The Masthead Restaurant in Cowichan Bay

Never been disappointed. Some nights they have live acoustic music (not loud), which I love, and summer nights on the patio watching the sunset are amazing

3 Strikes sadly the Masthead is off our list. We now have 3 upsetting experiences with the latest one capping it off. 3 of us were at the table but only 2 dined. The wrong meal was served & the correct one showed up way too late. The apology was to offer 3 glasses of wine & pay full price for the rest . It was not handled well by the restaurant.

A dining experience that exceeded our expectations, and a symphony of flavors that transported us to food heaven. We will be back!

Impeccable everytime!

There are few places left in the Cowichan Valley for fine dining and The Masthead is one of them. friendly quality service , excellent food and very pleasant live music. Well worth the visit for that special dinner.

My wife and I went to Masthead for a Friday night date and we were overly disappointed, mostly by the food. The service and atmosphere were both fantastic but the food was plain, lacking flavour, and actually made us sick. We ordered the focaccia starter which was described as baked fresh daily and we found it to actually be cold in the middle. We ordered the smoked chicken rigatoni with the albore tuna nicoise for entrees. The albacore was average tasting but the smoked chicken pasta was extremely bland, and it contained a large amount of cilantro or parsley which wasnt noted in the menu. This is a huge problem for people who dislike the taste of cilantro, as it can cause the whole meal to be unappetizing. Overall our experience wasnt great and I dont think I could honestly recommend going to this place for good food, especially considering the price.

Aged marine atmosphere with attentive service.

We had one of the best meals I ve had at a restaurant in a several years .. best calamari appetizer ever .. incredibly tender and tasty .. main courses ..shared the halibut and pork belly/scallops entrees .. perfectly cooked and delicious sides . Our service was excellent and the setting out on the patio was top notch ..

Dinner was amazing, all three meals did not disappoint.

We went for Brunch. Food was great and well priced. Good value and great quality. Definitely will be back

We were very disappointed with the food and service this evening at the Masthead . One entree has to be returned as far to rare - and the rigatoni chicken was terrible - pasta far undercooked. - the entree that was returned was not not delivered back to us until long after partner was finished- - no plates were cleared - no voluntary compensation- when asked they offer 10% off the pasta only .

Had an amazing meal here this evening. Staff were very friendly and welcoming. The rose champagne was beautiful. Great menu choice.

Relaxed ambiance, beautiful views, friendly but professional service and DELICIOUS FOOD. Both the prosciutto and smoked trout crostini were scrumptious!! The tenderloin and accompanying sides (especially the mushrooms) just superb. Food : 5/5

Lovely view of Cowichan Bay but thats about all thats going for it. Food well presented but ordinary taste for extraordinary prices (think: Fairmont YVR airport). When I asked for tonights specials the server said everything is written on the menu. Hilarious. Just go to Cook & Butcher instead. Its down the street with much better value.

Wow, the food and service were fantastic! We enjoyed the marina view and the creative craft drinks! Yummy!

We havent been here for quite some time and were pleasantly surprised with our meal. The food was hot and delicious and the portions were great. Well be back for sure.

Absolutely delicious meal beginning to end, but the steelhead crostini and chocolate ganache were over the top!

Have the tenderloin. Savour the view. Sip a cocktail before opening a fantastic bottle of red!

Food was fantastic, service was great and drinks were great.

It s simply wonderful to see a restaurant on the island serving up true gourmet quality food. Case in point: our dinner for two: elk (cooked sous-vide) with all the trimmings, preceded by some great local deep fired squid and all accompanied by good wines. Beyond Masthead s very good food, we really enjoyed our server, Mark. Friendly, helpful, attentive just a great guy. Rock on Mark. You are a real asset to the operation. All of this, plus lovely views over Cowichan Bay harbour, it all made for a really enjoyable experience and we ll be returning.

It was an absolutely lovely evening! The staff were amazing, Raquel and Pam made our evening the best! It was an a joy to have them serving us! The food was delicious, great atmosphere I will look forward to dining there again Two of us had birthdays and they made it an evening we will never forget! Thank you! So sorry for all the dropped knives Pam!

Very nice spot with top notch service and excellent food. Very pleased with the meal we had there, the chicken and duck confit dishes were prepared perfectly and presented with very tasty sides. A lovely little spot with a great view onto the bay. Parking: There are a number of parking spots immediately in front of and beside the restaurant, which is very handy since on-street parking can be very tight in that area.

Had dinner there last night-enjoyed the food immensely and Raquel waited on us-she was outstanding! The piano music was very good - loud though so difficult to chat. Maybe reposition the piano or mute it

Excellent food, atmosphere and service. Honestly this is our new favorite place for a nice date night experience. Its definitely on the upper scale of expensive but Id say its absolutely worth it

Food was good I will not go back to this restaurant. We went for new year eve and was quite disappointed by the lack of service we got. Our waitress was realky friendly but it didn t make it all. - We took wine pairing for each dish, No one could tell us the wine we were served. - 1st plate come after 1 hour been sit without any olives or some tapas paying 450 for 2 people, you expect some kind of treats from the restaurant, only a glass of champagne once getting it. - Food was good but definitely small plates. Overall lack of substance from the business. Music was good, decoration as well. They should really prep better for those kind of events. Specially for the price.

Good food in a real restaurant - a rarity nowadays. Decent wine list and staff that actually know how to serve. Outstanding views of the Bay and Mt Tzouhalem.

What an incredible difference from the last time I enjoyed a meal here! The service and staff were 100%! Nice relaxing atmosphere to enjoy the amazing drinks and food that were served! Food

Its a lovely place for fine dining! The food was beyond excellent, and the service was wonderful.

Slow service start and bartender had to try to answer menu questions as best he could. Five of us for 40th wedding anniversary and birthday. Excellent meals except for the Dumpling special... quite tasteless. A glitche in ordering caused birthday boy to wait for his meal, and nothing was offered to make up for it until prompted, at which time they offered a dessert (waitress made it sound like she would have to pay for it?) I would go back in a heartbeat though ... meals were divine especially the Scallops and the Steelhead. Great atmosphere.

Went to this restaurant with my boyfriend last night for a fancy date night. The atmosphere is lovely with quiet piano music playing. The server was outstanding. Brewed us a fresh pot coffee, answered all our questions about the menu. Was very kind and attentive. Cant wait to go back for future date nights.

Even though down a server, service, food and atmosphere great

Excellent service, atmosphere and food.

Excellent cocktails, dinner and service. The mussels and gnocchi in particular stood out. Love the mood lighting. Great (double) date night. Our first time and will certainly be back.

Food was delicious, service was excellent. Friendly, attentive staff.

The views of Cowichan Bay, extraordinary service, and yummy meals create a 5-star experience every time. The menu items are locally sourced which is a bonus for me. The Masthead is my favorite dining hot spot when visiting Vancouver Island and the place I recommend to friends that live on the Island and friends visiting the Island from the states. Im big on ambiance and seek unique dining experiences when I travel which is why I delight knowing every table in the restaurant and on the deck has a view of Cowichan Bay, sailboats, and mountains in the distance. Saturday evening Jazz is a must if your soul is looking for a three-course divinely orchestrated meal. A young lady with the voice of Etta, Billie, Sarah, Ella, and Nina, all rolled into one fills your glass with a different kind of spirit, an intoxicating spirit of joy and gratitude coming from your inner child. I usually order the pan-seared pacific scallops or the parmesan frites as an appetizer followed by a fresh catch as my entree, and a top five desert for me, the Sticky Toffee Pudding (the owners grandmothers recipe from what Ive heard). For a drink, I usually follow the recommended wine pairing, or I have one of the best sidecars this side of the rocky mountains. If you enjoy a top-notch sidecar, the Masthead will not disappoint. If you enjoy unparalleled dining, service, and flavor, I would highly recommend you add the Masthead to your to-experience list. Ill add photos during my next visit.

We went here for a family birthday lunch and the whole experience was amazing. The staff were wonderful, the food was tasty, and the atmosphere was so beautiful. The staff consistently went out of their way for us and made the whole experience really enjoyable. I would highly recommend this restaurant for every type of occasion from romantic meals to casual outings as well as group events. The only thing to keep in mind is that the restaurant is definitely more geared toward adults, but families and children are welcome. Parking: Parking availability depends on what time of year because in the summer it can be more crowded. Kid-friendliness: Although this is not a child-oriented restaurant, the staff are very good about accommodating children here.

Amazing experience! Wanted the night out from the kids. Did this ever deliver. Incredibly romantic and lovely atmosphere. The food is incredible. Found our new anniversary spot for sure!

We have travelled in over 70 countries and the scallops are the most tender and well seasoned that we have enjoyed. Atmosphere and Service combined with delightful live music on Sat. night made for a memorable evening.. Do reserve though, it is popular. Dietary restrictions: Accommodating to my cow dairy and corn intolerance.

Delicious Valentine s dinner. Great ambience and cordial service. Great experience.

Amazing food, friendly and courteous service, truly a gem. Menu changes lots, but always something fantastic and for everyone s palate..Today I had the smoked salmon crostini, and hubby had the burger, incredibly good. Just really good food. Fish and chips here is among the best we ve had in the island (that s saying a lot) and they re just as adventurous as you want a restaurant to be. You can t go wrong. Very affordable lunch, too, when compared to other local spots. I really love this restaurant.

We were so satisfied with our meals, service and ambiance and would absolutely go back to The Masthead. We rarely go out for dinner as we love to cook at home. When we do go out, we often leave thinking that was okay, but we could make it better at home but not this time! The cook on our proteins (strip and duck) were perfect, the wild mushrooms risotto was inspiring, and the chocolate ganache dessert was rich and decadent. Our server was so friendly, knowledgable and personable and the support staff were lovely, organized and attentive. Thanks for making our first date night together since having our now 18 month old daughter a joyous, successful and memorable occasion. We will be back!

Really enjoyed our dinner last night. Setting inside is super cozy and comfortable. Great selection of cocktails (best Lemon Drop martini ever) and a decent amount of very affordable BC wines. Service was super pleasant and attentive. Great selection of regular menu options and I think they usually have a couple menu specials each evening. Highly recommend and will definitely be back.

Excellent meal last night. Had the 3 course dinner menu with wine pairing. The scallops were cooked perfectly, ate them too fast to take a picture.

Had a fantastic spur of the moment supper while in the area. We dont really do fine dining but it was a fantastic atmosphere, large portions for all 3 courses, mind blowingly delicious food and the staff was absolutely outstanding. Price was good for what we ended up with in the end so I would recommend for a fancy night out.

I was here for a work trip Service was exceptional, waiter very friendly and attentive. I got the wine tasting menu with the scallops and the mushroom pasta, they were both divine and savoury. I loved every bite. Large filling portions and loaded with flavour

Gourmet plates with an Award winning Chef! Service is impeccable, view over the marina right on Cowichan Bay is fabulous! Live music just the right volume to enjoy but still talk while dining! We had a Pianist, Cellist, and Singer just lovely. We would definitely go again and we recommend The Masthead to all!!

It was overall a Wonderful Dinner. The Duck was Incredible..The apps were delicious and dessert was Great and having two Musicians who played Panio and Bass were Very Good.. Looking forward to eating there soon.. Food

The Restaurant was noisy and too hot and the service was terrible. By the time we got our meals we no longer cared I had the halibut which was very well cooked but it had too many garnishes that took away from the fine delicate taste of the fish. The meal had no substance and We left feeling like both our wallets and stomachs were empty.

We had not been to the Masthead for several years so it was my spouses birthday so we decided to go again. It was really busy, really noisy and really hot. It took almost 90 minutes to get our entrees, we were about to get up and leave when they finally made it to our table. The dishes were cooked well but were a little boring, they used the same sauce on the tuna as they did with the scallops. Small portions and virtually no vegetables, for $47/entree we expected better. The server was not the best either and virtually disappeared for long periods of time with no updates on why the meals were taking so long. We won t be going back.

The Masthead chef, staff, menu and ambiance offer fine, relaxed, unpretentious dining at its best. Suitable for Special Occasion or Just Because... Vegetarian options: Delicious salmon option...

Had the nicest dinner. Really enjoyed the food and service. Wish we had this restaurant in Vancouver! Kudos to the pianist and cellist - very much added to the evening.

A very good restaurant. Excellent service. Good menu. Prices moderate. And wonderful views. I strongly recommend it

Visited during happy hour, but to busy and service was good..

The portion of Halibut was so small for $47.00 I had to go home and eat again I will never go there again and let people know. thanks for nothing.I read other complaints and all the owner can say is sorry that is not good enough.I should have went to the A&W it would have been better.

The service was amazing the food was delicious and the company was perfect

I had the halibut and it was PERFECT! The portion size was plentiful and the flavours were fresh and unique. No idea what one star down there is talking about. I left full and satisfied as always. Love the Masthead.

One of our favorite spots

The food here is exquisite; it is really excellent. The view from the patio is also incredibly nice. For us, the wait for our food was very long, about three times what I expected it to be.

Had a delightful afternoon wine and charcuterie on the patio overlooking the boat Harbour and Mt Tzouhalem. The staff were very accommodating. Will definitely return for another visit. Food : 5/5

We havent been here for a while, but the last time everything was awesome. Returned looking to get a great meal and great service....... Sadly we were disappointed! I have worked in the food industry for many years, and in this day and age it saddens me when we come across an establishment that doesnt train their staff properly. My wife is Celiac and we dont go out as much as we would like to because of this. There is no joy in going to a restaurant, spending alot of money on your meal and having to worry if they are competent enough to service you without getting sick because of cross contamination..... We ordered, the server was polite but clearly was not sure how to deal with someone with dietary restrictions. We questioned her on several items, and she struggled with her knowledge of the menu. I apologize if this is getting long winded, but I feel like this is becoming common place in an industry that is supposed to be customer service oriented! Long story short, we ordered the Clam chowder for her and as the waitress said- it says its gluten free on the menu It arrived with a over cooked piece of bread laying over the bowl. When questioning the hostess ( who brought out the meal, was also not sure of the situation)......really? Seriously need to train all your staff (including kitchen) Its nice that you promote the fact that you have a award winning Chef, but if he puts a piece of bread on a item which is advertised as GLUTEN FREE, how good is he really ????? Dietary restrictions: Work on training your team properly.

Incredibly friendly staff, lovingly made food, and a beautiful dining room and patio.

Very elegant restaurant. Love the beautiful deck out back with lovely view of the marina. Great good and service. Prices reflective of the elegant dining room and location.

The food was good but overpriced.The deserts not as good .The service was good.

We often go to the masthead for it s impeccable service and amazing food, but tonight was something I absolutely had to make a review about. The steelhead was mind blowing and the skin was cooked to perfection. The beet risotto was so tasty I m still shocked at the flavour profile. It is the best restaurant in our area like cannot be beat. Cocktails are a delight and wine selection is tasty. 10 out of 10

Such amazing food, great service, and the patio on a sunny Saturday morning is my favourite way to start my day. Delicious and creative food.

Excellent taste and a wonderful atmosphere. A slightly higher price, with an above average view. All courses are served prompt and with a smile. Thanks for a lovely experience!

My wife and I met up with old friends for a special dinner at the Masthead on a Saturday evening. Weve been here before, and knew that it was jazz night every Wednesday and Saturday. Although the place was full, we were able to enjoy an intimate reunion without feeling crowded or imposed on by other guests. The presentation and quality of the food was excellent, and we found the halibut and the scallops particularly appetizing. The quiet music added to the ambience and we were not rushed to leave, so we stayed on after the meal to enjoy the rest of the music. Good food, good company, nice music and a beautiful sunset too - does it get any better that that?

Beautiful place

A wonderful hidden gem of a restaurant, food was delicious, service was kind and welcoming yet professional, and the atmosphere was classy yet comforting.

Its become my new favorite restaurant, great job with the creative menu!

Delicious muscles were on special the two times Ive been here. Had the mushroom risotto and it was great. The putanesca was a bit too sweet for my taste, but not terrible. Had a quince creme brule for dessert that had too thick a layer on top, but the flavor of it all was quite nice. Service was friendly, but a little slow at times. There was a live jazz trio playing that added nicely to the ambiance. The view over the harbour from the patio area is wonderful.

Delicious food, very warm service and wonderful live piano and stand up bass if you can catch it (Saturdays). Gorgeous views and really great attention to veg forward and vegetarian dishes.

One of my favourite places to go for dinner. Amazing views, atmosphere, and of course incredible food! My favourites dishes would have to be the halibut, scallops, mushroom risotto, calamari and the sticky toffee pudding (cant skip dessert!). The service is exceptional, everyone is so friendly and professional. Try to go on a Saturday or Wednesday night when theres live music playing!

Lovely dinner for 4 on the decking overlooking the sea. Staff were so friendly and the food was amazing!

Food is amazing and the servers are really friendly and accommodating.

Pleasant, upscale restaurant all in one interesting old buildings; very nice service, enjoy your meal. We felt comfortable (September 23).

Holy canoley! I absolutely loved the food here. The head chef certainly knows what he is doing. I would recommend the Masthead any day.

Food was amazing!

Enchanting elegance, creative menu, with vegan options! The cowichan valley is seriously lacking in places where plant based peeps can have a fine dining experience (or even just a nice dinner with ambience!). The Masthead prevails. The menu is changing soon, but I am sure the next rendition will be just as fabulous. We had the focaccia, polenta appy, and cauli risotto with panisse. Everything was absolutely divine. We cannot wait to go back.

What an amazing dining experience! The food is quite possibly the best we both have ever had. The incredible list of ingredients created to make one dish is pure talent that comes from a visionary and passionate chef! We enjoyed a four course meal, each dish was incredibly prepared with a high level knowledge to know the marriage between all the ingredients to create mind blowing flavours. The service was impeccable the wine pairing was spot on. We plan on returning till weve experienced each item on the menu. Well done Masthead, Ive already recommended Masthead to several people to go and have an unbelievable great food experience.

Although Ive lived here for years and worked in Cowichan Bay I had never experienced the Masthead and for my birthday I was very excited to find out I was going to get to go! The service was incredible, Mark and Renee were fantastic, the food was out of this world amazing we had the scallops, the squid, the AAA steak (cooked to perfection and exactly how we ordered it) we had some inventive cocktails and overall just an excellent time. We are still talking about it this morning. A memorable birthday indeed!

Best meal I have had on vancouver island. Expensive, but you certainly get what you pay for. Gorgeous food. Highly recommend

Seafood chowder is loaded and tasty, service is quick and friendly. Great local produce used for their meals. Parking: Parking in front and in the side. If full, lots of parking along the street.

Went there for a Christmas party, the staff did an excellent job in serving, I had lamb in which I was expecting a lamp chop with potato and gravy not in a pasta bowl. Didnt appreciate the oil that was sitting in the bottom of the bowl... hubby had chicken he stated it was dry . But other than that it was ok and a great night. My Christmas cracker was empty which was the joke of the night for hubby and I...

The food was amazing! Came here for a Christmas party and enjoyed every minute. I was a big fan of their Caesar salad and braised short rib.

Very nice anniversary meal. Great for quiet intimate gatherings

Wonderful location, good selection of local wines, and very tasty appetizers. Very courteous and friendly waitress.

Ambience is everything. What a fantastic venue, rich with history, a beautiful view, superb and tentative service and the food could not have been more tender, flavourful and exquisitely plated. Thanks for squeezing us in!

Great food. Service was amazing.

The staff was attentive and gave us plenty of time to enjoy our meal. The food was excellent - perfectly prepared mussels, prawns, and salmon. An excellent view and warm ambiance added to making this restaurant worth every cent of the final bill. Definitely will be coming back.

Delicious Sunday Brunch!!

We had a nice brunch here

Amazing atmosphere, delicious food. This place is worth the visit! We had a great server named Mark who made our experience exceptional! Mark was able to give us great recommendations on the food, and provide delicious beverages. I highly recommend this restaurant if you are looking for creative food and a romantic experience. We will definitely be coming again. Thanks again to the exceptional service and experience Masthead!

Got the caesar salad and pappardelle. Both were great. Service was excellent.

Amazing atmosphere and food was fantastic.

Masthead has upped their game in 2022. The food shines, the ingredients are fresh, Saturday night music is the best, awesome service, GREAT vibes.

This is my favourite restaurant on the Island. Every year my family has a birthday dinner for all of us, and this is where we go! I ve noticed many improvements since the new owners took over, not the least of which is the foooooooood!! The new chefs are so talented and are definitely experts in their artistry/craft. The food is amazing, the atmosphere is amazing and the service is top notch! The live piano music and singing is amazing too! Worth the trip up from Victoria EVERY. TIME. Thank you!!!

Just got back from an amazing experience at the Masthead for my brothers 72nd birthday. The food was great, especially the ceaser salad. But the crème de la crème was our fantastically attentive, polite and patient waitress! They don t get better then Renee! Thank you for a wonderful dining experience

First time going and will definitely be back. Beautiful atmosphere, excellent service, and delicious food. What else could you ask for?

Friendly, professional service, and delicious food made with local specialties. A great place for a special night out. We especially enjoyed the mussels.

Reserved in person a week ago a specific table near the window for our 34th anniversary tonight. Arrived to find it was given to another couple just before we arrived on time and manager wouldn t give us the other window table as it was reserved for a group of four. Hostess said we ll look after you and make it special which they did not. Manager never came over an apologize, no comp or offer any congratulations. Food was ok but we left with feeling of disappointment. Probably won t go back.

A friend and I had a delicious dinner here tonight. The salmon appetizer was fresh and flavorful and the tenderloin entree was mouth watering and perfectly rested. The staff were more than courteous and attentive--they treated us like old friends! Thanks Mark, Emma, and Noah for a wonderful time!

Excellent service, view, and food Dietary restrictions: Good option for GF, and helpful staff

Table was wobbly so we spilled half our waters and drinks until I shoved something under it. Food was expensive but not very flavorful. Wait staff was incredible and professional.

Absolutely stunning restaurant! They play live jazz music, have epic food, great drinks and our server Renée was on point the whole night. She was friendly and accommodating. My husband and I had a great time here. I would highly recommend checking this place out!

We had the best experience at the Masthead for dinner. I have nothing but good things to say. The waitstaff was immediately welcoming, friendly, and accommodating. We walked in with no reservation with a group of 5 (plus a toddler) and they put together a table very quickly for us. Food was also served quickly and it was absolutely delicious. Good portion sizes and amazing flavours! Theres a great selection of drinks to compliment the meal and we even ordered dessert, which was fantastic as well. I highly recommend trying out this restaurant.

Why husband & I enjoyed a wonderful evening at the lovely and stylish Masthead. The owners have brought in a creative new chef, who has taken a great restaurant to a new level. The menu is designed to use locally sourced products. The presentation is imaginative and most importantly, the food is delicious! We were fortunate to be there on a Wednesday night when the jazz combo was playing, which was an added treat, especially when a young singer joined in on the second set. The Masthead has a warm ambience that is enhanced by the friendly and attentive servers. Highly recommended!

One of the best meals ever. Nice casual atmosphere. Service was excellent. Beautiful oceanfront view from the patio. Highly recommend.

We came to town a bit late so we found this restaurant to be the only one open still for dinner. We didn t know what to expect, but we had an exceptional dinner. It was the food, the service, the atmosphere, the view - all of it. We decided to try brunch the next day - I never knew a simple meal like hash brown, bacon and eggs could taste so good! We were so impressed with the chef we came back for the third time to celebrate our anniversary. It did not disappoint! We enjoyed every bite. I had the best cheesecake ever. I highly recommend the place as for a casual brunch or a special dinner occasion.

I ve dined at the Masthead several times now and always want to go back. This time I arrived by boat and the owner provided a slip for the night. From start to finish, this was my best experience with excellent everything. I ll be making special trips to Cowichan Bay for another Masthead experience. Please inspire all of your team to keep up their great work

Nice meal, nice jazz on Saturday evening!

A beautiful and romantic spot! I loved the interior design and, to top it off, the patio view was breathtaking. They were so accommodating as I have a dairy allergy and also had a time constraint due to a wedding I needed to attend. Forgot my servers name, apologies, but she was incredible! Quite a spectacular experience! Thank you!

Mmmmm yummy

Absolute perfection everytime. KC, Phil and John are the most magical touch and well be back to enjoy their talents! The food is always unique, filing and great value. Service and atmosphere is top notch. A true foodie experience!

Fantastic!! Menu-Service-Desert - I wish we could go back- the only improvement would be the wine selection is lacking

All 12 guests enjoyed dinner & drinks. Lovely setting! Wheelchair accessibility: Ramp to restaurant door Food : 5/5 |

Romantic atmosphere, candlelight and soft music, outstanding service and some of the best I ve had island wide! Love this place! Also happy now on Fridays at 4pm AND LOCAL OYSTERS!

Staff Christmas party and the Food was superb! Excellent, attentive servers. Would definitely recommend.

Excellent food and service. A great location, a definite must if you love a great porterhouse

Great food and service

The ambience and design of this restaurant is lovely, as is the view of the harbour! I wouldnt select this restaurant for small children, but its perfect for couples and small groups. We have always been pleased with the service - they are so warm and welcoming, even when we typically have a few small meal modifications to request, which they never question or hesitate to accomodate. Its not a big menu, but everything they make they have developed to perfection and its a wonderful place to take time to relax with good company.

We have been enjoying this restaurant and for the past 7 years and and found the ambiance and food so good that we have chosen it for our anniversary dinner each year and have always enjoyed everything except the access. This year we found out that new owners taken over and unfortunately the change has not been for the better. It is sad when the highlight of an expensive meal is the specialty coffee at the end. Dishes were poorly cooked (dry fish and lamb that was tough and tasteless. A major part of the ambiance has always been the piano which is no longer played. The excuse was as always Covid but this didn`t bother them when it came to failing to comply with seating rules. The final insult was being as to hurry as someone was waiting for our table. Not a good start and we are unlikely to go back

Great steak and mashed potatoes, thought a vegetable would have gone nicely with our meals.

Wonderful meal and very friendly service. The Fisherman s Chowder and Gourmet Burger were great.

Such great food, great service and social distancing on their shoreside deck!

Absolutely wonderful experience. Delicious Food and great service from Mark. Had multiple appetizers and the NY Striploin was cooked perfectly. Kudos to the chef and cooks! Well done!

New owners, new decor, new menu. Prices are much higher and there is no longer any set menu or specials. I had the coq au vin and found the sauce merely salty and brown, with no winey zing. Steve had the fish and chips, which at $25 (for one piece!) was okay, but nothing special. In then end we both agreed, it was pub food at fine dining prices. Come on Masthead, you can do better!

An experience I will never forget!!! The ambiance and the food was amazing hats off to the chef. The vegan lentil dish is to die for. Probably one of the best I ve ever had at a restaurant. But apart from the food and the ambiance. The staff the staff, A plus service. They never missed a beat. Amber and Raynee made this a father day my dad and I will never forget. Amber just show so much compassion towards my dad that he felt like royalty. Thank you ladies for a wonderful night. I look forward to dinning with you again soon.

The atmosphere, drinks, food and service were impecable! I had the duck and my wife the sable fish. An absolute treat with a lovely view! Our server was gem! Highly recommend!

The server we had this evening was amazing! Her smile was contagious, her presentation was phenomenal, and to top it off our food was astronomical! 10/5 stars!

Really enjoyed having Amber as a waitress.

Such a lovely dinner. Amazing food by the new chef and exceptional personalized service from our waitress. Renee was caring, informative and great personality. It was the perfect choice for our anniversary dinner.

Delicious!

You get what you pay for NOT HERE. I had given this restaurant a 4 star 3 years ago but myself and friends went here last week and this place has gone so far downhill it s unbelievable. The servers were OK and most of my complaint is not against them, they could have done a better job of keeping our party informed but the prices for the items are crazy and the food quality was lacking. We waited 1 hour and 33 minutes to get our food, half of which was wrong and the portions are ridiculously small. There is no way that is a 6 ounce steak. I could rant much more than this but I ll end it here.

I have been to the Masthead many times over the years; I essentially followed Luke there from when he closed the Grape Escape in Victoria and went to Cowichan Bay. The food was always good, the menu always fairly extensive and reflected the seaside nature of the restaurant, and one always left satisfied. I went on July 26 2021 and was surprised to see the menu had only about 10 items on it. A seaside restaurant with no salmon, no clams, no mussels on the menu. But the menu didnt have any chicken either, nor was there lamb or duck. And it was expensive - $28 for an appy, $44 for halibut. I learned that Luke had sold and retired. The new owner, a Scotsman, was pleasant and raved about his new chef. He also told of the evenings special, rolled squid served with potato croquettes. It sounded better than anything on the menu, so I ordered it. What a disappointment. When my plate arrived, it was a beautiful, artful presentation of a pittance of food. There couldnt have been more than 2 ounces of squid on my plate, and two potato croquettes. The squid was not as advertised, it was 5 small whole squid bodies and two small sets of tentacles. The flavour was OK, not great, but good, but the amount of food wasnt sufficient even for an appetiser. The squid dinner, scallops (4) on risotto for my companion, and 500 ml of wine came to about $140 with a tip. Ludicrous. I see some of the pictures of full plates in the reviews below and I dont know what happened to mine. I went home and cooked dinner . . . Im not making it up, I had to make my own dinner, $140 later. I will never go back until I see a revised menu and am assured of sufficient food.

Wont go back. Prices outrageous and menu totally lacking in choice and food even more lacking in flavor.

Price is high but the food is worth it

wow! excellent live music! awesome food! great server and a fabulous view! couldnt have asked for a better night!

Food is excellent and service is awesome. Only reason not 5 stars is portion size is a little on the small side

Fantastic view of the bay from the patio. Great ambiance and terrific seafood.

Got here by accident but will be back again ! The food was great! Love a place that still uses tablecloths, Beautiful old building. Service outstanding!

Absolutely delicious. Warm Dodoni lollipops on greens with figs and grapes were enough to make me want to come back very soon. Amazing blueberry risotto made with the quality parmesan paired well with the fresh scallops that were cooked perfectly. If you hate mediocrity when dining out, you have to eat here. Excellent service and Chef Oscar 5 stars!

The food was ok but not worth $40.00 a plate It needs a lot of help to become the restaurant it use to be. Last year it was sliding down hill and even more so this year. I really hope it comes back to its former self.

We enjoyed a 60th birthday with friends here a couple of weeks ago. Their Covid precautions inside seemed good, but we opted for one of the enclosed waterfront cabanas on their patio. Superb service (thanks, Rene) and superb food. At a time when restaurants are struggling to find staff, The Masthead is excelling. Try the burrata cheese appy!

One of our favorites. Attentive and friendly service. Delicious local wine. Steak was exceptional. Excellent meal.

Wonderful Lamb Shank accompanied by great wine and pleasing view of Cow Bay.

Not the same place, different menu different chef..

it is a very special place.

Fantastic location and heritage building. Food was exceptional with a great and knowledgeable staff to boot!

Took my wife for our anniversary and the food was just bland and the atmosphere was odd. The food alsk took forever to come, we were in the restaurant for 2 hours. They did not charge us for one entree and the waitress was super good about everything, was not her fault. It would have been nice to have the food match the service.Wont be back because the food did not have a glimmer of hope.

Had dinner last night with a group of 4 for our friends 60th birthday. I had the bbq ribs. Absolutely delicious. Fall off the bone and lots of meat. The girls both had salmon and other friend had steak. All enjoyed their dinners. Everyone had drinks and dessert as well. The service from the greeting when we walked in and all the way through was excellent. It might be a little on the pricey side but you get what you pay for. We will definitely return. Thanks for a wonderful evening.

What a terribly run restaurant. Can t even provide the human decency of a response to a reservation request. I will not even attempt to go back.

Awful service from owner. Wont be back.

My girlfriend and I went there on Valentine s Day for the $60 four course dinner. When we were seated we sat at the table for 15 minutes with no service. (Not even a water to sip on). Watching as the waitress passed us several times and made eye contact with the both of us. When we got up to tell the waitress we were leaving because of the lack of service. They both looked at my girlfriend and I and had nothing to say. I then watched as they looked at each other and shrugged there shoulders. Very unprofessional for the quality of restaurant they claim to have. The service was an absolute insult and we definitely will never come back.

Consistently delicious fare, solid service, lively light jazz duo on Sat. nights. Recommended!

Best restaurant on the island.

Went to dinner here our first night visiting cow bay. We sat outside on the deck and the ambiance and view made it worth it. The service was very good. We really enjoyed the crab cakes. The entres were just ok. The steak was cooked right, but did not seem like a rib eye cut the menu suggested. The duck was also cooked perfectly, but the rest of the plate left lacked the flavours you would expect from a fine dining experience. Overall a solid visit. If we went back we would just have a bottle of wine with some appies and enjoy the view.

Food was delicious and fresh! The view from the restaurant is hard to beat as well. First time here and definitely wont be the last.

Our family of four visited the Masthead restaurant for an evening dinner on Aug 2/20. The meal was considered to be sub-standard but was even more appalling is that non of the servers wore masks. My wife and I are quite elderly and try to take all possible precautions during this covid pandemic. We will not be back.

The food was excellent the service was great and a lovely view.

Best Restaurant in Cow Bay! Great food and great staff!

This was my first time coming to the Masthead Restaurant... and what can I say but the best things that words can describe. The staff were amazing from the second we stepped foot into this fine establishment to when we wrapped up and left. The ambiance was superb and if it was a bit warmer that day we would have been on the water front patio enjoying our meals. The food was perfect!! the chowder is a must for anyone who loves a soup and the crab cakes were so light and fluffy I almost has to keep my fork on them so they didnt float away... :-) Overall this is a must for anyone who is visiting this part of the island. I would give you more than 5 stars if I could!! Thank you again to the Masthead Staff for making my and my families dining experience with you a memorable one.

Simply excellent from the menu choices to the quality of the chefs creations through to the very good service and very pleasant atmosphere. Well stocked bar and good wine selection. Prices reflect the overall quality of the fine cuisine. This restaurant would compete well even in a large urban setting.

One of my best dining experiences in this area! They received us without a reservation and even though we couldn t sit in the patio I still very much enjoyed their food and especially their service, Veronica and Star are super nice and went the extra mile to make sure we had a great experience! Duck is not always prepared as good as it was here and what to say about the crab cakes... Delicious!!

Food, view, wine and staff were all spectacular - what more could you want?

Great food. Friendly staff. Nice atmosphere.

We had a lovely evening at The Masthead. Be sure to make a reservation as the seating has been reduced due to Covid. There is a small deck facing the marina if you should choose. Three parking stalls are available right out front. The restaurant has a lovely ambience, dark and warm. On entry there is a baby grand piano, but no pianist (I suspect there never is). We had great service: both Star and the bus girl were wearing masks. Food wise, I would probably give them a 3.5. Had the three course meal. The endive salad was to die for! Im not a fan of lamb shank. It was OK. Dessert was a warm apple and caramel sauce over a small cinnamon bun. Unfortunately the bun was cold. I sent it back and the second one was marginally warmer. Restaurants always seem to snub microwave ovens! In spite of that the dish was very tasty. We had a great bottle of wine for a reasonable price. We love the atmosphere there.

Called in for a booking and had a table reserved. When we arrived we were told our table had been double booked and would have to wait an additional hour and a half....very disappointing and poor service.

A truly special restaurant for special occasions overlooking beautiful Cowichan Bay.

Very good food. Right sized portions. A little expensive but appropriate for the menu and quality. The duck was delicious. There wasnt a scrap left on any of our dishes.

Really good food great service

Excellent food and great staff. Definitely a favorite.

Fine dining on the waterfront. Table service is fantastic. Table side career salad prep of one of the best Ive had. Dont have to break the bank to enjoy a very fine meal. Ill be back again and a gain.

A dining experience

Great service and great food. Never disappoints!

Delicious meal, modest portions, excellent jazz piano and bass duo

They earned every star .. This is a true gem . We are starting to explore our Island and in doing so we are finding hidden gems , like a 5star restaurant in a fishing village, LóL From A two pce band piano and base cello adding to the charm and ambience and attentive but not overbearing waitresses . Food that is worth double the cost .. If youd like the Alpina restaurant at the villa Eyrie resort you will be excited by the fact they have taken there signature dish of battered cauliflower and elevated it , making it their own along side of their duck that was absolutely delicious but doing it in such a manner to say thank you for the idea but this is what I can do . Awesome . What a compliment from chef to another chef . Will be coming back , what a treat and what a gem...

Comfortable Elegance. My wife and I have dined here a couple of times now. It has become one of our favourite places to eat on the Island. We feel great at the end of our meal and always look forward to our return. The meal is served in an elegant, comfortable atmosphere. We appreciate the service that treats us simply as a guest enjoying a lovely dinner out. The menu is well designed with a solid range of options for fish, steak, vegetarian and gluten free diners along with a monthly Table dhôte. Of course, the food is delicious, the coffee is to die for and we are always pleased at the choices for dessert. Well worth it!

This was a wonderful meal, but the write up on it in Fodors travel guide was horribly inaccurate. We were expecting a fine dining experience based on locally sourced foods and descriptions of where the foods originated. We had expected a completely unique menu and did not get it. This is a very nice restaurant, but it does not stand out and apart as we had read about and hoped for. The chef has changed at least once, and the format we expected had been gone longer than our server could remember. Tableside dessert was great, food was great, service was great. Unfortunately we had been prepared for something greater than we received and 4 stars is as far as I can go since the entire experience (although wonderful) was a disappointment.

Wonderful food, service and music. A true fine dining experience. Would recommend for anyone looking for a special night out.

Fair to good. Service seemed to be slow

Excellent meal in absolutely beautiful dining room.

We had a delicious dinner for our anniversary in the most beautiful setting.

I would never go back to this restaurant as the owner IS IGNORANT and a drunk.

Great ambiance and a wonderful fixed price offering. Love it

The food was delicious and beautifully prepared/ presented. Service was wonderful the staff were very nice and accommodating for my partners parents 45th anniversary. The food did take awhile to come out, the main course especially but it was well worth the wait. The dining room atmosphere and live music made it quite the night out. Highly recommend this restaurant for a nice dinner out or fancy occasion.

Lovely evening. Delicious food!

Good service. A little on the pricey side but the view and how nice the dining area is make sense for that.

This place is like a time capsule back to when people did tableside Ceasar salad preparation. Wow. I sure would love to bring my Nana here! The food was good by small town standards. Unfortunately we just moved out this way from Victoria and it doesnt hold a candle to some of our favorite spots when you factor in value for the price. The beet rissotto that paired with my halibut was a little over seasoned for my taste but otherwise our meals were good. Overall, a good experience and the service was excellent.

This is a great, quaint restaurant, for a special night out.

Fantastic service and delicious and filling menu options!

Wonderful meal great staff

You can go there when ever you want. No dress code.

Excellent place to go for a special dinner, with specially made house wines from Alderlea vineyard and exquisitely palatable foods!