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Just a 20-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, Bowen Island is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life
Sometimes all we’re looking for is a quick getaway where we can relax and rejuvenate without breaking the bank. Luckily, B.C. offers up plenty of beautiful destinations not far from the city where you don’t have to deal with crowded tourist hot spots.
One such destination is Bowen Island—a quaint, charming town in the middle of Howe Sound that is definitely a nature lover’s paradise. Whether it’s for a fun family trip or a peaceful romantic retreat, there’s something for everyone here.
BCLiving recently had the chance to experience a Savoury & Sweet Bowen Island food tour. Bowen Island Tours offers a variety of additional walking tours to explore the island that include nature, history, culture and more.
But if you like food as much as we do, then click through to check out all the stops we visited on this tasty tour…
After a short ferry ride, it’s time for a quick stop to fuel up—and luckily the Snug Cafe, located in Snug Cove, is just a few minutes way from the terminal. This cozy neighbourhood hub is well-loved by locals and tourists alike for its delicious pastries, sandwiches and breakfast specials including the breakfast bowl, eggs Benny with salmon and breakfast wraps. Grab some coffee (which they supply to JJ Bean) or pick from a wide selection of teas and sit outside on the picnic-style patio tables that are perfect for large groups—and dog-friendly too.
Even though it’s a small island, Bowen’s history dates back centuries. First used as an outpost by the Squamish Nation, the island was named in 1860 in honour of James Bowen, who helped the British win a grand sea victory against the French in 1794.
Known as the ‘Happy Isle’, Bowen turned into a popular holiday destination with an emerging logging and fishing industry. One of the earlier settlers was William Davies, who started his own business of selling fruits from his orchard. The remains of his land, now surrounded by a large park, have been preserved by the Bowen Island Heritage Preservation Association. Take a stroll through the orchards, and visit the 10 heritage cottages for a glimpse of island life back in the day.
Head over to the Village Square and you’ll find Bowen Island’s answer to Whole Foods. Known as the community store with a heart, The Ruddy Potato offers fresh produce, meats, groceries, baked goods and health items from local suppliers on the island as well as the Lower Mainland. Buy a delicious ready-to-go meal from their kitchen or sit down and grab a quick bite from the deli. You’ll find everything your taste buds desire—shepherd’s pie, black bean chilli, mac and cheese and Parmesan chicken and more. In need of a sweet treat? Try their infamous fresh carrot cake and gluten-free chocolate brownies.
A trip to Bowen Island isn’t complete without a visit to roastmaster Gino Rutigliano at his Bowen Coffee Shop where he serves the best locally roasted 100% organic coffee and carries some of the top-rated exotic beans from Indonesia, Africa, North, Central and South America. And if coffee isn’t your preference, there’s also a great selection of organic, loose teas.
Bowen Island boasts some of the most picture-perfect views around, and if you’re looking to take in all the beauty (along with some mouth-watering food), then Doc Morgan’s patio is the place to be. Overlooking the Union Steamship Co. Marina, this restaurant is a seafood lover’s paradise. There are small bites to share like Big Boy chicken fingers, Mexicali dip and the famous Doc’s peel-and-eat shrimp poached in a secret spice and served chilled with a zesty cocktail sauce. If you’ve come with a bigger appetite, there are lots of options like fish and chips, the pesto salmon burger, the New York steak sandwich and a healthy garden burger for vegetarians.
Need a refreshment? The Bowen Island Beer and Wine Cellar carries over 500 wines (90 of which are from B.C.) and nearly 100 to choose from that are under $15. There are lots of mainstream and imported beers, and a newly expanded craft beer and cider section as well. If you are a wine enthusiast, you’ll love chatting with owner Paul Rickett, who is actively involved on the weekly twitter conversation #BCwinechat and shares all things wine and upcoming tasting events on his Bowen Wine Blog.
Stop by Candy in the Cove and let your childhood dreams come true. This sweet 8X10 space is known as the smallest candy store in the world and it usually has lineups that stretch around the corner. Don’t be fooled by its size—Candy in the Cove carries some of the best imported and domestic treats across the globe. There’s a huge selection of popular British candies like Curly Wurly Bars, Cadbury Buttons, Guinness Crips and nostalgic favourites like Bonbons, Airheads, Fun Dip, Gobstoppers, Big League Gum, Salt Water Taffy, Rascals and many more.
Rustique Bistro is the perfect place for a simple, high-quality meal. With a welcoming environment and charming decor, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the French coast. Owners Thierry and Céline bring a deep love of flavour-packed food, serving delicious savoury and sweet crêpes, salads, soups, sandwiches and specials, such as steamed mussels and braised lamb shank. There’s no need to rush—breakfast is served till 3 p.m. (ah, the island life) and they also serve incredible gluten-free vegan galettes made from organic buckwheat flour.
It’s not just pie. It’s an experience. That’s what it’s like when you visit Lime and Moon Pie. With fans from all across North America (including Ben Stiller), this popular shop, also located in Yaletown, makes the tastiest organic sweet and savoury pies, including turkey pot pie, strawberry-rhubarb pie, chocolate banana cream pie, heavenly apple pie, key lime pie, zesty buttermilk pie and the list goes on. If your mouth is already watering, order a custom pie straight to your doorstep in a special terracotta pie plate made by local artisan Cam Shultz of Alexander Goods.
Just around the corner from Lime and Moon Pie is Shika Provisions, a great hangout spot with Asian-inspired food like rice bowls, grilled rice balls and green tea matcha muffins. Open seasonally, this is the perfect place to grab a bite before exploring the island or you can even take a picnic box filled with goodies to eat throughout the day.
Drive up the hill on Adams Road and you’ll find yourself at the footsteps of something that looks like it’s straight out of a movie. Alderwood Farm is home to The Bowen Island Butcher and specialty food store, offering fresh meats, free-range farm eggs, smoked wild salmon, soups, desserts and so many more food items for visitors and island residents to enjoy.
If you’re looking for a place to stay, go no further. Alderwood also offers two charming cottages for accommodation, with fresh breakfast baskets served every morning. The farm is known for catering special events like weddings, so if you’re coming with a bigger group, there are additional rooms available for extra guests.
Artisan Square, also known as Bowen’s cultural hub, is home to beautiful galleries, musical performances, fine foods and a collection of other local shops. If you’re looking to buy a gift for someone or even a token from the island for yourself, then this is the perfect place to shop.
Visit Bell’Ochio for a little bit of everything: art prints, candles, linens and home decor, or Artigiani Milanesi for some Italian cashmere knitwear. Make sure you have room for a pastry or two from Artisan Eats Café, and don’t leave without visiting Cocoa West for the best chocolate on the island.
Cocoa West Chocolatier is no doubt one of the most popular destinations for both visitors and residents because let’s face it—who doesn’t love chocolate? Since 2002, Joanne Mogridge and her husband Carlos Vela-Martinez have been creating fine organic chocolates and ganache-filled truffles made with fresh, locally produced organic cream. They also make six different types of hot chocolate, including a creamy milk chocolate and a spiced Mexican blend as well as hand-cast organic chocolate bars.
But your visit to chocolate heaven doesn’t have to stop there. Located just around the corner is the Chocolate Suite, where you can stay the night for great rates and enjoy treats from Cocoa West (including chocolate for breakfast—does it get any better than that?).