Forgot to add, we also had the best meal on the wharf which consisted of fresh steamed crabs which we shared with a couple of seals that kept bobbing their heads up to see what was smelling so good. no tables or any fancy silverware, but wow, were they delicious! It is located in a marina up from where the ferries dock. Sorry I can't remember the exact name but there was a very popular fish and chip place on the wharf next to it.

Does anyone know the place Tanya was talking about? Sounds great!!!

No, I don't, Wallace_and_Gromit.

Frankly, most restaurants in Victoria leave me cold, not only for the overpriced, poor quality food but also the low hygiene standards. A coworker got sick after eating at a seafood restaurant mentioned here and my sister said she'd never go back to a popular breakfast place after seeing into their kitchen. Even Murchies could clean their floors more often. The Blue Crab was okay for others in our party, but the French toast I had there once was the weirdest I've ever tasted.

It can be interesting to click on Food facility ratings at:
http://www.healthspace.ca/viha

For breakfast or lunch in an old world sort of atmosphere try the Parliamentary dining room. You'll need to leave ID at the front desk but don't let that put you off. The restaurant is very relaxed and friendly and some of the food is quite good. Reasonable prices too.

It is obvious that april is either very young or has not eaten out much.If you check the health board ratings for the restaurants listed andmost restaurants you will find low hazard for just about every restaurant in the world.That is a good rating.As to being expensive try eating in vancouver or any other large cities.Victoria is priced just about the same.There are expensive and reasonably priced ones.

One place that hasn't been mentioned yet is Rebar Modern Food, in Bastion Square. We love the place. They published a cookbook a few years ago and I'm working my way through it! They tend towards vegetarian/vegan but certainly not exclusively, and the food is wonderful.

Speaking of Bastion Square, we spent two wonderful evenings at the Irish Times, once just for drinks and then again for dinner. The food was pretty good and the music was fab!

Ha, sarh25, I wish I was very young. In general, I think the food quality and selection in Vancouver is much better.

I'm wondering if the place Tanya is referring to is the seafood booth on the wharf next to Barb's Fish and Chips. We ate at Barb's (excellent, although we also love the Fish Trap here in Sooke where we live) and went for a walk on the wharf past the seafood stall. It looked yummy.

For tea, check out Blethering Place in the Oak Bay area (long walk or a cab drive away from Coast Harbourside) . It was recommended as a good not expensive afternoon tea option in Victoria, we went and really liked it. More details below:
http://www.seetheglobe.com/modules/w...=16&lid=91

If you are willing to get away from downtown and Inner Harbour, there are some FAB restaurants. Keep in mind that if it is right on the harbour it is going to be fairly touristy... which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but locals likely won't eat there much. For hotel dining I think the Blue Crab at Coast Harbourside is good. Pescatores is good too. I agree about Cafe Brio (awesome) - chef owned. Also one place that has not been mentioned is Paprika in Oak Bay. Hands down the best meal I have ever had in Victoria. Chef owned. Barb's Fish and Chips in Fisherman's Wharf is a great experience and the food is good. I think it must be where Tanya is thinking of re: feeding the seals... E.A.T. Mag. provides good info about dining in Victoria.

MartiniB,

Tanya said it was NEXT TO "a very popular fish & chips place" so it couldn't be Barb's (Besides, I don't think they sell crabs). I'm glad to hear Barb's is still good though. (It has been given a "downhill alert" online) I want to go check it out.