The Surly Mermaid — Restaurant in Sidney

We visited Surly Marmalade based on Google Reviews recommending it for vegan options, hoping to enjoy a vegan burger. My friend’s fish and chips were excellent – generous portions and very tasty. My experience with the Beyond Burger, however, became quite frustrating. The evening began with a mix-up: the server brought a vegetarian burger instead of the Beyond Burger I had ordered. When she realized the mistake, she admitted she had forgotten my order, and from that point the confusion escalated. The first Beyond Burger arrived undercooked. I had ordered it with a side salad and subsidized yam fries, but the salad never came, even though I had confirmed it beforehand. After a wait, a second burger was served, but it was overcooked, dry, and crumbly – the burger was never truly properly served.To compensate, they served the yam fries separately while trying to finish the burger. Altogether, it took nearly an hour from the initial mix-up, making the experience stressful rather than enjoyable. Later, as a gesture of apology, the staff offered me vegan wraps or tacos, which I declined because I hadn’t really eaten my main meal and didn’t want to continue a disappointing experience. However, Edgar, politely trying to make things right, brought me a vegan mousse- although I refused as I didn’t have a dinner first so I can’t eat a dessert,etc I appreciated the gesture and tried it, but my honest feedback is that the texture was firm and the taste leaned strongly towards sour rather than sweet. Most people expect a dessert to be sweet; describing it as sour-sweet would better set expectations. I share this feedback respectfully, especially knowing the owner is vegan and cares about the concept. For vegan cuisine, it’s especially important that each dish is thoughtfully prepared and harmonized on the plate, so flavors and textures complement each other. While I appreciate the effort of the staff and the quality of the fish and chips, the experience left me hungry and disappointed, and it didn’t meet the expectations set by the restaurant’s reputation for...

Having read the review of Karina Tobias’s I feel compelled to give my first ever review. Her claim’s are unjust and should not bare any reflection on this establishment or its staff. Such the folly of the young and inexperienced. As one who enjoys dining out I have been a regular customer of the Surley mermaid since I discovered this gem of a place. Perched at the waters edge nearest the Sidney marina, with a beautiful specious patio and flanked by an array of beautiful masted sail boats, the outdoor setting adds perfectly to the classy, fresh, and open interior of this well staffed and welcoming local business. A loyal customer to just these kinds of establishments, the Surley mermaid and its staff have made it one of the few I count as the best, and is often recommend to friends. Edgar, Jodie, Heather , Kennedy, Dillon, as well as all the staff go above and beyond most to make you feel welcomed and comfortable and your experience to be one that you will enjoy and bring you back. The menu is full of delicious choices and once you’ve had a few of them it hard to pick something else but I encourage it, they’re all delicious and the cooks make every dish perfectly. I’ve had time to get to know some staff beyond the confines of a simple customer, and as one who has worked in the industry, recognize and appreciate the high level of service and personal experience that Edgar and his staff ensure each costumer experiences, a reflection of Edgar’s high standard and dedication to customer care, as well as his success in building a staff that shares the cohesion and interdependency that creates the working environment that I have witnessed and admired throughout my time as a customer. I would and do recommend anyone who has the opportunity to visit the Surley mermaid , do not pass up your chance. Edgar and his staff will make certain that your experience will be one that you will remember, and beckon your return for more. It will be a time and experience you will remember fondly,...

A Must-Visit in Sidney: The Surly Mermaid

During our recent stay on Vancouver Island, we discovered The Surly Mermaid in Sidney and ended up going back several times. We had planned to explore a range of restaurants, but this one kept calling us back and not just for the food, but for the amazing atmosphere and the warm welcome we received each time.

The Surly Mermaid is popular hangout, focused on fresh, creative, and delicious food that showcases the best of what the area has to offer.

We tried a wide range of dishes and were impressed every single time. From fresh salads topped with perfectly cooked salmon, to rich and comforting baked mac and cheese, every plate was beautifully prepared and full of flavour.

We now have a couple of absolute favourites. From the starter menu, the Chilli Garlic Prawns are an absolute must. From the dessert menu, the Guinness Brownie is dangerously good. Be sure to ask for extra sauce, because it truly is to die for.

Other hits included the wings, classic fish and chips, and the unforgettable Surly Peanut Butter Burger. It sounds a bit wild, but it works and then some.

Their drink menu is just as impressive. They offer a great selection of interesting local beers, and if you can’t choose, you can try a flight.

The view along the Sidney walkway is beautiful, but the real magic is in the people. Darragh, the co-owner and general manager, made us feel instantly welcome. That warmth carried through from the servers to the kitchen staff, everyone we met seemed genuinely happy to be there, and happy to see us.

The Surly Mermaid is a place we’ll be thinking about until our next visit to Vancouver Island. Great food, great drinks, and even better people. We’ll be back to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We couldn’t think of a better place to mark the occasion.

The Surly Mermaid has earned a permanent place in our hearts. Whether you're a local or just visiting, don’t miss the chance to experience this...