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$$$ | Vic West |
A sunny patio, intimate balconies, and a wall of windows take in sweeping views across the Inner Harbour at this seaside spot in the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort. Casual mains and shared plates, such as local-brew battered halibut, maple bourbon pork ribs, and spiced-grilled Angus beef striploin, along with simple desserts with a twist (try vanilla cheesecake with pickled cherries) are served all day and into the evening. Creative cocktails, wines by the glass, beer tasters, sunset views, and a lively bar scene make this a great choice for a casual night out.
100 Harbour Rd., Victoria, British Columbia, V9A 0G1, Canada
Known For
- Harbor views
- Creative cocktails
- Lively bar scene
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$$$$ | Oak Bay |
This circular room with art deco rosewood booths and a 180-degree view over the sailboats of Oak Bay Marina. Ocean Wise savvy, food is all about sustainably sourced seafood including wild salmon and Dungeness crab, all of which are teamed with local organic vegetables. Starters include spot prawn bisque or spiced calamari and fresh shucked oysters. A lunch menu of salads, burgers, and fish and an evening-only sushi bar also favor local ingredients. An attached marina-side coffee bar makes a handy stop for a seaside drive or cycle tour.
1327 Beach Dr., Victoria, British Columbia, V8S 2N4, Canada
Known For
- Marina view
- Sustainable seafood
- Evening sushi bar
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
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Noodles, whether Indonesian-style with peanut sauce, thick Hokkien in teriyaki, or Thai-style chow mein, are scooped straight from the open kitchen's steaming woks into bowls or cardboard take-out boxes. Malaysian-, Singapore-, and Thai-style curries run from mild to scaldingly hot. Gluten-free, vegan-, and kid-friendly options are all available. There are half a dozen "boxes" around town; most are loud and busy spots.
818 Douglas St., Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 2B6, Canada
Known For
- Vegan-friendly menu
- Gluten-free dining
- Fast service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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$$$ | Downtown |
Crowded, frenetic, and buckets of fun, this New York–meets–Victoria trattoria has trumpeted showbiz since it opened in 1979, from the signed photos of owner Howie Siegal's movie-star friends plastering the walls, to the live jazz, swing, blues, or Celtic music playing several nights a week. The tables are so tightly packed that you'll be eyeing your neighbor's food from a menu that runs from the "Mae West" (veal with artichoke hearts) to a number of à la carte fresh, handmade pastas and gluten-free rice bowls to the "Prawns Al Capone" (shell-on butterfly shrimp sautéed in butter and white wine). The fun and the food isn't set to break the bank either. Sunday brunch is equally good.
1011 Broad St., Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 2A1, Canada
Known For
- Live music
- Handmade pasta
- Upbeat atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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$$$$ | Downtown |
Candlelight dances beneath a carved mahogany ceiling at the Fairmont Empress hotel's flagship restaurant, where one of the two gracious rooms has expansive harbor views. The classically influenced Pacific Northwest menu changes seasonally but might feature such appetizers as Angus beef tartare or caramelized scallops and pork. Mains, featuring sustainably sourced meat and seafood, might include roasted Haida Gwaii halibut or butter-poached venison tenderloin. Simply grilled proteins with a choice of sides and sauces are also an option. The service is discreet and attentive and there are more than 800 labels on the wine list. If the weather is fine, the summer-only Veranda serves lunch, cocktails, and early-evening snacks, as well as the best sunset views over the harbor.
721 Government St., Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1W5, Canada
Known For
- Finesse in food and service
- 800-label wine list
- Adjoining Q lounge
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$ | Downtown |
Bright and casual, with lime-green walls, hippie nuances, and a splashy Bollywood poster, this kid-friendly café in Bastion Square has long been the place for vegetarians in Victoria. But don't worry, the almond burgers, decadent baked goodies, and wild salmon tacos keep omnivores happy, too. Try the yam and pumpkin-seed quesadillas or the vegan Monk's Curry, or join locals for the popular weekend-only brunches. An extensive selection of teas, fresh juices, spirulina tonics, smoothies, and wheat-grass concoctions shares space on the drinks list with espresso, microbrews, and BC wines.
50 Bastion Sq., Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1J2, Canada
Known For
- Vegetarian dining
- Gluten-free options
- Weekend brunch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No breakfast weekdays
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$$ | Downtown |
Like many European coffee shops, this place starts as a grab 'n go coffee bar before transitioning to breakfast, to lunch, and finally dinner. Most of the suppliers are locally sourced and menu items range from generous sandwiches to pasta, burgers, and roast chicken. Caesars and other cocktails are served from 10 am and in the evening, the wine list is a showcase of local labels.
710 Pandora Ave., Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 0E4, Canada
Known For
- Something for everyone
- Local flavors
- Fast service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
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$$ | Vic West |
Victoria's longest list of handcrafted beers is just one reason to trek over the Johnson Street Bridge or hop a Harbour Ferry to this Vic West waterfront pub. Canada's oldest licensed brewpub, and a popular hangout, Spinnakers relies almost exclusively on locally sourced ingredients for its top-notch casual fare. Opt for the pubby adults-only taproom, with its covered waterfront deck, double-sided fireplace, and wood-beamed ceilings, or dine in the all-ages waterfront restaurant. Either way you can enjoy a great selection of sharing plates alongside high-end pub grub such as mussels steamed in ale, or brick-oven pizzas (try the house-smoked wild salmon or the mushroom and beer). You can also stop by for breakfast, served from 8 am to 2 pm daily, or grab some house-made picnic fixings and malt vinegars at the take-away deli and bakery.
308 Catherine St., Victoria, British Columbia, V9A 3S8, Canada
Known For
- High-end pub fare
- Brick-oven pizza
- Takeaway deli
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$$$$ | Brentwood Bay |
Locally sourced, west coast cuisine is paired with wines from neighboring vineyards at this lovely ocean-view restaurant in the Brentwood Bay Resort. Start with beet and asparagus salad, then opt for halibut with a touch of ginger or one of the beef, lamb, poultry, and vegetarian dishes. The resort's well-known sushi bar is a destination unto itself offering Dynamite Rolls (tempura prawn based) and a Westcoast Roll (tuna and salmon with avocado) among others. Liquid desserts, as in a Mocha Expresso Martini, are hot favorites among traditional choices of pies, mousses, and sorbets. A big fireplace, two-story-high windows, and a wonderful array of Canadian art warm the interior; outside, a heated patio takes in views of Saanich Inlet. A more casual marina-view pub offers burgers, pizzas, and craft beers at lunch and dinner.
849 Verdier Ave., Victoria, British Columbia, V8M 1C5, Canada
Known For
- Sushi and fresh seafood
- Heated ocean-view patio
- Canadian art collection
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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Everything here is farm-to-table or items come from local bakeries and orchards. Sandwiches are piled high with flavor, pizzas come directly from the brick oven, and shelves are stacked with produce such as jams, jellies, canned fruit, and veggies. The farm of this outfit is in North Saanich at 1780 Mills Road where meals are a bit more leisurely in a very bright bistro. As you might expect, we're talking pasture raised, non-gmo ingredients from start to finish.
2489 Beacon Ave., Sidney, British Columbia, V8L 1X9, Canada
Known For
- Farm-to-table menus
- Local flavor
- Hip vibe
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$$$ | Downtown |
Ever wondered what a Nepalese nightclub might look like? Well, this subterranean space is as close as it gets, with good, affordable Nepalese and Tibetan dishes, from the traditional—butter chicken curry, spicy lamb curry, and Tibetan dumplings—to the less strictly Himalayan, such as naan pizzas and cheese plates, as well as various appetizer platters to share. With DJs playing up-tempo lounge music most nights and food served until 2 am, the Mint appeals to off-duty restaurant workers, students, and anyone looking for an after-hours meal in Victoria, where restaurants tend to close early.
1414 Douglas St., Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 2G1, Canada
Known For
- DJ sets
- Late-night menu
- Mint-based cocktails
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$$$$ | Downtown |
For a Pacific Rim twist on the tea tradition, try this window-lined restaurant in the Hotel Grand Pacific (C$58). You can choose from an assortment of Asian-style teas, like the cherry haiku or dragon tears (green tea with jasmine), while you nibble on Dungeness crab cakes, tuna tataki, scones with clotted cream, and lemon meringue tarts. Tea is served from 2 to 4:30 daily. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance.
463 Belleville St., Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 1X3, Canada
Known For
- Fusion difference
- Calm ambience
- Creative menu items
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$$ | Downtown |
Chef-owner Danno Lee has re-created the fun and flavors of a Spanish tapas bar in this little pedestrian-only lane off Government Street. Small, flavorful dishes run from simple-but-tasty grilled vegetables to prawns in white wine, spicy mussels, thin-crust pizzas, pastas and a multitude of vegetarian options. One specialty is the Pollo Armanda: charbroiled boneless chicken with artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, lemon, and white wine. Almond-stuffed dates are a particular hit. Rich colors and lively artwork create a casual interior; the patio is a choice spot. Just need a snack? Tapas are served all afternoon and late into the evening. A wine bar next door is run by the same owners.
620 Trounce Alley, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1K3, Canada
Known For
- Lively room
- Patio
- Late-night tapas
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$$$ | Fairfield |
Afternoon teas (C$54), with fresh-baked scones and cream, mini-quiches, cucumber sandwiches, and seasonal treats featuring produce from the garden, are served in the living room of the Abkhazi Garden. Late-morning snacks (called "elevenses") and light lunches are also available at this romantic garden setting.
1964 Fairfield Rd., Victoria, British Columbia, V8S 1H4, Canada
Known For
- Garden location
- Romantic teahouse
- The venue's "story"
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. Oct.–Mar.
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$$$$ | Oak Bay |
If you think that Oak Bay is all British tweeds and shepherd's pies, pull up a stool at the long, polished-wood bar in this thoroughly modern storefront bistro. The imaginative small-plates menu emphasizes fresh, local ingredients and regional purveyors in a long menu of charcuterie selections as well as updated comfort foods like braised short rib and onion tortiere, Parmesan frites, mouthwatering soups such as Dungeness crab bisque, and salads. The beers are mostly locally crafted and the wines—from BC and farther afield—come in 1-, 5-, or 8-ounce pours, making it easy to pair different wines with the various tapas. You might top off your meal with a small something-sweet: macarons or a selection of bite-size chocolate treats.
2228 Oak Bay Ave., Victoria, British Columbia, V8R 1G5, Canada
Known For
- Local ingredients
- BC craft beer
- Wine pairings
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$$$$ | Oak Bay |
Everything, including the jam, is homemade with exceptional creativity for the Scottish-style teas served in the White Heather Tea Room, a lovely place with big windows. Go for the gusto with its Signature Muckle (C$60). Teas are served from 10 am to 3 pm, Thursday through Sunday. Gluten-free selections are available as are take-out boxed teas.
1885 Oak Bay Ave., Victoria, British Columbia, V8R 1C6, Canada
Known For
- Village atmosphere
- Quiet
- Good service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed.
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$$$ | Downtown |
The chef is a baker-turned-butcher, so the resulting menu is laden with freshly baked breads like caraway sourdough, house-cranked sausages, and deliciously seasoned tender cuts that all exude the island's "eat local" lore. Selections change weekly. Most dishes are smaller, tapas-style options like oysters, beef tartare, pork belly, and octopus stew, alongside a duo of lamb and sesame-crusted albacore tuna, as well as the "Can't Decide" multi-plate chef's adventure for your taste buds (C$79). Simple veggies take on new grace, as in roasted carrots with ginger yogurt, walnuts, and raisins. The setting is a cozy, laid-back oasis in the heart of tourist-central. Choose to sit at the bar, an intimate corner table, or in the summer, a table in the inner outdoor-courtyard. A gourmet munchies menu runs 11 pm to 1 am making it an ideal post-concert hangout.
45 Bastion Sq., Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1J1, Canada
Known For
- Eclectic flavors
- Central location
- Cozy atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. in winter. No lunch
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$$$$ | Downtown |
This lively trattoria, in a glam space with floor-to-ceiling windows and eclectic chandeliers, has a setting to match the top-notch Italian food and service. The kitchen uses local and organic ingredients to turn out contemporary versions of traditional dishes. During the always-busy lunch service, choose from pizzas, pastas, and hot sandwiches, or in the evening, opt for tagliatelle with Gorgonzola cream, leeks, and candied walnuts, or roasted leg of lamb with salsa verde and artichoke hearts. The mostly Italian wine list includes lesser-known labels, with many available by the glass.
820 Yates St., Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1L8, Canada
Known For
- Top-notch pasta
- Extensive Italian wine list
- Great service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
