Sitting location

We were at the Bistro for lunch on Sunday. It was a lovely sunny day and I requested that we have a table outside. Unfortunately, it was directly in the sun. There was no shade and none of the windows were open. Thus, it was extremely hot and somewhat unpleasant. All the other tables seemed to have some shade but that was not the case for us. Perhaps a fan, or an open windows, would rectify the... more

We come here often for lunch in the summer as we bring our boat over from Saanich Peninsula so it is a great outing on a nice sunny day. We found the noise level high this time as we opted for a table inside this time to be away from the sun and it was very difficult to hear for our guests and to have a conversation. Food rating was based on food choices this time and the method of preparation... more

Wonderful food

Food was fantastic for our party of 7. Unfortunately, noise level was high and couldn't hear each other. Next time we should ask for something for young children (5 and 2 yrs old), long time for them to wait for food as restaurant was very busy. A small plate of chips would go down well in this instance. This was our first visit and you are now on our list of top restaurants to add to our... more

Spectacular summer day...excellent service and delicious food. 5 stars all the way.

It was a "working" meal -- and perfect in every way. Got a lot accomplished.

Great appies!

Great appies, great service but not so great on the main course of ribs and steak!

The menu is very very nice.

I love to sit outside for 2 reasons; It's wonderful on the deck (wind, light, fresh air, view) and 2nd, it's very noisy inside. However, I'm told that I'm overly sensitive to noise.
Some acoustic treatment to the interior would be very helpful. Too many hard surfaces.

natural bc

the best of BC as far as the location goes! Love being on the water and in nature as an added value of our dining experience. The food choices are great and service is attentive and personable. My second visit. There will be more.

Good Food

I enjoyed the Black Bean Burger. The view is nice. Servers are friendly.
I appreciated the time allowed for my friend and I to have a long visit while enjoying lunch. We both live in separate directions of the Island and Bridgeman's is our halfway point to meet. The location is great. I like that this restaurant allows us time to spend catching up!

Large Group

We made reservations for eight and upon arrival our table was ready. We had two small children with our group and the staff immediately provided crayons and colouring sheets which was greatly appreciated. Great meal and outstanding views. Our guests from England were suitably impressed! This is a great Bistro to relax and enjoy a great meal.

The Bridgeman never disappoints! The ambience is lovely, views spectacular, the service is attentive and prompt, and the food is consistently very good!

Mill Bay Magic

Every seat is a window seat, the view of the marina and mount baker is outstanding. People from all over the world can enjoy the experience of this neighborhood gem!! Food presentation was 4 stars and the flavors in the Butternut Squash Ravioli was fit for foodies. I recommend Bridgemans for lunch or dinner. And I would continue to make reservations each time I want to bring my clients and... more

expensive nachos! been there a few times - always out of luck on the ribs :(rib sandwich DRY - really need the gravysteak gravy TERRIBLE

Local Gem Discovery

Tried this restaurant / bistro for the first time. On the water by a marina. Fabulous views and every seat is a window seat. Terrific food made with imagination. Menu not geared for young children but overall very good! Will be returning for sure.

great food with a great view

on the water with a great selection of local beers and good wines; good menu and well prepared. Should please any foodie. World Cup on TV made it fun for us

Made us wait

Made us wait even tho there was an open set unreserved table .That is not trendy it is annoying .

Want to love it, but only like it.

I've dined here 3 times now, have had the same bubbly server every time and she's lovely. I've returned my meal the last two times however due to being over cook. Ordered Seared Tuna: cooked through and dry, but was beautifully done on the 2nd attempt. Ordered 6oz Angus steak med rare: cooked to well done, but again the 2nd attemp was fabulous and so is their steak sauce!The downside of having... more

Lovely spot

This is a gem of a place, however the funky setting & the views recommend it more than the food. It is nicely presented but quite inconsistent in quality (eg. a salmon burger arrived on a huge bun with nothing really on the bun in the way of sauce or mayo. Don't know where the "maple" fit in as we couldn't taste any). We tried a flight of wines which were all very good. Our server was very... more

Pedestrian

The service was excellent and the location was amazing but the food was only ok.The salad was good but the short rib sandwich was tasteless and overwhelmed by the bun it was on.A dark and stormy is goslings black rum and barretts ginger beer, not sure what I was served but it wasn't what I know as a dark and stormy. Not a bad drink though for what it was.Loved the location and the staff just... more

Great Place!

Steak dinner and on tap IPA! Sat by the window overlooking the Marina - awesome! This Bistro is on par with Earls, Cactus Club and Browns Social House - with better prices. A must place to come for a meal.

A hidden treasure!

It is always a treat to eat at this ocean side restaurant. Tucked away in Mill Bay, you are literally on the ocean. Never a bad seat in the house. The views are spectacular and the sunsets breathtaking! The staff are always friendly, professional and the food.......delicious! What more could you ask for?

Absolutely Amazing!

The restaurant is near perfect in every way.
The food is so tasty and filling, the service is very good, and the ability to eat outside is so nice. Also, the prices are very reasonable for the quality that is provided.

Beautiful view, great staff

Well, I love this place for the view, great staff, great wine list. It has only been open maybe less than a year, not sure of time frame but the food has been lacking. We went last saturday night and my husbands teriyaki steak bowl was dry and the steak at fat on it. Apparently the steak is suppose to... more

Upside

Mill Bay does not have another comparable venue. Its a bit pricey for a casual dining experience, but the setting is lovely, there is lots of light, views, indoor-outdoor dining, the staff is attentive, and the menu variety and food quality is far superior to other venues nearby.

Great Restaurant in Mill Bay

We had a great time. It was my Mom's birthday and she was made to feel special. Food was very good. I would go back again, in fact I have. Great atmosphere - personable. Besides it always nice to sit by the sea and have a great meal.

We love going to Bridgeman's and always find the food to be of high quality and the views spectacular. If people are looking for a quiet , romantic setting then they may want to go elsewhere. This is a bustling, energetic, local gem - my husband and I always chose the Bridgeman for special and not-so-special dining - we simply love it.

Very nice restaurant for two or friends

Here with friends for lunch. Good atmosphere, friendly, helpful staff. The food was excellent and the salmon in my burger was generous and perfectly cooked. Only comment is the menu says the burgers are all served with fries, salad etc which is true, but you pay extra for them, not included with the burger. I will go back soon. Try... more

Mothers Day

We met with family for mothers day brunch, we had a lovely meal, the service was great,(even though it was very busy) we have been there once before for lunch on the way back from Victoria. The Bistro has spectacular views. We would recommend this Bistro.

Too LOUD....

went for first time for supper on our anniversary after hearing word of mouth how good it was. This place is set in a nice location with wonderful views. The food was very good and the service was good. My only complaint was it was so loud in there we had a hard time hearing each other. Neither of us could relax and truly enjoy ourselves due to this. This place is great for those that want to... more

Mediocre

Been here three times now, each time food has been sub-par. Often too much sauce, too rich, too garlicky, too something. Drinks are good, view is beautiful, service is great and the ambiance is good enough that I keep trying to give it another chance.

Perfect day! Lovely lunch!

The setting was wonderful. Cheerful service. Food delicious for me. My guest was not to pleased with the garlic. Felt there was too much.
Good parking as well.

best hidden gem

Love this place, a drive from Victoria is well worth it. GREAT FOOD AND GREAT SERVICE ALL WITH AMAZING VIEW. Thank you.

Exquisite

This was my 3rd visit, on Mother's Day - staff handled the full restaurant gracefully. The food has been spot on flavour each visit. I live at Shawnigan Lake and will gladly take the drive to Mill Bay to enjoy again.

Mother's Day Lunch

The consensus at our table was that the food tasted good but the portions were small especially for the price. We had courteous service and enjoyed the view. However, I would not recommend a romantic dinner here. Too crowded and noisy with the cement floor.

Great Experience

Great view, Great food, and great service! A beautiful setting with a bistro on the wharf overlooking the bay on a warm spring evening in May
Service was prompt friendly and knowledgeable. Food was excellent, and we never felt rushed during the course of our dining experience.
The atmosphere was warm and lively. We are looking g forward to our next opportunity to dine at the Bridgeman's Bistro

Ok you have a view but

This is a local restaurant for me and I really wanted it to be great, even good. But I have to be honest, the food was terrible. When you are paying $15 for a chicken burger you dont expect to have to look for the chicken. You could load the burger up as they did with various sauces but I... more

Will Return

A great space for a visit with friends. Loved the service and dinner was delicious. Loved it!

First time

Unfortunately I am allergic to seafood, don't like burgers or higly spiced food so found the menu a bit constricting for lunch. My companions enjoyed their choices though my friend said the chowder lacked any salmon or fish that she could find

A great variety of fabulous food, all wait staff were excellent! Like what they have done with the retractable roof and glassed in patio.

Wonderful Lunch

First time to this restaurant. Very nice atmosphere and a very nice peaceful & calming view. Shared three items with a friend. Tarragon seafood chowder, Fried Oyster tacos plus the Mussels. All were very good and it was plenty of food nicely presented. Will have to try a burger next time as the ones I saw coming out of the... more

OK, but not great

The food was OK, very BC pub-ish but the water tasted very funky. They should add some lemons to mask whatever is going on there. Beer was good, that was about it...nice view.

Amazing!!

This place is amazing! My boyfriend and I go about once a week. Great food great service!

Disappointing.... again

Third time here, perhaps last. This restaurant should be wonderful - beautiful setting, great decor - but it keeps missing the mark. Our dinners weren't ready at the same time, and there is nothing more annoying than one person out of four waiting for their meal. And no fault of our waitress, she was good. But it seems like either the kitchen or wait staff are stretched too thin, or a... more

Handled our group so well

We had a big group and Bridgeman's was so great and flexible and accommodating. As usual their food was great. And that view....!!!

Good and not-so-good

Bridgeman's has a casual atmosphere and a great view. Our server was friendly, cheerful and helpful and we appreciated her service. The food was good, but we didn't feel it was good value for the price. For example, we had the Oyster Tacos as an appetizer for $12. There were two small corn tortillas, a little lettuce & jicama, some aioli and what seemed like half a breaded oyster on each one.... more

Bridgmans

Appies really good, thought burger patty did not seem home made. Tasted like cheap boxed burgers, over priced for burger of that quality.

Wonderful Lunch with plenty of ambiance

Even on a rainy day, the view was beautiful, the staff knowledgeable and welcoming. We arrived around 200 so plenty of room and no waiting.
We ordered the moscow mules for drinks as they are our favourite, and even though the traditional tankard was missed, they were well constructed and presented.
We had the oyster tacos which were delicious, fresh... more

Give it a miss

Nice view, clean and new, attentive staff, lousy food. Looks swanky with fun presentation but they seem to be under the impression that salt salt salt equals flavor. Blah old crusty capers, tasteless 'beef', fishy water, salty salad, blah belch blaaaa

Lunch with a friend

When we arrived at 1:30 we were kept waiting an undue length of time at the front. The hostess and senior server/manager spent some time talking to a customer/friend at the front desk. At least being acknowledged would have been nice. My friend asked for celiac suggestions and our server had very few even though I had checked ahead of... more

Beautiful view, wonderful food, good service

We were fortunate to have Bridgemans recommended to us by a local winemaker or we would never have found it. Amazing location on the wharf over the ocean with a marina in front. I had the fried oyster tacos, lime aioli, jicama slaw, avocado and cilantro. Great combination of flavours, Island Fanny Bay oysters, appropriately messy and delicious. My wife... more

Beautiful location, nice ambience but

The restaurant is located in an area where is little or no competition and that might be one of the reasons for the mediocre food.
The food is uninspiring and although visually attractive, makes you regret you didn't just have a drink and went home for dinner. This could be a destination restaurant but at present is catering to a... more

Great food and delightful location

This restaurant is located overlooking the Mill Bay Marina with a view extending all the way to a distant Mount Baker. We had no trouble finding parking on a sunny January Friday afternoon so it was a complete surprise to find the restaurant packed with lunchtime diners when we arrived at 1:15. We were soon greeted and seated with minimal... more

Great location, great food

This is a great stop for lunch or dinner. Really great food, have eaten here several times and not been disappointed. Small, so make a reservation if you can.

Amazing View, Great Food and Awesome Service

Four of us were in for lunch on the 3rd of January 2014 for the very first time. We arrived a little earlier than the lunch crowd( right at 12 pm) and had the restaurant to ourselves.
The food was great, the service was great and the view simply amazing. I was pleased at all of the above as I... more

We expected more

We were advised to ask for a window table, not realizing there were no lights or anything to see at night. We were chilly throughout dinner. My husband had the Cali steak. the vegies were served cold and the steak was fatty. I had the butter lettuce salad which was only O.K. We had to ask for salt and pepper... more

Great place for a Sunday Lunch

We had heard many good things about Bridgemans and our lunch there today lived up to
the word of mouth reviews. We both had the short rib sandwich & onion rings - they were great
and the staff was friendly and attentive.
The spectacular view topped off our meal experiance ,

Stunning location, excellent food

This restaurant has it all - fantastic food & service and a perfect location. But do book a table as it's very popular!

Spectacular views

Amazing location with spectacular ocean views, but sadly the food was not quite as spectacular. I had a Grilled Veggie Wrap with Caesar Salad & while I found my meal to be ok (the Caesar salad was the best part of the meal), my husband was quite disappointed with his meal. He had the Noodle Bowl, and while the portion... more

Great setting

We were four people for lunch, and were very impressed with the setting and the look of the restaurant. Two of us ordered the seafood chowder, which was generous with a large prawn, mussels, etc, and very good, although a bit difficult to manage. One person just had a Caesar salad, and pronounced it one of the best ever, and... more

The name is the worst thing about this restaurant

The worst thing about this place is the name- it bears no relevance to the magnificent setting. Perched above the waters, with a panoramic
view of Mill Bay, stretching across to snow-capped Mt. Baker. On any given day you may see marine life of all description (even killer whales
on a rare occasion), the rowers from Brentwood College, sail boats,... more

The food saved the evening

Okay...lets look at the pros and cons:
Pros:
Great location
New modern setting
Waterside dining
Tasty dishes
Correct price point
Good wine list
Cons:
Poorly trained helper staff to the waiters
The helpers don't listen to the patrons
No follow through on requests from the table
Poor management decisions ( I will explain later)
Not certain if its a sports... more

wonderful setting, bad experience

I dined at Bridgemans with friends on a beautiful summers evening. It is wonderful to see a waterfront restaurant in Mill Bay, sadly the dining experience was a big let down. The food was average, and the atmosphere elevated it, however the food and drinks at our table on the outside deck were ruined by numerous water splashes from a... more

view and service

Finally went to Bridgemans after hearing many good things. The outdoor deck view is great. This is what the Mill Bay area needed. What really stood out for us was the service, everyone was so friendly and attentive, really well trained. Outstanding service does make a restaurant. The food was very good as well, my wife was slightly disappointed with... more

Making changes & not for the better

We went when it was newly opened, and literally, was the best dining experience we had had in a long time. Everything was yummy & they tried to incorporate gluten free items into the menu. Anyways, we went again yesterday, and it had changed. The Sweet Chili Wrap is no longer wheat free, and it was flavourless. The last time,... more

Not to be missed dining in Mill Bay

Our host at Ruthie's Roost B&B recommended that we dine at Bridgemans Bistro and we had a marvelous time! Perfect weather, great patio on Mill Bay harbor, restaurant only a few months old. Every dish was delicious, from appetizer to dessert. Excellent servers. A couple in a rowboat, he rowing, his wife strumming a uke & singing...came to this restaurant... more

Good food , well presented. Fantastic setting

This place should do well. Close to Mill Bay and not too far from Duncan or even Victoria. There was a mix-up on our booking (bookings for meals definitely needed on busy summer evenings) however we were found a table after a few minutes of administrative work by helpful management. We had an excellent light meal , whilst the beers... more

Mill Bay Marina Bridgemans Bistro - Fantastic

We were out prawning, after dropping the traps in the water, we went on to Mill Bay Marina, moored up for free and had lunch in the Bistro. Great service, I ordered Halibut and Chips, sat outdoor and enjoyed the wonderful view. FYI, townhouses behind the Marina is selling for a cool Million $ each, so it is definitely a... more

great food in a beautiful setting

We had heard a lot of great things about this place and were not disappointed. The food was excellent and the service was great. Of course, the wonderful view on the deck is the topper but I think the chairs should ALL be equipped with cushions -- it gets chilly out there in the evening and metal chairs are uncomfortable... more

Beautiful setting, great food, great service

We'd heard about this place from friends and thought we'd give it a try. Absolutely amazing! We arrived with no reservation but luckily there was room on the deck. What a beautiful setting on a beautiful night. Hubby had the fish and chips which he said were good - not excellent, just good. I had halibut with lobster loaf and... more

Awesome

A must for anyone that is in this area! Make sure you make a reservation well in advance of your visit or you might not get in.

Inconsistent

I have visited Bridgemans 4 times. The first time I had the noodle bowl...fantastic, my companion had the hamburger and was not impressed. Also, the service was not great:(. The second time I had the noodle bowl again as did my dining partner. I was terribly disappointed...it was not at all the same....but, the service was better. The third time..decided... more

Lunch in Mill Bay

Fairly new, right at the Marina in Mill Bay. Looks straight out across the water and Mt Baker. Food was great, well priced, and the service was attentive. It was a hot and sunny day. Might have been nice if they had an optional umbrella for the table available, but then that would have spoiled the view. Would go back... more

Friendly service, delicious fare

My first visit to the bistro has me planning already to return. Although there are no umbrellas on the outside patio, that did not phase anyone there, as a gentle breeze produced the perfect temperature. Sun, yachts in the marina and a fantastic sea view. What could be better on a summer day? Standing heaters actually provided some shade for... more

Love This Place

We stay in Mill Bay every year for a grass court tennis tournament in Cow Bay. We usually have to leave Mill Bay to find a good restaurant - until now. Our B and B hosts told us about Bridgemans and we loved it so much, we went twice during our stay. The food is very good and the setting... more

Some good, some not so

Tried the new Bridgemans Bistro today for lunch. We arrived at 12:30 and were given the very last table available. Delays in service and a feeling that the staff did not have a clear idea of their own area of responsibility were evident. We were seated, given menus, had our drink order taken and delivered (quite slow - at least... more

New bIstro on the bay

Celebrated a birthday there and were not disappointed. Not keen on the decor, especially the bird dropping festooned planks beside our window, but it's a bright and airy venue with tables arranged around a bar, which holds court centre stage. Service is good, meals are reasonable and the menu, while limited, offers a good selection of tasty dishes. It's popular,... more

Nice Oceanview Bristo

We decided to check out this new bristo. We left a little disappointed. We found the prices a little high for what you were getting.We sat outside which is nice but the seats are not very comfortable if you are in shorts. I had to grab one of there blankets to sit on. We heard the oyster taco's were good.... more

Great waterfront Bistro

Newest eatery in the Cowichan Valley. As such it's busy, MAKE A RESERVATION !
Food is fun and good, try the oyster tacos, salads are tasty. I'm looking forward to a few daily specials that will show off their creative tapas. A must for lunch or dinner in Mill Bay.

Great new restaurant in Mill Bay

We went to Bridgemans on the reccomendation of a local. We arrived at 7:00 on a Sunday evening, the restaurant was full, but there was room on the patio. The patio had heaters and blankerts which added to our comfort. We were glad we were outside, because it gave us an even better view of the Bay and the marina,... more

waking on water

We took advantage of Bridgeman's recently opened offerings on a bright sunny day and were very impressed. This is a fairly new bistro and it showed in the service staff. They are young and new to the business but they are very energetic and helpful and that made up for any lack of professional experience they may lack. The deck... more

Slow Service But Fabulous Otherwise

This location is breathtaking and the design is very trendy. The prices are quite reasonable food wise. Liquor is always over priced at restaurants, but the house wines were resonable and good.
The food presentation was amazing. The chowder was excellent and the small bowl was a meal and served with an excellent garlic bread. The price makes this a... more

Brand New and Worth Trying

Great new restaurant, at the new marina in Mill Bay.
Week three and they doing great things.
Very busy.... more

What a find

Excellent spot. We came in on our boat via Brentwood Bay and moored up for lunch. Great service, amazing food, wonderful view - a fantastic experience. Kudos to the team there.

So great to have a world class place in our neighbourhood

I am a local and am so happy to have this place nearby. Finally, we have a place on our beautiful waterfront that serves great local beer, wine and food. You cannot beat the options on their food and bar menu. I commend management and staff for their attention to detail and so happy to recommend this place for a... more

Beautiful way to enjoy a meal with friends

Restaurant is ocean front. This is a new establishment and service was a little on the slow side. However, having said that, they were very busy. I would recommend the Tarragon seafood chowder. I enjoyed the bowl for lunch and found it quite filling. It comes with 2 slices garlic bread. Another member of our group had the Oyster tacos... more

Twice in one week

This new restaurant overlooking the water in Mill Bay is such a treat that we had to go back a second time in the same week. The first time there were 4 of us and we each ordered something different and all the options were extremely tasty, well presented and affordable. The service was great especially considering they had just... more

Beautiful waterfront marina location

A group of 6 of us went for lunch on a gorgeous record breaking sunny day in May 2013. The building is very interesting and the view is stunning. It is a new restaurant in an area recently developed with a marina and townhomes. We chose a inside table, and from what I could see there wasn't a bad seat... more

From one Bridgeman to another you guys rock

With the most perfect location I can think of, on a pier over the Georgia Strait peering over gorgeous yachts and Mount Baker shimmering in the distance you could have served crackers and ketchup and be busy! But oh no you had to serve fantastic food instead! What a great menu! The local wines on the menu is a great... more