https://www.genoabaycafe.com/

#9-5000 Genoa Bay Rd
Duncan, BC V9L 5Y8

Reservations made by phone recommended:
Phone: 250-746-7621
Toll free: 1-800-572-6481

74kms (1 1/4 hrs drive) north of Victoria near Duncan

A Getaway from the Everyday: Genoa Bay Cafe and Marina.

Feeling like a little change of scene and some dockside ambience, C-A and I drove north from Victoria for about an hour and 15 minutes to Genoa Bay Café and Marina, a hidden gem nestled away in a quiet and picturesque bay at the south end of Sansum Narrows. Not far, yet it feels like a million miles away from our regular city life routine.

Summiting the Malahat mountain highway leads one to several beautiful viewpoints to stop and soak in the stunning Finlayson Arm coastline, and the Olympic mountain range on the horizon. See our photos at the end of this post.

Once you head east driving from Duncan towards Genoa Bay, you’ll find yourself travelling through lovely fields and hobby farms, but soon the road starts twisting and winding through the forest until you reach Genoa Bay, the Marina and the Cafe.

**What I love about it:**
The restaurant is perched on the water’s edge overlooking the marina; it is relaxed and casual with a lovely seaside deck. Flowers abound in dockside containers lending to the charming atmosphere.

The restaurant itself is rustic and welcoming, and you’ll soon learn that the service is excellent. The food is famously delicious, and the chefs take a great deal of pride in that reputation.

I highly recommend settling in with a refreshing mango margarita, which is tradition for me. I also noticed that there was an excellent selection of local wines.

We started with coconut crusted prawns which were to die for!

(note to self: definitely getting those prawns again!)

For her lunch entrée, C-A chose the Tuna Poke Rice Bowl, which was loaded with yummy veggies (some pickled) served over coconut rice - very light and refreshing.

I decided to go for the burger with the fancy name: Bird’s Eye Cove Highland Beef Burger, with a salad, which was tasty and satisfying.

For a bite or two of dessert we decided to split the Heirloom Carrot Cake, which was NOT a mistake! There’s a very good reason that it’s a perennial showstopper, and for $5.50 it’s great value.

Accessibility Factors:

The parking lot is patchy gravel, which is not always easy for navigating in a wheelchair or scooter. But speaking honestly, it’s not that bad. The overall experience is well worth it, and as many of you know by now, I’m not about to let a little inconvenience get in my way of a good time. And I strongly suggest that you don’t either!

The main entrance to the restaurant (and marina) is wide and gently ramped, while the entryway to the restaurant proper is narrow with a noticeable ridge that shouldn’t pose too much of a problem. Once inside, you will be met by the host and led to your table. There is plenty of space to maneuver as the tables are well spaced as per Covid restrictions. Unfortunately the bathroom, which is located in the restaurant’s front entryway, is very small and not accessible unless you have an extremely small mobility scooter and a skilled attendant (fortunately I have both).

The restaurant overlooks a picturesque marina in a quintessential west coast setting, complete with eclectic boat houses and charming vessels of all descriptions. Again there is a ramp which takes one down from the restaurant to the marina level, however it is very steep and wheelchair unfriendly most times of the day except at extremely high tide. However, if you have able-bodied folks in your party, I highly recommend encouraging a stroll down amongst the boats and boathouses. Drink in the fresh marine air - it’s good for the spirit!