WHISTLER DINING & WELLNESS GUIDE
The world-renowned Village of Whistler, just north of beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, is home to some of the best experiences on the Canadian West Coast. After the mountain biking, hiking, rafting, skiing, and snowboarding adventures, taking care of your body—both with food and wellness—should take top priority. The editors at Perfect Wedding Magazine, Gordon Cooper and Claudia Torres, ventured into this natural wonderland to experience some of the Village’s best gastronomy and most soul-soothing spa escapes.
Dining in Whistler: A Feast for the Senses
Food in Whistler isn’t just about eating—it’s about indulging in flavours as bold and breathtaking as the mountains themselves. Whether you’re looking for an intimate dinner for two or a lively après-ski atmosphere, Whistler offers something to match every mood. The true magic of Whistler lies in blending adventure, indulgence, and romance. Imagine a morning of hiking or skiing, followed by a few hours of thermal baths and massages, and then ending the day with a candlelit dinner featuring the best of the Pacific Northwest.
Whistler isn’t just an adventure destination—it’s a place to nourish your body, pamper your soul, and fall in love with the simple pleasures of life all over again.
Relaxation in the Mountains
When it comes to romance and recovery, Whistler’s spas are unmatched. Surrounded by towering peaks and cedar forests, each visit to our favorite outdoor spa feels like stepping into a sanctuary.
Scandinave Spa – Perhaps the most iconic, Scandinave is a silent retreat where steaming pools, eucalyptus saunas, and icy plunges create a cycle of rejuvenation. The silence itself is part of the therapy—just the sounds of nature, your heartbeat, and the stillness of the forest.
Tucked just 10 minutes north of Whistler Village, Scandinave Spa Whistler offers the perfect balance of beauty, wellness, and serenity. Though close in distance to the centre of Whistler, it feels worlds away—nestled deep in the forest and designed as a true escape from the bustle of the village.
Upon check-in, guests are reminded of the spa’s golden rule: silence. No phones, no chatter—just peace. The experience unfolds outdoors, where a circuit of steam rooms, cold plunge pools, dry saunas and warm jacuzzis guide you through a cycle of relaxation and rejuvenation. Each pool, sauna and steam room offers a different temperature, allowing your body to reset and recharge in harmony with nature.
The full hydrotherapy journey takes about two hours, but guests can enhance their visit with private treatments such as a deep tissue massage. Whether in the crisp quiet of winter or the lush greenery of summer, Scandinave Spa Whistler is a must-do experience—a timeless retreat for the body, mind, and spirit.
SCANDINAVE SPA WHISTLER GALLERY
Back to the Village: Dining Highlights
After a day of spa bliss, Whistler’s culinary scene invites you back into the village to indulge in flavours that fuel both body and spirit. We explored three distinct dining experiences, each offering its own charm.
BREAKFAST & LUNCH
Hunter Gather – Located on the north edge of the village, this laid-back eatery is built for hearty appetites and warm conversation. Meals are crafted with local ingredients, the freshness of every flavour-packed dish is enjoyable to the last bite, and served at custom-made wooden tables that give the space a rustic, communal feel. Hunter Gather welcomes the customers in an open space concept with a view to the kitchen from every table, and the way of service design is very convenient where patrons can go to the bar and get their own coffee or order alcoholic drinks, like craft beer – another house speciality.
Hunter Gather opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner but note that the menu is different for breakfast. We tried the breakfast and the next day we went back for lunch, (it is that good) Note to bread lovers: the sourdough is homemade and highly recommended! If you are a west coast cuisine lover (as we are), we would recommend for breakfast the Salmon Benny & the Lox and Cream Cheese on toast, superb! The salmon is cured in house, more than excellent. (images below)
For lunch and dinner, Hunter Gather‘s menu includes a variety of salads mixed with a well balanced portion of animal protein with vegetarian choices available on both menus. We had the ‘speciality of the day’, a super heathy avocado, greens salad with their delicious house curated salmon topped with the homemade vinaigrette. Trust us when we say just this salad provides complete energy to recharge after a morning of hiking and exploring in Whistler. The other dish we had was a pulled-pork sandwich with a side of perfectly mixed coleslaw. If you like Margaritas, who doesn’t?! Try their tap tequila mixes. Salud!
On sunny days, Hunter Gather‘s outdoor patio is a delight—tall evergreens provide shade while you enjoy generous portions of comfort and delicious food elevated with local ingredients. Too full to eat dessert? Take it to-go, like the homemade Baklava or any other sweet in the menu is a Must-Eat! Another idea is that you order take-out to enjoy while adventuring around this ever-energetic village.
HUNTER GATHER LUNCH IN THIS GALLERY
DINNER
Pasta Lupino – Right next door to Hunter Gather, this Italian-inspired café and deli is all about warmth and simplicity. For over 25 years, locals and visitors alike have come here for freshly made pasta, sauces, breads, and Italian specialties to take home. The dining room is small and cozy, filled with the aromas of garlic and fresh herbs. Pasta Lupino is the perfect place to enjoy comforting Italian food and we can’t think of a better place to feel warm again during the cold months and recover with delicious carbs after mountain sports or hiking during the summer season.
The atmosphere here is relaxed yet packed with energy from their staff who are ready to provide great service and suggest to you meals options. We took their advice, the freshly made pasta, Spinach Cesare with rosso sauce (a mix of Lupino’s Tomato & basil signature sauce and creamy Alfredo) topped with their famous Chicken Parmigiana (photo below), a meal to indulge in all the perfectly balanced flavours. The meat lasagna, made with thin layers of pasta, is a dish to not miss! The meals start with salad and their famous homemade focaccia.
Pasta Lupino‘s ambiance will transport you to Italy with every bite and you may even forget that you are actually in Whistler! We celebrated a birthday here, and the staff went above and beyond to make it special—proof that Pasta Lupino’s heart is every bit as memorable as its food.
Balam – The House of the Jaguar – One of Whistler’s newest dining destinations, Balam brings a fresh energy to the village. Its menu boldly celebrates the spirit and soul of Latin American cuisine with influences from the culinary gems of Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and beyond. An unforgettable sensory journey unfolds in every dish, offering an explosion of flavours with a contemporary twist—at once adventurous yet refined. With its modern maximalist interior design and vibrant atmosphere, Balam is quickly becoming a must-visit spot for those seeking something new and exciting in Whistler’s evolving food scene.
Start with a choice from the enticing handcrafted cocktails, and as for our food recommendation we would suggest the Ceviches: the Truffle Ceviche perfectly balances earthy flavours with the freshness of the fish while the Nikkei Ceviche with Tuna, Scallops and Calamari with Ponzu is also excellent. Followed by a tapas-style dish from the ‘Street Food’ section: Black Tiger prawn tempura with salmon tartar, purple potato purée and creamy Peruvian cream sauce. From ‘The Grill’ the Chicken Anticucho topped with a quinoa cracker is delightful.
BALAM’S APPETIZERS IN THIS GALLERY
The ‘Specialty Dishes’, (photos below) such as Amazonian Fish, is a delicious seafood plate of cod and black tiger prawns in sweet chile sauce cooked in banana leaf, BOOM!! An explosion of flavours just melting in every bite. For the meat lovers the Buenos Aires Churrasco served with Argentinian chimichurri and Loche squash purée is just what you need to complete a journey through Latin American flavours.
After a fantastic meal you may reserve room for a sweet send-off! The Picarones, Peruvian donuts made with pumpkin and sweet potato drizzle with Chancaca syrup is the culmination of a journey to the Latin gastronomic universe.
With a sexy vibe and bold favours, dining in Balam is an immerse experience into the rainforest, where all the senses awake only to surrender to Balam‘s menu of wild flavours. A restaurant for the perfect ‘date night’ or ‘sign-off’ of your Whistler’s romantic getaway.
