My lunch date was awesome, great food... Best beef dip ever we added mushrooms to it tho, the clubhouse was good too (shared half of each so we could both try each sandwich) and the customer service was awesome! Very much appreciate that they do not discriminate anyone no matter your race, health issues etc. Will definitely go back!!!!! Loved the old style bar stool counter which is where we sat.

Delicious! I had the vegan skillet with vegan apple sausage, it was massive. He had the Beauty Benny, classic. Servers were friendly and fast. The place was packed (Sunday). They also have more vegan options such as vegan pancakes! Would recommend if you like a classic diner and generous portions.

We came from Edmonton - our ideal breakfast is some classic home cooked food - and that's exactly what we got - it was ideal. I wasn't feeling ideal, but luckily I got the ideal hangover breakfast and now feeling ideal while sitting at ideal. Thanks Ideal!

Like a perfectly preserved 1960's diner. Great eggs Benedict with perfect shredded hash browns, crispy outside and fluffy soft inside. Very good fish and chips, rock cod with more fish than batter.

I love a place that does shredded hash. It's so much better! The only thing better than that is STUFFED hash, which they also do. This place is busy, and for good reason. Breakfast was delicious, the servers are swift and friendly, and the vibe is old-school diner cool. Try one of their milkshakes--I got mine spiked with Carolan's. Delicious.

This is a great "greasy spoon" classic diner. The food was excellent, serving up vegan and gluten free options as well as the classic fare. I had the crispy chicken sandwich and my partner had the vegan burger. Both were delicious and fresh. The music was bopping and the place was busy but very clean. The service was friendly and efficient. The coffee cup was never empty! I highly recommend!

Great food, cool atmosphere Pistachio milkshakes are delicious and very big. One milkshake can easily be split between two people. Food was great with generous portions and friendly wait staff. You get the impression the place is well managed.

Fantastic vegan options! Really delicious food, friendly atmosphere. Very filling and satisfying. (Photo is of the vegan skillet)

First time going to the Ideal Cafe .... building looks dated, but who cares, the food and the staff were amazing. Eggs Benedict.... wow .... awesome, wife had special pineapple and ham, I had the beast Benedict .... both were fantastic. The bacon with the "beast" was cooked perfectly- crispy and chewy. Prices were a bit higher that other places, but the portion sizes were bigger ... and well worth the extra cost. I can hardly wait to go back on my next Campbell River trip.

Was looking for some vegan breakfast while passing through and this place came up on happycow. Ordered the vegan hash and plant fingers and fries. Great comfort food and great vegan selection which was awesome of all places! Also the service was excellent and friendly, definately around by next time we pass through. Vegans go here now!!!!

Not much to look at from the outside but that's inherent to its charm. Walked in to a bustling old time diner, greeted by friendly, gregarious servers. More than one server checked on me, food was great diner food. Was needed medicine. Recommend

Food was ok but not happy my eggs benedict went from $15 to $24 because I asked for an extra egg.... Not cool at all

Delicious

Wonderful and fast service, our waitress was super speedy and accommodating to our big party

Really good food and very fast service! Servers were really friendly.

Worth one visit, and that's about it.

Good bennys friendly staff

Best Smoked Salmon Eggs Benny on Focacia bread, yum yum! The staff are super fun too, we always have a good laugh.

Its rad cuz its ol skool

Good menu, good prices and great service. Would definitely recommend

Visited three times while we were camping nearby last month and this month. What a great restaurant! Nostalgic decor of the 40’s and 50’s, really helpful and pleasant waitresses, good food with lots of choice including vegan an gluten free. Old time charm. Will visit whenever we are in the area. It was a pleasure. Loved the chocolate milk shake made in one of those old machines.

My partner and I love this place! Great food and service! We always get our meals really quickly and they always taste amazing!! Highpy recommend eating here

Came here with my friends and everything was so good! Im from Vancouver and this was one of the best vegan breakfasts I’ve EVER had. This place is great and the staff were all super lovely, I will be back every time I visit Campbell River! Thanks so much!

Do not pass this place on your way up or down island. It is a hidden gem; great food and service. I stopped during the drive from Port McNeill to Victoria, had a great breakfast that kept me going all morning.

We got take out for our drive north. staff was friendly. My chicken burger was one of the best I have ever had.

A classic! I used to go to Ideal Cafe with my Dad when I was a young lady and was able to come back 17 years later with son and it hasn't changed a bit. Service was exceptional, food was perfect greasy spoon...i went with the world famous loggers special and it filled me to the brim! Plenty of parking out back, might be a little wait during the weekend, but its worth it! Has a 50s ice cream parlor vibe inside, so if you like nostalgia, this might be an 'Ideal' stop....see what I did there?

Uh....wow!!! The Ideal Cafe is a delightful little cafe with an unassuming location that you might miss if it weren't for the busy parking lot and people hanging out outside. I got the "Boat" skillet and it was absolutely delicious. Perfect size, and wouldn't have changed a thing. It was hard deciding on what to get, but I feel you can't go wrong with what you order here. We arrived just before 10am on a Saturday morning and were the first group on the waitlist. If you want to ensure a quick spot, I'd suggest arriving earlier. We were seated pretty quickly, got some good coffee, made our food choices, and looked around at the various memorabilia and decorations that were a flashback to an era you don't see often anymore. Overall, I am so glad this cafe was recommended to us, and I would highly suggest you go there for yourself...you won't regret it.

Excellent food Well worth coming here. It can get busy at times so don't be surprised if you have to wait depending on what time you decide to make your visit The milkshakes look outstanding with the old school mixers sitting at the counter. ********Take a look at their menu****** If you have dietary restrictions or otherwise a picky eater I wouldn't recommend this place, or if you do come by, understand that they may not be able to accommodate you. It's a small kitchen so there will be cross contamination.

Best place to get breakfast in Campbell River. Classic cafe look, food is unbelievable, great place for a family breakfast get together. Feel like having a morning alcoholic drink? They also have an alcoholic beverage menu too. Also great lunch food. For breakfast: Ideal omelette and The Barge (or boat) are 10/10s For lunch: chicken burger or Beef dip are also 10/10s And customer service is awesome. Even while being busy, the food still doesn’t take too long to be served. So I’d have to shed some light on their chefs for high quality and high speed meals

Funky café- and lots of yummy menu selections. The vegan hash bowl and oatmeal with blueberries were delicious. Our server was friendly and efficient.

We stopped in for the first time this week and we enjoyed our visit to the café. The retro vibe was fun, staff were super friendly and welcoming, and the food was delicious.

I have been eating at Ideal cafe for years as a treat to myself when I get the chance, I love the homey vibes, the old diner taste and the total atmosphere of the place. I have never had bad food while being there, or bad service! If you ever go they have the best diner food and old classic milk shakes.

Amazing service and even better food, how can you go wrong! I had the barge and a strawberry milkshake on an empty stomach and it really hit the spot!

This place is just amazing! Thanks for everything, you certainly love what you are doing, which can be seen in every detail. Cheers! Excellent food Excellent service Excellent athmosphere Excellent price Excellent Milk Shakes on top of it :P I love it and as soon as I left, I miss it already. Looking forward to our next stay XX

Fantastic! Old school vibe in a modern world.

Ideal is easily one of the best places to eat in Campbell River. Charming and lovely staff, and delicious diner classics. The breakfast barge is usually my go to. A must visit in CR.

Classic food in a classic truck stop diner. Breakfast is top notch. Always service with a smile. Highly recommend

Great greasy spoon, old-timey dinner vibes. I had the vegan hash and found it quite tasty

This place is very local. Looks a little old on the outside and kinda inside too but don't let that turn you away. The food was great and the price is fair. The staff are friendly and service is pretty quick. You can tell pretty quick that this place is a local favorite, with the broad range of ages of people inside. Anywho I'd reccomend trying this place if your looking for local and homestyle cafe food.

I had the beauty benedict and made it a beast (with bacon) it had spinach, avocado and tomato on it. The hollandaise sauce was extremely good. I am from Ontario and have eaten at a LOT of different breakfast places for eggs benedict and I have to say this is the BEST eggs benedict I have had yet. My aunt ordered their BOAT scrambler and we were both EXTREMELY happy with our meal. The service/employees were amazing. Very happy we stopped here. Thank you so much.

Service was awesome food was good. Atmosphere was awesome like it was 20 years ago when I work there.

Loved it. Had an amazing 40th birthday breakfast there

Great local spot, old school diner style. The hollandaise was amazing. Breakfast served late

Good food, awesome staff

Food was amazing. Service was better. Great covid protocols in place. Nostalgia at its finest. A must visit every trip home.

Their food and service was good but we found a hair in our food; it ruined our mood tbh but the waiter was really good and professional they replaced my eggs benny promptly.

Funky place, 1950's vibe. Great customer service. Wonderful food. Breakfasts are fantastic!

Food was great and friendly staff.

Delicious food, great staff, reasonable prices

Great old time dinner. Nice staff great food.

Amazing food and perfect if you're looking for a full belly of deliciousness! The milkshakes had paper straws and the takeout containers were plastic free. Vegan and veggie options were so inclusive and a big bonus! Try the vegan bratwurst!

Great service delicious breakfast.

Amazing food great service

Great food, friendly staff.

Fantastic food, huge portions and incredible service! One warning, bring a pillow for the nap afterwards 😴😴 👍👍

Servers are great and nice to see some vegan options!!

Hot waitresses

Delicious breakfast and great customer service

Been going here for 10 years now and have never had a bad meal. Food and service is perfect everytime. Good atmosphere as well. Would highly recommend.

A tasty little greasy spoon that'll take you back to the good ol' days of friendly diners and pleasant waitresses.

Great food, amazing and friendly service! Love the place!

Classic diner offering delicious food with vegan options, and great service!

Awesome place to get a homemade breakfast. Classic diner, lot of young and interesting people here, food is delicious and portions are huge! Thank you!

Love this place straight out awesome food 😊

The easiest restaurant to miss that I've come across. But holy smokes. Generous portions, fantastic and scrumptious food with a surprising variety of vegan and vegetarian options, and stellar customer service as sweet as their delicious milkshakes.... cant recomend enough...... plus they use paper straws and paper takeout containers for those who are trying reduce their plastic impact.