El Faro Market — Restaurant in Parksville

We had opportunity to recently visit this restaurant for the first time. There were several issues that I would like to mention during our visit. First it was very clear within the first few minutes of visiting that there was no covid rules in this business nor was there any precautions taken to protect customers for themselves it is clearly after being there for several minutes and anti-vax hangout. I'm not sure what the way it was laid out and how it was being run how it even passed health inspection. The second issue is the pictures online that show where it is over a sunny ocean everything let's be clear this is on the side of a highway and this is not beachy location or somewhere that it's attractive or somewhere you go to get a view we were there at night so early we weren't understanding and nor would have gone out of the deck when it's close to freezing outside the best I can say about the inside of the building is it's very rustic and I don't know if I'd say that in a good way. The last issue is the food I've been a lot of places I visited dozens of different restaurants all across Vancouver Island sadly I have to say. The food here was just bland and unappetizing it is just an opinion but I was also with someone else and they agreed it was one of the worst meals they'd had in a long time not every restaurant is going to have a hit every time and maybe we just ordered the wrong thing but it definitely was not a hit in our books I would avoid this place at all costs especially with covid was going on just...

Update. Unfortunately, after visiting El Faro on about 3-4 more occasions, even offered my brand activation services to them, and did a DJ set for free on my Birthday in exchange for a "Cheers" like environment, the owners and the "community" i thought had my best interest and my creative goals at heart, they destroyed my dream and quickly turned it into a nightmare when they cancelled my 2nd DJ set 1 HOUR BEFORE I was scheduled to show up at the venue. The excuse was ridiculous and had no connection to the show. To pour salt to wound, I am still a developing as a DJ, overcoming PTSD, this was my opportunity to HEAL. What they did was incredibly hurtful and very unheart based. To this date they have not taken any accountability for ruining the dream of a fellow community member.

I would be careful with the false promises of people, especially mostly now that people are showing their truth colours.

Best "hole in the wall" EVER! We accidentally drove past it the first time bc the signage is quite small. We contemplated not going in, but after reading other reviews, we decided to give it a try and we are so happy that we did!!!

The food is amazing! The portions are a great size (we had left overs) and the selection was accommodating and varied; we had a problem with picking just one dish. We ordered the calamari (special of the day and it was the best calamari ever), the Korean bowl and El Faro bowl. The food was SO GOOD!

The service was also outstanding. It is family run and you can tell. We really felt cared for and looked after.

The atmosphere was awesome. Random posters on the wall, vintage furniture and really, really good music playing in the background.

This was a pleasant surprise and I would highly recommend this place to anyone! This will definitely be our FOR SURE stop whenever we are in town.

Thank you El Faro for the food and service. You're an...