking spaces available.

So yummy but over priced

Locals has been a favourite of ours for many years & we always gave 5 stars, until last night. My husband had the scallop & prawn green curry, which was like a veggie soup, the prawns & scallops were cooked just right, but the watery sauce was unexpected I had the beef tenderloin & mushroom pasta, the sauce was not at all creamy, it was very liquid. The service was excellent as always, I guess we should have said something at the time, we didn t because we were with friends. Hopefully next time we come we will not be disappointed. Margaret & Doug Harris.

Fabulous food, superb service and a great outdoor eating atmosphere!

Food was delicious and beautifully prepared

We went here for dinner and will never be back. When you walk into the restaurant, it has a very strange, unappetizing smell, to the point that I considered leaving and should have. We got three entrees that were over $40 each and none of them were at all worth it. The salmon was over cooked with a salad and quinoa that did not match the flavours at all. The pasta dish was salty and over seasoned with thyme, not to mention sloppy with poor presentation. The halibut was cooked ok, but not well paired with sides and again over seasoned and tasted like it was reheated. Additionally, we waited around an hour for entrees. Don t waste your money, it seems as though this place has gone downhill.

Fantastic atmosphere, all locally sourced menu, great service

Recently, we ate at the Locals restaurant for our 25th Anniversary. We have eaten here in the past and have had a good experience. I must say I was thoroughly disappointed with our dining experience this time. First, we were put in the back by a deck box with no ambiance at all. I am a celiac and unfortunately the waitress did not know what this was. She brought out a complimentary appy before dinner and a complimentary chocolate after dinner and when asked, said these were definitely NOT gluten free. She did not bring out a GF substitute. My husband and I shared a Caesar salad and it was brought out with bread in it. I told her I could not eat the salad and she said, just take it off. She did not understand that the salad was now contaminated with gluten. She did bring me a new one. It s was too bad that our special night was not what we expected. I did call the Manager and suggested they train their staff for allergies so this doesn t happen to someone else .

We routinely go here to celebrate our anniversary. It lacks some of the character it once had when it was The Old House but the old chef is still there. The gazebo that was once nestled under the willow tree is gone but the outdoor green is still lovely and provides space from the footpath. We couldnt afford this all the time but it remains a special place for us even as the city continues to grow around it. Dietary restrictions: If you are celiac, vegetarian or even vegan, theres something for everyone. I have never been sick after eating here...always a good sign. Lol Kid-friendliness: Be prepared to watch kids chasing the rabbits or running and jumping on the green as you eat on the patio. We found it amusing but it appeared not everyone around us did. That said, if you have kids they can roam where you can see (and hear) them if you sit on the patio outside. Ask for a quiet table if you want more romance. With hotels beside LOCALS, this is essentially a tourist hotspot.

Great food, great environment. Pre appetizer sample (which was great and complimented by the house white wine), appetizer (artisan bread oysters- which the pairing sauce was amazing.)ending with main (beef tenderloin paired with potatoes, beautifully placed leeks, and delicious blue cheese topper, with red onion and blue cheese marmalade paired is magnificent topped with a delicious demi glaze. Worth a visit.

Food was perfection. My partner and I have food sensitivities and the kitchen did an excellent job of accommodating us with gf options. We sat on the back patio in the evening and enjoyed the warm ambiance with a glass of wine and gluten-free Whistler Forager lager. Cant wait to return to Courtenay for more!

Great

What a pleasure to go to Locals restaurant. Probably the best dining experience experience weve had in a very long time. Our server was personable and knowledgeable with a great attitude. She had helpful advice for us as it was our first time there for dinner. The food was absolutely delicious! We cant wait to go back again and bring friends and family.

Inflated pricing. Can of beer $8 Caesar $10 6 SMALL oysters $22

Although the food and service are okay, this restaurant has some strange and unappetizing smells (in fact, I smelled weird right from the parking lot!) It smells like detergent or washroom - so its not confortable to eating there.

One of the best place in town if you are looking for authentic pizza. I personally love their Indian style pizza s. Uday and Satvik are customer oriented people. They treat everyone so nicely. Thank you guys. Keep it up.

One of the best meals Ive ever had!

Wow, I was surprised at this hidden gem. Food was very good, well prepared and presented. Old English pub style feeling, but way more than simple pub food.

This is a cute little restaurant with a great atmosphere, but I found that what I got (lamb burger) wasnt really to my taste. The other people I was with loved their food, though. The prices, however, I found to be very high.

This place was a delight! Loved the atmosphere and the food was top rate!

Great visit here for my Grandmas 102nd Birthday our family has been coming here for years

Had not eaten there for a long time. What is better than eating and drinking local? The atmosphere is lovely and the food was delicious. Food

Perfect place for a quiet romantic dinner. Love the local food theme.

Wonderful evening with family tonight. Excellent service and delicious food!

Dietary restrictions: The have a good variety of foods and I believe it meets the requirements for those who are celiac. Parking: It shares a parking lot with the spa/ hotel next door. Sometimes its very easy to get parking and other times you may have to park on the street. Wheelchair accessibility: Ground level access.

My wife and her business associates had lunch here yesterday and it was terrible. Previous to this visit, we were there this past fall and it was also terrible. Not sure whats happening because this used to be a super spot?

We love the ambiance of this restaurant, the food is absolutely delicious and the staff are warm and welcoming. But.... weve noticed the portions are smaller than last year. I had the Pacific Rim Seafood Pasta $42 and my friend had the Glen Alwin Lamb and Mushroom Tortelloni $46. Offering bread to go with these dinners would be a great idea. Parking: Its great to have free parking close to the building.